Died On This Date (January 1, 2010) Gregory Slay / Drummer For Remy Zero

Gregory Slay
DOB Unknown – January 1, 2010

Gregory Slay was the drummer for Birmingham, Alabama alternative rock band, Remy Zero.  Formed in 1989, the band piqued the interest of music fans and critics alike when, in 1995, Radiohead snapped them up to open for their US tour based solely on the band’s demo tapes.  The group soon recorded and released their self-titled debut and were being touted as the “next big thing” while getting airplay on the hippest radio stations, and song placements in numerous television shows and movies.  Their “Save Me” was selected to be the theme song for the television series, Smallville.  The band broke up in 2003 and Slay went on to make solo recordings under the name, Sleepwell.  He also played on the theme song for Nip/Tuck.  Gregory Slay was 40 years old when he passed away from complications of cystic fibrosis.

 

Died On This Date (November 26, 2009) Jerry Brackenridge/ Longtime Capitol-EMI Executive

Jerry Brackenridge
1943 – November 26, 2009

Photo courtesy of Alexis Kelley

Jerry Brackenridge was a highly respected sales and marketing executive who spent most of his long music career within the EMI family of companies.  Brackenridge was first hired by Capitol during the ’60s and steadily worked his up way through the ranks until eventually landing in the position of Vice President of Field Sales.   Over the course of his 38+ year career with EMI, Brackenridge handled sales and marketing for such EMI labels as Capitol, EMI-America, Blue Note, Angel, Rhino, Virgin and dozens more.  His hard work and loyalty to his job helped build the careers of such artists as Bob Seger, Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Radiohead, Coldplay, and countless more.  He left the company in 2002.  Jerry Brackenridge, 66, died of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on November 26, 2009.