Died On This Date (March 17, 1990) Rick Grech / Blind Faith, Traffic
Rick Grech
November 1, 1946 – March 17, 1990
As a much in-demand bass guitar journeyman, Rick Grech landed the ultimate rock dream job in 1969 when he was nabbed to play alongside Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood in the newly formed Blind Faith. After a disappointing start, Blind Faith disbanded so Grech stayed on with Winwood in the reformed Traffic. However, Grech’s drug use got in the way, so he was let go from the band and went on to do session work for the likes of Rod Stewart, Muddy Waters and Ronnie Lane. By the mid-70s, Grech grew frustrated with his career and tired of the music industry in general so he retired and went into the carpet business. His drug of choice became alcohol which reportedly led to his death from liver and kidney failure at just 43.