Died On This Date (July 10, 2013) Peppie Marchello / The Good Rats

Peppie Marchello
1948 – July 10, 2013

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Peppie Marchello was the front man of the group Rolling Stone once called “the world’s most famous unknown band,” Long Island, New York’s the Good Rats.  Formed while Marchello was in college during 1964, the group, originally called U-Men, achieved moderate success but remained largely a cult band throughout their run.  In 1969, now going by the Good Rats, they released their self-titled debut which was followed by their most popular album, 1974’s Tasty.  Meanwhile, the band built a sizable following thanks to their live performances fronted by the charismatic Marchello.  More solid albums followed throughout the ’70s and ’80s along with key opening slots for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Rush, and KISS, but none of that was quite enough to push the band beyond cult status – to the amazement of many.  Since then, Marchello continued on with one variation of the band or another right up until the time of his passing.  He also spent some years performing, writing and producing with his son, Gene Marchello under the band name, Popzarocca.  On July 10, 2013, Peppie Marchello suffered a fatal heart attack.  He was 68.

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Died On This Date (January 25, 2012) Mark Reale / Founder of Riot

Mark Reale
June 7, 1955 – January 25, 2012

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Mark Reale was a guitarist who is best remembered as the founder of and creative force behind influential hard rock band, Riot.  Born in New York City, Reale began putting the group together in 1975.  Two years later, they released their acclaimed debut album, Rock City.  Before they knew it, they were touring with the likes of KISS, Molly Hatchet, AC/DC, Sammy Hagar, and Rush.  In 1981, they released Fire Down Below which is considered their masterpiece and one of the defining metal albums of the early ’80s.  Reale disbanded Riot in 1984 and started another band, Narita, but reformed it a couple of years later.  Riot continued to perform and record through the fall of 2011 when they released their latest album, Immortal Soul.  Mark Reale, was 56 when he died from complications of Crohn’s Diseased on January 25, 2012.  Former band mate Rhett Forrester was the victim of an unsolved carjacking/murder in 1994, while original lead singer, Guy Speranza died of pancreatic cancer in 2003.

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Died On This Date (January 17, 2011) Don Kirshner / Influential Producer, Publisher & Television Host

Don Kirshner
April 17, 1934 -January 17, 2011

Don Kirshner was a music publisher, producer, songwriter-manager, and television host who rightfully earned the nickname, The Man With The Golden Ear.  His music career began during the ’50s when he and his partner, Al Nevins, launched Aldon Music, a publishing company that included such future superstar talent as Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Neil Sedaka.   Kirshner also owned three successful record labels during the early part of his career.  In the early ’60s, the creators of a new NBC television program enlisted Kirshner to provide songs for that show.  The influential sit-com followed the fictional adventures of an up-and-coming band as it bounced from one loony situation to another while performing catchy pop songs along the way.  The show was called The Monkees, and Kirshner brought songs like “I’m A Believer,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” and several others that would become hits that help define the era.  He later helped create an animated version of that same concept with The Archies. Then in 1973, Kirshner became a television star in his own right with the launch of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.  The late night show offered full live performances of songs by current rock stars, making it unique in a time where lip syncing on television was the norm.  For many rock music fans in a pre-MTV, pre-youtube era, it was THE only way to enjoy your favorite bands live.  Along with being executive producer, Kirshner introduced each act in a monotone manner that was later popularly parodied by Paul Shaffer on Saturday Night Live. The show’s premiere episode included the Rolling Stones and and the series continued at that pace hosting the likes of Alice Cooper, the Allman Brothers Band, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Rush, the Eagles, the Ramones, KISS, and Kansas.  It quickly became serious competition for other late night programs like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.  The show ran until 1981.  Don Kirshner was 76 when he died of heart failure on January 17, 2011.

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Died On This Date (August 26, 2005) Denis “Piggy” D’Amour / Voivod

Denis D’Amour
September 24, 1959 – August 26, 2005

Denis D’Amour was the guitarist for Canadian thrash metal band, Voivod who were one of the first Canadian thrash bands to gain popularity outside of Canada. They, along with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax were ushered in the thrash metal movement of the mid ’80s. Trained in classical violin, D’Amour later switched to guitar, later adding more of a King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Rush approach to his unique guitar playing. D’Amour was diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 2005. Having progressed at an alarming rate, surgery was not an option, so D’Amour died as a result of the cancer on August 26, 2005 at the age of 45.

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Dimension Hatröss - Voivod

Died On This Date (May 11, 2008) John Rutsey / Original Drummer For Rush

John Rutsey
1953 – May 11, 2008

John Rutsey was the drummer and founding member of Rush who was replaced by Neil Peart after the release of their first album. It was the summer of 1968 when Rutsey along with Alex Lifeson and Jeff Jones built the foundation for one rock’s most beloved power trios. Vocalist Jones was soon replaced by Geddy Lee. Rutsey, Lifeson and Lee later went into the studio and recorded Rush’s self-titled debut, but since Rutsey suffered from diabetes, he decided to leave the band as he feared a life on the road would take a heavy toll on his body. Ironically, his post-rock life found him turning to competitive body building on the regional amateur level. Rutsey died of a heart attack in his sleep on May 11, 2008.

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