Died On This Date (May 20, 2014) Randy Coven / Bassist For Steve Vai & Yngwie Malmsteen

Randy Coven
June 24, 1958 – May 20, 2014

randy-covenRandy Coven was a rock bass virtuoso who counted no less than guitar gods, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen as band leaders.  Born on Long Island, Coven picked up the bass at an early age and was lucky enough to get some early schooling from a neighbor and fusion legend, Jeff Berlin.  After high school, during which he played in local hard rock cover bands, Coven continued his music education at the Berklee School of Music in Boston.  It was there that he met fellow student Vai, with whom he formed Morning Thunder.   After they broke up, Coven joined a Canadian fusion band, Orpheus.  He later moved back to New York where he formed his own band.  Throughout the ’90s, he played with the likes of C.P.R., Leslie West‘s reunited Mountain, and Malmsteen.  Throughout his career, Coven released three of his own albums, Funk Me Tender (1990), Sammy Says Ouch! (1990), and Witch Way (2002).  Randy Coven was 56 when he passed away on May 20, 2014.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (December 2, 1997) Michael Hedges / Acoustic Guitar Great

Michael Hedges
December 31, 1953 – December 2, 1997

Michael Hedges was a New Age multi-instrumentalist who is mostly remembered for his stellar acoustic guitar work.  Hedges was still in college when he was signed to respected folk, acoustic and new age label, Windham Hill, in the early ’80s.  His first two albums for the label can, as far as acoustic guitar records are concerned, rightfully stand alongside the best of John Fahey or Leo Kottke.  In later recordings, he occasionally branched out to include vocals and more pop leaning songs and instrumentation.  Guitar greats no less than Pete Townshend, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Vai and David Crosby have all praised his guitar talent.  On December 2, 1997, Michael Hedges, age 43, was killed when he lost control and crashed his car while driving along a slick and windy road along the coast north of San Francisco.

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Breakfast In the Field - Michael Hedges

Died On This Date (November 30, 2008) Munetaka Higuchi / Loudness

Munetaka Higuchi
December 24, 1958 – November 30, 2008

munetaka

Munetaka Higuchi was the founding drummer for Japanese metal band, Loudness.  A talented musician from an early age, Higuchi played in several bands while still in high school.  In 1981, he and friend, Akira Takasaki, formed Loudness who became the first Japanese heavy metal band to land a recording contract in the United States.  Higuchi released a solo album, Destruction, while still in the band, and then left in 1992 to launch a solo career.  In 1997, he released Free World, and album that included such guests as Terry Bozzio, Steve Vai, Stanley Clarke, Billy Sheehan and Ronnie James Dio.  Higuchi reunited with Loudness in 2001.  On November 30, 2008, Munetaka Higuchi died of liver cancer at the age of 49.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.

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The Law of Devil's Land - Loudness