the stooges

Died On This Date (February 3, 2017) Robert Dahlqvist / The Hellacopters

themusicsover February 3, 2017 No Comments

Robert Dahlqvist
April 16, 1976 – February 3, 2017

Robert Dahlqvist is best remembered as the longtime guitarist for Swedish garage band, the Hellacopters. His tenure with the group ran from 1999 to 2008, and again for a recent live album set to come out at a later date. Born in Uddevalla, Sweden, Dahlqvist learned to play the guitar at a very young age. In 1999, he joined the Hellacopters who were already a popular band across Sweden and beyond. He played on their next several releases over the following decade. The Hellacopters built a loyal legion of fans worldwide due to their fiery loud-guitar, and pounding drum/bass sound that draws influence from the likes of KISS, the Ramones, MC5, and the Stooges, to name a few. While playing with the Hellacopters, Dahlqvist also found time for two side-project bands, Thunder Express and Dundertåget, two bands that were not sonically dissimilar to the Hellacopters. Robert Dahlqvist passed away on February 3, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 40.

What You Should Own

Musician Punk Rock

Died On This Date (April 10, 2012) Ritchie Teeter / Former Drummer For The Dictators

themusicsover April 10, 2012 No Comments

Ritchie Teeter
March 16, 1951 – April 10, 2012

Ritchie Teeter was a rock drummer who made is mark playing behind the Dictators during some of the band’s glory years. With a sound and vibe that was not that far removed from the Ramones, MC5, the Stooges, or the New York Dolls, the Dictators built a dedicated following that remains loyal to this day. Teeter joined the band following the release of their first album, Go Girl Crazy, and can be heard playing on 1977’s Manifest Destiny and 1978’s Bloodbrothers. Both are considered essential for any respectable early New York punk collection. Teeter went on to play in Twisted Sister in late 1980/early 1981, but never appeared on any of their albums. He did participate in later Dictator reunion shows, though not much is known about his more recent life. It appears that Teeter retired from the business some time ago, or he at least kept a very low profile. Ritchie Teeter was 61 when he died of esophageal cancer on April 10, 2012.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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the-dictators-music — Click to find at amazon.com

27 Club Musician Rock

Died On This Date (February 10, 1975) Dave Alexander / The Stooges

themusicsover February 10, 2010 No Comments

Dave Alexander
June 3, 1947 – February 10, 1975

Member of the 27 Club

Dave Alexander was the founding bassist for the Stooges. Formed by Iggy Pop, Ron Ashton, and Scott Asheton in 1967, the Stooges strongly influenced punk, alternative and metal bands for generations to come. Their “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” is considered one of the most iconic rock songs of the era. Besides playing bass, Alexander helped out with composing music for, and arranging the band’s first couple of albums. Unfortunately, Alexander suffered from alcohol addiction which lead to the band firing him in 1970. On February 10, 1975, Dave Alexander died of pulmonary edema, of fluid accumulation in the lungs, which was likely a result of his drinking. He was 27 years old.

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Musician Rock

Died On This Date (January 1*, 2009) Ron Asheton / The Stooges

themusicsover January 1, 2010 1 Comment

Ron Asheton
July 17, 1948 – January 1 (?), 2009

ron Ron Asheton was most famously the lead guitarist for Detroit rock band the Stooges, a garage band lead by the wildly charismatic Iggy Pop. With the Stooges, Asheton was considered by many as ground zero for what would become known as punk rock some ten years later. Born in Washington DC, Asheton began playing the guitar at just ten years of age, perhaps tired of the accordion, which he had been playing since he was five. By the time he turned eighteen, he was living in Ann Arbor, Michigan playing alongside his brother Scott, Iggy Pop and David Alexander in the Stooges. The band quickly established themselves as a must-see act in and around the Detroit area for their aggressive playing and Pop’s shocking stage antics. It must be noted that this was still the ‘60s, a time when such blistering noise and in-your-face singing was difficult for many a Woodstock generation to swallow. But they persevered and soon landed on Elektra Records who released their brilliant self-titled debut in 1969. It was Asheton’s fuzzy guitars that helped define a sound that was the blueprint for the likes of the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Ramones and roughly a million more. By the mid ‘70s, the Stooges had disbanded after three brilliant yet commercially dismal albums. Asheton and his brother continued to play, both together and in support of other acts for the next several years. In 2003, Rolling Stone placed Asheton at number 29 in their 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. And to the delight of fans old and new, the Stooges reunited to tour in 2003 and later released The Wierdness, their first album in some 30 years. On January 6, 2008, Asheton’s assistant called the police after not being able to reach him for a few days. According to the Ann Arbor News, officers entered Asheton’s home at around midnight and discovered his body on a living room couch, apparently dead for several days. They did not suspect foul play. Later reports indicate that Asheton died of an apparent heart attack on either December 31 or January 1.

Thanks to Fred Jasper for the help

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Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (November 4, 1994) Fred “Sonic” Smith / The MC5

themusicsover November 4, 2009 No Comments

Fred “Sonic” Smith
September 14, 1949 – November 4, 1994

Fred “Sonic” Smith was the founding guitarist for Detroit proto punk band, the MC5. Formed in 1964 with Wayne Kramer, Rob Tyner, Michael Davis and Dennis Thompson, the MC5 were one of the architects of garage rock and were a direct influence on punk rock. Their “Kick Out The Jams” remains one of rocks truest anthems to this day. After MC5 disbanded in 1972, Smith went on to form Sonic’s Rendezvous Band which included Scott Asheton of the Stooges. In 1976, Smith met punk poetess, Patti Smith while she and her band were in Detroit. They hit it off and eventually became romantically involved. They married in 1980 and both settled into a family life in the suburbs of Detroit. Fred and Patti Smith collaborated on record in the coming years, but were for the most part, retired from the music industry. Fred “Sonic” Smith was 45 when he died of a heart attack on November 4, 1994. Patti Smith went on to see some of her most productive and successful years back in the music business.