Died On This Date (January 28, 2017) Geoff Nichols / Black Sabbath

Geoff Nicholls
February 28, 1948 – January 28, 2017

Photo by Chris Walter

Geoff Nicholls was the longtime keyboardist for Black Sabbath.  Although not nearly as recognized as core group since he primarily played off stage for some 25 years.  Born in Birmingham, England, Nicholls helped form his first band of note, Quartz (initially called Bandy Legs) during the mid-’70s.  Quartz, an influential band that helped usher in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, built a sizable enough following to sign with Jet Records in 1976.  They released their debut album, the Tony Iommi-produced Quartz in 1977 and went on to tour with Black Sabbath after its release. In 1979, Nicholls left Quartz to play with Black Sabbath. Although unaccredited, his debut was on their Heaven and Hell album of 1980. He went on to play on every subsequent Sabbath album through 1995’s Forbidden.  In later years Nicholls played with former Black Sabbath singer Tony Martin.  Geoff Nicholls died of lung cancer on January 28, 2017.  He was 68.

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Died On This Date (July 27, 2012) Tony Martin / Popular American Actor & Singer; Career Spanned 76 Years

Tony Martin (Born Alvin Morris)
December 25, 1913 – July 27, 2012

Photo by Richi Howell

Tony Martin was a beloved American actor and singer who, over a career that ran from 1933 until his retirement in 2009 appeared in over two dozen films and released some 45 hit records.  On par with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, Martin built a sizable – mostly female – following thanks to his warm baritone croon.  Martin was just 10 when he was given a saxophone by his grandmother, and when he got into high school, he formed his first band.  He soon joined a local orchestra where he performed alongside future jazz legend, Woody Herman.    After graduating from college, Martin moved to Hollywood where he set his sights on acting.  Over the next several years, he worked in films with the likes of Fred Astaire and the Marx Brothers.  During the late ’30s and  early ’40s, Martin made numerous records for Decca and later recorded for Mercury.  His hits included “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You,” “It’s A Blue World,” and “I Get Ideas.”  After WWII, Martin hosted his own variety show for NBC and went on to star in many popular musicals of the day.  In 1948, he married actress Cyd Charisse with whom he stayed until her passing in 2008 – 60 years.  Tony Martin retired after 76 years in show business in 2009,  and died of natural causes on July 27, 2012.  He was 98.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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Tony Martin