Obituaries

Donna Summer: 1948-2012

Here Comes The Flood — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:42:00 GMT

Donna Summer, queen of disco, is dead at 63 after a battle with cancer. She scored her first hit with The Hostage in 1974, reaching number one in Belgium and number two in the Netherlands.

» donnasummer.com

Donald "Duck" Dunn: 1941 –2012

Here Comes The Flood — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:35:00 GMT

Bass ace Donald "Duck" Dunn is dead at 70. He died last night in Tokyo. He was on tour in Japan with his fellow Booker T. & the M.G.'s member, guitarist Steve Cropper.

He will be remembered for his extensive body of work as a session bassist, producer and songwriter for Stax Records in the Sixties.

» duckdunn.com

Levon Helm: 1940-2012

Here Comes The Flood — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:12:00 GMT

Levon Helm is dead at 71 ... The great drummer and singer succumbed to cancer.

Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.

Video: Levon Helm - Tennessee Jed
(live on The Late Show with David Letterman 2009/07/09)

» levonhelm.com

Jim Marshall: 1923-2012

Here Comes The Flood — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:47:00 GMT

The Father Of Loud has been silenced. Jim Marshall, the pioneer of guitar amplification and founder of Marshall Amplification, died today, aged 88. A statement on his website:

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved founder and leader for the past 50 years, Jim Marshall. While mourning the guv’nor though, we also salute a legendary man who led a full and truly remarkable life.

Jim’s ascent into the history books as ‘the father of loud’ and the man responsible for ‘the sound of rock’ is a true rags-to-riches tale. Cruelly robbed of his youth by tubercular bones, Jim rose to become one of the four forefathers responsible for creating the tools that allowed rock guitar as we know and love it today to be born. The ground-breaking quartet also includes the late, great trio of Leo Fender, Les Paul and Seth Lover – together with Jim, they truly are the cornerstones of all things rock.

In addition to the creation of the amps chosen by countless guitar heroes and game-changing bands, Jim was also an incredibly humble and generous man who, over the past several decades, has quietly donated many millions of pounds to worthy causes.

While the entire Marshall Amplification family mourns Jim’s passing and will miss him tremendously, we all feel richer for having known him and are happy in the knowledge that he is now in a much better place which has just got a whole lot louder!

Rest in peace and thank you Jim.

Your memory; the music and joy your amps have brought to countless millions for the past five decades; and that world-famous, omnipresent script logo that proudly bears your name, will always live on.

» jimmarshall.co.uk

Etta James: 1938-2012

Here Comes The Flood — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:58:00 GMT

Singer Etta James passed away today. She finally lost her battle with leukemia and other diseases. She was one of the most remarkable blues voices otf the 20th Century, a fact that was finally recognized fairly late into her career.

Video: Etta James - Tell Mama
(live @ Montreux Jazz Festival 1989)

» en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James

Barry Feinstein: 1931-2011

Here Comes The Flood — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:51:00 GMT

Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson in the men’s room during the Bob Dylan Tour. Denver, CO, 1974 - photo: Barry Feinstein.

Barry Feinstein, the legendary rock photographer best known for taking enduring pictures of musicians such as Bob Dylan, the Band and George Harrison, has died in upstate Kingston, NY, aged 80. He has photographed more than 500 album covers, including Janis Joplin's Pearl, Eric Clapton's self-titled debut and All Things Must Pass, the 3lp by George Harrison.

» barryfeinsteinphotography.com

Bert Jansch: 1943 – 2011

Here Comes The Flood — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:23:00 GMT

Bert Jansch,, eminent UK folk musician, is dead at 67. He died in a hospice in Hampstead after a long battle with cancer. He was a founding member of Pertangle, an influential folk band. His best known song is Blackwaterside, which was plagiarized by Jimmy Page who turned it into Black Mountain Side for Led Zeppelin. Jansch was the opening act for Neil Young's solo tour in 2010.

» bertjansch.com

In memoriam: Jimi Hendrix

Here Comes The Flood — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:52:00 GMT

Forty-one years ago Jimi Hendrix died at the Samarkand Hotel, 22 Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill in London. Put on some Jimi and turn it up. Your neighbours will thank you, and if not, fuck 'em.

Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.

Jimi Hendrix

» jimihendrix.com

Clarence Clemons: 1942-2011

Here Comes The Flood — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:31:00 GMT

Clarence Clemons has died from the complications caused by the stroke he suffered on June 12. The saxophone player was a leading member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. His contributions were an essential part of the sound and the rise of the New Jersey rocker.

» clarenceclemons.com

In Memoriam: Ian Curtis

Here Comes The Flood — Wed, 18 May 2011 06:43:00 GMT

Thirty-one years ago today Joy Division singer Ian Curtis committed suicide at his home in Macclesfield. With only tow full length albums during his lifetime, Joy Division's influence on music can not be overestimated. They were the ultimate post punk band, and their legacy became a major source of inspiration for zillions of alternate indie bands. Their sense of rhythm crossed over to the dance scene.

Video: Joy Division - She's Lost Control

Atmosphere was re-released in 1988. Photographer Anton Corbijn, who shot a lot of classic Joy Division photos, directed the video.

Video: Joy Division - Atmosphere

» joydiv.org
» en.wikipedia.org