Rest in Peace part 3

Alan Merrill, 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' Songwriter, Dies at 69 From Coronavirus Complications

Rest in peace, Alan Merrill.
The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter -- best known for writing "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" -- died on Sunday from complications due to coronavirus. He was 69.
Merrill's daughter, Laura, mourned her father's death on Facebook on Sunday. "The Coronavirus took my father this morning," she wrote. "I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out. He seemed peaceful and as I left there was still a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t be a ticker on the right hand side of the CNN/Fox news screen. I walked 50 blocks home still with hope in my heart. The city that I knew was empty. I felt I was the only person here and perhaps in many ways I was. By the time I got in the doors to my apartment I received the news that he was gone."
Merrill originally wrote and recorded "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" while he was a member of the band the Arrows, who released the track in 1975. It would later become an iconic song -- and a huge hit for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, when they topped the charts with it in 1982.
Jett honored Merrill on Twitter on Sunday afternoon.
"I've just learned of the awful news that Alan Merrill has passed. My thoughts and love go to his family, friends and music community as a whole," she said. "I can still remember watching the Arrows on TV in London and being blown away by the song that screamed hit to me. With deep gratitude and sadness, wishing him a safe journey to the other side."

Yes, sad news, did make the news here. RIP 

Bill Withers, ‘Lean On Me’ and ‘Lovely Day’ Singer, Dies at 81 (Billboard.com)

Bill Withers, the former Navy man and commercial aircraft worker who became one of music’s most revered poet laureates, has died. The Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member died Monday (March 30) in Los Angeles from heart complications. He was 81 years old.

Arriving front and center on the music scene at the relatively late age of 33 in 1971, Withers quickly forged an indelible impression. Beginning with first hit “Ain’t No Sunshine,” the wordsmith penned a string of memorable classics including “Grandma’s Hands,” “Lean on Me,” “Use Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Just the Two of Us” with Grover Washington Jr.

Yes, sad news and a full life. I recall a show on him was one of the early ones I reviewed here. RIP 

Americana Legend John Prine Dies at Age 73 Due to Coronavirus (Billboard.com)

Americana legend and revered singer-songwriter John Prine died Tuesday (April 7) from complications of COVID-19, Billboard has confirmed. The two-time Grammy-winning artist was 73.
Prine’s family revealed his diagnosis on March 29. In a message posted to social media, his family let fans know that he had been in the hospital for several days and that his situation was “critical.” His wife, Fiona, gave an update April 2, stating that he was still "very ill," yet she remained "hopeful."

The Illinois-born Prine was the songwriters’ songwriter, getting his start in the Chicago folk scene in the 1970s, where his early champions included Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and "Cowboy" Jack Clement, the latter of whom convinced Prine to move to Nashville in March 1980. Kristofferson is often credited with discovering Prine and invited him onstage at his own show at New York’s Bitter End in 1971. The following day, Prine would get a record deal offer from Atlantic Records.

Weirdly the news hear reports it as "Springsteen leads the tributes to Prine" as if the news story mattered less than the response to the story.

But still another sad loss. RIP 

Tim Brooke-Taylor is a much-loved comedy legend, as a writer and performer, who worked with many other such legends in a long career. But he was also one of the Goodies, and as such had several hit singles in the UK in 1974-5, perhaps most notable taking lead of their version of Wild Thing. He was 79, and is yet another casualty of the current coronavirus pandemic. RIP 

Tony Allen, a legendary figure as drummer to Fela Kuti, and thus one of the leaders of the Afrobeat genre, has died of a heart attack at the age of 79. RIP 

Dave Greenfield, stalwart keyboardist with the Stranglers, died at 71, another victim of covid-19. He wrote their masterpiece, Golden Brown:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52537293

Also Millie Small, Jamaican legend who gave us My Boy Lollipop, has died at 73, after a stroke:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52557332

RIP both 

Kraftwerk Co-Founder Florian Schneider Dies at Age 73 (Billboard.com)

Florian Schneider of German electronic band Kraftwerk has died, Billboard has confirmed. He was 73.

In a statement, Kraftwerk co-founder Ralf Hütter confirms "the very sad news that his friend and companion over many decades Florian Schneider has passed away from a short cancer disease just a few days after his 73rd birthday."

Schneider formed the influential group and multimedia project with Hütter in 1970. Kraftwerk -- with its use of electronic instruments that included homemade and custom-built devices -- has been widely credited with pioneering electronic music and influencing various genres across the musical spectrum, including hip-hop, synthpop and rock with their soundscapes, experimentation and technical innovations.

Former Bad Company Singer Brian Howe Dies at 66 (Billboard.com)

Former Bad Company Singer Brian Howe has passed away at the age of 66, reportedly dying in his Florida home on Wednesday after suffering cardiac arrest.

According to TMZ, Howe had previous heart issues, including a heart attack in 2017.

Howe is best known for stepping in for singer Paul Rodgers in the group, Bad Company in 1986. He made his debut on the band’s album Fame and Fortune. Bad Company would release four albums with Howe at the helm, ending in 1992 with Here Comes Trouble.

The addition of Howe marked a shift in the sound of Bad Company, with Howe ultimately exiting the group in 1994.

"Leaving Bad Company was not a difficult decision,” he previously shared. “It had got to the point where nobody was contributing anything to songwriting and quite frankly, the band was getting very very sloppy live. I quite simply, along with Terry Thomas, got tired of doing all the work and then getting nothing but resentment for it from Mick and Simon."

Previous to his work with Bad Company, Howe also joined Ted Nugent on his 1984 album, Penetrator.

Sad news about Florian, always seemed the nicest member of what was a hugely important band.

Not heard about Brian, but that's sad too.

Also gone in a busy few days are Hillard Atkinson, singer with Was (Not Was) on some of their biggest hits, like Walk The Dinosaur, and Spy (In The House Of Love). He was 74, and had a heart attack.

Also from this side of the pond, a young award-nominated rapper, Ty, has died of pneumonia related to the coronavirus. He was just 47.

RIP all 

Today we have lost pioneer legend Little Richard. Very sad. He was 87 years old. RIP

Betty Wright, Iconic Soul and R&B Singer, Dies at 66

Legendary soul and R&B singer Betty Wright, known for classics such as "Tonight Is the Night," “No Pain, (No Gain)" and "Clean Up Woman," has died. She was 66.

Wright died from cancer at her home in Miami, Billboard has confirmed.

Adric wrote:Today we have lost pioneer legend Little Richard. Very sad. He was 87 years old. RIP

Yes, another mighty oak felled in the forest   RIP

Also RIP for Betty.

Phil May, frontman with 60s legends the Pretty Things, has died at 75. He fell off a bicycle earlier in the week, underwent hip surgery, and there were complications. RIP 

World music legend Mory Kante died yesterday. He was 70, and had been in poor health. Apparently he tended to visit France to get treatment, but that's obviously not a goer right now.

He's best remembered for "Yeke Yeke" which hit #1 in 4 countries (and #29 in the UK) and its parent album apparently remains the most successful African album of all time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-52774331

RIP 

Jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb died the other day at the age of 91. He played with Miles Davis, on Kind of Blue among others. He had been suffering from lung cancer. RIP 

Kiss Guitarist Bob Kulick Dies at 70


Kiss guitarist Bob Kulick, who toured and worked in the studio with the band, has died at the age of 70.

"I am heartbroken to have to share the news of the passing of my brother Bob Kulick," Bruce Kulick wrote on Twitter. "His love of music, and his talent as a musician and producer should always be celebrated. Please respect the Kulick Family’s privacy during this sad time. RIP."

A cause of death had not been revealed as of publication.

Born in Brooklyn in 1950, Kulick auditioned for Kiss in the early 1970s, but was ultimately passed over in favor of Ace Frehley. Kulick later contributed guitar work on numerous albums for the legendary rock band, and also worked on the 1978 solo album from Kiss' Paul Stanley.

"We are heartbroken. Our deepest condolences to the Kulick family in this difficult time," a message on Kiss' Twitter account read.

In addition to his work with Kiss, Bob Kulick also played with Lou Reed on his 1975 album, Coney Island Baby, and was part of Meat Loaf's touring band, the Neverland Express. Kulick also contributed to albums in the 1980s by W.A.S.P., and worked on a song called "Sweet Victory" for an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Steve Priest, bassist with 70s glam rock legends the Sweet, has died at the age of 72. RIP 

Bonnie Pointer of the Pointer Sisters Dead at 69 RIP

Bonnie Pointer, founding member of Grammy-winning vocal group the Pointer Sisters, has died at the age of 69. “It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister Bonnie died this morning,” sister and band member Anita Pointer said in a statement Monday. “Our family is devastated. On behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time.” No cause of death has been released.

Born in Oakland, California, Bonnie, born Patricia, and younger sister June Pointer, who died in 2006, initially struck out as a duo under the name the Pointers. After sister Anita joined the act, the trio toured as back-up singers and opening acts for artists like Grace Slick and Boz Scaggs, soon signing to Atlantic Records in 1971. Sister Ruth joined the group in December 1972. Their first album, 1973’s The Pointer Sisters, placing them on the Billboard charts with singles “Yes We Can Can” and “Wang Dang Doodle.”

Yes, sad news. The music will always live on though. RIP 

Ricky Valance, #1 with Tell Laura I Love Her 6 decades ago, has died at the age of 84. He had been suffering with dementia. He was Welsh, too. RIP 

Dame Vera Lynn, Forces Sweetheart from WW2, famous for "We'll Meet Again", has died at the great age of 103. She set a new record a few years back for being the oldest act to score a #1 album (when she was a mere 100) - I'd expect that record might change soon. RIP 

Cuban novelty act Margarita Pracatan sadly died at the great age of 89 RIP