Obituaries for 2016

[EasyAce]

An excellent tribute to Sir George Martin:

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/432547/george-martin-obituary-man-who-enabled-beatles
By Charles C.W. Cooke

For evidence that The Beatles would have been great without George Martin in tow, one need look no further than at the band’s first LP, Please Please Me, which was recorded in a single day with few of the producer’s magic touches added and which sparkles nevertheless. “One, two, three, FOUR,” Paul McCartney screams at the outset, and from that moment they are off. Listening fifty-three years later, one is struck by the energy exploding through the valves. This was a group that was always destined for glory.

But not, perhaps for the stratosphere. That would take collaboration, and, specifically, it would take George Martin. Paul McCartney was born a master craftsman with a perfectionist’s ear, and yet it is unlikely that he would have so effortlessly channeled the baroque without Martin there by his side. John Lennon’s foray into surrealism and magic was likely foreordained—the penchant for escapism that he exhibited in his early years tells us that much—and yet to make his trips down the rabbit hole sparkle and gleam he needed Martin’s technical adventurism and smorgasbord mind. When talking about The Beatles, “serendipity” is an overused word. But there really is none other that will suffice. If the fab four were Michelangelo, Martin was the paint. Presented with some of the finest songwriting in all of human history, he made it his life’s work to weaponize the recording studio in its favor. He was, in the modern parlance, an enabler.

And how. When, in 1966, John Lennon came to him with a half-written idea that revolved around a single chord and some lyrics cribbed from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the straight-laced Martin refused to be intimidated. Instead, he hired a Leslie Speaker, screwed around with some tape loops, and let the freak flag fly. The result, "Tomorrow Never Knows," is a watershed moment in musical history — the forward-looking foundation of so much that we now take for granted. Not bad for a middle-class stiff from Highbury!

In truth, there was little that fazed George Martin — except, that is, for the absence of quality. He remained sanguine through the high-as-a-kite melodia of Rubber Soul; happily navigated the drug-visions-and-circus-acts of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, and Magical Mystery Tour; and joyfully curated the opera that is Abbey Road. With the White Album, however, he finally baulked — not at the turned-up-to-11 experimentation or the occasional outbreaks of crudity, but at what he perceived to be a shameful lack of self-respect. Whether one agrees with Martin’s view that that record should have been shorn of its weaker moments in favor of a more polished whole by the by; that it was this worry rather than the group’s trailblazing that pushed him over the edge tells us something important: He could tolerate anything but mediocrity. 

As Shakespeare left behind a vault of quotable nuggets within a library of fuller works, so Martin and the Beatles peppered the musical landscape with instantly recognizable moments: The crashing chord that opens "A Hard Day’s Night"; the heavenly close-harmonies of "Because"; the nightmarish din that closes "A Day in the Life"; the faux-harpsichord in the middle of "In My Life" — these are cultural fixtures to rival Hamlet’s Soliloquy. Together, John, Paul, George, Ringo, and George did work of the highest order — beautiful, thoughtful, painstakingly constructed work that will never be repeated or matched.

Lightning struck in 1963, and, being a sensible sort, George Martin put a microphone in front of it. Rest in peace, George. Now it’s time to say Goodnight.

[musiclady]

When I was fourteen years old and I heard "One, two, three, FOUR!" on my little turquoise transistor radio, I was enrapt with the beat and the sound, and the "ooh!!" and the whole beautiful picture.

Thank you, Sir George Martin, for helping create not only memories, but a legend.

[Free Vulcan]

Davy Jones of the Monkees Dead at Age 66

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20574693,00.html

Davy Jones, the lead singer of the Beatles-inspired made-for-TV pop group the Monkees, died Wednesday. He was 66.

The performer suffered a heart attack in Indiantown, Fla., where he resided, his publicist Helen Kensick tells the Associated Press.

"All of his family, friends and fans mourn Davy's loss," says Joseph Pacheco, Jones's manager and brother-in-law. "We were fortunate to have such an incredible human being in our lives. Sadly, his time on Earth was cut far too short and he will be missed tremendously by all who knew him."

The British-born Jones joined Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith in the TV show The Monkees about a pop band by the same name which ran from 1966 to 1968.



After the show was canceled, the group continued in various incarnations for years. The Monkees had several hits including "I'm a Believer" and "Last Train to Clarksville."

Early Wednesday morning, Jones "began to complain of not feeling well and having trouble breathing," the Martin County Sheriff's Office says in a statement.

Paramedics transported him to Martin Health System, where he was pronounced dead.

"At this time there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death," says the sheriff.

Jones's family says in a statement: "He passed next to his passions, his horses, and was one hour away from his wife, Jessica Pacheco-Jones."

Jones is survived by Jessica, three sisters, four daughters and three grandchildren.

Jones's death was first reported by TMZ.

-----

Wow. Talk about an icon, can remember listening to him on dad's 45's as a little little kid. Always seemed to be helluva nice guy.

[PzLdr]

Davy Jones of the Monkees Dead at Age 66

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20574693,00.html

Davy Jones, the lead singer of the Beatles-inspired made-for-TV pop group the Monkees, died Wednesday. He was 66.

The performer suffered a heart attack in Indiantown, Fla., where he resided, his publicist Helen Kensick tells the Associated Press.

"All of his family, friends and fans mourn Davy's loss," says Joseph Pacheco, Jones's manager and brother-in-law. "We were fortunate to have such an incredible human being in our lives. Sadly, his time on Earth was cut far too short and he will be missed tremendously by all who knew him."

The British-born Jones joined Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith in the TV show The Monkees about a pop band by the same name which ran from 1966 to 1968.



After the show was canceled, the group continued in various incarnations for years. The Monkees had several hits including "I'm a Believer" and "Last Train to Clarksville."

Early Wednesday morning, Jones "began to complain of not feeling well and having trouble breathing," the Martin County Sheriff's Office says in a statement.

Paramedics transported him to Martin Health System, where he was pronounced dead.

"At this time there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death," says the sheriff.

Jones's family says in a statement: "He passed next to his passions, his horses, and was one hour away from his wife, Jessica Pacheco-Jones."

Jones is survived by Jessica, three sisters, four daughters and three grandchildren.

Jones's death was first reported by TMZ.

-----

Wow. Talk about an icon, can remember listening to him on dad's 45's as a little little kid. Always seemed to be helluva nice guy.

Davy Jones died a few years ago. 2012?

[Free Vulcan]

Davy Jones died a few years ago. 2012?

Oh I'm going to give my ex-girlfriend hell. She posted the article on her FB page, I didn't look at the date.

Shows you how much I pay attention to the pop world. At least now I know he died  I guess!

[mountaineer]

Yes, he's been dead for quite a while. He and Francisco Franco.

[PzLdr]

Yes, he's been dead for quite a while. He and Francisco Franco.

Yeah, but they weren't in the same band.

[alicewonders]

When I was fourteen years old and I heard "One, two, three, FOUR!" on my little turquoise transistor radio, I was enrapt with the beat and the sound, and the "ooh!!" and the whole beautiful picture.

Thank you, Sir George Martin, for helping create not only memories, but a legend.

I had a turquoise transister radio too!  I would hang it over my bicycle bars and listen to music while I rode - good times!

RIP Sir George Martin.

[truth_seeker]

I had a turquoise transister radio too!  I would hang it over my bicycle bars and listen to music while I rode - good times!

RIP Sir George Martin.

I still have a little transistor radio, purchased at Radio Shack.

I imagine when it bites the dust, I will have to order a replacement online, at much higher price.

[A-Lert]

I still have a little transistor radio, purchased at Radio Shack.

I imagine when it bites the dust, I will have to order a replacement online, at much higher price.

Radio Shack was the place for the latest in technology in the day. I had a Realistic transistor radio encased in red leather.

[Wingnut]

Yes, he's been dead for quite a while. He and Francisco Franco.

Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still valiantly holding on in his fight to remain dead.

[musiclady]

I had a turquoise transister radio too!  I would hang it over my bicycle bars and listen to music while I rode - good times!

RIP Sir George Martin.

I hid mine under my pillow so I could listen to the radio (WHOT, Youngstown, OH!), after I was supposed to be sleeping.

I would knock on the wall to alert my sister when a song came on that we both liked, and she'd come over and listen with me.

"I Saw Her Standing There" was one of my very, very favorites!

Good memories!   ^-^   

[Paladin]

Not to upset Beatle's fans (what the hell, I will), I once saw their early efforts accurately described as sounding like a direct hit on a guitar factory.

[alicewonders]

I hid mine under my pillow so I could listen to the radio (WHOT, Youngstown, OH!), after I was supposed to be sleeping.

I would knock on the wall to alert my sister when a song came on that we both liked, and she'd come over and listen with me.

"I Saw Her Standing There" was one of my very, very favorites!

Good memories!   ^-^

That reminds me of a game my sister and I used to play when we were kids.  We had to share a bedroom, and in fact, we slept in the same bed.  We would sneak the radio in and put in under the pillows between us.  When a song came on - whose ever turn it was had to scratch the other one's back until the song ended.  The next song was the other sister's turn. 

That was the time when "Sky Pilot" was playing on the radio - don't know if you remember it, but it was a REALLY long song.  We used to pray that Sky Pilot would come on when it was OUR turn to get our back scratched!  So funny!

 

[Paladin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOs3uIEyHaY

Does this mean you have to scratch my back?

[A-Lert]

I hid mine under my pillow so I could listen to the radio (WHOT, Youngstown, OH!), after I was supposed to be sleeping.

I would knock on the wall to alert my sister when a song came on that we both liked, and she'd come over and listen with me.

"I Saw Her Standing There" was one of my very, very favorites!

Good memories!   ^-^

We pulled the covers over our heads and listened to WLS, Chicago,  KOMA, Oklahoma City and KAAY in Little Rock, all 50,000 watt clear channel after midnight CST.  When KAAY first came on the airwaves they played the Baby Elephant Walk for 24 hours. I didn't listen for 24 hours, but I've never been able to get that song out of my head, or Jimmie Jones Good Timing

[musiclady]

That reminds me of a game my sister and I used to play when we were kids.  We had to share a bedroom, and in fact, we slept in the same bed.  We would sneak the radio in and put in under the pillows between us.  When a song came on - whose ever turn it was had to scratch the other one's back until the song ended.  The next song was the other sister's turn. 

That was the time when "Sky Pilot" was playing on the radio - don't know if you remember it, but it was a REALLY long song.  We used to pray that Sky Pilot would come on when it was OUR turn to get our back scratched!  So funny!

 

I LOVE that memory!  Wish my sister and I would have thought of that game! 

I had an older sister and a younger sister and I traded back and forth between their rooms (I can't remember if it was because I was so popular or so unpopular............most likely the latter. ;*)  The transistor radio time was when I was in our younger sister's room, and I'd have our older sister come and listen.

(That would have been a great game a decade later when Bohemian Rhapsody was popular.  But we were both a bit old for that kind of thing in our twenties!)

[Wingnut]

(That would have been a great game a decade later when Bohemian Rhapsody was popular.  But we were both a bit old for that kind of thing in our twenties!)

[musiclady]

We pulled the covers over our heads and listened to WLS, Chicago,  KOMA, Oklahoma City and KAAY in Little Rock, all 50,000 watt clear channel after midnight CST.  When KAAY first came on the airwaves they played the Baby Elephant Walk for 24 hours. I didn't listen for 24 hours, but I've never been able to get that song out of my head, or Jimmie Jones Good Timing

We could get WLS in NE Ohio on a clear night,  and WLW from Cincinnati and KDKA, Pittsburgh.  I was always proud that the first radio station in the country was one I could listen to.

[mountaineer]

I kept a transistor radio under my pillow to listen to Pirates games.  ^-^

[alicewonders]

I LOVE that memory!  Wish my sister and I would have thought of that game! 

I had an older sister and a younger sister and I traded back and forth between their rooms (I can't remember if it was because I was so popular or so unpopular............most likely the latter. ;*)  The transistor radio time was when I was in our younger sister's room, and I'd have our older sister come and listen.

(That would have been a great game a decade later when Bohemian Rhapsody was popular.  But we were both a bit old for that kind of thing in our twenties!)

Yes!  Or Stairway to Heaven! 

As an aside - they probably shuttled you back and forth between bedrooms because you were the middle child.  My sister swears that she (as the middle child) got the short end of the stick for everything!

She has no idea the burden of being the oldest - being the experimental child because your parents don't have a clue what they're doing.   ^-^

[musiclady]

I kept a transistor radio under my pillow to listen to Pirates games.  ^-^

The Bucs are going all the way............ and Bill Mazeroski did it. 

(I actually remember that because my big bro was a Pirates fan that year.  No conflict because the Indians weren't in the same league).

[musiclady]

Yes!  Or Stairway to Heaven! 

As an aside - they probably shuttled you back and forth between bedrooms because you were the middle child.  My sister swears that she (as the middle child) got the short end of the stick for everything!

She has no idea the burden of being the oldest - being the experimental child because your parents don't have a clue what they're doing.   ^-^

I grew up with all the middle child woes.  No identity whatsoever....... so I had to make a place for myself by losing my temper and hitting people.

But yes, the poor oldest child suffers much, with greater rules and responsibilities and less experienced parents.  Unfortunately, all the practice in the world didn't prepare my parents for me!

[Sanguine]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NF--bHavJs

[PzLdr]

I kept a transistor radio under my pillow to listen to Pirates games.  ^-^

Took one to school every World Series the Yankees were in [which meant all but 2 from 1951-1964]. Teacher would let us listen and report updates.

[musiclady]

Took one to school every World Series the Yankees were in [which meant all but 2 from 1951-1964]. Teacher would let us listen and report updates.

I hated the Yankees every one of those years.  (Except the first few since I was a toddler! But my Dad and older brothers sure did!).

[Wingnut]

Took one to school every World Series the Yankees were in [which meant all but 2 from 1951-1964]. Teacher would let us listen and report updates.

The math works if you include kindergarten or a few grade repeats!   

[PzLdr]

The math works if you include kindergarten or a few grade repeats!   

1st grade, 1952. Graduated High School in 1964 [We lost to the Cardinals]. I GREW up with Mickey in Center Field, Yogi, Whitey and the rest of the crew.

[Wingnut]

1st grade, 1952. Graduated High School in 1964 [We lost to the Cardinals]. I GREW up with Mickey in Center Field, Yogi, Whitey and the rest of the crew.

Truly a golden age for Yankee baseball!  Whitey Ford. Don Larson. Jim Bouton!

[PzLdr]

Truly a golden age for Yankee baseball!  Whitey Ford. Don Larson. Jim Bouton!

The hoot was Ryne Duren. He wore coke bottle glasses, threw warp nine, and was usually drunk. First warmup was invariably off the backstop. Batter bailed first pitch. Every time.

[Wingnut]

The hoot was Ryne Duren. He wore coke bottle glasses, threw warp nine, and was usually drunk. First warmup was invariably off the backstop. Batter bailed first pitch. Every time.

He sounds like The inspiration for Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn of Major League!!!

[PzLdr]

He sounds like The inspiration for Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn of Major League!!!

Never thought of it, but you're right. The forgotten reliever was Luis Arroyo. He was Whitey's personal closer.

[aligncare]

The hoot was Ryne Duren. He wore coke bottle glasses, threw warp nine, and was usually drunk. First warmup was invariably off the backstop. Batter bailed first pitch. Every time.

Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Tony Kubek, Joe Pepitone, Elston Howard. Names that will reverberate in my head forever, especially after I got hit in the head with a fastball as a kid....

[jmyrlefuller]

Keith Emerson, progressive rock pioneer, dies at 71



Emerson, a keyboardist, first became famous as a member of The Nice, then became famous for his collaboration with Greg Lake and Carl Palmer. Emerson was as well-known for his virtuosity as he was for his showmanship and outrageous stunts, playing while performing unusual acrobatics and jamming things (often knives given to him by Lemmy Kilmister, also recently deceased) in between the keys of his synthesizer. Emerson, Lake & Palmer never formally broke up, instead bringing in guest musicians through the 1980s when one of the three could not be in the band full-time; in the 1990s, Emerson began more collaborations with Marc Bonilla.

Emerson died March 10. No cause of death was stated.

Story from UltimateClassicRock.com

Wikipedia

ELP's lone Top 40 U.S. hit, "From the Beginning"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3epPMa5rq0U

[Sanguine]

Well, heck:

Gogi Grant, The Queen of “The Wayward Wind,” Has Passed Away

Gogi Grant, best known for recording the classic American standard “The Wayward Wind,” has passed away according to her son Joshua Beckett. She was 91-years-old.

Gogi Grant was an Americana popular singer who was born in Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles when she was 12-years-old. Though she would record numerous hit songs during the 1950’s, including her first Top 10 hit “Suddenly There’s A Valley” in 1955, and “When The Tide Is High,” “Who Are We,” and “You’re In Love” in 1956, it was her performance of “The Wayward Wind” written by Stanley Lebowski and Herb Newman that turned the song into an iconic American song....

http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/gogi-grant-queen-of-the-wayward-wind-has-passed-away/

[A-Lert]

Well, heck:

Gogi Grant, The Queen of “The Wayward Wind,” Has Passed Away

Our family had "The Wayward Wind" on a 45. Sure seems to be  a spate of entertainer deaths recently.

[aligncare]

Depressing to watch my fantasies yielding to the ravages of time and human mortality. 

[Paladin]

Depressing to watch my fantasies yielding to the ravages of time and human mortality. 

Ok, maybe inappropriate for an obituary thread, but still...

Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers who can remember doing the "Limbo" as if it were yesterday.

They include:

Bobby Darin ---
 Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' A Flash

Herman's Hermits ---
 Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker

Ringo Starr ---
 I Get By With A Little Help From Depends

The Bee Gees ---
 How Can You Mend A Broken Hip?

Roberta Flack---
 The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face

Johnny Nash ---
 I Can't See Clearly Now

Paul Simon ---
 Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver

The Commodores ---
 Once, Twice, Three Times To The Bathroom

Procol Harem---
 A Whiter Shade Of Hair

Leo Sayer ---
 You Make Me Feel Like Napping

The Temptations ---
 Papa's Got A Kidney Stone

Abba---
 Denture Queen

Tony Orlando ---
 Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall

Helen Reddy ---
 I Am Woman; Hear Me Snore

Leslie Gore---
 It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To

And Last, but NOT least:

Willie Nelson ---
 On the Commode Again

[Wingnut]

Our family had "The Wayward Wind" on a 45. Sure seems to be  a spate of entertainer deaths recently.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD_4IzbsbOM

She was 80 in the PBS special. 

[alicewonders]

"From the Beginning" - one of my favorite songs.  RIP Keith Emerson.

[Paladin]

"From the Beginning" - one of my favorite songs.  RIP Keith Emerson.

Likewise, and I hate to make a sad situation even sadder but

"Keith Emerson shot himself in the head in what’s likely now a suicide investigation. The keyboardist and founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer was found dead by his girlfriend on Thursday night in the couple’s Santa Monica, California house with a single bullet shot to the head.

The piano player had been depressed as a result of a nerve problem that affected his right hand and severely impaired his ability to play the keyboard. Still, he was slated to perform next week in Japan."

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/keith-emerson-dead-from-gunshot-to-head-in-apparent-suicide/ar-AAgG2LG?ocid=spartandhp

[A-Lert]

Likewise, and I hate to make a sad situation even sadder but

"Keith Emerson shot himself in the head in what’s likely now a suicide investigation. The keyboardist and founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer was found dead by his girlfriend on Thursday night in the couple’s Santa Monica, California house with a single bullet shot to the head.

The piano player had been depressed as a result of a nerve problem that affected his right hand and severely impaired his ability to play the keyboard. Still, he was slated to perform next week in Japan."

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/keith-emerson-dead-from-gunshot-to-head-in-apparent-suicide/ar-AAgG2LG?ocid=spartandhp

Was there any hint of what type of nerve problem. My uncle had ALS and he said the one regret he had was that he didn't kill himself before he lost the use of his arms.

[Paladin]

Was there any hint of what type of nerve problem. My uncle had ALS and he said the one regret he had was that he didn't kill himself before he lost the use of his arms.

Don't know A-lert. That was the only article I have seen so far on his death.

[A-Lert]

Don't know A-lert. That was the only article I have seen so far on his death.

Well it is sad when anyone takes their life. My sister-in-laws husband did it and it affected so many other people. My friend and business partner did it. Never even a hint that anything was amiss. I understand if a person is having unbearable pain or a helpless,  hopeless outcome.

[EasyAce]

My personal favourite Keith Emerson performance:

The Nice, with the Sinfonia of London (Joseph Eger, conductor), Sibelius: Intermezzo from Karelia Suite

[Machiavelli]

British composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies dies aged 81

Celebrated British composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, a former Master of the Queen's Music, has died at the age of 81.

He was known for his modern and avant-garde works, but his most famous piece was a simple, haunting lament for solo piano - Farewell To Stromness.

"He was, right to the end, a pioneer," Stephen Lumsden, Managing Director of music agency Intermusica, said.

The Salford-born musician, who had leukaemia, died at home in Orkney.

More

Wikipedia


Peter Maxwell Davies: An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise (1985)

[Sanguine]

British composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies dies aged 81
More

Wikipedia


Peter Maxwell Davies: An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise (1985)

http://youtu.be/zpJB-XXE9Xg

[Paladin]

Was there any hint of what type of nerve problem.

"Over the weekend, Emerson's girlfriend Mari Kawaguchi -- who found his body at their shared California residence -- spoke to U.K. publication Daily Mail and shed some light onto why the legendary keyboard player may have taken his own life.

"His right hand and arm had given him problems for years. He had an operation a few years ago to take out a bad muscle but the pain and nerve issues in his right hand were getting worse," she said. "He had concerts coming up in Japan and even though they hired a back-up keyboard player to support him, Keith was worried. He read all the criticism online and was a sensitive soul. Last year he played concerts and people posted mean comments such as, 'I wish he would stop playing.' He was tormented with worry that he wouldn't be good enough. He was planning to retire after Japan. He didn't want to let down his fans. He was a perfectionist and the thought he wouldn't play perfectly made him depressed, nervous and anxious."

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7256311/keith-emerson-death-suicide-health-issues

[Paladin]

Robert Horton, ‘Wagon Train’ Actor, Dies at 91

Robert Horton, known for his role as scout Flint McCullough in the Emmy-nominated series “Wagon Train,” died March 9 in Los Angeles, his niece Joan Evans told the New York Times. He was 91.

After being medically discharged from the Coast Guard in 1943, Horton made his screen acting debut in an uncredited part in the 1945 WWII drama “A Walk in the Sun.”

He landed his breakout role starring as McCullough in the hit western series “Wagon Train” for five seasons, exiting the show following the wrap of season five in 1962. Around the time he left “Wagon Train”– which accumulated seven Primetime Emmy nominations throughout the duration of its eight-season run — the show switched networks, transitioning from NBC to ABC.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/robert-horton-%e2%80%98wagon-train%e2%80%99-actor-dies-at-91/ar-BBqv73S?ocid=spartandhp

[A-Lert]

Ward Bond, wagonmaster, Robert Horton scout; I rode with them many nights. I miss  the programming from that era.