R.I.P.s

[firehazard]

Sylvain Sylvain, New York Dolls guitarist, aged just 69. RIP.

Very sad, including for the selfish reason that now I'll never see them. When they came through in the mid-00s, i didn't go, assuming they were washed up (not realizing there was a well-reviewed new album), only to hear reports after that it was a fantastic show. Oh well, that's on me, and Sylvain is off to the big reunion where the booze is free, the drugs are never poisoned, and the venue doesn't actually collapse as you play.

Same here. They played the little venue just down the road from us and I didn't go, for some stupid reason. Go well, Sylvain.

[Low D]

Phil Spector, 81. Few tears expected.

[DzM]

Phil Spector, 81. Few tears expected.

I noted a headline for this event that described him as "Music Producer and Murderer." I really feel like that should be the other way around regardless of how much you might like the music he was involved with.

[firehazard]

Phil Spector, 81. Few tears expected.

I noted a headline for this event that described him as "Music Producer and Murderer." I really feel like that should be the other way around regardless of how much you might like the music he was involved with.

The BBC website's headline described him as "Talented but flawed producer". Ffs.

[Low D]

I was saddened to hear of the death of Howard Johnson back on January 11, but forgot to post it here.



A man of many sounds, chief among them the tuba, I first saw him playing tuba & penny whistle with James Taylor on Sesame Street, I last saw him here in Vancouver with Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble. In between he played with a who's who of jazz, was in the first SNL band, played The Last Waltz, and led his own ensembles. He single-handedly invented jazz tuba, and was clearly pleased with himself and thrilled to have made it his career, as he exuded complete joy in performance. Howard was 79.

If you need a little joy in your day, you could do worse than to listen to him play the most rock 'n roll tuba solo that has ever been performed, during 'Rag Mama Rag' with the Ramble band at the Ryman Auditorium (starts at 2:19, but the whole performance is killer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1LCj1_WYIo

If you need a bit more joy, here's the aforementioned Sesame Street clips:
Jelly Man Kelly (on tuba): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjo1TVKaFmU
Your ̶S̶m̶i̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ Grouchy Face (on penny whistle): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQRvxcTCZ0E

And if you're into long interviews with jazz tuba players, this is a good read:
http://www.rollmagazine.com/howard-john ... thing-new/

[Low D]

Animals' guitarist Hilton Valentine, 77.

[Frances]

Hal Holbrook

I was one of the millions of people who took their Mom to see him in Mark Twain Tonight! at the local performing arts center.
Across from Sizzler.

RIP

[Low D]

Social justice activist, lawyer, and singer songwriter Anne Feeney has died of complications from COVID-19, she was 69 years old.

I had the pleasure of meeting Anne a few times, and later booked a couple of shows for her. She was one of the loveliest people i have ever met, and could win over any audience (arranged or spontaneous) with her passion, joy, sense of humour and powerful voice. I remember her laughing when she realized the hall we'd booked her in at The Carnegie Centre here in Vancouver was called "Carnegie Hall" and she made us take lots of pictures of her in front of the sign so she could brag about how she'd finally made it. After the gig, she charmed the hard scrabble drug dealers outside the venue with her winning smile and confident attitude as she flogged her wares alongside them. She would be tickled to know she finally made the pages of Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musi ... y-1124036/

Even though we haven't talked since 2008 or something, I am feeling this loss very hard. A lung cancer survivor in her late 60s, Anne was in a very high risk group for COVID-19, and has become one more unnecessary victim of this pandemic that did not have to claim so damn many American lives.

"Have you been to jail for justice? Then you're a friend of mine." Safe travels Anne, we were all better for meeting and hearing you.

[Low D]

I have some very sad news. I am sad to report that Stefan Cush has sadly and very suddenly passed away. He was well loved in our home town of Llandeilo, and will be much missed. Condolences to his family and friends.
Aled

More info on FB:
https://sw-ke.facebook.com/decadeclub77 ... 689931674/

[firehazard]

Anne Feeney and Stefan Cush are two very sad losses. RIP both

[Low D]

Mary Wilson, co-founder (and longest serving member) of The Supremes. She was 76.

[firehazard]

Mary Wilson, co-founder (and longest serving member) of The Supremes. She was 76.

She was planning her next album. Very sad news. RIP

[Low D]

And yet Ted Nugent is still alive and well. WHY WON'T HE DIE?!

[DzM]

And yet Ted Nugent is still alive and well. WHY WON'T HE DIE?!

'Cause Cat Scratch Fever gives your immune system super powers?

[NewJerseyRich]

And yet Ted Nugent is still alive and well. WHY WON'T HE DIE?!

wow, just wow.