1961 – 2006
Good luck on your journey Dan. May you build beautiful things in heaven as you built beautiful things on earth.
Tag Archives: 2006
Sandy West, Runaways Drummer and band Co-Founder, Succumbs to Lung Cancer
10/21/06 – Los Angeles, CA.
Sandy West, drummer for the influential 70s band The Runaways, died Saturday, October 21, 2006 after a long battle with lung cancer.
She left an indelible mark on rock music as a founding member of The Runaways, which featured fellow rockers Joan Jett, Lita Ford and Cherie Currie, and as a leading inspiration for a number of notable musicians, both male and female. Many young musicians can trace their inspiration directly to the first time they heard “Cherry Bomb.”
Continue reading Sandy West, Runaways Drummer and band Co-Founder, Succumbs to Lung Cancer
"And The Streets Are Paved With Gold…": RIP Arthur Lee
Love in 1967: Lee is Second from the Right (Photo By Gail)
Yesterday (August 3rd, 2006) I heard of the sad passing of Love front man Arthur Lee, one of the greatest rock visionaries of the ’60s or any other time. In college, I was greatly blessed to discover Love’s third release, Forever Changes, and I can honestly say the music on this phenomenal album brought about a monumental shift in perception for me. I’m listening to the CD right now as a matter of fact, and the timelessness of songs like “The Red Telephone” and “Alone Again Or” (covered by everyone from UFO to The Damned) still blows my mind.
A Must Own Album
Thanks for the music Arthur. Say Hi to Syd for me.
RIP Syd Barrett
Photo of Syd Taken at Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains in Los Angeles, December of 2021
Original Pink Floyd Guitarist and front man, Roger ‘Syd’ Barret, has passed away on July 7th, 2006, at age 60 due to complications from diabetes. In his obituary for the NY Times rock journalist John Pareles writes that Barrett, “was also renowned both as an LSD casualty and as a symbol of how close creativity can be to madness.” Read more of that resonant obit at this link: Syd Barret Dies at 60. Shine On, You Crazy Diamond.
“I’m Gonna Let the Music Move Me Around…” RIP Billy Preston
R.I.P. Billy Preston
On June 6th, 2006, Billy Preston, often known as the fifth Beatle, passed away at the age of 59. Preston was recruited to record with The Beatles by George Harrison and performed on The White Album, Let it Be and Abbey Road. He also played with major artists like Neil Diamond, Ray Charles and The Rolling Stones, wrote the Joe Cocker 1974 hit “You Are So Beautiful” and had a dozen or so hits of his own. My personal favorite was “Will It Go ‘Round In Circles,” which was a #1 hit when I was 12.
Preston had been in a coma since November 2005, after suffering kidney failure brought on by a lifelong drug addiction. Rest In Peace.
Billy with The Beatles during the recording sessions for Let It Be