Portrait of Lou Reed by Chuck Close (Photo By Gail)
Lou Reed, a pioneering and wildly influential rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, passed away today, October 27th, 2013 in NYC. Although Reed just underwent a liver transplant in May of this year, the cause of death appears to be liver failure. Very sad. Reed was 71 years old. Rolling Stone has a career comprehensive Obituary and This Link. Favorite Lou Reed Songs: “Perfect Day” and “Satellite of Love.” RIP.
Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran was born on this day, October 27th, in 1958! Happy Birthday, Simon!
Scott and Slash Dance With Mr. Brownstone
Professional Bad Boy of Rock, Scott Weiland, also famous for being the vocalist for Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots, has managed to stay alive long enough to turn another year older, having been born on October 27, 1967. I guess you might know you have a drug problem when you are kicked out of a band that’s made up of former heroin addicts. Happy Birthday, Scott!
Ricky, Rikki Rockett, Me and Mike Fasano, Glam Slam Metal Jam at Jones Beach, 2001
I’m a little late to the game on this one but I just found out that Ricky Parent lost his long battle with cancer on October 27th, 2007. He was 44 years old. Ricky played drums for one of my favorite bands, Enuff Z’Nuff and he was a super sweet guy and a great drummer. I first heard that Ricky had cancer a few years ago, when Enuff Z’Nuff’s former manager hooked us up with the idea that I might use my skills as a Reiki practitioner to help Ricky with his recovery. Sadly, we could never make that happen, but until this afternoon I thought Ricky had recovered from his illness. My heart goes out to Ricky’s family, friends and bandmates on hearing this sad news.
