Lead singer for the Knack, Doug was battling cancer and was unable to make it to last year’s Charlotte Pop Fest, unfortunately the continuing battle took it’s final toll. Let’s remember him as a part of the power pop pantheon and a hard working performer that never faded into musical obscurity. The Knack helped make the entire country aware of the power pop genre in 1979. Despite numerous come back attempts they never really got the respect they deserved – the excellent albums they left behind deserve to be heard again and again. You will be missed Doug.
Category: Notable Obituaries
Goodbye to The Eye in The Sky
The great Eric Woolfson has passed away on Dec.2 from cancer. Eric was the creator and writer (and often lead singer) of the ten Alan Parsons Project albums. Since then, he has written five stage musicals (Dancing Shadows, POE, Gambler, Gaudi and Freudiana) which have been performed world-wide. A quick bio is here. His talent continued way beyond the heyday of APP. Hear the genius that was released this past April.
Goodbye, Les Paul
Guitar legend Les Paul passed away today (August 13, 2009) due to complications from pneumonia. He was 94-years-old. Paul was nothing less than a musical wizard and one of the most beloved figures among musicians the world over. He made innovations with both the electric guitar and studio recording devices that have made him crucial to every genre of music and every musician under the sun.
The Seeds "Pushin’ Too Hard"
The Seeds were a band that exemplified “Garage Rock” of the nuggets era. Lead singer and bass guitarist Sky Saxon was heavily influenced by Mick Jagger, and the group promoted the fact that blues great Muddy Waters once called them “America’s own Rolling Stones.” The big hit from 1966 was “Pushin’ Too Hard.” Saxon passed away Thursday, June 25 – he was 63 years old. This news tends to be overlooked with all the Michael Jackson hype going on now.
Wave Goodbye to the King of Pop
I’m pretty sure his album sales total for “Thriller” will never be topped by anyone… ever. And his influence and style is imitated everywhere. Move over Elvis, make some room in Rock and Roll heaven for Michael. This is a pretty decent tribute video for y’all.