ROCK ON 90's

1990
Stevie Ray Vaughan, (Stephen Ray Vaughan), 10/3/54 – 8/27/90. Born in Dallas, Texas, Stevie Ray is the most influential rhythm and blues rock guitarist of all time. Known for his passion, talent and unique sound, he is often found in the top ten of a list of “greatest guitarists”. Stevie Ray died in a helicopter crash. He was 35.

Tom Fogerty, 11/9/41 - 9/6/90. Born in Berkely, California, Tom was the a singer/songwriter for Creedence Clearwater Revival. When his brother John took over the majority of lead vocals and song writing Tom left the band and the brothers remained estranged. He died of respiratory failure/tuberculosis. Tom was 48.


1991
Steve Clark, (Stephen Maynard Clark), 4/23/60 – 1/8/91. Born in Hillsborough, England he was a guitarist for Def Leppard. He modeled his playing after his guitar idol, Jimmy Page. Steve’s had a severe addiction to alcohol that threatened his career many times. He died of an accidental overdose of painkillers and alcohol. He was 30.

Steve Marriott, 1/30/47 - 4/20/91. Born in Bow, London Steve was the guitarist for Small Faces and Humble Pie. He is best remembered for his powerful blue-eyed soul vocals. Steve died of smoke inhalation when his 16th Century home caught fire. He was 44.

David Ruffin, (Davis Eli Ruffin), 1/18/41 – 6/1/91. Born in Meridian, Mississippi he was a singer/dancer with The Temptations. He sang lead vocals for the first time on the song that went on to be their first number one hit, “My Girl”. David became heavily involved in drugs and died of cocaine overdose. He was 50.

Eric Carr, (Paul Charles Caravello), 7/12/50 – 11/24/91. Eric is best known as the drummer for the rock band KISS. He replaced Peter original drummer, Criss. Eric was also a talented vocalist, bassist, guitarist and pianist. He was diagnosed and died of a rare form of heart cancer. Eric was 41.

Freddie Mercury, (Farrokh Bulsara), 9/5/46 – 11/24/91. Born on the island of Zanzibar Freddie was the much loved singer/ songwriter for Queen. He was known for his powerful vocal abilities and his charisma as a live performer. His health declined for years amidst rumors of HIV/AIDS. Just twenty four hours after issuing a statement that he had the disease, he lost his life to it. He was 45.

1992
Jeff Porcaro ( Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro ), 4/1/54 – 8/5/92. Born in Los Angeles, California, Jeff was a highly acclaimed drummer, best known for starting the band Toto. He was a session drummer who started his career at age 17 playing for Sonny and Cher’s touring back up band. He worked with many musicians over the years including Steely Dan, Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen. and many others. Jeff died of an undiagnosed heart condition. He was 38.

1993
Mick Ronson, 5/26/93 – 4/29/1993. Born in Yorkshire, England, Mick was best known as guitar player for David Bowie. He also played for musicians such as Lou Reed, Ian Hunter, Bob Dylan and Mott the Hoople. In addition to guitar he played the piano, bass, harmonic, clavinet, keyboards and drums. Mick died of liver cancer. He was 46.

Frank Zappa, (Francis Vincent Zappa Jr.), 12/21/93 – 12/4/93. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Frank was known for composing and performing experimental rock/jazz music. Frank was also a passionate supporter of our first amendment rights and his lyrics often made known his skeptical views of US politics. He died of prostate cancer. Frank was 52.

Michael Clarke (Michael James Dick) 6/3/46 -12/19/93. Born in Spokane, Washington, Michael was best known as the drummer for the 1960s rock music group The Byrds from 1964 to 1968. He also played with the Flying Burrito Brothers. Michael died of liver failure thought to be a result of more than three decades of heavy alcohol consumption. He was 47.


1994
Kurt Cobain, 2/20/67 – 4/5/94. Born in Hoquiam/ Seattle, Washington, Kurt was the lead singer and guitarist for Nirvana. As their music became more mainstream and popular Kurt was dubbed the “spokesman for Generation X”. Its said that he didn’t like the attention on himself. He began using drugs and making poor choices in his life. His death was officially ruled suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound, but to this day some people believe there was foul play involved. Kurt was the fight member of the “27 Club”.

1995
Rory Gallagher, 3/2/48 - 6/14/95. Rory was born in County Donegal, but grew up in Cork City in the south of Ireland. He is best known for his incredible talent at guitar and most often played a 1961 Stratocaster. Rory excessively used drugs and alcohol which necessitated a liver transplant; complications from that caused his death. He was 43.

Jerry Garcia, (Jerome John Garcia), 8/1/42 – 8/9/95. Born in San Fransisco, California, Jerry was thought of as the lead vocalist and guitarist for The Grateful Dead – although he insisted the band had no official leader. He played guitar, piano and banjo. He died of a heart attack. He was 53.


1996
Ella Fitzgerald, 4/25/17 - 6/15/96. Born in Newport News, Virginia Ella was known as one of the most influential jazz vocalists of all time. Her voice spanned three octaves and she had the ability to improvise and do "scat singing". Her career spanned 57 years. Ella died of natural causes in her home. She was 79.

1997
Jeff Buckley, (Jeffrey Scott Buckley), 11/17/97 – 5/29/97, born in Anaheim, California Jeff was an incredibly talented musician, vocalist and song-writer. Its hard to write about Jeff because I discovered his music years after he died and immediately felt a loss. I’ve read a lot about him and can’t do justice to him here in a few words. Jeff struggled with his emotional highs and lows but I believe that’s what enabled him to write in his intense, ethereal lyrics. He drowned in the Mississippi River, his death was an accident. He was 30.

John Denver, ( Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. ), 12/31/43 – 10/12/97. Born in Roswell, New Mexico, John was one of the biggest selling folk/pop artists of the 1970s. In his lifetime, he recorded and released over 300 songs, about half of which he had written. John died the small aircraft he was piloting crashed. He was 53.

Michael Hutchence, (Michael Kelland John Hutchence), 1/22/60 – 11/22/97. Born in Sydney, Australia, Michael was the lead singer of INXS. I can’t write much about Michael because his death hit me hardest of any of these. I had the honor of meeting someone who knew him and was close to his family. After his death this person was allowed to read Michael’s journals and it confirmed what I had always believed, he was a sensitive soul often tortured by depression. Bono and he were friends and the song “Stuck in a Moment” was written about Michael’s suicide. He was found hanging in his hotel room. Controversy surrounded his death with rumors that it was murder, but was never proven. Michael was 37.

1998
Carl Wilson, (Carl Dean Wilson), 12/21/46 – 2/6/98. Born in Hawthorne, California Carl was a singer and lead guitarist for The Beach Boys. Carl was the youngest of the Wilson brothers. He died of lung cancer. Carl was 51.

Cozy Powell, (Colin Flooks) 12/29/47 - 4/5/98. Born in Gloucester, England. He began playing drums at age 12 and worked with many bands over the years including Rainbow, Black Sabbath, The Jeff Beck Group and Whitesnake. Cozy died in a single car crash while driving under the influence of alcohol. He was 50.

Carl Perkins, 4/9/32 – 1/19/98. Born in Tiptonville, Tennessee Carl was a pioneer in rockabilly music. He influenced many musicians who went on to have successful careers including Elvis, Johnny Cash and The Beatles. Carl died of cancer. He was 65.


1999
Dusty Springfield, (Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien) 4/16/39 – 3/2/99. Born in London, England she grew up loving American jazz singers and recorded her first song at age 11. She never wrote her own music but was considered a superstar with her success as a “blue-eyed soul” vocalist. Dusty died of breast cancer. She was 59.

Bobby Sheehan, (Robert Vaughan Sheehan) 6/12/68 - 8/20/99. Born in Summit, New Jersey he was a founding memeber and the original bass player for Blues Traveler. Bobby was found dead in his apartment of a drug overdose. He was 33.

Rick Danko, (Richard Clare Danko) 12/29/42 – 12/10/99. Born in Ontario, Canada, Rick was best known for playing bass and singing guitar with The Band, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and others. Rick was involved in heavy drug use which caused a heart condition that ended his life. Rick was 56.