Americana Highways Musicians Obituaries – Fall – 2023
Obituaries
Shane MacGowan @ 65 – Singer-songwriter born in Kent, England, Shane was a founding member of The Pogues & wrote the iconic “Fairytale of New York,” which became a duet with the late Kirsty MacColl — a beloved New York City Christmas song on both sides of the Atlantic. Shane also duetted with his friend Sinead O’Connor (who passed away in July) on the beautiful “Haunted.” Shane fused punk with Irish music brilliantly. Unfortunately, he had a career that was tainted by heavy drug & alcohol use with a talented destructive personality. It was during a tour of Japan opening for Bob Dylan in 1991 that the band dismissed Shane for unprofessional behavior & being unreliable. Not to be set back he formed a new band Shane MacGowan & the Popes. He managed to release 2 LPs. He reunited with his Pogue bandmates in 2005 to some success. He found time to be involved with some charity work, but he suffered some serious health setbacks. By 2015 after breaking his pelvis he was wheelchair-bound. Then, he developed viral encephalitis & an infection. In early November 2023, he went home to Dublin where he died later in the month from pneumonia. This was an artist who burned brightly. B&W picture courtesy of Shane’s Facebook.
Denny Laine @ 79 – Former Moody Blues, Paul McCartney & Wings guitarist. Laine passed away on December 5 after suffering from a lung disease. With the early Moody Blues Laine sang their hit “Go Now.” He was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of The Moody Blues. Paul McCartney sent a poignant detailed Instagram. Denny was born Brian Frederick Hines & he also played with Ginger Baker’s Air Force. Color image courtesy of Michael Putland.
Tom Smothers @ 86 of The Smothers Brothers. The brother who played guitar and sang with John Lennon & Yoko Ono during their Sleep-in on “Give Peace a Chance.” Headlined his show along with his upright bass-playing brother Dick on CBS. The program was canceled because of their comments about the Vietnam War and other controversial topics. One segment had banned Pete Seeger from singing “Waist Deep In the Big Muddy,” but relented a few weeks later. Smothers was a folk singer as well as comedian & entertainer & played with major singers like Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, had Ringo Starr & George Harrison on their show. Tom died Dec 26 of cancer. Color photo courtesy of the Everett Collection.
Essra Mohawk @ 75 – Sandra Elayne Hurvitz died on Dec 11 & was known as Essra Mohawk. Ms. Mohawk issued about a dozen albums in a diversified career. Her name was aligned with many major artists & her contributions were widely known. The Philadelphia-born Essra passed away at her home in TN. Some of her songs were recorded by The Shangri-Las, Vanilla Fudge & Keb’Mo & her songs were heard on the soap opera “All My Children.” She performed briefly with Jerry Garcia as well as, Frank Zappa & his Mothers of Invention. She sang backup on numerous recordings (Carole King & John Mellencamp). According to Procol Harum lyricist the late Keith Reid their song “Quiet Rightly So,” was written about her. She married her Reprise Records producer Frazier Mohawk & gained his colorful last name. Color image courtesy of her Dignity Memorial page.
Mars Williams @ 68 – American sax player for The Psychedelic Furs & The Waitresses. He also laid down sax lines for Billy Idol, the Power Station, Billy Squier & others. Mr. Williams played his last concerts with the Furs one month before passing from ampullary cancer. Color image courtesy of Larry Marano/Shutterstock.
Laura Lynch @ 65 – One of the founders of the Grammy-winning group the Dixie Chicks was killed in a tragic auto accident on Highway 62 in West Texas, on Dec. 22. The group was formed in 1989 & Laura left in 1995 being replaced by Natalie Maines. Ms. Lynch decided not to continue when the Chicks chose to go more contemporary. Color photo courtesy of ATP.
Scott Kempner @ 69 – Formed The Dictators (“Stay With Me”), the Del-Lords (“Dream Come True”) & later The Brando’s. Scott was the rhythm guitarist for the 70s band The Dictators which featured Handsome Dick Manitoba. The Bronx-born Scott went on to issue some solo LPs & reunited with The Dictators through the years. He was a member of a band called The Little Kings that featured the legendary Dion DiMucci. He also performed on LPs by Little Steven & Carla Olson. He retired from music in 2021 after being diagnosed with dementia. He passed away in a CT nursing home on Nov 29. Color image courtesy of The Dictators Press Room (VelvetMusic. it.)
Rudolph Isley @ 83 of The Isley Brothers was a founding member of the group. He co-wrote one of the group’s biggest hits ”Shout,” among others. The group then recorded their 1962 hit “Twist & Shout,” (written by Phil Medley & Bert Berns (later Russell) which was later covered by The Beatles. As time by the group became less rock sounding & more of an R&B/soul ensemble with songs like “It’s Your Thing,” “That Lady,” & “Fight the Power,” all co-written by Rudolph. Mr. Isley left the group in 1989 to pursue a Christian ministry. The group was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame. Color image courtesy of RJ Capak/WireImage.
Carla Bley @ 87 – An American jazz composer, pianist, organist & bandleader. The California-born musician had a forte that was mostly freestyle jazz. Best known for her 1960s 3-disc opera “Escalator Over the Hill.” She had been married to jazz pianist Paul Bley. She was an early advocate & pioneer of the development of independent artist-owned record labels. Between the years 1966 & 2019, she released 2-dozen LPs. She had a unique look & a mesmerizing presence & wrote wonderful compositions. Truly an original. Carla passed away from brain cancer, on Oct 17 at her home in Willow, NY. Color image courtesy of Mark Sheldon.
Dwight Twilley @ 72 – Dwight was a 70s pop musician who had some success in a tight pop-rock tradition. He had several Top 25 hits when the charts were swimming in new wave, punk & disco music. The Oklahoma-born Twilley met singer-songwriter Phil Seymour in Tulsa & a partnership developed. Later, they had hits with songs like “I’m On Fire,” “Girls” & “Little Bit of Love.” Dwight went on to a solo career in 1979 & bounced around from several major labels. On Oct. 18 while driving Dwight suffered a massive stroke & crashed into a tree. Color image courtesy of Tulsa World file. Video Premiere: Dwight Twilley “No Place Like Home”
Gregg Sutton @ 74 was born Greg William Sutton in NY. He had been the bassist for Lone Justice & released some solo work. Sutton wrote many songs covered by major artists: Joe Cocker, Eric Burdon, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Jones, Maria McKee, Carla Olson, Percy Sledge, Edgar Winter & others. Sutton also toured with Bob Dylan during the concert years that were captured on the “Real Live” LP. Sutton also worked with Maria McKee on her solo work & with the late comedian Andy Kaufman. He passed away Oct. 22 at his home in LA. No cause was given. Color image courtesy of Todd Everett.
Chad Allan @ 80 – Winnipeg native born Allan Kowbell (1943) — a founding member of The Guess Who & took the stage name of Chad Allan (a tribute to folk singer Chad Mitchell). The celebrated musician was the first singer for the band before Burton Cummings. He also played with Brave Belt which in the 70s became Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Chad left before BTO became famous but is credited as a co-founder. He passed away on Nov 21. B&W photo courtesy of The Guess Who/Facebook.
Aaron Spears @ 47 – A Grammy-nominated session drummer Aaron passed away Oct 30 according to family sources. He laid down some wonderful beats on his skins for Usher, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber & Ariana Grande. Color image courtesy of Andrew Lepley/Redferns.
Lola Dee @ 95 – 1950s Columbia & Mercury label pop singer (Lorraine DeAngelis) from Chicago charted on Billboard with several hits: “Pretty Eyed Baby,” “Dance Me Loose,” “Old Man Mose,” “Down Yonder,” “Takes Two To Tango,” “Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes,” “Padre,” (not the Elvis Presley covered song) & “Only You (And You Alone),” which sold nearly a million copies. She toured internationally with artists like Johnnie Ray. Her final public appearance was in 1978. Lola died of natural causes. B&W image courtesy of Alan Eichler.
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Americana Highways Musicians Obituaries – September 2023
Americana Highways Musicians Obituaries – Fall – 2023
