Americana Highways Obituaries – February through May 2024
Obituaries
Steve Lawrence @ 88 – Award-winning American singer/actor who often sang with his wife singer Eydie Gorme (1957-2013). Steve died in L.A. on March 7 from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. Lawrence, despite several charted hits beginning in 1952 will be remembered for his 1962 #1 hit “Go Away Little Girl.” Color image courtesy of the McCallum Theatre.
Dickey Betts @ 80 – American guitarist/singer-songwriter & co-founder of The Allman Brothers Band. He wrote the band’s hits “Rambin’ Man” & their classic instrumental “Jessica.” With the band, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Betts passed away from a battle with cancer in FL. Color image courtesy of Kirk West Photography.
Duane Eddy @ 86 – An influential American twangy R&R guitarist who sold millions of records & had a string of instrumental hits (some produced by the late Lee Hazelwood) in the late ‘50s-early ‘60s. “Rebel Rouser,” & “Because They’re Young,” were 2 of the most memorable. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1961 he married Miriam Johnson (aka country singer Jessi Colter) who later married Waylon Jennings. Eddy died in TN from cancer. Color portrait image courtesy of Dezo Hoffman/Shutterstock.
Eric Carmen @ 74 – Cleveland, Ohio musician who was a member of The Raspberries & then turned that success into a solo career. Eric had memorable hits with “All By Myself,” & “Hungry Eyes,” & later toured as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band. No cause of death was issued. B&W image courtesy of Tom Hill/WireImage.
Karl Wallinger @ 66 – UK multi-instrumentalist who played with The Waterboys (he played on their classic “The Whole of the Moon”) & then formed his own band World Party (“Ship of Fools,” “Way Down Now”). Karl died from a stroke at home in March. Color image courtesy of World Party.
Mike Pinder @ 82 – UK keyboardist & founding member of The Moody Blues. He left after their 9th album “Octave” in 1978 & was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2018). He wrote the Moody Blues’ “So Deep Within You,” which was covered by The Four Tops. His “Melancholy Man,” was the #1 hit in France. He was diagnosed with dementia & died at his California home in April. B&W image (1965) courtesy of Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images.
Malcolm Holcombe @ 68 – North Carolina singer-songwriter (1984-2024) who released about 18 solo LPs (many independently) & made guest appearances on several other artists albums. He lived in Nashville, TN & died in March 2024 from respiratory failure due to cancer. B&W image courtesy of Jaime Kalikow.
Cynthia Weil @ 82 – New York City-born songwriter-singer inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with her songwriting husband/partner Barry Mann. Together the team were Brill Building giants who wrote hit songs for many 60s artists including classics: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” & “You’re My Soul & Inspiration” (The Righteous Brothers), “On Broadway,” & “Saturday Night At The Movies” (The Drifters), “Kicks” & “Hungry” (Paul Revere & the Raiders), “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” (The Animals), “Blame It On the Bossa Nova,” (Eydie Gorme), “Here You Come Again,” (Dolly Parton), “I Just Can’t Help Believing” (BJ Thomas & later Elvis Presley), “Only In America,” (Jay & the Americans). With “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” (co-written also with Phil Spector) the song is considered one of the most played songs in radio history. Cynthia died at home in Beverly Hills, CA. No cause issued. Color image courtesy of Ms. Weil’s Bios Website.
Steve Harley @ 73 – UK artist (vocals/guitar/harmonica) born Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice who started as a folk artist & performed as an opening act for the likes of John Martyn, Martyn Carthy & Ralph McTell. He formed the group Cockney Rebel in 1972 & went solo in 1977. Steve died at home from cancer. Color image courtesy of Michael Putland/Hulton Archive.
Clarence “Frogman” Henry @ 87 – New Orleans R&B vocalist/pianist whose career spanned 1952 to 2024. Clarence recorded for the Argo & Roulette labels & hit in 1956 with “Ain’t Got No Home” & in 1961 with both “You Always Hurt The One You Love” & “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do.” He recorded from 1956 through 1993 & in 1964 opened 18 concerts for The Beatles. He died in New Orleans in April 2024 from complications following surgery. Songs recorded by Mr. Henry were covered by The Band, Al Stewart, Rod Stewart & Bobby Vinton. Color image courtesy of Tyler Kaufman/FilmMagic.
Chris Cross – @ 71 – This isn’t the Grammy Award-winning singer of “Sailing.” This is the UK singer, bassist & founder of new wave band Ultravox. His cause of death was not issued. Photograph courtesy of Brian Aris.
Brit Turner – @ 57 – Drummer & founding member of the popular Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke. Brit died on March 3 after being diagnosed 2 years ago with brain cancer (glioblastoma). Photograph courtesy of Andy Sapp.
Mojo Nixon @ 66 – passed away Feb 7th & was an outlaw cult hero who mixed punk rock, wild country & roots music successfully as psychobilly. One of his most famous tunes was “Elvis Is Everywhere.” It was reported that he suffered a cardiac event. No other info was made available. He was born in Chapel Hill, NC as Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr. in 1957. He started his career by pairing himself with Skid Roper in the 1980s (Enigma Records). He also appeared in some films, continued to perform on cruise ships (The Outlaw Country Cruise) & was a radio host. Color image courtesy of Vergos/Freestyle Digital Media.
Henry Fambrough @ 85 – Last surviving original member of the soul group The Spinners. A group that started in Detroit, in 1954 & had many hits including one of their most memorable “Rubberband Man,” in 1976. Mr. Fambrough passed away from natural causes in Virginia. The Spinners received 6 Grammy nominations & earned 18 platinum & gold LPs. They came to Motown Records in 1964 & also recorded for Atlantic Records. The image is courtesy of AP Photo.
Richard Tandy @ 76 – Original Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist/bassist born in 1948. He also played on ELO’s Jeff Lynne solo albums & Dave Edmunds’ solo LPs. No cause of death was issued. Photograph courtesy of Fin Costello/Redferns.
Steve Albini @ 61 – California-born singer-songwriter/musician/producer who was part of the independent music scene (1980s through the 90s). Played with bands such as Big Black & Shellac. He was involved as a producer of albums like Nirvana’s “In Utero,” & the Pixies’ “Surfer Rosa.” He co-managed the record label Restless. Steve passed away in May 2024 from a heart attack. Color image courtesy of Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Alamy.
Jimmy Van Eaton @ 86 – Memphis, TN born/Sun Records session drummer. He was known for having played on classic sessions with Jerry Lee Lewis (the original “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”), Billy Ray Riley (& later joining his band), Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich & Charlie Feathers. He died in Alabama on Feb. 9th with no cause of death issued. Photo courtesy of Matt Mckean/The Time Daily via Associated Press.
Randy Sparks @ 90 – Kansas-born singer-songwriter & founder of the New Christy Minstrels & the Back Porch Majority. No official cause of death but Mr. Sparks suffered from heart issues. 1960 B&W image courtesy of the Everett Collection.
Roni Stoneman @ 85 – First Lady of the Banjo played with Roy Clark & appeared on the country program Hee-Haw. Roni passed away in Nashville, TN. No cause of death was available. B&W image courtesy of the Walden S. Fabry Collection circa 1965 & the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Dexter Romweber @ 57 – Indiana-born but North Carolina-based psychobilly/rockabilly/roots guitarist. He played with bands like the Flat Duo Jets (1985) that appeared on MTV & made an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. The band issued 11 LPs before Dexter went solo. No cause of death was issued. It’s believed he died of natural causes. Photo courtesy of Mike Benson.
Jim Beard @ 63 – Pennsylvania-born Steely Dan keyboardist (2008-2024) died in NYC. He also, played with Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny & John Scofield. He had taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston & two other schools in NYC & Finland (arranging, composing & improvisation). The Grammy-Award-winning Jim Beard passed away in a NYC hospital from complications of a sudden illness that was undisclosed. Color image courtesy of Jim Beard’s FaceBook.
Damo Suzuki @ 74 – Japanese lead singer of the German experimental band Can. Damo passed away in Germany (Feb. 9) & no cause was officially released. It was reported that Damo had colon cancer for about 10 years. Color image courtesy of Stefan Jeremiah/WireImage.
Vitalij Kuprij @ 49 – Ukrainian-American keyboardist with The Trans-Siberian Orchestra passed away on Feb. 20 from an accidental drug overdose resulting in cardiac arrest. Color image courtesy of Vitalij’s Facebook.
Dennis Thompson @ 75 – High energy influential drummer & last surviving original member of the proto-punk band the MC5 passed away Thursday, May 9. It was reported that Mr. Thompson suffered a heart attack in April & was at a long-term care facility recuperating. But no official notice was forthcoming. The band’s signature song was 1969’s “Kick Out the Jams.” Original band guitarist Wayne Kramer died also this past February at 75. Former MC5 manager John Sinclair died in April at 82. Bassist Michael Davis died in 2012 & lead singer Rob Tyner passed in 1991. Guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith (also of The Patti Smith Group & married to Patti) died in 1994. Color image courtesy of Dennis’ Facebook photo gallery.
RIP. Thank you all for your contributions to the miles of Americana Highways.
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