Americana Highways Musicians Obituaries – May-July 2024
John Mayall @ 90 – A legendary English blues great who dedicated his life to the genre, played with some legendary greats like John Lee Hooker & Champion Jack Dupree & single-handedly discovered & gave breaks to some of the most successful & famous musicians in rock & blues. John Mayall was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in the musical influence category in 2024.
His bands over the years featured John McVie & Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Eric Clapton & Jack Bruce (Cream), Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones), Andy Fraser (Free), Jon Hiseman (Colosseum), Jon Mark & John Almond (Mark-Almond Band). Mayall died July 22 at home in CA. No cause was issued. The color image courtesy of David Gomez.
Françoise Hardy @ 80 – A French singer-songwriter/actress/author & French cultural icon who sang primarily melancholy, sentimental ballads & French chanson singing with her breathy alto. She was not the typical pop singer & was compared in some areas song-wise to Marianne Faithful & Nico. She had said she admired the obscure English singer-songwriter Nick Drake (who she met & wanted to work with). Her career started in 1962 through 2021 & she reinvented herself several times. She sang in 4 languages & released over 30 studio albums. She first retired in 2012 after being diagnosed with cancer but 5 years later (2018) she released an album. By 2021 she announced she could no longer sing due to cancer treatments. B&W 1960 image courtesy of Mondadori/Getty Images.
David Sanborn @ 78 – The multiple Grammy-Award-winning Tampa, Florida-born sax player passed away Sunday, May 12 from prostate cancer. Sanborn had been battling the disease since 2018 & played as much as he could since his diagnosis. David through his 6-decade career had played on many sessions for major artists (Butterfield Blues Band, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones & touring with David Bowie). He also recorded his albums (25) as well (“Taking Off” & “Hideaway”). The color image courtesy of David Sanborn’s website.
Angela Bofill @ 70 – Born Angela Tomasa Bofill – she was an American singer & composer of Cuban/Puerto Rican origins & a New York City native. Her career (1973-2006) started in the 70s & over a 4-decade career had multiple hits & 10 solo LPs over several major labels. Angela became one of the first successful Latina singers to penetrate the R&B & jazz markets & sold-out places like Avery Fischer Hall. Tragically, Bofill suffered a stroke in 2006 which paralyzed her left side & then suffered a second stroke in 2007 impairing her speech & mobility. She passed away on June 13th at her daughter’s home in CA. The color image courtesy of GAB Archives/Redferns.
Kinky Friedman @ 79 – An American controversial but clever singer-songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician & writer who considered himself a modern-day satirist in the shape of Mark Twain or Will Rogers. Born in Chicago as Robert Samet Friedman his family moved to Texas; he played chess quite well & earned a BA from the University of Texas. He served 2 years in the Peace Corps in Borneo & Malaysia & later formed a band called Kinky Friedman & the Texas Jewboys. As a solo act, he was signed by ABC Records (the early 70s) where he met & toured with Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue in 1976. He was always quite a diversified performer if not a little unfocused. He also wrote interesting detective novels & released 17 solo LPs. Kinky famously smoked Montecristo & Bolivar cigars. He died at home in Texas from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Color image courtesy of Jay Janner/American-Statesman
Duke Fakir @ 88 – Last surviving original member of the marvelous ‘60s legendary Motown vocal group The Four Tops. First tenor Abdul (Duke) Fakir sang with lead singer Levi Stubbs on multiple hits like “I Can’t Help Myself,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Bernadette,” & “Standing In the Shadows of Love.” For many baby boomers, a piece of their childhood has been chipped away. Fakir passed away at his home in Detroit from heart failure. The photo is courtesy of Duke’s Wikipedia site at the LBJ Presidential Library 2019.
John Barbata @ 79 – Former drummer for The Turtles (on many of their hit singles), Jefferson Airplane & Starship, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Lee Michaels, Johnny Rivers & many others. The New Jersey-born musician played between 1961 and 2024 beginning with The Sentinels. No cause of death was issued. The color image courtesy of John “J-Cat” Griffith.
John Hawken @ 84 – English-born keyboard player John Christopher Hawken passed away in May 2024. Originally with the Nashville Teens (“Tobacco Road”) & later a member of the original Renaissance with Jane Relf & Strawbs (for 2 albums) & reunited with them in 2004 for another 2 albums. In 2019 he played the Strawbs’ 50th Anniversary show. Strawbs’ leader Dave Cousins introduced Hawken to the mellotron. John also played with bands as diversified as Spooky Tooth, Vinegar Joe, Illusion (the original Renaissance re-grouped) & then became a session keyboard player. Hawken died from melanoma at his Metuchen, NJ home. Color image tagged public domain.
“Spider” John Koerner @ 86 – New York State-born blues guitarist & singer who mentored Bob Dylan when living, performing & recording in Minnesota as a blues/country blues trio — Koerner, Ray & Glover (Dave Ray & Tony Glover). John recorded with the trio in 1963 & released his first solo LP in 1965 “Spider Blues” for Elektra. He also recorded with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott & the late Utah Phillips. John passed away from bile duct cancer on May 18th. The B&W image courtesy of Nate Ryan/MPR.
Doug Ingle @ 78 –Frontman/organist of the pioneering heavy rock band Iron Butterfly & last surviving original member. The band was pivotal in the development of heavy metal & hard rock. Famous for their long iconic 1968 hit Doug co-wrote “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida” (which translates to “In the Garden of Eden”). That album sold over 30 million copies & remained in the Top 10 for 81 weeks. The band had some other interesting Ingle songs (“New Day,” “Filled With Fear,” “Soul Experience” & “In the Time of Our Lives”). But their momentum, like the hard rock band Blue Cheer, petered out. But their legendary status in pop culture & image did live on respectfully (used in “The Simpsons”). Doug passed away Friday, May 24. The B&W photo courtesy of Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.
Mark James @ 83 – Writer of Elvis Presley’s classic “Suspicious Minds,” & other songs (“Hooked On a Feeling” & Grammy Award-winning “Always On My Mind” by B.J. Thomas, Elvis & Willie Nelson. Mark passed away at his home in Nashville, TN. Color image courtesy of Roman Cho/Houston Chronicle.
Buzz Cason @ 84 – Songwriter, producer, author & rock singer born in Nashville, TN. He was a founding member of the R&R band The Casuals. As a solo artist, he issued singles & had some hits as Gerry Miles. He & Leon Russell (a session producer at the time) together produced The Crickets. He also performed as a session singer (for Elvis Presley & Kenny Rogers). His biggest hit “Everlasting Love” was co-written with Mac Gayden & became a hit 4 times – once for Robert Knight (US), then by Love Affair (UK) & Carl Carlton again (US) with an Australian country band the Town Criers charting a 4th time in 1968. The color image courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Happy Traum @ 86 – Harry Peter Traum was born in the Bronx, NY & performed with or was associated with Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson, Martin Simpson, Jim Kweskin, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, John Sebastian, Peggy, Arlo & Pete Seeger, English folk singer Paul Brady, Bela Fleck, Jorma Kaukonen, Chris Smither, Roger McGuinn, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Levon Helm, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Paul Butterfield, Bob Neuwirth, Geoff Muldaur & Larry Campbell. He was a mainstay of the Greenwich Village (late ‘50s through the ‘60s) & Woodstock folk scene of the early ‘70s. He performed contemporary & traditional folk songs with exceptional fingerpicking acoustic guitar. The color image is courtesy of Happy’s website.
Sandy Posey @ 80 – Alabama-born country pop-singer who had several charted MGM Records hits (“Single Girl,” “Born a Woman,” “I Take It Back”) & was an Elvis Presley session vocalist passed away from complications of dementia in her Tennessee home. Ms. Posey was also nominated twice for Grammy Awards. The color image courtesy of GAB Archive/Redferns.
Bernice Johnson Reagon @ 81 – The Georgia-born singer founded the acapella group Sweet Honey In the Rock, the Freedom Singers & was a Civil Rights activist & mother of folk singer Toshi Reagon. No cause was released. Color image courtesy of Bernice Johnson Reagon/Photo by Sharon Farmer.
Bev Paul @ 76 – Passed away April 19th in Durham, North Carolina. Bev helped turn the roots-oriented Sugar Hill label into an iconic brand & became its general manager. Her contributions to the music industry were impressive. She was a true advocate for artists & held a leadership role in venues/club management. The color photo courtesy of Walker Funeral Service.
Phil Wiggins @ 69 – Piedmont, blues-based harmonica (ragtime & country) legend died in Maryland. Born in Washington D.C. in 1954. He was part of the duo Cephas & Wiggins who recorded over a dozen albums. A cause of death has not been issued. Color image courtesy of Bibiana Huang Matheis.
Charlie Colin @ 58 – Bassist & a founding member of the Grammy-winning band Train (“Drops of Jupiter”) & had their most success in the late 1990s & early 2000s. Colin left the band in 2003 due to substance abuse. He was living & working in Brussels. According to reports he had a tragic accident – a fatal fall in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Belgium & he was found 5 days later when his friends returned. Color image courtesy of Paul Redmond/WireImage.
James Chance @ 71 –Born James Siegfried in Milwaukee he led bands known as James White & the Blacks & James White & the Contortions. James played sax & keyboards & sang. He was part of the No Wave movement in the ‘70s that originated in New York City — an alternative to the popularity of punk & New Wave at that time. No cause of death was given but his brother David had stated that James’ health had been in decline for several years. B&W image courtesy of Frans Schellekens/Redferns.
Dave Loggins @ 76 – Cousin of singer Kenny Loggins, Dave charted with the hit “Please Come To Boston.” He wrote songs that were hits for other country artists such as Lee Ann Womack, Mindy Smith, Jimmy Buffett, Wynonna Judd, Alabama, Reba McIntyre, Three Dog Night, Restless Heart & Willie Nelson. He dueted with Ann Murray which topped the country charts. No cause of death was announced but he passed away in a hospice in Nashville, TN. B&W image courtesy of Redferns.
Joe Egan @ 77 – Vocalist/keyboardist & guitarist with the Scottish folk/rock band Stealers Wheel – formed in 1972 with the late Gerry Rafferty. He co-wrote the hit song “Stuck In the Middle With You.” Color image courtesy of Rex.
Jerry Miller @ 81 – Guitarist with the mid-60s group Moby Grape who co-wrote several of their most memorable songs (“Murder In My Heart For the Judge”). He also co-founded the band with Peter Lewis, Bob Mosley, Skip Spence & Don Stevenson. Miller was listed #68 on Rolling Stone’s greatest 100 rock guitarists. Miller was admired by Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Taj Mahal, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page. No cause of death was given. Photo courtesy of Pappi Swarner.
Jerry Fuller @ 85 – Fort Worth, Texas songwriter between 1959-2018 of songs such as “Travelin’ Man,” a hit for Ricky Nelson that sold 6 million copies. He was the featured singer in The Champs, with Glen Campbell, Seals & Crofts (“Tequila”). He discovered the Beatles-like sounding group The Knickerbockers in 1965 (“Lies”). As a producer, he brought to Columbia Records the band Gary Puckett & the Union Gap who had several hits with Fuller compositions (“Young Girl,” “Lady Willpower” & “Over You”). He also produced Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & the Raiders & O.C. Smith’s “The Son of Hickory Hollar’s Tramp” & wrote his hit “Little Green Apples.” Fuller died from cancer at his home in CA. B&W image courtesy of Footprint Sound.
Jeremy Tepper @ 60 – alt-country impresario/journalist/musician & executive. He was SiriusXM’s outlaw country program director. Tepper was a former frontman with the band World Famous Blue Jays. Tepper endorsed alternative music to the Nashville mainstream. It was reported he passed away in NYC from a heart attack. B&W image courtesy of Mike Dunn.
Johnny Canales @ 81 – A Mexican Tejano vocalist & TV broadcaster & was credited with providing the late Selena with one of her first live appearances at 13 years old. His TV work was broadcast in Mexico & via Univision in the USA (1988-1996) & then transitioned to Telemundo. Canales was born Juan Jose Canales in Mexico & died in Corpus Christi, Texas. The color image courtesy of Rodrigo Varela/WireImage.
Ivana Pino Arellano @ 32 – A beloved Chilean Country singer who was tragically killed June 15th in a freakish auto accident where she lost control of her car & hit a concrete barrier on the day after her birthday. Her passenger was seriously injured & transported to a hospital. The color image is courtesy of Jam Pressi.
Tom Fowler @ 73 – The Salt Lake City, UT-born bassist for Frank Zappa & Ray Charles. He played with groups such as It’s a Beautiful Day, 21 Mothers of Invention albums, Jean-Luc Ponty, George Duke, Steve Hackett & Air Pocket (a band with his siblings). Tom passed away after suffering from an aneurysm. Color image courtesy of Haluk Gurer.
Mary Martin @ 85 – A native of Toronto, Mary was a veteran legendary music executive/artist manager/A&R executive in Country, folk & rock n’ roll formats with ties to Bob Dylan, The Band, Vince Gill, Leonard Cohen, Emmylou Harris & many others. Mary passed away in a hospice. The B&W image courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Randall Collins @ 84 – lifelong Georgia blue grass fiddler who founded the Pinnacle Boys & recorded 8 albums. Collins also released solo work & fiddled for groups such as the Stoney Mountain Boys, Carolina Buddies, the Morris Brothers & Randall’s band. No cause of death was given. Color image courtesy of Bluegrass Today.
Danny Reid Carter @ 71 – A 35-year touring musician who played guitar as the North Carolina duo The Carter Brothers. The group played a rock version of bluegrass. The duo recorded for Compass Records until Danny suffered a series of strokes that led to his dementia. The brothers were related to the legendary Carter musical family. The color image courtesy of Bluegrass Today.
Joe Bonsall @ 76 – Joe was a Philadelphia-born tenor singer who sang with The country-gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys (1973-2023). He was inducted into the Country Hall of Fame. Joe passed away from complications of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in TN. The color image courtesy of Jon Mir.
The Nelons – Three members of a Georgia-based Hall of Fame gospel family were killed along with 4 others in a Wyoming plane crash. Kelly Nelon Clark (64), her daughter Amber Kistler (35), & Kelly’s second husband Jason Nelon (49). There were no survivors. The color image is courtesy of Annette Holloway/Icon Sportwire via Getty Images file.
RIP – Our thanks for allowing us to hear you & for contributing & traveling on our Americana Highways.
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Musicians Obituaries: May-July 2024
