Organist Ray Manzarek has died at the age of 74 following a years-long battle with cancer. Best known for his work with The Doors, Manzarek was a key component in shaping that group’s sound. The Doors are equally embraced and reviled. While certainly overrated in the grand scheme of pop music, they managed to produce a unique aesthetic in their four-year run, which yielded six studio LPs and one live album (supplemented by numerous studio and stage releases following Jim […]
Posts tagged "RIP"
Blerd Appreciation: Deke Richards – Thank You, Thank You, Baby
The name Deke Richards may not strike you immediately if you’re not a Motown fanatic. But if you’ve got any love for the works of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 (and, of course, if you read this site, surely you must), the news of Richards’ passing is indeed a bittersweet note. Richards, born Dennis Lussier, was one-quarter of two of Motown’s most famous songwriting collectives in the post-Holland-Dozier-Holland era. First there was The Clan with Pam Sawyer, Frank Wilson and R. Dean Taylor; together, […]
Never Tear Us Apart: An INXS Eulogy
You’d be forgiven if the news that INXS are calling it quits failed to turn many heads. The Australian band, for all intents and purposes, ceased to exist for many after lead singer Michael Hutchence’s lifeless body was found in a Sydney hotel room almost 15 years ago. There was no New Order-esque transition into something different, though not for lack of trying – assuming “ searching for a new frontman on a reality show ” and “ putting together a bizarre covers/tribute album with guest vocalists ” counts as “trying.” But I’m not going to say nor hear a bad word about […]
RIP Adam Yauch
Friday afternoon brought the terribly sad news that Adam Yauch (aka MCA, aka Nathaniel Hornblower) had passed following a three year bout with cancer. While a lot of media are rightly looking back on Yauch’s incredible career as a musician, rapper, artist, director, and activist, I’ll not spend too much time here rehashing his litany of accomplishments over the last 26 years. Instead, I thought I’d chime in with a little reflection on Yauch’s impact on your old pal Dr. […]
Macho Man Randy Savage: 1952-2011
The tower of power, too sweet to be sour, funky like monkey, ooooooh YEAH!” Randall Poffo, better known as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, passed away early Friday (May 20, 2011), while driving. It’s believed that he had a heart attack while driving and he may have passed away as the result of the heart attack, preceding the actual car wreck. His wife of one year was also in the car and is believed to be fine. Savage was one of […]