bmusic - Newsletter No. 273

bmusic
Newsletter No.273
February 11th - February 24th 2008

Well, we're back! After an extended hiatus that saw us first recovering from Christmas and New Year and then absorbing all the new lines and products that came about after the NAMM Show in the USA we're back on deck. I hope you all had a great festive season and were able to recharge ready the year ahead. There's plenty of product news to plow through in the coming months, and there's some very interesting recording industry news as always. The most curious of the new industry stuff is the drama of QTrax, an alleged free music download service that was "launched" at MIDEM (a French acronym that translates to International Record Music Publishing and Video Music Market) Conference in Cannes at the end of January. New York-based QTrax is part of Australian company Brilliant Technologies. There are a number of companies related to QTrax, with LTDNetwork seeimgly it's R & D arm. QTrax's CEO is Australian Allan Klepfisz, the founder and executive chairman of Advantage Australia Group Pty Ltd, and also listed as the CEO & Chairman of Brilliant Technologies and LTDNetwork.

At MIDEM Qtrax pasted the town with posters promoting the $1.1 million launch of the service, enlisting the services of James Blunt, Don Henley, LL Cool J and more for the launch. They reportedly paid James Blunt 40,000 pounds to be involved yet reports suggest he really had no clear idea what he was spruiking at the glitzy launch. He must have general idea of what the service was, quoted as saying, "I find it amazing we should let people steal in the first place. But the music industry is in the condition it's in, and we have to try and find new ways." QTrax are also supposed to be sponsoring a NASCAR! This all sounds amazing. The press release and news conference at MIDEM claimed the site had agreements with all four majors to offer a catalogue of 25 million tracks on offer from all official releases by just about every major artist to so-called grey releases such as live bootlegs and alternate versions from their free download service.

I'll go to some of the press released at the time of the launch at MIDEM, although strangely there are no media releases on their site from the last six months or so. Here's the press "about me":

QTRAX (www.QTRAX.com) is the world's first legal and free peer-to-peer (P2P) music service. Showcasing an innovative ad-supported delivery model that easily directs revenue back to artists and rights holders, QTRAX is the first free P2P offering to be fully embraced by the music industry. QTRAX has successfully signed licensing deals with the major labels, music publishers and leading independents. QTRAX will provide fans with access to a colorful and diverse catalog with millions of high-quality digital music files representing the broadest artist-based fan-directed array of products available anywhere. Based in New York City, QTRAX is a subsidiary of Brilliant Technologies Corporation (OTC: BLLN.PK), a publicly traded technology holding company. Then there are the quotes from Klepfisz, these some of many:

"QTRAX is a magical and game-changing service that revolutionizes the way fans consume digital music," said QTRAX President and CEO Allan Klepfisz. "We will provide a vastly better service than unauthorized sites with superior technology, alluring and vast content, and free music that won't get you arrested. QTRAX makes other services look as outdated as the cassette tape."

"We want to bring free music into a legal environment," said chief executive Allan Klepfisz. "People don't want to be illegal, but they do want free music." Basically QTrax revenue was going to be generated from advertising, using the Songbird media player to play the files with advertising in the background with the lion's share of that revenue apparently going to the labels for their royalties. Qtrax claimed advertisers include Burger King, Virgin Media, Ford, and H&M had all signed up. It got very interesting when it was revealed the QTrax system was going to scour the P2P networks for it's content. That seemed kind of odd, but anyway, whatever they think's a good thing. And the labels were down with it. But therein lies the catch. None of the four majors had agreed to provide QTrax the right to deliver their catalogues with this system. It seems three out of the four hadn't agreed to anything at all! One had reportedly had discussion but not regarding such a free delivery system.

Within hours of the story breaking that QTrax was launching in nine countries the majors came out with press releases of their own. Warner came out first with a spokesman saying "Warner Music Group has not authorized the use of our content on Qtrax’s recently announced service." Followed by “Sony-BMG does not have a license agreement [with Qtrax]." And then some more positive statements, “While we are in discussions with QTrax, we [Universal Music Group] have not yet signed an agreement. We expect that we will sign an agreement at some point.” EMI were quoted as saying they had an agreement with QTrax, but it's understood it didn't pertain to this method of delivery for their catalogue.

Klepfisz countered with, "We are not idiots," he said."We wouldn't have launched the service in front of the whole music industry unless we had secured its backing. We feel we have been unfairly crucified because a competitor tried to damage us. Everyone is very upset......" "We do have industry agreements including the major labels. Even today we are working on more deals," Mr Klepfisz said. He added that although "ink hadn't dried" on some of the deals, Qtrax still planned to deliver on its promises "within months."

Much talk ensued at MIDEM about the jumping of the gun by QTrax. "When you launch a service billed as the first legal peer-to-peer, it sets up expectations," said former EMI Group digital executive Ted Cohen, who moderated a panel discussion in Cannes with Qtrax Chief Executive Allan Klepfisz. "It's going to be tough for them to recover from this."

"We got nods to go ahead with the service Friday night," Klepfisz said. "There's been a misunderstanding." He said he thought he had "gotten close enough" to final deals to proceed. Not so it seems. The site still delivers nothing of what was promised, being off and online sporadically. With 61,000 hits an hour since the release and those still hitting it hoping the near impossible might come to fruition the company's servers would be taking a hammering. But that's not the only thing taking a beating. Qtrax, as a subsidiary of Brilliant Technologies Corporation, trades as a "penny stock" on the US Stock Exchange, and raised US$30 million to launch this service. (Significantly less than what the launch itself cost). But is any publicity good publicity and the expense worth it? Well, maybe not. Brilliant Technologies shares set a 52-week high of 9.2 cents the Friday before the official announcement and launch in heavy trading. But trading volume tripled the Monday after the proverbial had hit the fan over the weekend and the share price plunged to 5 cents, cutting the stock's market value to about US$35 million. The market value drop of more than US$25 million has been suggested by Columbia University securities law expert John Coffee as enough to trigger a shareholder class-action lawsuit alleging fraud. "There will predictably be some litigation," Coffee said. "There's a good chance the SEC may take action too."

Oh dear, what a mess!

We've archived past Where Are They Now? features for this week while we finish up the first of the new features for 2008. We're back on deck, but not that back on deck as yet.

Regulars including Feature Article, The Weeks Ahead in Music History, Featured Artist and more are all inside Issue 273 of the bmusic Newsletter.
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Thanks to everyone for reading, we'll see you next issue!

TABLE OF CONTENTS (You will need to be online to use the Table of Contents to jump through sections)

Where Are They Now? - Archive

This week's Music Quote

Featured Product - 2008 ESP Guitars & Basses

This week's Specials

This week's Feature Article - Your Story On One Page

This week's Feature Artist - Terminal Thrill

Musicians Wanted

Gear Wanted

Band Links

The Weeks Ahead In Music History
           Events
           Births
           Deaths

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In 1956, Cleveland, now the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, invoked a 1931 law barring people under 18 from dancing publicly without an adult guardian.

In 1956, Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" became the King's first top-10 single in the U.S.

In 1957, Buddy Holly and the Crickets recorded "That'll Be the Day" at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico, after weeks of rehearsal. The record, released under the Crickets' name, was Holly's first million-seller, topping both North American and British charts.

In 1961, Frank Sinatra unveiled his own recording label, Reprise. Although Sinatra didn't have a very high regard for that "rock & roll music", the label went on to release recordings by The Beach Boys, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix and many more classic acts.

In 1961, Elvis Presley played a charity concert in Memphis, his first performance since being discharged from the US Army almost a year earlier.

In 1963, The Beatles formed their Northern Music Publishing Company, the publishing company now owned by Michael Jackson and what is rumoured to be the only thing keeping his head just above water amidst all the troubles he's currently experiencing, both fiscal and otherwise.

In 1968, George and Patti Harrison and John and Cynthia Lennon flew to India for two months of transcendental meditation study with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Ringo and Maureen Starr, Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Mia Farrow and Donovan joined the fun three days later. Within a fortnight the whole lot had returned to England, blaming the spicy food for their premature departure from India.

In 1968, U.S. city Atlanta, Georgia declared February 16th Aretha Franklin Day.

In 1968, Guitarist Dave Gilmour joined Pink Floyd replacing founder Syd Barrett. Barrett checked into a psychiatric hospital before going into seclusion. He continues to lead a life of seclusion to this day.

In 1969, the Beatles premiered their song "Let It Be" in a film clip shown on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. After the Experience broke up, Hendrix formed Band of Gypsies.

In 1969, singer Lulu and Bee Gee Maurice Gibb were wed at St. James' Church, Gerrard's Cross, Buchs, England.

In 1969, Florida woman Vickie Jones was arrested for impersonating Aretha Franklin during a concert. Her act was so convincing that nobody at the venue at which she was performing, supposedly as Franklin, asked for a refund.

In 1970, Black Sabbath's self-titled first LP was released.

In 1971, Alan David Pasaro, the Hell's Angel who was tried and later acquitted for the stabbing death of Meredith Hunter at the Altamont Speedway in 1969, sued the Rolling Stones, charging an invasion of privacy because the Maysles brothers' film of the event, "Gimme Shelter," showed the stabbing.

In 1972, country star Merle Haggard was pardoned by California Governor Ronald Reagan. Haggard had served time in San Quentin in the late 1950s for attempted burglary.

In 1972, Led Zeppelin was forced to cancel a concert in Singapore when officials wouldn't let the band off of the plane because of their long hair.

In 1972, Pink Floyd began a 4-night stand at London's Rainbow Theater during which they premiered "The Dark Side of the Moon" a full year before it was released as an album.

In 1974, Cher filed for divorce from Sonny Bono after 10 years of marriage.

In 1974, Elton John released "Bennie and the Jets."

In 1974, KISS released their debut self-titled album. The album barely cracked the Hot 100. It would take the band three more attempts to establish itself.

In 1975, John Lennon released "Rock n' Roll," his final album before a self-imposed five year exile from the music business.

In 1976, the Eagles "Greatest Hits" became the first LP in the US to be certified platinum - two-million copies sold.

In 1976, one-time Tower of Power lead singer Rich Stevens was arrested and charged in the murders the previous night of three men in San Jose, California. Police believed the reason was drugs. Stevens and another were found guilty on two counts of murder that November.

In 1977, Warner Bros. released Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours." The album was recorded in Los Angeles when the two couples (John and Christine McVie & Linsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks) were breaking up.

In 1977, bassist Sid Vicious joined the Sex Pistols, replacing Glen Matlock.

In 1978, ex-Sex Pistol bass player Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen were arrested by police in their room at New York's Chelsea Hotel and charged with drug possession.

In 1979, the Sex Pistols and their manager, Malcolm McLaren, went to court to divide the band's earnings. It was revealed that only $60,000 of the group's $1.5-million gross was left. Three weeks before the court action began, a member of the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious, died of a heroin overdose while awaiting trial on a charge of murdering his girlfriend.

In 1980, punk rocker Patti Smith married Fred Smith, former leader of the hard rock band MC5, in Detroit.

In 1980, Bill Wyman announced he would leave the Rolling Stones in 1983. He was persuaded not to and stayed another nine years, eventually leaving in 1992.

In 1982, Pat Benatar and her guitarist, Neil Geraldo, were married on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

In 1984, Hollywood's Gold Star Recording Studios, where the Beach Boys and Phil Spector made most of their famous recordings, was closed. The building was eventually demolished to make room for a shopping plaza.

In 1984, singer Michael Jackson won a record eight Grammy Awards at the presentation ceremony in Los Angeles. But he lost the best song award to "Every Breath You Take," written by Sting for the Police. Jackson's Pepsi commercial - the one in which he was injured when his hair caught fire - premiered that day on MTV.

In 1985, rock singer David Crosby bolted from a drug treatment centre during his first supervised exercise period. He was recaptured the next day.

In 1985, Mick Jagger released his first solo album, "She's The Boss" featuring appearances by Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend and Vernon Reid (who went on to become a member of the band Living Color).

In 1986, Van Halen released "Why Can't This Be Love," their first single since Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth as lead singer. It would rise to number three on the Billboard chart.

In 1986, the British pop duo Wham! announced they were breaking up. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley said they were going their separate ways after selling more than 30-million copies of such hits as "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Careless Whisper" and "Edge of Heaven."

In 1986, "We Are the World," the charity anthem by an all-star rock choir, won four Grammy Awards, including song and record of the year. Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson wrote the song, which was recorded by 45 celebrities. The record raised more than 33 million dollars for African famine relief.

In 1987, a spokeswoman for bandleader Lawrence Welk said some Welk fans who bought his "Polka Party" compact disc ended up with the punk rock soundtrack to the movie "Sid and Nancy." The Welk Enterprises office in Los Angeles fielded several telephone calls from upset fans. The CD's apparently were mislabelled at the factory in Japan.

In 1988, a 12-year old Hollywood, Florida, Motley Crue fan set his legs on fire while trying to imitate a stunt in the group's "Live Wire" video. The boy suffered burns over ten percent of his body.

In 1989, G.G. Allin, lead singer of the Toilet Rockers, defecated on stage and tossed the results into the audience at a Milwaukee nightclub. Allin admitted to police he took a dump on stage but said he didn't "think enough came out to bother anybody." He was convicted more than two years later of provoking a disturbance, describing the jury as "a bunch of narrow-minded, robotic puppets of society" who looked like his "dead grandmother."

In 1989, Sebastian Bach, the Toronto-born lead singer of the heavy metal band Skid Row, spent the night in jail in Hampton, Virginia for using abusive and violent language on stage. He was released after paying a $35 fine.

In 1990, Ike Turner was sentenced to 4 years in prison on cocaine charges.

In 1991, James Brown was parolled in Columbia, South Carolina after serving 15 months of a six-year-term for leading police on a chase through South Carolina and Georgia.

In 1991, Gloria Estefan made a triumphant return to performing after a career-threatening injury in a bus accident the previous March. She opened a comeback tour with an energetic show before 12,000 people in Miami. Estefan's recovery from a broken back astounded medical experts, who at one point thought she might not even be able to walk.

In 1992, Natalie Cole's single and album "Unforgettable" captured seven Grammy awards, including best album, best record and best song.

In 1992 at the Grammy awards, Bryan Adams won for best song written specifically for a motion picture or television - for "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" from"Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves."

In 1992, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love married.

In 1992, Vince Neil quit as lead singer of Motley Crue, after 11 years with the group.

In 1993, British rock legend Eric Clapton, who had been virtually ignored in the Grammy Awards for most of his career, won six Grammys, including the music industry's three major awards - record, album and song of the year. Clapton was honoured for his album "Unplugged," and the song "Tears in Heaven." Clapton wrote "Tears in Heaven" as a tribute to his infant son Conor, who died in 1991 when he fell out a window in Clapton's 53rd floor New York apartment.

In 1995, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee married Pamela Anderson on a beach in Cancun.

In 1995, Led Zeppelin bandmates Robert Plant and Jimmy Page began their reunion tour in Pensacola, Florida. They played plenty of Zeppelin classics but ignored the audience's shouts for "Stairway to Heaven."

In 1995, Beach Boys Mike Love and Brian Wilson reunited for the first time in 15 years to work on two new songs at Love's home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The reconciliation came two months after Love and Wilson settled their long-running legal battle over the songwriting credits on 35 of the group's songs.

In 1996, rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg and a bodyguard were found not guilty of first-degree murder. The jury were deadlocked on voluntary manslaughter charges and a mistrial was declared.

In 1996, Elton John was made a Commander of the British Empire in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. He was honored for services to the music industry and charity.

In 1996, London police arrested singer Jarvis Cocker of the group Pulp for allegedly attacking three children performing on stage with Michael Jackson at the Brit Awards. Cocker admitted he walked on stage but denied he touched any children.

In 1997, a New York judge dismissed a US$7 million lawsuit a fan filed against Motley Crue for hearing loss suffered at one of their concerts. The judge said the fan knew the concert would be loud going into it.

In 1997, 44 people were hurt when a light tower collapsed during a Deep Purple concert in Santiago, Chile. The show resumed after about 40 minutes.

In 1997, Celine Dion won two Grammy Awards for "Falling Into You" - album of the year and best pop album. At the time, "Falling Into You" had sold more than 21 million copies worldwide.

In 1997, Marion (Suge) Knight, the head of Death Row Records, was sentenced in Los Angeles to nine years in prison after he violated his parole on a 1992 assault conviction. Knight was involved in a fight at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas on September 7th, 1996 in which a group of assailants, including rapper Tupac Shakur, pummelled a suspected gang member. Shakur was fatally wounded a few hours later as he sat in a car driven by Knight.

In 2003, the Station Nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island burned to the ground after pyrotechnics set fire to staging during a Great White performance. 100 people were killed in the inferno.

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Births In 1904, Glenn Miller, the man whose name is synonymous with the big band era of the 1940s, was born in Clarinda, Iowa.

In 1917, singer Dinah Shore was born in Winchester, Tennessee.

In 1927, singer Harry Belafonte was born in New York City. Belafonte's debut album, "Calypso," released in 1957, is said to be the first LP by a solo artist to sell a million copies.

In 1929, Antoine (Fats) Domino, the New Orleans r'n'b pianist who has sold more than 65-million records, was born in the Louisiana city. He is the biggest-selling '50s rock 'n' roll artist, with the exception of Elvis Presley.

In 1932, country singer Johnny Cash was born in Kingsdale, Arkansas.

In 1933, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono was born.

In 1935, the late Sonny Bono.

In 1942, Peter Tork, bassist with the Monkees.

In 1942, singer Gene Pitney.

In 1943, George Harrison, former lead guitarist for the Beatles, was born in Liverpool, England. His first project after the Beatles broke up in early 1970 was a three-record set, "All Things Must Pass," which contained the number-one single, "My Sweet Lord." Harrison was later successfuly sued for 'subconsciuos plagarism of The Chiffons 1963 hit "He's So Fine". Not the best start to a solo career :) )
In 1971, Harrison sponsored and was the host for two benefit concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York for the people of Bangladesh. The concerts, a documentary film and a Grammy Award-winning three-record set earned more than 10 million dollars, which was donated to UNICEF after a lengthy delay caused by legal problems. Harrison had another number-one hit in 1973 with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)," and his tribute to John Lennon, "All Those Years Ago," made it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. Harrison's 1987 comeback album "Cloud Nine," was a big hit, as was the single "Got My Mind Set On You." Harrison died after a lengthy battle with cancer on November 29th, 2001.

In 1944, Paul Jones, lead singer for the 1960's British group, Manfred Mann, was born in Portsmouth, England. Manfred Mann topped North American charts in 1964 with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy." Paul Jones left the Manfred Mann after their 1966 hit, "Pretty Flamingo."

In 1944, Mick Avory, drummer for The Kinks.

In 1946, Jerome Geils, guitar player for the J. Geils Band.

In 1947, British pop vocalist Sandie Shaw.

In 1947, Dennis DeYoung of Styx.

In 1948, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.

In 1949, Jerry Harrison, keyboardist and guitarist with the Talking Heads.

In 1950, Boudleaux Bryant who wrote many hit songs, including "Love Hurts" by Nazareth, was born.

In 1950, former Genesis frontman, now solo act Peter Gabriel.

In 1951, Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor.

In 1950, singer/bass player for Steely Dan, Walter Becker.

In 1953, singer Michael Bolton, whose real name is Michael Bolotin.

In 1953, Robbie Bachman, drummer with Bachman Turner Overdrive.

In 1957, Adrian Smith, guitarist with the heavy metal group Iron Maiden, was born in England. Named after the medieval torture device, Iron Maiden is a direct descendant of such groups as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

In 1957, singer Cindy Wilson, formerly of the B-52's.

In 1957, Ian Stanley, formerly of Tears For Fears.

In 1957, Stuart Wood, guitarist with the '70s teenybopper group the Bay City Rollers.

In 1960, Paul Humphreys of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

In 1967, the late Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.

In 1972, Green Day singer/guitarist Billie-Joe Armstrong.

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Deaths In 1965, Nat "King" Cole died of complications following surgery for lung cancer. He was 48 years old.

In 1968, Frankie Lymon, who fronted the 1950's group the Teenagers died of a heroin overdose in New York City. He was 25. Lymon was just 13 in 1955 when he and the Teenagers sold two-million copies of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love." But two years later the group had ceased to exist. Their big hit was revived in 1981 by Diana Ross.

In 1970, pop singer Bobby Bloom shot himself through the head with a derringer in his motel room in Hollywood, California. It was never determined whether the shooting was accidental or deliberate.

In 1976, former Supreme Florence Ballard died of coronary thrombosis in Detroit. Despite being an original member of the premiere female vocal trio she lived on welfare her last few years after losing a US$8.7 million suit for back royalties against Motown Records in 1971. Florence Ballard was 32 years old.

In 1980, Bon Scott, born Ronald Belford Scott, lead singer of AC/DC, died in London at the age of 33. The band had been on tour in London when Scott choked on his own vomit after an all-night drinking binge. His death came just months after the band scored its first big American success with the album, "Highway To Hell."

In 1982, Jazz great Thelonious Monk died after a long illness. He was 64 years old.

In 1984, Ethel Merman died of natural causes at the age of 75.

In 1985, David Byron, lead singer of the British hard rock band Uriah Heep, died at the age of 38.

In 1987, rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, who played with the Count Basie orchestra for 50 years, died in Los Angeles at the age of 75. He had played his last engagement the previous night in Las Vegas with singer Tony Bennett.

In 1988, Peter Chatman, the blues pianist known as Memphis Slim, died in Paris at the age of 72. Chatman wrote the standard "Every Day I Have the Blues," and helped spread blues music throughout the world. Memphis Slim had lived in Paris since 1961, but returned frequently to the US to perform.

In 1989, Roy Eldridge, one of the great innovators of the jazz trumpet, died in New York at the age of 78. His death came only three weeks after that of his wife of 53 years.

In 1990, Cornelius Gunter, lead singer for the Coasters, was shot to death in Las Vegas. He was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car after being shot twice in the head.

In 1990, 1950's balladeer Johnnie Ray died in Los Angeles of liver failure at age 63. Ray's biggest hit was his double-sided 1951 million-seller - "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried." He was known as the "Prince of Wails" for his raw and emotional style, which some say paved the way for rock 'n' roll.

In 1991, Webb Pierce, one of the biggest country stars of the 1950's and early '60s, died in Nashville at age 65. The official cause of death was heart failure but he also suffered from pancreatic cancer. Pierce's high-pitched nasal voice was featured on three number-one hits in 1955 - "In the Jailhouse Now," "Love, Love, Love" and "I Don't Care." He also recorded the original version of the Everly Brothers' hit "Bye, Bye Love."

In 1993, Toy Caldwell, who formed the Marshall Tucker Band with his brother Tommy in 1971, was found dead in his home in Moore, South Carolina. He was 45. Caldwell's sparkling lead guitar was featured on seven gold and two platinum albums for the southern rock band. Their biggest single hit was "Heard It In a Love Song," which made the Top 15 in 1977. Caldwell left the Marshall Tucker Band in 1985 for a solo career.

In 1994, composer Walter Kent, who wrote the Second World War anthem "The White Cliffs of Dover," died in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills. He was 82. Kent had never seen the famous chalk cliffs when he wrote the song, which Vera Lynn recorded and made into a symbol of hope and resistance for Allied soldiers.

In 1994, Dinah Shore, star of radio, TV, records and movies, died in Beverly Hills, California, of cancer. She was 76.

In 1995, Bob Stinson, a founding member of The Replacements, died in Minneapolis of complications from drug and alcohol abuse.

In 1996, Walter Brownie McGhee died at the age of 80 from stomach cancer. McGhee did "Living With The Blues" and "Baseball Boogie" and worked extensively with Sonny Terry.

In 1998, songwriter Bob Merill suicided. He wrote many hits including "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?" and Barbra Streisand's "People".

In 2000, pedal steel player Gary Boggs. Boggs founded country group Southern Mix and Hank Williams Jr., Connie Smith, George Jones and Vern Gosdin.

In 2000, Live manager Peter Freedman died of acute bronchial pneumonia complicated by staph infection at the age of 39.

In 2001, Theophilus Beckford, credited as the originator of ska by many, was stabbed during an altercation in Jamaica.

In 2001, John Fahey, known as the Godfather of New Age guitar, died after undergoing open heart surgery. Fahey established the Takoma Records label and had worked with Leo Kottke, Jo Ann Kelly, Skip James and Sonic Youth. He wrote the book, "How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life".

In 2002, Daniel Pearl, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal was officially reported as dead after being kidnapped by terrorists in Pakistan. It's believed Pearl's captors murdered him between January 29th and January 31st, 2002.
Pearl played fiddle, bass and keyboards for The Ottoman Empire and Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Band.

In 2002, comedian Spike Milligan died at the age of 83 from organ failure. Milligan was a member of the legendary Goon Show and, in addition to being an accomplished trumpet and cornet player, he was a sought after guitarist, prior to his army service in WWII, and was featured on piano on most of the Goons musical recordings.

In 2002, Do'Reen ( Doreen Waddell ) was killed when she was struck by three cars whilst crossing a highway! Waddell was a singer who had worked with Soul II Soul and KLF.

In 2003, Great White guitarist Ty Longley was killed in the Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The fire was caused by the band's pyrotechnics. 100 people were killed in the inferno.

In 2003, bassist Keith Mancini died in The Station night club fire. He was a member of Nightfall, Skyhigh and Fathead, the opening act for Great White on that night. His cousin, Steven Mancini also died in the fire.

In 2003, a member of Fathead who opened The Station nightclub show for Great White, Steve Mancini, was killed in the fire. His wife Andrea was also killed.

In 2003, Scott Griffith, guitarist and songwriter who had played for Nightfall, Jagged Edge and Step Child, was killed in The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

In 2003, composer, guitarist and songwriter for Shryne, Nicky O'Neill was killed in The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

In 2003, drummer for Ball And Chain Dale Latulippe was killed in The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island

In 2003, drummer and sound technician Jeff Rader who toured with Great White, Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper died in The Station nightclub fire.

In 2003, folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Tom Glazer died at the age of 89. Glazer worked with Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Josh White. His songs have been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Perry Como and The Kingston Trio.

In 2003, Jack Maher, publisher of the famed jazz magazine Downbeat for more than 30 years, dies of natural causes at the age of 78.

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