My Thermos

Had he not died tragically in October of 1971, Howard Duane Allman would have been 62 years old today.

In addition to his amazing work with The Allman Brothers Band, Duane was also an accomplished session musician playing with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Herbie Mann, Wilson Pickett, Otis Rush, and Boz Scaggs. In fact, his work on Loan Me A Dime remains one of the most powerful guitar solos I've ever heard and makes it a favorite song of mine.

His contributions to the Derek and the Dominos masterpiece Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs are just staggering as well.

It's no secret how much of an Allman Brothers Band fan I am, and even though Duane's time with them was short his influence was huge and continues to be so to this day.

It is sad when such a bright spark is extinguished just when it is getting its chance to shine.

Photo via Ed Berman and Wikimedia - Fillmore East June 1971

I'm just now getting official confirmation but it appears that Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience has been found dead in Portland Oregon.

Mitch was truly an amazing drummer as evidenced in this video from Jan, 9, 1969 - truly outstanding.

RIP Mitch

SB

<update: link to story here >

We lost a great one this last weekend as Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops passed at age 72.



RIP Levi

The dream is over
What can I say?
the Dream is Over
Yesterday
I was the Dreamweaver
But now I'm reborn
I was the Walrus
But now I'm John
and so dear friends
you'll just have to carry on
The Dream is over

John Winston Ono Lennon
October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980

--

A couple of things:

The photo is one we took on one of our many trips to New York, this being one of the rare ones in Summer months. We always found time to spend in Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Such a wonderul peaceful place. I don't see anyone with a guitar in this photo but there was likely someone there, or at least would be in a matter of moments. I was there on Dec. 8, 1990 and it was an experience in my life that I will never forget.

I recall Yoko once saying something about while she understood how everyone else felt about losing "Beatle" John, she also lost her friend and husband, and his children lost their father.

John was 40 when he was killed, and I just turned 40 this year. Not that we have led similar lives but it's something that I am having trouble reconciling. This year, because of that common thread, it is really hitting me just how much life he had left, and how much time with him we missed. John would have been 68 this year.

Some call Double Fantasy the album where he made peace with his aging, little did we know at the time that it would be such a final statement.

Happy Birthday John

SB

Richard Wright, the keyboardist and Vocalist with Pink Floyd has passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.

I heard rumblings of this about 10 minutes ago but held off posting until I could get confirmation, which sadly a spokesman has just given.

I've been a fan of Pink Floyd for a very long time and Richard's amazing piano work has always been a key part of their distinctive sound. I've also been a fan of his solo work, particularly his Wet Dream album from 1978, which I have always felt was tremendously underrated (see clip below.)

Rick - I know I won't be the only one to say this, but I wish you well at your Great Gig In The Sky. I want to sincerely thank you for your music which has affected me most deeply. I'm not sure I would have made it through my teenage years without you and your Floyd bandmates.

You will be missed.

 



SB

Image via Deep Schism @ Flickr

In news that has thousands of wives saying "who?", Gary Gygax died this morning at the age of 69.

Gygax is well known by former teenage boys everywhere as the co-creator of the classic fantasy role playing game Dungeons and Dragons. While I was never into it as much as some (and some really get into it), I did play somewhat regularly through jr. high and into high school and have fond memories of late nights and epic campaigns.



This is also the second obituary type post here in as many days. I don't like these and I think I have had enough of them for a while - so no more dying!!