R.I.P. Mark Bell

I'm really sad to announce that Mark Bell has passed away due to complications from surgery. An electronic pioneer with his work as one half of LFO, his genre bending of house with techno was ahead of the game, and he was one of my favorite album producers of the 90's. Bjork has kept him aboard since he produced her "Homogenic" album. He will be soreley missed.

And...well, Fucking LFO, y'all!!!

R.I.P. Kenny Wheeler (1930-2014)

The great Canadian jazz trumpeter has passed away. His work in the 90's moved me heavily, particularly with the album "Angel Song", a masterfully melancholy outing released by ECM. He was joined by Bill Frisell, Lee Konitz and Dave Holland, a lineup that, for my money, couldn't be beat. I cherish this as one of my all time favorites. With the sadness of his passing, no music could be more appropriate.

R.I.P. Charlie Haden

Where do I begin? I don't know. Maybe "The Shape of Jazz to Come"? How do you even talk about such an amazing person? What's there to say about someone who actually "shaped jazz to come"?

As I age, many of my icons are passing away, and even though he was 76, it still hurts. This is a monumental loss. Just take a look at his discography. Read it slowly, take it all in. It will make your head spin.

This is one of the most gigantic figures in the history of music. He will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Bob Casale of DEVO.

Bob Casale, an original member of Devo has passed away of heart failure at the age of 61. Words can't express what a surprise and loss this is. They were contemplating more shows soon. His work has left an indelible mark on most people I know and much of the world. So sad.

R.I.P. Mighty King Hannibal

The funk legend of Norton Records, James T. Shaw aka Mighty Hannibal aka King Hannibal has passed away at 74. He had a couple of particularly powerful songs that were important to me:

One was "The Truth Shall Make You Free", a song to drug addicts preaching that Jesus could help them get off smack. This is ridiculous but the song slays me every time I hear it. It is by far the best 45 in my entire record collection, and possibly the best gospel funk track of all.



Then there is "Hymn No. 5", a banned from the airwaves Vietnam protest song. I've included the long version so you can delve deep into the heaviness and despair of it all.



Sleep well, King.

R.I.P. Pete Seeger, this is you hanging out with Johnny Cash.

We lost an icon today. I chose the Johnny Cash video for obvious reasons. Theyyyyyyy
Lord!

R.I.P. Amiri Baraka

I couldn't possibly do justice to any kind of obituary for this great man. I found this one. Does the trick.

Amiri Baraka Obituary

And these are three of my favorites:

R.I.P. Phil Everly

One of the purest and most honest sounds pop music has ever offered us was created by the Everly Brothers. Half of that equation has passed away today. Phil Everly is dead at 74. So much of my childhood was shrouded with his presence. Family roadtrips always included cassette tapes with his music. I occasionally get one of his songs stuck in my head and I never mind. Thanks, Phil. Our thoughts are with you, Don.

I'm Set Free

I remember the day she played "Velvet Underground" for me on her cassette deck. She liked to play "Pale Blue Eyes" rewind it, and play it again. I remember she had the loveliest blue eyes. We were sixteen, playing pool in her parents basement. It was a cold day. I had an upset stomach. She was pretty and made me nervous. We should have been doing homework. I just wanted to kiss her. Hours later I finally put my arm around her. We were looking at a book about art history. She liked Modigliani. I kissed her. I asked her to flip the tape. I liked "Murder Mystery". She thought it was weird. I remember everything about that day. Thanks, Lou.

R.I.P. Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013)

Well, it really saddens me that Jeff Hanneman is dead at 49 years old. The Slayer founding member and guitarist was one of the most important musical figures in my life. He shaped much of my teenage years and wrote one of the greatest metal songs (Angel of Death) off arguably the greatest metal record (Reign in Blood).

Hanneman passed away of liver failure after recovering from a spider bite which left him with  necrotising fasciitis, a flesh eating disease that attacks subcutaneous tissue. And, I must say, that's a pretty fucking metal way to go. Cheers, Jeff.

R.I.P. Conrad Schnitzler (1937-2011)

Founding member of Kluster and early member of Tangerine Dream, Conrad Schnitzler, has passed away of stomach cancer. He was a powerful force in the history of electronic music. After leaving Kluster in '71, he focused on solo recordings and continued to release over 100 albums including "00/830", finished just days before his death. He also opened the Zodiac Club, which is where Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk playeed early shows.

He will be terribly missed.

Watch "Auf dem Schwarzen Kanal" Here

R.I.P Seth Putnam (May 15, 1968 – June 11, 2011)

The Anal Cunt himself has passed away of a heart attack. He was 43. Thank you for the grindcore, the most offensive song titles in history and most importantly, thank you for "311 Sucks".

311 Sucks

Can't Touch This