Country Dick Montana (Born Daniel McLain)
May 17, 1955 – November 8, 1995
The bigger-than-life Country Dick Montana was the founding drummer, co-lead vocalist, and heart and soul of the great San Diego roots rock band, the Beat Farmers. Formed by Montana, Jerry Raney, Buddy Blue and Rolle Love in 1983, the band quickly became an institution in and around the college communities of San Diego County. The band’s musical talent and songwriting abilities were undisputed, while their live shows were nothing short of greatness. particularly if you were lucky enough to be close to the stage for one of Montana’s beer dousings. The Beat Farmers’ first album, Tales of the New West, was released in 1985 and is considered by many to be the blueprint for the Americana movement to come some twenty years later. Two of it’s songs, “Happy Boy” and “California Kid,” both sung with Montana’s deep and iconic voice, generally became the most raucous moments of the Beat Farmers’ energetic live shows. The band continued to release fan-pleasing albums over the next decade, helping them build a base outside the comforts of Southern California. On November 8, 1995, while the Beat Farmers were on stage at a Whistler, Canada club, Country Dick Montana suffered a fatal heart attack while performing “The Girl I Almost Married.” He died as he should have, with his boots on. That following year, Devil Lied to Me, his only solo album which had been working on before his death, was released.
What separated James Booker from the countless other New Orleans pianists of his era was that he was a virtuoso on the instrument and could just as easily play classical as he could R&B, blues and jazz. In 1949, Booker made his first record for the storied Imperial Records and was soon doing session work for the likes of Fats Domino and Lloyd Price. He was just 15. Booker released a handful of records during the early ’60s, but he was struggling with a growing drug habit. His career hit an upswing in the mid ’70s, when he wowed the crowd at the 1975 New Orleans Jazzfest. That resulted in a record deal with the respected Island Records and tours with the likes of Jerry Garcia. He made several more acclaimed albums and became a popular concert draw in Europe up through the early ’80s. On November 8, 1983, James Booker died in a New Orleans hospital of kidney failure likely brought on by years of drug and alcohol abuse. He was 47.
Guy Speranza was the original lead singer for New York heavy metal band, Riot. Formed in 1973, the band struggled to make it and were on the verge of breaking up when, in 1981 the began to find their audience thanks to what was to be called the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that began to break heavy metal into the mainstream. They began touring with such popular metal acts as AC/DC and Molly Hatchet, and were soon signed to Capitol Records. Speranza sang on Riot’s first three albums, but left the after the release of their Capitol debut in 1981. He later retired from music and moved to Florida where he became an exterminator. Guy Speranza, 47, died of pancreatic cancer on November 8, 2003.
Ivory Joe Hunter
October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974
Ivory Joe Hunter was an early R&B singer, musician and songwriter who penned over 7000 songs, his biggest hit being 1956’s “Since I Met You, Baby.” Born in Texas, Hunter was playing the piano by his early teens. In the early ’40s, he began hosting his own radio show, and within a few years, he moved to Los Angeles to perform and record. He soon started his own record label on which he released his first record, “Blues at Sunrise.” He wrote and recorded many songs during his career, one of which, “I Almost Lost My Mind” later became a hit for Pat Boone. He also wrote songs that were recorded by Sonny James and Elvis Presley. In the mid ’50s, he moved over to the legendary Atlantic Records for which he recorded “Since I Met You, Baby,” his only Top 40 hit. During the ’60s, he found new life as a country artist, appearing on the Grand Ole Opry several times. Ivory Joe Hunter was 59 when he died of lung cancer on November 8, 1974.
Lonnie Pitchford
October 8, 1955 – November 8, 1998
Lonnie Pitchford was a Mississippi-born blues guitarist and singer who has been rightfully called a link between the original Delta and Country bluesmen and those of today. Not only was he adept at the acoustic and electric guitar, but he could handle the double bass, harmonica and piano with the same prowess. Pitchford released his first album, All Around Man, in 1994. Four years later, he died of AIDS. Rock legend, John Fogerty, paid for his tombstone.
Tracy Pew is best remembered as the bassist for late ’70s / early ’80s Australian post punk goth rock band, TheBirthday Party. Although the band never achieved much more than limited cult status, it’s individual members, including Nick Cave, went on to varying levels of success after the band split up in 1983. It was then that Pew all but retired from the music business, opting instead to go to university where he studied philosophy and literature. He did resurface over the next couple of years to participate in a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album as well as one by Lydia Lunch. On November 7, 1986, Tracy Pew died of an epileptic seizure at the age of 28.
Ralph “Jody” Reynolds
December 3, 1932 – November 7, 2008
Jody Reynolds had one of rockabilly’s earliest massive hits with 1958’s “Endless Sleep.” It was one of rock ‘n roll’s first “teen tragedy” songs. The single reached #5 on the Billboard singles chart and sold over 1 million copies. He followed it up with “Fire of Love” later that year. The song charted, but failed to come close to the success of “Endless Sleep.” Reynolds released several more records over the course of his career, but none were ever able to get him back up on top. He retired from the music business during the ’70s, and in 1999, he was elected to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He was 75 when he died of liver cancer on November 7, 2008.
Marie Gianini was part of the comedy, dance and vocal duo, the Avon Sisters, who spent many years performing through the Midwest and entertaining troops with the USO. Forming the duo with her sister, Theresa Frisby, perhaps her biggest thrill came when President Franklin Roosevelt called her to thank them for their hard work. Marie Gianini was 85 when she passed away at a care center on November 6, 2009.
Bill Murcia was the original drummer for the legendary New York Dolls. Alongside David Johansen, Rick Rivets,Johnny Thundersand Arthur “Killer” Kane, Murcia helped lay down the foundation of what would be called punk rock. Rivets was soon replaced by Sylvain Sylvain. Following the completion of their debut album, the band embarked on their inaugural tour of England. Sadly, Murcia died after ingesting a deadly mixture of drugs and alcohol. He was later replaced by Jerry Nolan.
Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler was was a Green Beret medic who served for the US Army in Vietnam. In 1966, Sadler co-wrote and sang lead on “Ballad of the Green Berets.” Ironicallly, the pro-military song became a massive hit during an era mostly associated with the anti war movement. The song sat at the top of the charts for five weeks and sold approximately nine million copies. Sadler later became a published author, writing more than 20 adventure books. On November 6, 1989, Barry Sadler died from a serious gunshot wound he suffered a year earlier. While traveling in Guatamala in 1988, he was shot in the head while in a taxi cab. He laid in a coma for several months and ended up suffering brain damage and was partially paralyzed. The shooting was originally reported as a robbery and never officially solved, but some have claimed it was an assasination attempt by those who believed that Sadler was training the Contras.
No matter who you’ve been told was the earliest to use sampling in there songs, it’s likely that Dickie Goodman isn’t on that list even though he was doing it as far back as 1956. It was that year that he released his first big hit, “The Flying Saucer” that was basically a “man on the streets” interview that included snippets of songs by Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry as the answers to his questions about an alien invasion. The song was a huge hit that continues to get airplay on Dr. Demento type programs. Goodman continued to release such novelty, or as they were called “break-in” records well into the ’70s. In 1975, he released his biggest hit, another break-in record, “Mr. Jaws,” parodying the blockbuster film of that summer, Jaws. The record shot to #4 on the Billboard singles chart. Dickie Goodman shot and killed himself on November 6, 1989.
Stacy Rowles
September 11, 1955 – November 5, 2009
Stacy Rowles was a respected trumpet and flugelhorn player and a singer, who made a name for herself throughout the Los Angeles jazz scene. The daughter or noted composer and pianist, Jimmy Rowles, she started playing the piano at age six, but eventually moved over to the trumpet. Throughout her career, Rowles played with Maiden Voyage, Jazz Tap Ensemble and the Jazz Birds. She made a handful of her own albums for Concord and Delos Records, including 1984’s Tell it Like it Is, which some consider to be her best. Stacy Rowles, 54, died on November 5, 2009 of injuries sustained in an earlier car accident.
Bobby Hatfield was an American singer who gained fame as one half of the popular singing duo, the Righteous Brothers. He met fellow singer, Bill Medley while in college and together they began performing in the early ’60s. Their brand of “blue-eyed” soul was an immediate hit, landing them on the charts with such records as “Little Latin Lupe Lu,” “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” and of course, “Unchained Melody” which would enjoy a second life on the charts when it was featured in the 1990 film, Ghost. The duo broke up in 1968, but reformed to release one more hit single, 1974’s “Rock and Roll Heaven.” The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2003, and that was as good a reason as any to hit the road again. Six months later, while in Michigan for a show, Bobby Hatfield, 63, was found dead in his hotel room just prior to showtime. He had died of a heart attack brought on my the use of cocaine.
Epic Soundtracks (Born Kevin Godfrey)
March 23, 1959 – November 5, 1997
Epic Soundtracks is best remembered as a founding member of UK experimental noise band, the Swell Maps. Formed by Soundtracks and his brother, Nikki Sudden (real name, Adrian Godfrey), in 1972, the Swell Maps gained popularity only after the rise of punk, even though they weren’t a punk band. They had more in common with T. Rex and Can and laid the foundation for such future noise merchants as Husker Du and Sonic Youth. After the Swell Maps disbanded in 1980, Soundtracks went on to enjoy a modest solo career. During the ’90s, he collaborated with the likes of Evan Dando, J Mascis, Kim Gordon, and Lee Renaldo. On November 5, 1997, Epic Soundtracks, 37, was found dead in his bed. Cause of death was never determined.
Link Wray was a loud playing rock ‘n roll guitarist who was credited for popularizing the “power chord” which would be become the staple for hard rock, heavy metal and punk in later years. Nothing better exemplifies Wray’s loud use of the power chord than his 1958 instrumental hit single, “Rumble.” Wray began singing and playing guitar as a youngster, but when he caught turburculosis while serving in Korea, a lung was removed, so he had to give up singing, and therefore put more emphasis on his guitar. During he mid ’50s, Wray and his group were the house band for a daily Washington DC music television program called Milt Grant’s House Party, where he they backed up the likes of Ricky Nelson and Fats Domino. It was while entertaining the show’s audience between acts that Wray came up with the instrumental that would later be called “Rumble” when picked up and released by Cadence Records. Even though the song had no lyrics, it caused a bit of a stir upon release. Due to it’s “aggressive” sound and title, many radio stations banned it because they felt it glorified juvenile delinquency. Wray, and in particular, that song have been noted as direct influences on the likes of Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young. During the ’70s and ’80s, Wray’s career experienced a renaissance during the rockabilly revival. He joined up with Robert Gordon for a couple of critically acclaimed and relatively successful rockabilly flavored albums. A number of Wray’s classic recordings have found new life thanks to prominent placement in such films as Pulp Fiction, Pink Flamingos and Independence Day. Link Wray was 76 when he passed away on November 5, 2005.
Miss Christine (Born Christine Frka)
1950 – November 5, 1972
Miss Christine was one of the infamous, GTO’s, a small collection of groupies that provided companionship for many of the world’s most famous rock stars while visiting Los Angeles during the ’60s and’70s. They were so named by Frank Zappa who also bankrolled their short lived music career that consisted of a performance or two and one album, 1969’s Permanent Damage, that was produced by Zappa and Lowell George. It is Frka who appears on the cover of Zappa’s Hot Rats album seen here. Some of Frka’s more famous love interests were Alice Cooper and Todd Rundgren. Miss Christine, 22, died of a drug overdose on November 5, 1972.
George M. Cohan was a popular songwriter, composer, producer, singer and actor who was one of the biggest draws on Broadway during the ’40s. Cohan took to entertaining early, performing as a dancer in family productions along the Vaudeville circuit. He began writing and selling songs at the turn of the century, his first hit being “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He became one of the most prolific writers in what became to be known as Tin Pan Alley in New York City. Some estimates put his output at as many as 1500 songs. During that time he also produced many popular Broadway shows. During the ’30s, Cohan turned his sights on film and began appearing in popular movies of the day. And they were just song-and-dance roles, but serious drama parts. In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, a musical adaptation of his life was released. Playing Cohan in the film was James Cagney, who one the Best Actor Academy Award that year. On November 5, 1942, George M. Cohan died of cancer at the age of 64.
Robert Lee McCollum
November 30, 1909 - November 5, 1967
Robert Lee McCollum was a blues guitarist who for some reason changed his name at least twice during his music career. During the mid ’30s, he went by Robert Lee McCoy and landed in St. Louis where he played and recorded with Sonny Boy Williamson and Big Joe Williams. A nomadic person, McCollum soon changed his name to Robert Nighthawk and moved on. He resurfaced as an electric slide guitarist and landed a deal with Chess Records during the ’40s. Unfortunately, Muddy Waters was also on the label, so Nighthawk soon found he wasn’t as much of a priority. During the folk revival of the early ’60s. Nighthawk was rediscovered while busking on the streets of Chicago. He experienced upswing in his career, making a few more records and playing club dates before he died of a heart attack on November 5, 1967.
Gaetano “Guy” Lombardo
June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1979
Guy Lombardo was an internationally famous band leader whose yearly New Year’s Eve shows were broadcast across the United States for many years. Lombardo’s music career began in 1924, and by the ’30s, he and his group were the most popular dance band in the country. He and his orchestra performed at New York’s famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel for three decades, and the radio and television broadcasts of their New Year’s Eve shows laid the foundation for New Year’s Eve broadcasts to come. In fact, it’s Lombardo’s version of “Auld Lang Syne” that is played in New York’s Times Square (and countless other locations) every year. Several sources have indicated that over the course of his career, Lombardo likely sold as many as 300 million records. Guy Lombardo continued to perform right up until the time of his death in 1979. He passed away at the age of 76.
Bobby Scott was a notable jazz pianist who, remarkably, turned professional when he was just 11. By the time he was 15, he was touring with the likes of Louis Prima. During the ’50s, Scott played with Gene Krupa and scored a pop hit with “Chain Gang.” In later years, Scott spent more time behind the scenes. He served as music director for Dick Haymes and produced records by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Darin and Sarah Vaughan. Bobby Scott passed away on November 5, 1990.
The bigger-than-life Country Dick Montana was the founding drummer, co-lead vocalist, and heart and soul of the great San Diego roots rock band, the Beat Farmers. Formed by Montana, Jerry Raney, Buddy Blue and Rolle Love in 1983, the band quickly became an institution in and around the college communities of San Diego County. The band’s musical talent and songwriting abilities were undisputed, while their live shows were nothing short of greatness. particularly if you were lucky enough to be close to the stage for one of Montana’s beer dousings. The Beat Farmers’ first album, Tales of the New West, was released in 1985 and is considered by many to be the blueprint for the Americana movement to come some twenty years later. Two of it’s songs, “Happy Boy” and “California Kid,” both sung with Montana’s deep and iconic voice, generally became the most raucous moments of the Beat Farmers’ energetic live shows. The band continued to release fan-pleasing albums over the next decade, helping them build a base outside the comforts of Southern California. On November 8, 1995, while the Beat Farmers were on stage at a Whistler, Canada club, Country Dick Montana suffered a fatal heart attack while performing “The Girl I Almost Married.” He died as he should have, with his boots on. That following year, Devil Lied to Me, his only solo album which had been working on before his death, was released.
What separated James Booker from the countless other New Orleans pianists of his era was that he was a virtuoso on the instrument and could just as easily play classical as he could R&B, blues and jazz. In 1949, Booker made his first record for the storied Imperial Records and was soon doing session work for the likes of Fats Domino and Lloyd Price. He was just 15. Booker released a handful of records during the early ’60s, but he was struggling with a growing drug habit. His career hit an upswing in the mid ’70s, when he wowed the crowd at the 1975 New Orleans Jazzfest. That resulted in a record deal with the respected Island Records and tours with the likes of 
Guy Speranza was the original lead singer for New York heavy metal band, Riot. Formed in 1973, the band struggled to make it and were on the verge of breaking up when, in 1981 the began to find their audience thanks to what was to be called the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that began to break heavy metal into the mainstream. They began touring with such popular metal acts as AC/DC and Molly Hatchet, and were soon signed to Capitol Records. Speranza sang on Riot’s first three albums, but left the after the release of their Capitol debut in 1981. He later retired from music and moved to Florida where he became an exterminator. Guy Speranza, 47, died of pancreatic cancer on November 8, 2003.
Lonnie Pitchford was a Mississippi-born blues guitarist and singer who has been rightfully called a link between the original Delta and Country bluesmen and those of today. Not only was he adept at the acoustic and electric guitar, but he could handle the double bass, harmonica and piano with the same prowess. Pitchford released his first album, All Around Man, in 1994. Four years later, he died of AIDS. Rock legend, John Fogerty, paid for his tombstone.
Jody Reynolds had one of rockabilly’s earliest massive hits with 1958’s “Endless Sleep.” It was one of rock ‘n roll’s first “teen tragedy” songs. The single reached #5 on the Billboard singles chart and sold over 1 million copies. He followed it up with “Fire of Love” later that year. The song charted, but failed to come close to the success of “Endless Sleep.” Reynolds released several more records over the course of his career, but none were ever able to get him back up on top. He retired from the music business during the ’70s, and in 1999, he was elected to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He was 75 when he died of liver cancer on November 7, 2008.
Marie Gianini was part of the comedy, dance and vocal duo, the Avon Sisters, who spent many years performing through the Midwest and entertaining troops with the USO. Forming the duo with her sister, Theresa Frisby, perhaps her biggest thrill came when President Franklin Roosevelt called her to thank them for their hard work. Marie Gianini was 85 when she passed away at a care center on November 6, 2009.
Stacy Rowles was a respected trumpet and flugelhorn player and a singer, who made a name for herself throughout the Los Angeles jazz scene. The daughter or noted composer and pianist, Jimmy Rowles, she started playing the piano at age six, but eventually moved over to the trumpet. Throughout her career, Rowles played with Maiden Voyage, Jazz Tap Ensemble and the Jazz Birds. She made a handful of her own albums for Concord and Delos Records, including 1984’s Tell it Like it Is, which some consider to be her best. Stacy Rowles, 54, died on November 5, 2009 of injuries sustained in an earlier car accident.
George M. Cohan was a popular songwriter, composer, producer, singer and actor who was one of the biggest draws on Broadway during the ’40s. Cohan took to entertaining early, performing as a dancer in family productions along the Vaudeville circuit. He began writing and selling songs at the turn of the century, his first hit being “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He became one of the most prolific writers in what became to be known as Tin Pan Alley in New York City. Some estimates put his output at as many as 1500 songs. During that time he also produced many popular Broadway shows. During the ’30s, Cohan turned his sights on film and began appearing in popular movies of the day. And they were just song-and-dance roles, but serious drama parts. In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, a musical adaptation of his life was released. Playing Cohan in the film was James Cagney, who one the Best Actor Academy Award that year. On November 5, 1942, George M. Cohan died of cancer at the age of 64.
Robert Lee McCollum was a blues guitarist who for some reason changed his name at least twice during his music career. During the mid ’30s, he went by Robert Lee McCoy and landed in St. Louis where he played and recorded with 
Bobby Scott was a notable jazz pianist who, remarkably, turned professional when he was just 11. By the time he was 15, he was touring with the likes of 