Antonio Luis Alves de Souza
1955(?) – October 31, 2009
Antonio Luis Alves de Souza was respected Brazilian drummer who, with his group, Olodum played a unique blend of Oludum percussion and reggae which they called samba reggae. In 1990, de Souza was invited by Paul Simon to play on his Rhythm of the Saints album and in 1991, to perform with him at his huge Central Park concert. In lieu of payment, de Souza asked Simon to give him money to purchase an old building that eventually housed an educational program for local adults and children. In 1996, de Souza performed in Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” video. Antonio Luis Alves de Souza, 54, died of a heart attack on October 31, 2009.
Frank Navetta was the original guitarist for Southern California beach punk band, the Descendents. Formed in Manhattan Beach in 1979, the band became one of the most popular bands of the local hardcore scened thanks, in part, to their 1982 debut album, Milo Goes To College. In 1985, Navetta left the band and moved to the Northwest to become a fisherman. He reunited with the group in 2002 for a festival date. Frank Navetta died after a brief undisclosed illness on October 31, 2008.
Norton Buffalo
September 28, 1951 – October 30, 2009
Norton Buffalo was a San Francisco Bay area singer, songwriter and musician who is mostly associated with the Steve Miller Band with whom he played harmonica for over three decades. His career started taking off during the ’70s when he first started playing with the likes of Elvin Bishop and Clover. In the following years, he performed or recorded with a who’s who of rock, blues and country artists. That list includes Bonnie Raitt, Commander Cody, Jerry Garcia, the Doobie Brothers, Mickey Hart, Merl Saunders, and of course, Steve Miller. He can be heard on nearly 200 albums. Buffalo also appeared in a few films, mostly as a musician. He can be seen in 1979’s The Rose alongside Bette Midler, and Heaven’s Gate with Kris Kristofferson. Buffalo was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to his brain in September of 2009. He succumbed to the cancer on October 30, 2009 at the age of 58.
Malcolm Hale was the lead guitarist for the ’60s folk rock band, Spanky and our Gang. The band released their debut album, Spanky and Our Gang, in 1967. It contained their three biggest hits, “Sunday Will Never Be The Same,” Lazy Days,” and “Making Every Minute Count.” A little over a year after the band’s first album, Malcolm Hale, 27, died of carbon monoxide poisoning suffered when using a faulty space heater. The band broke up shortly thereafter.
Jam-Master Jay (Born Jason Mizell)
January 21, 1965 – October 30, 2002
Jason Mizell, who went by the stage name, Jam-Master-Jay, was a musician in and DJ for Run D.M.C., arguably the most influential rap group ever. In 2009, they would become the first hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An accomplished drummer, keyboardist and bass player, Mizell performed in a handful of bands before joining up with Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels to form Run D.M.C. in 1983. The group, who sold upwards of seven million albums, was positioned at number 48 in Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest musical acts of all time. They were even instrumental in bridging the gap between rap and rock. Their cover of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” with guests, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, was one of the most popular songs of the era. On October 30, 2002, Jam-Master-Jay, 37, was in his recording studio when two assailants came in and shot and killed him. The murder remains unsolved.
Robert Goulet
November 26, 1933 – October 30, 2007
Robert Goulet was a popular American singer and actor who skyrocketed to fame when he was cast as a virtual unknown in the role of Sir Lancelot in the 1960 Broadway production of Camelot. He more than held his own opposite Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, earning himself a Tony as well as Grammy for Best New Artist in 1962. His recording of the show’s “If Ever I Would Leave You” was a hit and subsequently became his signature song. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Goulet continued to work in the theatre and was also a familiar face in film and on television. Though less visible in later years, he still occasionally made guest appearances on TV up until the final years of his life. Robert Goulet was 73 when he died of Pulmonary Fibrosis on October 30, 2007.
Mike Baker was the lead singer of ’80s progressive metal band, Shadow Gallery. Formed in 1985 as Sorcerer, the band soon changed their name before signing to independent progressive rock label, Magna Carta Records in 1991. Shadow Gallery, and Baker’s vocals had more in common with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Queensryche than the pop metal bands that were more in fashion at the time. During the late ’90s, the band formed a kinship with like-minded band, Dream Theater, whose James LaBrie sang on Shadow Gallery’s 1998 song, “I Believe.” Mike Baker, 45, died of a heart attack on October 29, 2008.
Howard Duane Allman
November 26, 1946 – October 29, 1971
Beforebecoming a household name as founding lead guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman was an in-demand session guitarist who played on many classic records of the late ’60s. His amazing guitar work was first heard on Wilson Picket’s superb 1968 recording of “Hey Jude.” Eric Clapton was so impressed by Allman’s playing on that record, that he invited him down to the studio for the Derek & the Dominos sessions. The two clicked and Allman joined on to add his signature guitar sound to most of the tracks on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. It’s Allman’s guitar that is the most recognizable and most celebrated on the album. Allman also played on hit recordings by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter and Boz Scaggs. In 1969, he and his brother Gregg Allman, formed the Allman Brothers band, which went on to become one of the most influential rock bands America has ever produced. Albums like The Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East, and Eat A Peach are considered landmark recordings of the rock era. In Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, Allman came in at #2, just behind Jimi Hendrix. On October 29, 1971, just as the Allman Brothers were reaching new heights in their career, Allman was out riding his motorcycle while the band was taking a break from the road. In what was ruled an accident, Allman lost control of his bike as he tried to avoid a large truck that was turning up ahead of him. Duane Allman died of his injuries at a local hospital. He was just 24.
Mae Mercer was an actress and blues singer who spent most of her music career singing in Paris. With a richly deep voice, she sang what Willie Dixon once called, “the real low-down blues.” She fronted a band that included Memphis Slim for the better part of the ’60s. Back in America during the ’70s, Mercer put her focus on acting. She appeared in the films, Dirty Harry, The Beguiled, and Pretty Baby, and such TV shows as Mannix, and Kung Fu. Mae Mercer, 76, passed away in her home after having been ill for some time.
Porter Wagoner was a three-time Grammy award winning country singer who was instantly recognizable thanks to his sparkly suits and towering blond coif. Wagoner signed to RCA Records during the early ‘50, and in 1955, he was hired on to perform on ABC Television’s Ozark Jubilee, broadcasting out of Springfield, MO. Two years later, he moved to Nashville and became a member of the Grand Ol Opry. Over the next five decades, Wagoner charted 81 singles. Songs like “A Satisfied Mind,” “Green Grass of Home,” and “The Cold Hard Facts of Life” are some of the greatest recordings country music has ever known. In 1960, Wagoner began starring in his own nationally syndicated television show, The Porter Wagoner Show. The program ran for twenty years and helped launch the careers of Norma Jean, Mel Tillis, and most famously, Dolly Parton. It was Wagoner who Parton was writing about when she penned “I Will Always Love You,” which became a massive hit for Whitney Houston almost 20 years after it was first released by Parton. Wagoner continued to work well into the 21st century, recording and making guest appearances on television. In 2007 he released the Marty Stuart-produced Wagonmaster, the critically acclaimed album that helped him experience a renassaince much in the same way Johnny Cash had in the mid ’90s. That same year, Wagoner opened for the White Stripes at Madison Square Garden. Porter Wagoner died of lung cancer at the age of 80.
Wells Kelly was the founding drummer for Orleans, a soft rock band that formed in 1972. The band is best remembered for their ’70s pop hits, “Still the One” and “Dance With Me.” As early as 1977, “Still the One” has been played on numerous television shows and films. Over the course of their career, Orleans were a popular opening act for the likes of Jackson Browne, Little Feat and Melissa Manchester. After his run with Orleans, Kelly played with Steve Forbert, Clarence Clemons, and Meat Loaf. It was while on tour with Meat Loaf that Kelly, 34, was found dead of asphyxiation.
Taylor Mitchell was an up-and-coming singer songwriter who was just beginning to build her career in her home country of Canadia when her life was tragically cut short. Mitchell recorded her first EP in 2007 and released her full length debut For Your Consideration, in March of 2009 . Mitchell’s back-up band for her latest album included a cast of all-star musicians who have played with the likes of Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith and Kathleen Edwards. Taylor Mitchell, 19, was hiking in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, when she was attacked by two coyotes. Mitchell died of her injuries in a Halifax hospital.
Ricky Parent is best remembered as a drummer for the pop metal band, Enuff Z’nuff. Born in New Jersey, Parent began playing the drums at the age of five. When he got older, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in music, so he moved to Los Angeles to find a band to work with. He landed a job with War & Peace, the band formed by ex Dokken bassist, Jeff Pilson. The band soon broke up and Parent was picked up by Vince Neil to lay down tracks for his first solo album. In 1992, Parent learned that Enuff Z’nuff was looking for a new drummer, so he moved to Chicago and got hired on as their drummer. He played in the band for the band for the next 13 years. Ricky Parent died of cancer at the age of 44.
Steve Peregrin Took (Born Stephen Porter)
July 28, 1949 – October 27, 1980
Steve Took is best remembered as the original drummer in Marc Bolan’s rock band, T. Rex. Afte answering an ad in a 1967 London newspaper, Took met Bolan and together, they formed T. Rex as a duo. While Bolan sang and played guitars, Took played bass and percssion. The band built a strong cult following in and around the UK after releasing three albums in the late ’60s. Famed UK disc jockey, John Peel helped them land a record deal. Unfortunately, Took’s excessive drug use and abnormal behavior lead to Bolan releasing him from the band after their first U.S. tour in 1971. Took began playing with a band called the Pink Fairies, while Bolan and his band’s fame took off. He also worked as a solo artist for a couple of years before his death. Steve Peregrin Took, 31, died after a night of drug use. Official reports indicate that he died from chocking on a cocktail cherry, though some believe drugs played a part.
Tom Dowd was an innovative record producer and engineer who helped develop the Atlantic Records sound thanks to hundreds of popular albums he collaborated on. A master of physics, Dowd worked on the Manhattan Project while in the Army prior to his days at Atlantic. The Manhattan Project was the code name for the development of the first atom bomb. After his time in the service, Dowd got a job in the studio at Atlantic Records where he produced or engineered albums by the likes of Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Derek & the Dominos, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, and many many more. Dowd was far from a silent producer behind the board. He has been credited numerous times for helping develop and shape the sound of the artist into what ultimately made them famous. He was also instrumental in the growth of stereo and eight-track recording in the industry. Dowd continued to work right up until the time of his death, October 27, 2002. He died of emphysema a week after his 77th birthday.
Ray Ellis was an accomplished musician, producer and arranger during the ’50s and ’60s. He is best remembered for his work with Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis, Emmylou Harris and most notably, on Billie Holiday’sLady in Satin. He also composed the Today Show’s theme song twice, one that was used throughout most of the ’70s and anoter that was used that was primarily used between 1987 and 1985. And he composed soundtrack music for numerous cartoons and game shows over the years as well. Ray Ellis, 85, died of malenoma on October 27, 2008.
Xavier Cugat was a musician, singer, songwriter, band leader, cartoonist, and actor whose various careers ran some 65 years. Born in Spain, he moved with his family to Cuba where he was trained on the violin. In 1915, his family moved again, this time settling in New York City. His first band of note, the Gigolos, was a popular Tango band in New York. During the ’30s, Cugat became the leader of the house band at New York’s fames Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It was around this time he got into acting, so he spent much of the next three decades flying back and forth between New York and Los Angeles to work at th hotel and make movies. He also did some time as the cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times. Cugat made several hit records during the ’40s, most of them popular Latin dance tunes of the day. Xavier Cugat died of heart failure at the age of 90.
Hoyt Axton was country singer songwriter and actor who came to prominence as a folk singer in the ’60s and then again as country singer in the ’70s. Even though he released several successful albums and acted in and performed on numerous television shows and films, it was Axton’s skills as a songwriter that separated him from the pack. Over the years, his songs were made into hits by the likes of Ringo Starr (“No-No Song”) Steppenwolf (“The Pusher”) and of course, Three Dog Night (“Never Been To Spain” and most famously, “Joy to the World” aka “Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog”). His songs have also been covered by Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez and John Denver. Axton, 61, died of a heart attack on October 26, 1999.
Dee Anthony was a legendary artist manager who helped develop the young careers of such artists as Traffic, J. Geils Band, Ten Years After, Jethro Tull, Joe Cocker, Devo and Peter Allen. His career started in the mid ’40s when he began representing his friend, Jerry Vale. In 1954, he picked up Tony Bennett who he managed for over ten years. During the ’70s, he managed Humble Pie, and when Peter Frampton went solo, it was Anthony that helped guide him through the massive success of his Frampton Comes Alive era. Anthony retired from the music business during the ’90s. He was 83 when he died of pneumonia on October 25, 2009.
Robert D. Norred
January 16, 1919 – October 25, 2009
Robert D. Norred was a steel guitarist who briefly played in Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys beginning in late 1947. He also played with Hal Howard and the Pearl River Boys for about a decade. Norred passsed away at the age of 90.
Antonio Luis Alves de Souza was respected Brazilian drummer who, with his group, Olodum played a unique blend of Oludum percussion and reggae which they called samba reggae. In 1990, de Souza was invited by Paul Simon to play on his Rhythm of the Saints album and in 1991, to perform with him at his huge Central Park concert. In lieu of payment, de Souza asked Simon to give him money to purchase an old building that eventually housed an educational program for local adults and children. In 1996, de Souza performed in Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” video. Antonio Luis Alves de Souza, 54, died of a heart attack on October 31, 2009.
Norton Buffalo was a San Francisco Bay area singer, songwriter and musician who is mostly associated with the Steve Miller Band with whom he played harmonica for over three decades. His career started taking off during the ’70s when he first started playing with the likes of Elvin Bishop and Clover. In the following years, he performed or recorded with a who’s who of rock, blues and country artists. That list includes Bonnie Raitt, Commander Cody, 
Jason Mizell, who went by the stage name, Jam-Master-Jay, was a musician in and DJ for Run D.M.C., arguably the most influential rap group ever. In 2009, they would become the first hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An accomplished drummer, keyboardist and bass player, Mizell performed in a handful of bands before joining up with Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels to form Run D.M.C. in 1983. The group, who sold upwards of seven million albums, was positioned at number 48 in Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest musical acts of all time. They were even instrumental in bridging the gap between rap and rock. Their cover of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” with guests, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, was one of the most popular songs of the era. On October 30, 2002, Jam-Master-Jay, 37, was in his recording studio when two assailants came in and shot and killed him. The murder remains unsolved.
Mike Baker was the lead singer of ’80s progressive metal band, Shadow Gallery. Formed in 1985 as Sorcerer, the band soon changed their name before signing to independent progressive rock label, Magna Carta Records in 1991. Shadow Gallery, and Baker’s vocals had more in common with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Queensryche than the pop metal bands that were more in fashion at the time. During the late ’90s, the band formed a kinship with like-minded band, Dream Theater, whose James LaBrie sang on Shadow Gallery’s 1998 song, “I Believe.” Mike Baker, 45, died of a heart attack on October 29, 2008.
Mae Mercer was an actress and blues singer who spent most of her music career singing in Paris. With a richly deep voice, she sang what 
Wells Kelly was the founding drummer for Orleans, a soft rock band that formed in 1972. The band is best remembered for their ’70s pop hits, “Still the One” and “Dance With Me.” As early as 1977, “Still the One” has been played on numerous television shows and films. Over the course of their career, Orleans were a popular opening act for the likes of Jackson Browne, Little Feat and Melissa Manchester. After his run with Orleans, Kelly played with Steve Forbert, Clarence Clemons, and Meat Loaf. It was while on tour with Meat Loaf that Kelly, 34, was found dead of asphyxiation.
Taylor Mitchell was an up-and-coming singer songwriter who was just beginning to build her career in her home country of Canadia when her life was tragically cut short. Mitchell recorded her first EP in 2007 and released her full length debut For Your Consideration, in March of 2009 . Mitchell’s back-up band for her latest album included a cast of all-star musicians who have played with the likes of Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith and Kathleen Edwards. Taylor Mitchell, 19, was hiking in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, when she was attacked by two coyotes. Mitchell died of her injuries in a Halifax hospital.
Ricky Parent is best remembered as a drummer for the pop metal band, Enuff Z’nuff. Born in New Jersey, Parent began playing the drums at the age of five. When he got older, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in music, so he moved to Los Angeles to find a band to work with. He landed a job with War & Peace, the band formed by ex Dokken bassist, Jeff Pilson. The band soon broke up and Parent was picked up by Vince Neil to lay down tracks for his first solo album. In 1992, Parent learned that Enuff Z’nuff was looking for a new drummer, so he moved to Chicago and got hired on as their drummer. He played in the band for the band for the next 13 years. Ricky Parent died of cancer at the age of 44.
Steve Took is best remembered as the original drummer in Marc Bolan’s rock band, T. Rex. Afte answering an ad in a 1967 London newspaper, Took met Bolan and together, they formed T. Rex as a duo. While Bolan sang and played guitars, Took played bass and percssion. The band built a strong cult following in and around the UK after releasing three albums in the late ’60s. Famed UK disc jockey, 
Xavier Cugat was a musician, singer, songwriter, band leader, cartoonist, and actor whose various careers ran some 65 years. Born in Spain, he moved with his family to Cuba where he was trained on the violin. In 1915, his family moved again, this time settling in New York City. His first band of note, the Gigolos, was a popular Tango band in New York. During the ’30s, Cugat became the leader of the house band at New York’s fames Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It was around this time he got into acting, so he spent much of the next three decades flying back and forth between New York and Los Angeles to work at th hotel and make movies. He also did some time as the cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times. Cugat made several hit records during the ’40s, most of them popular Latin dance tunes of the day. Xavier Cugat died of heart failure at the age of 90.
Hoyt Axton was country singer songwriter and actor who came to prominence as a folk singer in the ’60s and then again as country singer in the ’70s. Even though he released several successful albums and acted in and performed on numerous television shows and films, it was Axton’s skills as a songwriter that separated him from the pack. Over the years, his songs were made into hits by the likes of Ringo Starr (“No-No Song”) Steppenwolf (“The Pusher”) and of course, Three Dog Night (“Never Been To Spain” and most famously, “Joy to the World” aka “Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog”). His songs have also been covered by 
Robert D. Norred was a steel guitarist who briefly played in 