Ray Gillen was a hard rock singer who, although he spent a minute as lead singer of Black Sabbath, is perhaps best remembered as the lead singer of Badlands. Gillen had been singing for a series of New Jersey area bands when, in 1986, he was summoned to substitute for then-Black Sabbath vocalist, Glenn Hughes, who was suffering from vocal problems. Following the tour, Gillen began working with Black Sabbath on their The Eternal Idol album, but never finished the sessions due to various factors. In 1988, Gillen formed Badlands with Jake E. Lee, best known as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist, Craig Chaisson, and Eric Singer. Gillen fronted Badlands for three albums, Badlands, Voodoo Highway, and Dusk. The band’s self-titled debut sold respectably due to video play on MTV, but the follow-ups barely registered a blib, so Gillen broke up the band in 1989. Over the next couple of years, he worked on a handful of other projects. On December 1, 1993, Ray Gillen, age 32, died of AIDS-related complications.
Mat Arluck was the guitarist for Chicago metal band, Sweet Cobra. Diagnosed with cancer three years ago, the respected guitarist who also played in Cooler By The Lake and Closing In, still was playing up until about year prior to his passing. Arluck also played bass for Stabbed By Words. The 39-year-old passed away at his parents house on November 26, 2009.
Eric Carr (Born Paul Caravello)
July 12, 1950 – November 24, 1991
Eric Carr was a multi-instrumentalist, but primarily a drummer who goes down in rock ‘n roll history as the first replacement for Peter Criss in Kiss. Upon Criss’ official departure from Kiss in 1980, the band held auditions for a replacement. Although he submitted is application a day after the deadline and was the very last to try-out, Carr was selected to continue on with the band under the guise of “The Fox.” Over the course of his career with Kiss, Carr played on such albums as Creatures of the Night, Lick It Up, Animalyze, and Asylum. Carr also sang lead on a handful of songs during Kiss live shows, as well as on a re-recording of “Beth” which had originally sung by Criss. On November 21, 1991, Eric Carr, age 41, died of a brain hemmhorage that resulted from heart cancer which he had been suffering from for some time.
Kevin Dubrow is best remembered as the lead singer of the world famous ’80s metal band, Quiet Riot. The band was formed by guitar great, Randy Rhoadsand Kelly Garni in 1973 with Dubrow coming on board shortly thereafter. After Rhoads left to join Ozzy Osbourne in 1980, the band was relaunched as Dubrow and eventually changed back to the name, Quiet Riot. In 1983, the band released Metal Health, and quickly became one of the era’s most popular rock bands thanks to heavy video play during MTV’s explosive early years. Hits like “Cum On The Noize” and “Metal Health” received heavy video and radio airplay, helping them fill arenas and stadiums across the U.S. and beyond. But by 1987, internal fighting and other factors lead to the departure of Dubrow who formed his own band while the others continued on as Quiet Riot with a different lead singer. Unfortunately, grunge would soon rear its ugly head and cast all such hard rock bands aside for the next several years. Dubrow eventually reunited with yet another line up of the band who, in 2006, released the album Rehab, and began touring again. But on or around November 19, 2007, Kevin Dubrow, age 52, died of an accidental cocaine overdose in his Las Vegas home. Although his body wasn’t discovered until November 25th, the coroner estimated his day of passing likely six days earlier.
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.
Criss Oliva was the lead guitarist of Savatage, the progressive metal band he co-founded with his brother, Jon Oliva. The Clearwater, Florida band formed in the early ’80s and by the release of their second album in 1985, they were starting to make some noise outside of the region. Enough so to get the chance to tour with Megadeth and a multi-album deal with Atlantic Records. Savatage’s 1991 release, Streets: A Rock Opera was a tremendous succes, selling in excess of 1 million copies. Criss Oliva was killed instantly in the early hours of October 17, 1993 when an oncoming car swerved into his lane and hit his car head on. He was 30 years old.
Gus Chambers is best remembered as the lead singer for metal band, Grip Inc. Formed by ex-Slayer drummer, Dave Lombardo in 1993, the band was originally signed by powerhouse metal label, Metal Blade Records. The band released a handful of critically praised albums during their run. In later years, Chambers performed with a few other bands, Squad 21, Squealer, and Mantra Sect. Gus Chambers was 50 years old when his lifeless body was found in his home. His cause of death was initially believed to be suicide, but police reports finally ruled he died of an accidental overdose of prescribed medication and alcohol.
Born into a musical family, Dickie Peterson knew from an early age that he wanted to be a professional musician, so he picked up the bass at thirteen and never looked back. In 1966, he helped form Blue Cheer, a San Francisco based psychedelic blues rock band that is considered by many to to be the first “heavy metal” band. Peterson played bass and sang lead in the band. In 1968, they released a heavy electric blues version of Eddie Cochran’s“Summertime Blues.” It has been called the very first heavy metal song. The song made it into the top 15 on the Billboard singles chart, making it their only hit. The band stayed together, all be it in different configurations, into the ’90s, with Peterson being a constant figure. They parted ways in 1994, reunited in 1999, and have been together ever since. Dickie Peterson died of liver cancer on October 12, 2009. He was 61 years old.
Don Decker was the lead singer and main songwriter for Anal Blast, the Minneapolis pornogrind/death metal band. Formed in 1994, the band released just two albums, Vaginal Vampire and Battered Bleeding Bitch. Cause of death has not been released, though some reports indicate it may be related to a condition for which he received a liver transplant in recent years. Decker was 41 years old.
Mike Alexander was the founding bassist for English thrash metal band, Evile. The group originally formed in 2000 as a cover band called Metal Militia, and then morphed into Evile in 2004. They soon signed to Earache Records and are now considered the spark of the current thrash metal revival. Over the years they’ve shared the stage with the likes of Machine Head and Megadeth. They released their debut album for Earache in 2007 and their second in September of 2009. While touring to promote the new album, Mike Alexander collapsed the morning after a show in Sweden. He was taken to a local hospital where he died of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 32.
Darryl DeLoach
September 12, 1947 – October 3, 2002
Darryl DeLoach was the original lead singer and lyricist for San Diego psychedelic rock band, Iron Butterfly. Some consider Iron Maiden to be the very first heavy metal band. The group released their first album, Heavy, in 1968. It contained several songs written by DeLoach who left the band shortly after its release. The band’s next album (without DeLoach) contained their biggest hit, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” DeRoach continued to record post-Iron Butterfly, but not much is known about his more recent years. He died of liver cancer at the age of 54.
Cliff Burton
February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986
Cliff 'em All
Cliff Burton was the bassist for thrash metal band, Mettalica from 1982 to 1986. Burton was still in high school when he formed his first band, EZ-Street. But it was in 1982 that he would be asked to join the band that would eventually become one of the most successful hard rock bands in history. Burton was playing for a band called Trauma and their tour brought them to the famed Whiskey club on the Sunset Strip. In the audience were Metallica’s James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich who were so impressed they asked Burton to join the band and moved to the Bay Area because he didn’t want to relocate to Los Angeles. Burton played on the band’s first three albums, Kell ‘em All, Ride the Lightning, and their major label debut, Master of Puppets, which is considered by many to be the album that brought thrash metal into the mainstream. While touring Europe to promote Master of Puppets, the band’s driver lost control of their tour bus, causing it to roll, and thus tossing the sleeping Burton out of a window. The bus landed on Burton who was crushed to death at the age of 24.
Witchhunter (Born Chris Dudek)
DOB Unknown – September 7, 2008
Chris Dudek, who went by the stage name, Witchhunter was the original drummer for German thrash metal band, Sodom. Formed in 1982, the band would become a major influence on the black metal scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Influenced by such bands as Motorhead, Venom, and Accept, Sodom recorded a couple of demos that eventually got them signed to Steamhammer Records. Dudek played in the band until 1992 but reunited to guest with the band on their 2008 release, The Final Sign Of Evil. Apparently suffering for many years with alcohol and drug abuse, Chris Dudek died of liver failure on September 7, 2008.
Mickie Jones was the co-founder of and bassist for pioneering ’70s glam metal band, Angel. Formed with guitarist, Punky Meadows in in 1975, Angel would be the link between Bowie and heavy metal. It was Gene Simmons of Kiss who helped the band get signed to Casablanca Records, and in an ironic twist, the members of Angel chose to market themselves dressed in all white as sort of the “anti-Kiss.” The band’s slick pop metal and androgynous image helped pave the way for such ’80s hair bands as Poison, Warrant and Motley Crue. Even the band’s own keyboardist, Gregg Guiffria would go on to have ’80s metal hits of his own. Even though Angel released some of the most memorable hard rock albums of the ’70s, (IE: Helluva Band and On Earth As It Is In Heaven), they never reached much beyond a cult status. Following his run with Angel, Jones played in BUX with Meadows and Joe Perry Project singer, Ralph Morman, and Empire with LA Guns drummer, Steve Riley. It has also been reported that Jones was once asked to join the New York Dolls. In recent years, he was working in the film industry. Mickie Jones died of liver cancer on September 5, 2009.
Denis D’Amour
September 24, 1959 – August 26, 2005
Denis D’Amour was the guitarist for Canadian thrash metal band, Voivod who were one of the first Canadian thrash bands to gain popularity outside of Canada. They, along with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax were ushered in the thrash metal movement of the mid ’80s. Trained in classical violin, D’Amour later switched to guitar, later adding more of a King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Rush approach to his unique guitar playing. D’Amour was diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 2005. Having progressed at an alarming rate, surgery was not an option, so D’Amour died as a result of the cancer on August 26, 2005 at the age of 45.
Euronymous (Born Oystein Aarseth)
March 22, 1968 – August 10, 1993
Oystein Aarseth, known to fans as Euronymous, was the founding guitarist of Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem. Formed in 1983, the band went on to become one of the most influential Norwegian bands of the scene. The band was as controversial as it was popular, due in part, to their violent stage show along with the suicide of lead singer, Dead (Per Yngve Ohlin), and murder of Aarseth. It was rumored that Aarseth ate part of Ohlin’s brain upon discovering his lifeless body. He publicly denied that claim. During his career, Aarseth also opened his own record shop and mail order business as well ran his own label, Deathlike Silence Productions. On August 10, 1993, Oystein Aarseth died as a result of numerous stab wounds sustained during a violent confrontation with fellow musician Varg Vikernes. Although he claimed the 23 knife wounds was self-defense, Vikernes was convicted of murder and sent to prison. He was released on parole in May of 2009.
With his band, Samson, Paul Samson helped usher in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal of the late ’70s. With contemporaries like Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Girlschool, Samson brought a cleaner, more progressive sound to the metal that originated from the likes of Black Sabbath. Forming the band in 1978, Samson built a steady cult following over it’s six-year exsistence. At one point, the band was fronted by Bruce Bruce who later changed his name back to Bruce Dickinson and left to join Iron Maiden. Samson’s guitar could also be heard on Ram Jam’s 1977 hit, “Black Betty.” Samson died of cancer while recording a Samson comeback album in 2002.
Graeme Crallan was a British heavy metal drummer who first came to prominence during the “new wave” of British Metal of the mid ’70s. In 1975, he and future Iron Maiden guitarist, Janick Gers formed White Spirit who released one Deep Purple influenced album in 1980. They parted ways about a year later. A few years later, Crallan joined another metal band, the more aggressive Tank who’s fate was not much different than that of White Spirit’s. Graeme Crallan died of head injuries he sustained when he collapsed and fell while walking along a London street. The cause of his collapse is unknown.
Born in Sweden, Marcel Jacob was a heavy metal bassist who is best remembered for his work in Talisman and with Yngwie Malmsteen. He has been called “The Swedish King Of Bass.” Jacob helped form Rising Sun in 1978 along with Malmsteen. He soon moved on to the band Force and by the late ’80s he was playing alongside vocalist, Jeff Scott Soto in Talisman. Marcel Jacob reportedly took his own life on July 21, 2009. He was 45.
Gar Samuelson - Top row, second from left. Me - bottom right
Gar Samuelson was the original drummer for thrash metal band, Megadeth. Prior to joining Megadeth, Samuelson played in a jazz fusion band with future Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland. But metal was Samuelson’s calling, and once he met Megadeth leader, Dave Mustaine, his mind was made up, he had to be in that band. Samuelson played on just two Megadeth albums, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good, and the classic, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? and toured with the band during those years. But heavy drug abuse, specifically heroin, led to his firing by the band in 1987. During the mid ’90s, Samuelson was playing alongside his brother in a thrash metal band called Fatal Opera which released two albums. The last years of his life found him in Orange City, Florida where he built and ran a recording studio. Gar Samuelson died on July 14, 1999 of liver failure at the age of 41.
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.
Gus Chambers is best remembered as the lead singer for metal band, Grip Inc. Formed by ex-Slayer drummer, Dave Lombardo in 1993, the band was originally signed by powerhouse metal label, Metal Blade Records. The band released a handful of critically praised albums during their run. In later years, Chambers performed with a few other bands, Squad 21, Squealer, and Mantra Sect. Gus Chambers was 50 years old when his lifeless body was found in his home. His cause of death was initially believed to be suicide, but police reports finally ruled he died of an accidental overdose of prescribed medication and alcohol.
Born into a musical family, Dickie Peterson knew from an early age that he wanted to be a professional musician, so he picked up the bass at thirteen and never looked back. In 1966, he helped form Blue Cheer, a San Francisco based psychedelic blues rock band that is considered by many to to be the first “heavy metal” band. Peterson played bass and sang lead in the band. In 1968, they released a heavy electric blues version of 
Don Decker was the lead singer and main songwriter for Anal Blast, the Minneapolis pornogrind/death metal band . Formed in 1994, the band released just two albums, Vaginal Vampire and Battered Bleeding Bitch. Cause of death has not been released, though some reports indicate it may be related to a condition for which he received a liver transplant in recent years. Decker was 41 years old.
Mike Alexander was the founding bassist for English thrash metal band, Evile. The group originally formed in 2000 as a cover band called Metal Militia, and then morphed into Evile in 2004. They soon signed to Earache Records and are now considered the spark of the current thrash metal revival. Over the years they’ve shared the stage with the likes of Machine Head and Megadeth. They released their debut album for Earache in 2007 and their second in September of 2009. While touring to promote the new album, Mike Alexander collapsed the morning after a show in Sweden. He was taken to a local hospital where he died of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 32.
Chris Dudek, who went by the stage name, Witchhunter was the original drummer for German thrash metal band, Sodom. Formed in 1982, the band would become a major influence on the black metal scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Influenced by such bands as Motorhead, Venom, and Accept, Sodom recorded a couple of demos that eventually got them signed to Steamhammer Records. Dudek played in the band until 1992 but reunited to guest with the band on their 2008 release, The Final Sign Of Evil. Apparently suffering for many years with alcohol and drug abuse, Chris Dudek died of liver failure on September 7, 2008.
Mickie Jones was the co-founder of and bassist for pioneering ’70s glam metal band, Angel. Formed with guitarist, Punky Meadows in in 1975, Angel would be the link between Bowie and heavy metal. It was Gene Simmons of Kiss who helped the band get signed to Casablanca Records, and in an ironic twist, the members of Angel chose to market themselves dressed in all white as sort of the “anti-Kiss.” The band’s slick pop metal and androgynous image helped pave the way for such ’80s hair bands as Poison, Warrant and Motley Crue. Even the band’s own keyboardist, Gregg Guiffria would go on to have ’80s metal hits of his own. Even though Angel released some of the most memorable hard rock albums of the ’70s, (IE: Helluva Band and On Earth As It Is In Heaven), they never reached much beyond a cult status. Following his run with Angel, Jones played in BUX with Meadows and Joe Perry Project singer, Ralph Morman, and Empire with LA Guns drummer, Steve Riley. It has also been reported that Jones was once asked to join the New York Dolls. In recent years, he was working in the film industry. Mickie Jones died of liver cancer on September 5, 2009.
Oystein Aarseth, known to fans as Euronymous, was the founding guitarist of Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem. Formed in 1983, the band went on to become one of the most influential Norwegian bands of the scene. The band was as controversial as it was popular, due in part, to their violent stage show along with the suicide of lead singer, Dead (
With his band, Samson, Paul Samson helped usher in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal of the late ’70s. With contemporaries like Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Girlschool, Samson brought a cleaner, more progressive sound to the metal that originated from the likes of Black Sabbath. Forming the band in 1978, Samson built a steady cult following over it’s six-year exsistence. At one point, the band was fronted by Bruce Bruce who later changed his name back to Bruce Dickinson and left to join Iron Maiden. Samson’s guitar could also be heard on Ram Jam’s 1977 hit, “Black Betty.” Samson died of cancer while recording a Samson comeback album in 2002.
Born in Sweden, Marcel Jacob was a heavy metal bassist who is best remembered for his work in Talisman and with Yngwie Malmsteen. He has been called “The Swedish King Of Bass.” Jacob helped form Rising Sun in 1978 along with Malmsteen. He soon moved on to the band Force and by the late ’80s he was playing alongside vocalist, Jeff Scott Soto in Talisman. Marcel Jacob reportedly took his own life on July 21, 2009. He was 45.
