Clare Armory
1975 – February 24, 2011
Clare Armory was a vocalist and dancer for New York City underground experimental noise merchants, Excepter. Formed in 2002, the group built a sizable following thanks in part to their noise-riddled improvisational live shows and recordings. Many fans and critics considered them to be at the top of the Brooklyn noise heap which also included the likes of Animal Collective. Excepter released several records over the past few years on such labels as the highly regarded experimental Load Records, and Animal Collective’s own Paw Tracks label. Clare Armory was 35 when she passed away from cancer on February 24, 2011.
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Milton Babbitt was an American composer who helped develop the world’s first synthesizer during the 1950s. Babbitt was just 4 years old when he took up the violin, and within a few years he branched out to the saxophone and clarinet. He was arranging songs by the time he was 7, and winning songwriting contests by 13. In college, Babbitt received honors for his studies in both music and mathematics. After the development of RCA’s Mark II synthesizer, Babbitt devoted his time and energy to making electronic music, often combining synthesizer and conventional instruments. Milton Babbitt passed away on January 29, 2011. He was 94.
Trish Keenan was the ethereal lead vocalist for popular English space age electronic band, Broadcast. Often compared to groups like Stereolab, Broadcast and Keenan were however, more influenced by American psychedelic bands of the ’60s. Formed in the mid ’90s, the band has released several albums, EPs and singles to both critical and fan praise. In 2010, Matt Groening of The Simpsons and Futurama fame personally selected Broadcast to perform at England’s popular All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival. Trish Keenan passed away on January 14, 2011 following a two-week bout of pneumonia. She was 42.
Aaron-Carl Ragland was a respected house and electronic producer and DJ who began building a following in Detroit during the mid ’90s. Ragland was revered for his dynamic showmanship and for bringing the house, electronic and techno communities together. After several popular releases on respected techno labels like Soul City, he formed his own label, Wallshaker Music. Ragland recently canceled his European tour when he was hospitalized for abdominal pains and learned he was suffering from lymphoma. Aaron-Carl Ragland was 37 when he died of the disease on September 30, 2010.
Eon was a pioneer in the genres of techno and house music. His 1992 Void Dweller album is considered one of the best. He is also known for the rave hit, “Spice” from 1990. He found his early audiences thanks to airplay on London’s pirate radio stations. Eon died of complications from pneumonia on June 17, 2009.
Andy Huhges was a respected UK music producer who is best remembered for his work with the Orb and Basement Jaxx. His work on the Orb’s “Toxygene” single helped it reach #4 on the UK charts back in 1997. He’s also done work on music by the Cranberries and Tangerine Dream. He died of a short undisclosed illness at the age of 44.
Walter Sear was a composer, musician, and inventor who is perhaps most celebrated as a pioneer of the music synthesizer. He began his career in music as a classical tuba player and eventually launched a successful business where he imported and sold tubas from a shop in New York City. During the early ’60s, he partnered with synthesizer inventor, 
Tristram Cary was a British composer and pioneering electronic musician. But his greatest contribution to popular music was probably the EMS VCS3 portable synthesizer which he co-designed. The instrument became very popular with such English electronic and prog acts as Pink Floyd, Brian Eno and Roxy Music. He also wrote music for British television show, Dr. Who, as well as some British films.
The Music's Over 