Yamamoto was a genius engineer who helped Mazda become what it is today. A sad day for car buffs and lovers of interesting engineering designs.
My Dad idolized this guy. And I just bought one of the new Mazda 3s, with the SkyActive engine. My Dad gave me an entire lecture about the development of that engine, as well as the Miatas.
Saw him play a half a dozen years back...just him and an acoustic guitar. Great performer/story teller. Remember him discussing his rise to "stardom" when he was a garbageman in Jersey.
In 2000, he branched into politics in an unsuccessful Reform Party campaign for a New Jersey seat in the U.S. Senate. The following year, he began a stint as the host of an XM Radio station devoted to unsigned talent. He appeared on ESPN’s “7th Inning Stretch,” a reality show that followed his attempt to join a minor league New Jersey baseball team, in 2006.
Ben Kench from the bands Kerb and more recently Safehaus died suddenly from no discernible cause (SADS) on the 10th May 2017 aged 44. He was a guitar teacher, guitar player and songwriter and inspired countless youngsters to pick up the guitar and give it a go. Some went on to pass their grade 8 guitar, some achieved commercial success and all have a more fulfilled existence as a result of his passion and hard work. His most recent songs were performed live with his band Safehaus a Glastonbury, UK based Alternative FolkRock, Alt-country, band. Throughout 2016 and early 2017 Ben's music was increasing in its popularity being featured on a global video game advert, airtime on BBC R6 (Cerys) and R2 (Jo Wiley). Ben had also worked with other UK musicians including Michael Bannister and Ali McErlaine (Texas), Shelly Poole (Red Sky July) as well as touring with Safehaus across U.K., France and Italy. His passing is a shock to students and fans alike and he'll be sorely missed.
Ben Kench from the bands Kerb and more recently Safehaus died suddenly from no discernible cause (SADS) on the 10th May 2017 aged 44. He was a guitar teacher, guitar player and songwriter and inspired countless youngsters to pick up the guitar and give it a go. Some went on to pass their grade 8 guitar, some achieved commercial success and all have a more fulfilled existence as a result of his passion and hard work. His most recent songs were performed live with his band Safehaus a Glastonbury, UK based Alternative FolkRock, Alt-country, band. Throughout 2016 and early 2017 Ben's music was increasing in its popularity being featured on a global video game advert, airtime on BBC R6 (Cerys) and R2 (Jo Wiley). Ben had also worked with other UK musicians including Michael Bannister and Ali McErlaine (Texas), Shelly Poole (Red Sky July) as well as touring with Safehaus across U.K., France and Italy. His passing is a shock to students and fans alike and he'll be sorely missed.
I know it's not as cerebral to like Grant's songs as much as Bob's songs, but just as there are people who like McCartney's songs better than Lennon's, I always liked Hüsker Dü's poppy songs. A lot. And for the most part, that meant Grant's songs. I got to meet the band between shows at the Roxy, and those few minutes are the cornerstone of my theory that nice guys get the breaks. The band had just made the leap to a major record label deal, while some other "indy" bands continued to struggle. Grant was thrilled to talk to us, about the signing, being in LA, but also was genuinely interested in our radio station, KCPR. He was thrilled to learn that we'd driven a couple hundred miles to see his little band. But he was also a rock star, not just a nice guy making music. The challenges of that are well known, and Grant apparently jumped into the life with both feet. It wasn't long, really, before the band dissolved.
I was saddened to tears on hearing the news of the passing of Walter Becker. Steely Dan is one of my absolute personal favorite rock acts, ever. Their music has meant a lot to me over many years, both at great parties and during moments alone. His surviving partner, Donald Fagen, issued a memorial letter praising Becker's talent and remarking that he was "smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter... He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny." In commemoration of his passing, I've submitted eight images for "Deacon Blues," including this one:
This is a cross-post with the RPHD Slideshow Forum.
Stupid cancer.
-Jake_Guild.jpg "Deacon Blues, indeed")