Clarence Clemons Funeral - Bruce Springsteen Performs Eulogy

"Springsteen described Clemons as “a man of unconditional love” in his eulogy for E Street Band member, who passed away earlier this week (June 19), aged 69, after he had suffered a stroke the week before (June 11 – 12).

As well as delivering the eulogy, Springsteen also performed live. The service also included performances from the E Street Band and Jackson Browne, while Clemons’ nephew provided a rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ on the saxophone.

The singer told those in attendance at the ceremony that Clemons, who contributed the iconic saxophone parts to his songs 'Born To Run' and 'Thunder Road', was "a man of unconditional love, but his love came with a lot of conditions. He was a complex guy. But when you were in his presence, it was like being in a sovereign nation."

Springsteen had previously paid tribute to Clemons in a statement on his official websiteBruceSpringsteen.net. "Clarence lived a wonderful life," he said. "He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage."

Read more

• E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons dies aged 69
• U2, Coldplay, Slash pay tribute to Clarence Clemons
• Clarence Clemons' career in photos

Clemons, who was known as the ‘Big Man’, had a key role in defining the sound of the E Street Band. More recently, he also played on Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' album. He is featured in the video for her latest single 'The Edge Of Glory', which she unveiled last week (June 18).

Other artists including Coldplay, U2 andSlash have all paid tribute to Clemons.Coldplay described him as their “favourite saxophone player”, while Bono claimed that “this man has carried music, and music carried him until this day”.

THE SOURCE FOR THIS ARTICLE:  NME

Rest In Peace, Clarence

  We were at the U2 concert when we heard the news.  I have to admit, the sadness I felt at this loss overshadowed the evening so I won't be doing a review of the show.

Anyone who's read this blog for a while knows how I feel about Bruce and the E Street Band.  21 of the best nights of my life were spent in the presence of this man, and no one will ever be able to fill his shoes.

My heart aches for his family, friends, bandmates and, of course, Bruce.

Thank you, Clarence, your talent, your style, your voice and your smile made the E Street Band come alive.  You will be missed.

Steve Prestwich (1954-2011)

I read the sad news today that Cold Chisel and former Little River Band drummer, Steve Prestwich died this past Sunday, January 16, 2011.  He was diagnosed with a brain tumor about 2 weeks ago.  Sadly he never awoke after being put under for brain surgery to remove the tumor.  Prestwich was only 56 years old.

Being a fan of Australian music I first came to be familiar with Prestwich from his work with Little River Band (on their Playing to Win and No Reins albums).  As I acquainted myself further with Australian music I learned of his contributions to the definitive Australian pub rock band, Cold Chisel. 

In addition to being their drummer, Prestwich sometimes also played guitar, sang, and wrote music for Cold Chisel including two of their biggest hits-- When the War Is Over and Forever Now (both from their Circus Animals album).  In the early days of Cold Chisel the British Prestwich and Scottish vocalist Jimmy Barnes often came to blows sometimes resulting in Barnes departure from the band (although Barnes always returned).
In honor of Prestwich, below is a live clip of When The War Is Over from Cold Chisel's 2003 Ringside tour.

First Music Loss of the New Year - Gerry Rafferty

Please visit "Gone But Not Forgotten" for my thoughts on this loss.  His voice was always so soothing to me for some reason.  He may be gone, but his music lives on and is still played on the airwaves regularly.

This may seem like a morbid question, but many of our Rockers are getting up their in age.  I sometimes wonder who will go next.  I hope all my favorites live well into their 80's.  Isn't Mick already in his 80's?

44 Musicians Who Have Died

The guy who made this video was kind enough to forward it to me, knowing I'd appreciate it.  I am going to make room for it on "Gone But Not Forgotten".  Speaking of that - we have not lost anyone (that I know of) since Ronnie James Dio back in May.

TONIGHT ONLY! Springsteen on Jimmy Fallon (plus a sad personal announcement)

Today marks the release of "The Promise" DVD Box set is released.  I wrote about it in detail HERE.

"Springsteen is the only guest booked for the hour, and the appearance will mark his only performance to promote the Darkness On The Edge of Town box set. There's no word on what he's going to perform, but it'll likely be at least two songs — and possibly even more to be posted on Fallon's website."

More details can be found at Rolling Stone.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:


Its with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of very close friend of mine, Gary Means.  Gary had a heart of gold - but sadly that heart suddenly gave out on him over the weekend.  I mention Gary here because he made the banner for this blog and for "Gone But Not Forgotten" (as a gift for me to make me smile...I think I screamed in joy when I saw them!)

I will miss Gary more than words can say.  He was the big brother I never had.  He touched so many lives with his generosity, wisdom and humor.  Gary leaves behind a wife and two college age sons.

He would enjoy being on the same post as Springsteen because he loved to tease me about my passion for Bruce.  So Gary, this one's for you:

ELO's Original Cellist Killed

Sadly (or should I say oddly) enough ELO cellist Mike Edwards, 62 (known as Swami Deva Pramada at the time of his death)  was crushed by a 1300+ lb. bale of hay over the weekend.

The Full Story

I guess, sometimes when your number is up, it really is up... There's no real way to prepare for something like that... I mean eating healthier, not smoking, staying off drugs, practicing safe sex, even driving carefully... well none of that can save you from an errant 1300+ lb. bale of hay. 

Thinking About Some of My Favorites....

Sadly, I had to add a name to the list on Gone But Not Forgotten today.  Paul Gray of Slipknot.  I can't say that I'm a fan of their music, but they're one of my son's favorites.  Not sure how he died, they found him in his hotel room dead.  

Ronnie James Dio Died :(

I opened Seano's blog and was shocked to see than Ronnie had lost his battle with cancer.  I thought he was getting better.  I cried.

My heart goes out to his wife, Wendy, his family, friends and fans.

Here is a Facebook page where you can leave your condolences.

Here's a memory my sister has of Ronnie:

"Back in August 1983 he was opening for Aerosmith and showed up at Tower Records in El Toro to sign albums. It was more like a gathering of fans, not really a "wait in line" kinda thing.  Ronnie was very sweet and gentle, not at all like the persona he has on stage. He was very short even with his platform shoes.  I still have the album he signed.  I've seen him in concert three times, once with Black Sabbath, once with Rainbow and once with Dio."

Thank you, Ronnie, for the great music and your passion for hard rock and roll.  You will be remembered and missed. 

Happy Birthday to Syd Barrett...Gone But Not Forgotten

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Another Musician Dead

"James Owen Sullivan, a drummer and backup vocalist for the Southern California band Avenged Sevenfold, was found dead at his home on Monday, authorities have confirmed"

Full story here and here.

This hits home for me because this is one of my son's favorite bands.  As some of you know, my son is currently 5 months clean from heroin addiction.  He's still in rehab.  The challenge of staying clean out in the real world has not hit him yet.  How will he take this news?  This was the first (only?) band he's ever seen in concert.  They are a local band from our area which somehow makes it feel more personal.

DAMN IT!  :(

Its kind of ridiculous that the media calls it "natural causes".  He was 28 frigging years old.  It is not natural to just DIE when your 28, even if there are no drugs involved (which I hope there aren't but statistically speaking....its likely).

My heart goes out to this young man's family, bandmates, friends, and fans.   I will add him to my list on Gone But Not Forgotten after I shed a tear and listen to some Avenge Sevenfold in his honor while praying that my son stay's on the right path.




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We Miss You, John

I wasn't going to share my "where I was when I heard the news" today because its a very personal memory that contains a lot of emotion. Its eerie. Here is the short version:

I was with a friend who had just completed a charcoal portrait of Lennon. He was showing it to me when the news came on the TV that John had been shot.

There are more details but too painful to discuss. Obviously it was traumatic and shocking.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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Les Paul Died Today

Just heard this news, and it made me feel sad. But really - how sad can it be, we all have to die sooner or later and few people make such a great contribution to the world as Les Paul gave to MUSIC. He was 94!!!

Where would rock and roll be today without his innovative mind and the amazing technology and guitars he created!!!!

Here's a quote that seems to sum up a lot of how he thought:

He admired the places guitarists and engineers took his inventions, but he said there was nothing to replace good, old-fashioned elbow grease and soul.

"I learned a long time ago that one note can go a long way if it's the right one," he said in 2002, "and it will probably whip the guy with 20 notes."

I'm not sure what my thoughts on the afterlife are...BUT, if there is a heaven I can only imagine the party going on right now as all of the great rock guitarists that are "gone but not forgotten" surround Les and rock out!

p.s. the project I referred to the other day is my blog referenced above. I actually thought I would have if "finished" until I realized I never will. It does have a new look, please check it out.

Freddie Mercury

I flipped on the tube in time to catch the last 30 minutes of a documentary on Freddie Mercury.  It showed the last video he ever recorded, and I don't remember ever having seen it before.  He was very thin and I imagine he was in pain.  I prefer to remember the vibrant, flamboyant man on stage with the remarkable vocals.

His death came as a shock to many only because it came so quickly after he publically announed he had AIDS (less than 24 hours).  There had been rumors for years but he cherished his privacy.  After he died he was criticized by the AIDS community, they said he should have come out sooner it could have brought awareness and funds.  I disagree.  He deserves to keep his health his own business.  Besides, after hid death there was a HUGE tribute concert to Freddie that raised millions of pounds/dollars for AIDS Awareness.


I don't think celebrities owe the media anything.  I respect his right to keep quiet and protect his family from being hounded to death by reporters. 

My frien, Starr, over at "Here Comes A Storm in the Form of a Girl" is raising funds for her annual trek in an AIDS walk.  I didn't even tell her I was going to link to her, but since I can't donate much this year I thought I'd point it out to you in case you wanted to opportunity to sponsor Starr as she walks for an important cause!!!

To donate visit her site or go HERE .

This Day in Music...

On 2/20/80 Bon Scott died of alcohol overdose.

Kurt Cobain was born on 2/20/67

Mitch Mitchell has Died!!!!

I am very upset, I just heard it on the radio while on my lunch break and the only details I have is that he was found in a hotel room in Portland, Oregon and died of natural causes. Mitch, for those of you unfamiliar with him, was the drummer for Jimi Hendrix and is usually listed near the top of most "best drummers of all time" lists.

He was 61 years old.

He is on tour right now for the "Experiencing Hendrix" tour, I had tickets for that on November 2 but due to family issues was unable to go.

SAD news :(

I will update this as more news becomes available and add Mitch to the bottom of my list no "Gone But Not Forgotten".

We Lost Another Music Great Today....

I will link directly to my friend Jeff because of his love for Pink Floyd:

Imagine Echoes, post on Richard Wright

Changed Things Up a Bit

After many, many hours of reformatting I have completed the new look for my old blog "Gone But Not Forgotten". I've added an index and some statistics about how many deaths attributed to either

• drugs/alcohol
• natural causes
• accidents
• murder/suicide

Would you like to guess which group had the highest number out of 92 deaths?

Also added photos WITH the person's bio rather than in the sidebar and left a place to comment on each of them. It was tedious but hopefully worth it. It means a lot to me.

Its a blog that gives tribute to the many musicians who have died between 1969 and now. I want to keep their memories alive, some you will recognize, some you won't know and some you will notice I have left out - please tell me of anyone I have left out!!! I will add them. Its a labor of love and also, I suppose, another one of my morbid fascinations (death) combined with one of my greatest passions (music).

If you'd like to visit:

Gone But Not Forgotten

Robbin Crosby - a sad story

Was just riding my exercise bike and watching VH1 Classics, they had a show on featuring RATT. Before I knew it my cycling had stopped and I was glued to the interviews and film clips of the band. Plus, its hard to peddle when you feel like crying and that's how I felt when I saw Robbin on the screen.

So many lives claimed by drugs...

It seems to be a typical scenario, the most sensitive person in the band ends up the drug addict. No one realizes how bad it is till its too late. Or maybe,in his case, no one cared enough.

Although I've always been a 70's girl at heart, I did go the clubs in Hollywood during the LA Band scene of the early 80's. On one occasion I had the opportunity to meet Robbin Crosby.

This will sound a bit odd, but I've always been very discerning about people and often feel like I can see someone's "true self" in just a brief meeting. That's how it was with Robbin. I was only with him for a short time but I got a clear sense that he was a senstive soul. I wondered if he was not cut out for party rock band scene, even though we were about the same age he seemed vulnerable and out of place with the other guys.

As the band gained popularity he became addicted to heroin. For a long time he hid his drug/alcohol problems but eventually it caught up to him and he was forced to leave the band. I just saw a clip of his last show. During one of their big hits he picked up the wrong guitar. He had no clue. He kept playing. It sounded horrible. All eyes were on him - the band, the audience, and that's when they realized he'd gone over the top. Apparently after that most of the band members wouldn't even associate with him. He went from a rich rock star to a junkie living in a shack.

He contacted AIDS. Word had it that he kicked the heroin habit, but on June 8, 2002 he died. Some say it was an OD, some say it was a heart attack. Does it really matter? It all started with the first taste of heroin that stuff usually owns you after one try.

At one point in the interview he talked about how he reached out in desperation to his former band mates and, other than Juan Croucier, they would have nothing to do with him. That kind of sums up my opinion of Steven Pearcy - he was the typical arrogant frontman with "LSD" (lead singer's disease - it was very contagious in those hair bands of the 80's).

Robbin's nickname in the band was "King" but he certainly didn't die
like one. Its tragic.

Here is what Juan had to say about the death of his friend, it kind of confirms to me that my instincts about Robbin were right:

"Former bassist Juan Croucier, who remained very close with Crosby over the years, wrote, "To a King among men: Robbin, you will always be loved by those who knew you. I will always love you, beyond words. Your kindness and compassion, knew no bounds. Your heart was pure love. Your sprit was a gift to be admired. It was an honor to have been your friend. I will always cherish the many wonderful memories we shared together, over the many years. The world is a better place because of you. I wish you all the love in this world and all the peace in heaven. The pain and suffering is over. God bless you."

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Now playing: Ratt - Round and Round
via FoxyTunes

Bo Diddley - A Legend Passes On

I was very sad to just hear that Bo Diddley has died of heart failure, he was 79.

His influence reaches far and wide in the world of rock music. Its said that he was one of the people that transformed Blues into Rock and Roll. He was known for playing a rectangular guitar, which is just downright cool if you ask me.

His first single, "Bo Diddley," introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, often summarized as "shave and a haircut, two bits." The B side, "I'm a Man," with its slightly humorous take on macho pride, also became a rock standard.

He will be greatly missed and always remembered.