Headbangers Blog » Rest In Peace

R.I.P.: Sentenced Guitarist Miika Tenkula Dead at 35

JonW — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:49:10 +0000

The primary songwriter and guitarist for former Finnish band Sentenced, Mikka Tenkula was found dead in his home on February 19. He was 35. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

"Sentenced mourn the loss of Miika Tenkula, a dear friend, a truly remarkable artist and musician, and the very soul of what used to be Sentenced," the band said in a join statement. "Rest now, brother - in your music and our hearts you will live forever."

Sentenced formed in Mohos, Finland in 1989 and released eight studio albums before breaking up in 2005. Click more to see a video collage tribute to Tenkula.

Stooges Guitarist Ron Asheton Found Dead in Home

JonW — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:36:52 +0000

Ron Asheton, the guitarist for rock legends The Stooges, was found dead this morning at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was 60.

The Ann Arbor News reported that Asheton's personal assistant contacted police late last night after being unable to reach the guitarist for days. When officers went to Asheton's house in the city's west side they found his body on a couch in the living room. A police spokesman told the paper he appeared to have been dead for "at least several days."

Autopsy and toxicology results are pending and will likely reveal the cause of Asheton's death. Police do not suspect foul play.

Click "more" for comments from his ex-bandmates and Alice Cooper and to watch the late guitarist in action.

"We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron's death," said Iggy Pop, Ron Asheton, saxophonist Steve Mackay and bassist Mike Watt in a joint statement. "He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed. For all that knew him behind the facade of Mr Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not. As a musician, Ron was The Guitar God, idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him."

Added Iggy, "I am in shock. He was my best friend."

"He was the music of the Stooges," says veteran rocker Alice Cooper. "I remember them in their prime and they were just so alive. It's like the Ramones. You can't picture them not being here."

Asheton was born July 17, 1948 in Washington, D.C. and played as a teenager in the Dirty Shames before meeting Iggy Pop and forming the Stooges in 1967. The band, which also featured Asheton's brother Scott on drums and the late Dave Alexander, debuted on Halloween of that year and shocked crowds with their primal aggression and minimalist arrangements, which many credit as laying the foundation for punk rock. Like their Detroit brethren the MC5, The Stooges created music for youthful revolution. Their songs were rooted in the blues, but tinted with psychedelia and charged with the energy, drunken sexuality and rage of a decadent world in turmoil. Asheton's raw, abrasive guitar riffs, pumping wah-wah surges and freewheeling solos were a major component of the band's sound.

The Stooges debuted in 1969 with the John Cale-produced The Stooges, which featured such timeless tracks as "1969," "No Fun" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog," and the band followed a year later with Funhouse, one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Produced by Don Gallucci, Funhouse perfectly captured the band's no-frills, balls-out, confrontational spirit, and songs like "T.V. Eye," "Dirt" and the title track exemplified The Stooges at their peak.

For their 1973 offering Raw Power, (engineered by David Bowie) The Stooges replaced Asheton on guitar with James Williamson and Asheton moved over to bass, where he capably anchored the rhythms alongside his brother's flailing beats. But the album failed to capture the band's incendiary vibe as effectively as its predecessor, despite containing such gems as "Search And Destroy," "Penetration" and the telling "Death Trip."

After the failure of Raw Power to ignite the record buying public, The Stooges broke up in a blaze of interpersonal conflict and rampant drug abuse. Asheton joined his brother in the New Order (not the British band), which released their eponymous disc in 1978 before going their separate ways. In 1981 Asheton joined New Race, a one-off project that featured members of Radio Birdman and MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson. The guitarist's next venture, the anti-rock band Destroy All Monsters, released several albums between 1987 and 2001.

In 2002, the Asheton brothers joined Dinosaur Jr's J Mascis + the Fog on tour and played several Stooges songs, which inspired Stooges frontman Iggy Pop to invite the Ashetons to back him on four tracks for his 2003 solo album Skull Ring. A live Stooges reunion followed at the Coachella festival on April 27, 2003, with bassist Mike Watt (ex-Minutemen, Firehose) on bass. The band's first show in 30 years was a resounding success and the Stooges toured on and off for the next three years before entered the studio with producer Steve Albini in 2006 to record group's last album The Weirdness, which came out in March 2007.

Click here to read an MTVnews.com live review of Iggy and the Stooges from 2003.

Iggy and the Stooges - Now I Wanna Be Your Dog (Live)

Iggy And The Stooges - Live 1970

Passings 2008: R.I.P. Fellow Headbangers

JonW — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:08:44 +0000

Late Loudness drummer Muneteka Higuchi

Before we dive fistfirst into 2009 and the hidden treasures that await, let’s pause for a few minutes to remember some of our metal brethren that died in 2008.

Joey Hopkins (a.k.a. Nihil), 26, vocalist and programmer for Italian black metal project Alien Syndrome 777, died on December 31 of undisclosed causes. Hopkins also recorded with Joey Hopkins Midget Factory and Blackdrone Inc.

Metal publicist and journalist Adrian Bromley, 37, died in his sleep on December 7 of complications from pneumonia. Bromley worked for The End Records and later formed Ixmati Media. He also founded the underground extreme metal mag Unrestrained! In addition, his writing appeared regularly in Chart and M.E.A.T. magazines, and online at Chronicles of Chaos and Canoe.ca.

Longtime Twisted Sister bodyguard Salvatore Valvo, 53, died on December 1 of complications from leukemia and diabetes.

Munetaka Higuchi, drummer for longtime Japanese metal band Loudness, died November 30 following a seven-month battle with liver cancer. He was 49.

Michael Lee, who played drums for Robert Plant, Lenny Kravitz, Thin Lizzy, The Cult and The Quireboys, died on November 24. He was 39.

Michael A. Baker, singer for progressive power metal band Shadow Gallery, died on October 29 after a heart attack. He was 45.

Ex-Grip Inc. singer, Gus Chambers, allegedly took his own life on October 13 He was 52.

Graeme Crallan, the British drummer who played on Tank’s 1985 album Honour and Blood and Spirit’s 1980 debut, died July 27 in Hampstead after hitting his head on the pavement following a seizure. He was 50.

Frankie Venom, 51, vocalist for Hamilton, Ontario punk band Teenage Head, died of natural causes on October 15.

The original drummer of German thrash veterans, Sodom, Chris Dudek (a.k.a. Witchhunter) died from vital organ failure on September 8.

Michelle Meldrum, ex-Phantom Blue guitarist, died on May 21 from a cystic growth that restricted the flow of oxygen and blood to her brain. She was 39.

Ex-Bonham vocalist, Daniel MacMaster, 39, died of complications from pneumonia after suffering a Strep A infection.

Keith Baxter, who played drums for 3 Colours Red in the ‘90s and later performed with Therapy? And Skyclad, died of liver failure on January 4. He was 36.

Remembering the Life of Guitar Hero Dimebag Darrell

JonW — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:33:59 +0000

It was on this day, December 8, four years ago that guitar legend Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed onstage performing for fans at a club in Columbus, Ohio. If you feel like remembering a real metal champion, check out the new photo book "Dimebag Darrell: He Came to Rock!" and its accompany DVD "Dimevision," both of which celebrate the funloving spirit and superhuman guitar exploits of one of metal's most colorful characters.

If you haven't already heard it, click "more" to check out the podcast we posted Friday with Dime's brother Vinnie Paul, as well as some other links from sites paying tribute to the fallen hero.

Our podcast interview with Vinnie Paul.
Revolver remembers Dime.
Guitar World reports on upcoming Dimebag biography.
Here, Metal Sucks posts a stellar vid of Pantera playing "Cowboys From Hell" in Moscow.
Dime talking about his love for Dean guitars.
Metal Injection remembers a metal giant.

Longtime Loudness Drummer Silenced by Liver Cancer

JonW — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:35:16 +0000

Loudness longtime drummer Munetaka Higuchi

Another heavy metal hero has left the earth. On November 30, Loudness drummer Munetaka Higuchi died from liver cancer at a hospital in Osaka, Japan. he was 49.

"It is still hard to believe that Munetaka went to his eternal rest," Loudness singer Minouri Niihara told Japanese Web site WeRockCity.com. "It seems unreal to me so far. I will never forget all the things we shared, such as making albums, playing live, drinking together. I truly miss him."

We'll miss him, too. We can't remember exactly who inspired us to check out his Japanese metal band Loudness, but we vividly recall when it happened. The year was 1985, and we were already huge fans of the new wave of British heavy metal, and had been following the thrash scene for about two years. Metallica, Motorhead, Slayer, Manowar and Venom were rocking our record player (remember LPs?) and we had just discovered Exodus, Overkill and Possessed.

In an effort to expand our horizons, we checked out the shredders -- Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Becker, George Lynch, Vivian Campbell's Dio years, David T. Chastian -- and eventually we discovered Akira Takasaki, axeman for Loudness. He wasn't quite as flamboyant as the neo-classical guitarists, bearing more in common with Campbell and Eddie Van Halen, but his tone was killer and he accented nearly ever riff with stellar squalls and flashy fills. Plus, his flailing, articulate leads gave new heavy metal credibility to the Land of the Rising Sun.

By the time we discovered Loudness' first U.S. album, Thunder in the East, which featured the scorching single "Crazy Nights" (see video below) the band had already been around for four years and released just as many records. Well, better late than never. It wasn't just Takasaki that sold us on the band. Backing Takasaki's flight's of fancy was steady but expressive drummer Munetaka Higuchi, who performed on 13 studio albums before leaving the group in 1994 to form Sly with Niihara and ex-Earthshaker guitarist Shinichiro Ishihara.

Higuchi was replaced by Hiro Homma, but returned to Loudness with 2001's Spiritual Canoe, and played on seven more albums, including 2008's Metal Mad. Tragically, Higuchi was was diagnosed with liver cancer in April 2008. Two rounds of chemotherapy and an operation to remove part of his liver proved unsuccessful.

In an October 18, 2008 statement on the band's official Web site, Higuchi wrote, "It has been half a year since I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I am really sorry that the fans are worried. The cancer has become worse despite the fact that I have been taking care of my health, and I will need more time for my treatment. [Even after undergoing the] big operation to remove half of my liver, I still need more treatment. There are various risks and dangers involved with my condition, but I'll do my best to keep my spirits up and maintain my physical strength to fight this illness. I know it is still the middle of my treatment, but I just wanted inform you about my progress since the operation. Thank you very much for all the support."

Our well-wishes go out to his friends, family and band members. In memory of Higuchi, here are a couple Loudness videos:

LOUDNESS- Crazy Nights

Jimi Hendrix Experience Drummer Mitch Mitchell Dead at 61

JonW — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:26:36 +0000

The final living member of the famed Jimi Hendrix Experience has died. Mitch Mitchell, who played drums with Hendrix from 1966 to 1969 was found dead of apparent natural causes in his hotel in Portland, Oregon early Wednesday. Mitchell had been spending a brief vacation in Portland following his gig Friday with the Experience Hendrix Tour.

"It was a devastating surprise," tour publicist Bob Merlis told the AP. "Nobody drummed like he did."

Click more to read the rest of the AP story and the last published interview with Mitchell.

Mitchell played for numerous other bands but was best known for his work in the Jimi Hendrix Experience, which was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1992. According to the Hall of Fame, he was born July 9, 1947, in Ealing, England. Hendrix, Redding and Mitchell held their first rehearsal in October 1996, according to the Hall of Fame's Web site.

In an interview last month with the Boston Herald, Mitchell said he met Hendrix "in this sleazy little club. We did some Chuck Berry and took it from there," Mitchell told the newspaper. "I suppose it worked."

Here's the complete Mitch Mitchell interview, from the October 13 edition of the Boston Herald.

Ex-Tank Drummer Dies in Streets of London

JonW — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:24:52 +0000

Graeme Crallan, drummer for new-wave-of-British-heavy-metal bands White Spirit and Tank, died on Sunday, July 27 in London. He was 50.

According to the Hartlepool Mail, Crallan collapsed in the street and suffered head injuries. He was taken to Royal Free Hospital in Camden, where he later died. In investigation into Crallan's death has been opened by the St Pancras coroner's office. The drummer received a funeral at Golders Green Crematorium.

Crallan formed White Spirit with current Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers in 1975. The Deep Purple-influenced band landed a deal with MCA and released their self-titled album in 1980, but broke up soon after. A brief White Spirit reunion took place in 1982, in which Mick Tucker replaced Gers. Tucker later brought Crallen into his next band Tank for 1984's Honour & Blood.

'Headbangers' Mourns Death of George Carlin

JonW — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:08:49 +0000

One of the wittiest, funniest and most irreverent comedians of all time is gone. George Carlin, whose acerbic humor inadvertently helped the U.S. Supreme Court determine which seven dirty words couldn't be said on television in his bit "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television," died of heart failure on Sunday in a hospital in Santa Monica. He was 71.

The New York Times has printed a lengthy, insightful obituary that's worth a read. And here are a couple Carlin quotes about heavy metal that The Times seems to have missed.

I've been enjoying a new band from England called So Long, Mate! It's a five man heavy-metal band, and the reason it's called So Long, Mate! is because at the end of each performance the other four members of the band kill the lead singer. As a result, the music as a certain urgency to it. Also, it keeps the tours nice and short; it's basically just one night, and then back they go to L.A. to hold auditions. The band plans to have an album ready in the year 2037. -- George Carlin

Ever since the incident with Judas Priest about 20 years ago, they blame suicide on heavy metal. If you remember, Judas Priest is a heavy-metal band, and in 1985, two kids in Nevada spent all day listening to one of their albums and then they killed themselves. And ever since that time, heavy metal gets blamed for teenage suicide. If it's murder, they tend to blame rap. - George Carlin

So long George. We'll see you on the other side.

R.I.P: They Rocked, Then Left Before Their Time

JonW — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:19:38 +0000

Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow

December is a time for remembering the highlights of the year, but it's also a month to reflect upon the musicians and other supporters of metal who are no longer with us. Sadly, we lost a lot of headbangers this year from various causes: murder, accident, overdose, illness and undisclosed reasons. The reaper, it seems, works on his own schedule, dispassionately snatching both those at death's door and those who seemingly have many years left. So, before we return to our celebrating our own lives and planning out events for 2008, let's pause to remember those who will not be toasting in the New Year with us:

Quiet Riot singer, Kevin DuBrow, 52, was found dead on November 25 at his Las Vegas home. Coroners later concluded cause was accidental cocaine overdose. DuBrow fronted Quiet Riot through their glory years in the early ‘80s, which peaked when their major label debut, Metal Health, became the first metal album to reach number on the Billboard album chart.

Ministry and Killing Joke bassist, Paul Raven, was found dead on October 20 in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border. He was 46. Raven, who most recently co-wrote and played on the new Ministry album, The Last Sucker, is believed to have died of a heart attack.

Decapitated drummer Witold “Vitek” Kieltyka, died in a Russian hospital from head injuries he suffered on October 29 when the band’s tour bus crashed into a truck carrying wood in Gomel on the border of Russia and Belarus. He was 23.

Kiss’ short-lived guitarist Mark St. John, 51, died on April 5 from a brain hemorrhage. St. John played with the band on Animalize in 1984, however an arthritic condition known as Reiter’s Syndrome caused his hands and arms to swell and rendered him unable to continue in the group and after three live shows he was replaced by Bruce Kulick.

Girlschool guitarist Kelly Johnson died on July 15 after a six-year battle with cancer of the spine. She was 49. Johnson was part of the band’s classic lineup, which played a significant role in the new wave of British heavy metal movement and received support and praise from Motorhead. She left the group in 1984 after four albums, but rejoined in 1993.

Arsonists Get the Girls bassist, Pat Mason, died in his sleep of unknown causes on November 30, the day after his 21^st birthday. The Santa Cruz progressive hardcore band released its first album, Hits From the Bow, in 2006.

Damien “Damo” Morris, the singer of Australian-based The Red Shore, died when the band’s minivan swerved off the Pacific Highway in New South Wales and hit a tree. The group’s driver and merch guy, Andy, was also killed. At the time of the accident, The Red Shore were on the Christmas Carnage tour with All Shall Perish.

Mario Gutierrez, 37, guitarist for the Los Angeles death/thrash metal band, Engrave, died from gunshot wounds on November 22. Gutierrez was having thanksgiving at his sister’s house when he got into a heated argument with his 27-year-old brother-in-law, who allegedly insulted Gutierrez’s wife. During the fight, the brother-in-law pulled out a gun and shot Gutierrez dead. A few hours later, he turned himself in to police.

Hilly Krystal, the founder of the legendary New York City punk rock club CBGB, died on August 28 from complications of lung cancer. He was 75. CBGBs was a Mecca for musicians in the ‘70s and ‘80s and helped launch the careers of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Television and Bad Brains. In the ‘80s, the club hosted hardcore matinees, which served as a stomping grounds for Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law, Token Entry, Gorilla Biscuits, Warzone and others.

Pepsi Tate, bassist for the UK glam band Tigertailz, died from pancreatic cancer on September 18 at the Holme Towers cancer hospice in Penarth Cardiff. He was 42.

Chris Resch, 48, the lead singer for California ‘80s metal band Pandemonium died on August 24 at his home in Fairbanks, Alaksa of unknown causes. Pandemonium released three albums between 1983 and 1988.

Ron Johnson, the singer of ‘80s Michigan-based metal band Salem’s Wych, died on April 23 in Lima, Ohio after a severe motorcycle accident.

Don Arden, notorious thuggish British manager, and father of Sharon Osbourne, died in a Los Angeles nursing home on July 21. He was 81. Arden is best known for managing Black Sabbath, The Small Faces and Electric Light Orchestra. After Ozzy was fired Sabbath, Sharon Osbourne and Arden had a major falling out over the control of Ozzy’s career, which caused her to cut off all contact with him until 2002, after he had developed Alzheimer’s Disease.

Heavy metal journalist and editor, Bob Muldowney, died on November 5 following a battle with cardiomyopathy. He was 44. Muldowney was best known for publishing and editing the ‘80s fanzine Kick*Ass, which promoted then-underground bands such as Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer.

Rockers Remember Quiet Riot Singer Kevin DuBrow

JonW — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:49:11 +0000

Many former bandmates and performers who knew Kevin DuBrow have paused pay tribute to the late Quiet Riot singer:

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali: "I'm at a loss for words. I've just lost my best friend. Out of respect for both Kevin and his family, I won't comment further. There's going to be a lot of speculation out there, and I won't add to that. I love him too much." (statement to CNN)

Ex-Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi: "I really don't know where to start. Kevin was a beautiful soul and I feel more than fortunate to have known, worked and learned from him. Kevin was always a positive influence in what sometimes can be a very negative business. I am proud to have called him my friend, and always will be. Kevin DuBrow was a true lover of music and was extremely dedicated to his craft. I am honored to have been part of a band that changed the face of hard rock forever and to have been given the opportunity to play, write, and most importantly be part of his life. He will be forever missed. Rest in peace, my friend."

Ex-Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright: "I'm completely shocked and devastated. I've truly lost a brother and it's a very sad loss for the world of rock n' roll. I'm so very fortunate to have been a part of his life these past 26 years. I have so many fond memories and it's a blessing that these recent few years have been so great with the band. There is no reason to say 'I wish we could have...' We did! I still can't believe I won't be sharing the stage with his larger-than-life presence ever again. The man left a mark wherever he went and I'm heartbroken that he is no longer with us." (statement to MelodicRock.com)

Ex-Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo: "All of us are in shock trying to deal with this. The last thing you expect when you get up in the morning is something like this. He was somebody who really loved life. He loved to have fun and have a great time. Every day to him was like a party — that's what it was like when I played with him. I think he’ll be remembered for being a hell of a rock singer. He was definitely one of the best singers of the '80s." (statement to Headbangers Ball Blog)

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx: "I was thinking about sitting in Kevin's apartment in 1979. I had just been over to Randy Rhoads' (who still lived with his mom at the time) learning some of their songs. Randy called Kevin while I was there and told him they should get me to be the bass player in Quiet Riot. I passed... 'cause we all had a destiny. Today is a sad day. [Kevin] always did what he loved most — music — and always said what was on his mind. And that is the measure of a man. He will be missed. I'm grateful to have those early memories.... before the fame, just kids with dreams. I send my love and support to his family and friends... I know this is a hard time." (statement to Saviours of Rock)

Poison Drummer Rikki Rockett: I have known Kevin DuBrow for close to 20 years or so. Quiet Riot put metal on the radio in the early '80s in spite of the vanilla new wave surge of Duran Duran clones at the time. However he died or why, let's just remember the colossal contributions that he made. Rest in peace, my brother."

Ex-Black Sabbath, Deep Purple singer Glenn Hughes: "We are all grieving. Kevin and I were brothers. We spoke daily, and I mean on the phone, not e-mail. The Kevin that I knew was a beautiful human being. He was kind, giving, nurturing. And generous. He would stay at my L.A. home when he was in town. I never saw Kevin loaded. He respected my sobriety. He always spoke how about the change of my lifestyle, and how he also wanted to change his. The last conversation I had with him 10 days ago was about this subject; he said he had to make some life changes. I was so happy and elated to hear this. [My wife] Gabi and I spoke to him last on Friday, November 16. He wanted to know if I could pick him up at LAX. On the 23rd, the day of a party at my house. Then there was nothing, no communication. Zero. Come Thanksgiving I knew something was strange. At the house, Kevin's room was prepared as always, with his fave candies next to the bed. He always requests them when he stays. I thought, he's gonna come jumping through the door any minute and demand to play the winner of the pool game between Chad Smith and myself. As the party ended, Gabi and I spoke of his absence. She was very upset. All along, I felt something seriously wrong. Come Sunday morning, I couldn't take it anymore and called Lark Williams, Kev's ex-girlfriend. She was in San Francisco. I asked her if she knew a paramedic who could go over to Kev's house and investigate. Dana, the medic, got in the house only to find my sweet brother at peace. I am completely shellshocked. We were planning to go to Hawaii for some relaxation in the New Year. For those of you that didn't know him, he was a true, true friend. I'm gonna miss our dinners at the Palm in Beverly Hills. I'm gonna miss his loud voice bellowing through my house. I'm gonna miss those oh-so-corny jokes. We all will miss him. Sleep well, brother. Your legacy is in good hands with me. Your loving brother, Glenn."

Ex-Warrant guitarist Billy Morris: "Wow. Today I learned that my friend Kevin DuBrow passed away. This blows me away. No one would ever imagine this happening to Kevin, especially me, after knowing him for the past eight years. During our tours together, he would really take care of himself, eating well (certainly better than the rest of us). He'd take his vitamins every day, and always kept his body and voice in check. One thing about Kevin was that he was always so thankful for what he had. Performing live and creating music were his passions, and he was grateful for the time he spent with his friends and fans. The rock scene has lost an icon, an individual who brought it every night! Kevin, you will be missed." (statement to Cleveland Scene)

Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters: Quiet Riot had an impact on me when I was a teen and when I wasn't listening to their music, I was playing it or seeing a cover band that was playing it! Metal Health was a brilliant record and his voice and [Carlos] Cavazo's [guitar] playing was damn good for that time... and very influential to many others. From [bassist Rudy [Sarzo] licking his thumb to the spandex and posing; pure cheese but great cheese! Their music was rock and metal and party music all in one. It is a sad day for metal, as DuBrow and Quiet Riot helped, in their own way, make metal what it has become today. RIP, dude. You will be missed by many and thanks for the memories and the music."