The year of the reaper continues to reach in and slice us right through our hearts as the music world has lost another giant. Greg Lake, bassist and guitarist best known for his work with Emerson, Lake And Palmer, King Crimson, and Asia has passed away at age 69 after a battle with cancer. Continue reading
Photo by Caroline Traitler
2016 has struck again. Drummer Adam Sagan, who’s worked with White Empress, Circle II Circle, Into Eternity and Witherfall, has lost his battle with blood cancer at the age of 36. Continue reading
Sadness and shock passed throughout the music world again last night as the year of the reaper has claimed another talented soul in 2016. Songwriter, Author, Poet and unequivocal genius Leonard Cohen has passed away at age 82. A future public memorial is being planned for a future date. Continue reading
Bill Bumgardner, drummer for Lord Mantis and Indian has passed away. He was just 35 years old. Further details are pending and the cause of the death is unconfirmed at this time.Continue reading
Nick Menza, who played drums for Megadeth during their most succesful period in their career has passed away at age 51. Reports have confirmed that Nick suffered a heart attack while performing with the band OHM at the Baked Potato club in Los Angeles. Two audience members attempted to perform CPR on him until emergency personell arrived, but he was unable to be revived. Menza was a member for the legendary thrash band from 1989-to 1998 and again in 2004 and played notably on Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction (both Capitol Records).
Menza’s friend Allen Hall posted the following message as a tribute to his friend:
We lost an amazing talent and fantastic person yesterday. Nick Menza was the nicest and most sincere guy you should ever hope to meet. He would take the shirt off his back to help you if you needed it. He had a passion for artwork, not just metal music. His tastes were far wider than that genre, which always irked his manager.
He was a painter, a sculptor, a wood carver, a digital artist, a musician, a handicraftsman of metal and wood. He had an amazing creative talent, a flare for the fringes and a great imagination. I enjoyed the many projects we had where he needed advice on how to manufacture something, or glue it, or plate it. We made a good team, his artful talents and my practical knowledge on making things. Last week we had decided to start full production of 40 cajone drums per week, his talents here were extraordinary and we had discussed that this might be his true calling, a marriage of music, wood and hand carved art. I am sure it would have been a success.
He liked to spin me up over conspiracy theories and aliens on purpose, just so he could get a rise out of me arguing that it was nonsense. He was someone who made hanging out quality time all the time. He used to get pissed at me when i would bring loud or shocking toys over for his kids when they visited, though he shared an equal enthusiasm with his kids for the Tesla coils I brought over.
We used to sit around and think of crazy things to film and put on youtube. Things like alien conspiracy and such just for laughs. We made a fake UFO video once using after effects for fun and were shocked that it had such an enthusiastic following. So we let the story fly and were planning a follow on video of him being abducted. I wish we had found the time to do that, It would have been hilarious.
Nick, you were taken too soon, it must have been a mistake, the world was a better place with you in it. I will miss you dearly my friend. Nicholas and Dante will miss you far worse. My heart goes out to your family.
Megadeth front man Dave Mustaine, learning of the news, tweeted a message of disbelief:
Friend and former Megadth guitarist Marty Friedman also shared his grief:
Sad news to pass on as former Bell Witch vocalist and drummer Adrian Guerra has died at age 36. His untimely death was announced via Bell Witch’s label, Profound Lore yesterday. The band has released a statement via Facebook:
It’s with great sadness that I’m writing to inform you all of the passing of our former drummer, Adrian Guerra. Adrian recorded and helped compose the music on all of our releases to date, as well as drawing the cover art on the demo. He played drums on every tour we’d done up until July of 2015. He was an incredible and visionary musician. He was also a great friend, always excited to help and entertain anyone he’d meet. The world has lost a wonderful person. Forever in your honor, RIP brother.
Bell Witch continues to soldier on, with Guerra having quit last year, despite the success and critical acclaim of their debut, Longing and their 2015 album Four Phantoms. In his 10/10 review of Four Phantoms, Ghost Cult’s Paul Quinn singled out Guerra’s talents, as well as the duo collective skills at songcraft and remarked it was “arguably, the album of this century.”
We send our condolences to Adrian’s family, friends, and fans at this time.
2016 continues to be the year of devastating losses in the music world. News has come down that Keith Emerson, famed for his work with progressive rock giants Emerson, Lake And Palmer has died at age 71. The band confirmed this with a message on their official Facebook.
“We regret to announce that Keith Emerson died last night at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, aged 71. We ask that the family’s privacy and grief be respected.”
Bandmate Carl Palmer commented on Emerson’s passing:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson,” Keith’s longtime bandmate Carl Palmer said in a statement. “Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humor, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft. I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together.”
Emerson was one of the finest keyboard and players ever in music history, a true innovator and was unrivlaed as a showman. ELP was last active as a touring band in 2010. We send our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and fans.
Keith Emerson (1944 – 2016)We regret to announce that Keith Emerson died last night at his home in Santa Monica, Los…
Posted by Emerson, Lake & Palmer on Friday, March 11, 2016
Sir George Martin, often credited as “the fifth Beatle” for his production work with the group, has passed away at age 90, according to published reports. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr broke the news first in a series of tweets earlier today. It was Martin who actually got the Beatles their record deal, on the urging of manager Brian Epstein in the first place in 1962, which led them to be forever linked to eachother. Although he was a giant of the music world, he often shunned the spotlight and gave credit to others whenever possible. Credited with hundreds of albums produced, his innovative studio work, countless number one albums, hit singles, Academy Awards, soundtrack work (The James Bond films in particular), and comedy albums, Martin leaves an indelible legacy on the music world.
God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara George will be missed xxx ?✌️??☮
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 9, 2016
Thank you for all your love and kindness George peace and love xx?✌️?? pic.twitter.com/um2hRFB7qF
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 9, 2016
Word has come down that Piotr Grudzinski, the guitarist of Polish progressive rock band Riverside has died suddenly, according to a release from the band. He was 40 years old. No further details are available at the moment but we will continue to track the story. We send our condolences to family and friends at this difficult time.
Z ogromnym bólem i niedowierzaniem informujemy, że nasz kochany przyjaciel i brat Piotr Grudziński odszedł od nas dziś…
Posted by Riverside on Sunday, February 21, 2016
Raleigh, North Carolina’s prog metal band Valleys have announced the sudden passing of their singer Mikey Clement following a tragic car accident this past Friday, February the 5th. The band has released a statement:
“Many of you have heard and seen the news that we’ve lost Mikey Clement. Early in the morning of February 5th, Mikey was the victim of a horrific car crash, one that took his life. Today, we lost more than just a bandmate, we lost a brother, a son, a friend, an all-around tremendous human being. Everyone here in Valleys have been by each other’s side, and at the side of the Clement family.
We have seen the outpour of support and love from all of our friends and fans, and we thank you. All of your comments have been extremely touching and have helped us to stay strong in our time of need.
On February 12th, we will have our Experiment One: Asylum CD release party. This show will also be a big tribute show for Mikey. We need all of our fans and friends to come out and show love for not just Valleys but for Mikey. At this show, Valleys will be joined by many of our closest musical friends to part take in guest vocals on stage. We will continue to move forward, that’s what Mikey would want. We will see you on February 12th.
And to Mikey, in death, you will see the light. Keep that flame alive up there buddy. Until we meet again!”
The band has released their new single ‘Choices’ in tribute to Clements at this link or below:
Valleys was to have opened for Fleshgod Apocalypse this week, but they have canceled their appearance. The band is also planning a charity/benefit to support Clements’ family with details to follow soon. They still plan to support the new release with the following dates:
Valley’s upcoming dates:
Feb 12: The Southland Ballroom – Raleigh, NC (Experiment One: Asylum CD Release/ Tribute to Mikey Clement)
Feb 21: Drunk Horse Pub – Fayetteville, NC
Feb 29: Greene Street Club, Greensboro, NC (Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, After The Burial, Erra, Bad Omens, Valleys)
Valleys Experiment One: Asylum line-up:
Jayson Mitchell– Vocals
Mikey Clement– Vocals
R.J. Riggle– Guitar
Brandon Scurlark– Guitar
Brandon Clement-Bass
Robert Meikle– Drums