2017 is only a month old and we have lost another great one. Singer, songwriter, and bassist John Wetton, best known for his work with King Crimson and ASIA, has passed away after a battle with colon cancer. He was 67 years old. Continue reading
Category Archives: Obituary
Former Black Sabbath Keyboardist Geoff Nicholls Dies At Age 68
Word has come down that former Black Sabbath keyboard player Geoff Nicholls has passed away after a bout with lung cancer. Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi took to Facebook (post below) to express his thoughts on his loss and the loss to the music community. Continue reading
Pop Superstar George Michael, Dead At Age 53
The music world was in shock again this Christmas Day as news came down that pop star George Micheal had been found dead in his home in Oxfordshire, England. He was 53 years old.Continue reading
Progressive Rock Legend Greg Lake Dead At 69
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
In Memorium – Leonard Cohen
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
Ghost Cult Magazine Mourns Photographer Melina Dellamarggio
Ghost Cult Magazine is mourning the loss of our dear friend and photographer Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography, who passed away this weekend at age 29. Known for her keen photographic eye, artistic passion, and caring demeanor; Melina won over fans, friends, peers and legendary artists alike. She only worked with Ghost Cult for a year and a half, but she was an invaluable member of our staff, covering huge national tours, festivals, underground acts, and music industry events. Her concert photography and writing was also featured in Loudwire, The Phoenix New Times, as well as local and national television outlets and magazines. Melina was also an award-winning nature photographer, a talented visual artist, and started shooting sporting events such as NASCAR, and motocross in the last year. She was devoted to several causes such as animal rescue relief and was also a mentor and a leader among the concert photography community. She touched many people’s lives and she was loved by many. According to her family, a memorial will be planed for the Phoenix, AZ area at a later date. We will continue to keep her light alive through her work and will honor her forever in these pages. You can see some samples of her work below: Continue reading
Nick Menza, Former Megadeth Drummer Passes Away At Age 51
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:
Riverside Guitarist Piotr Grudzinski, Dead At Age 40
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
Obituary: Lemmy Kilmister Of Motörhead, 1945-2015
Motörhead © Kevin Estrada / kevinestrada.com
The music world lost one of its true great baddasses when Ian Frasier Kilmister, known to scores of fans by his eponymous nickname Lemmy of Motörhead, passed away suddenly from cancer on December 28th. The shockwave felt with from announcement of his death at age 70 on social media, and then confirmation by the band was heartbreaking for many who followed his career of nearly five decades. Although he has struggled with health issues the last few years, Motörhead was last seen on tour in Europe three weeks earlier, supporting their recent new album Bad Magic (UDR). One of the most enduring sounds in rock music, the obscenely loud volume of the bands’ live backline, unmatched by any band in any genre, will never be heard again. Continue reading
UPDATED: Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister of Motörhead, Dead At Age 70
Crushing news coming in at this hour that Motörhead’s indomitable leader Lemmy Kilmister has died at age 70. Lemmy had just turned 70 years old on Christmas Eve. Although the band has not confirmed it officially at this time, VH1/Sirius XM host Eddie Trunk released the news online. Trunk and Lemmy were said to be close. Scores of artists have taken to social media to share their grief.No cause of death has been cited yet, but he had dealt with health issues for several years that caused the cancellation of tours and for the first time in the bands history, halted performances. Still, Lemmy along with Motörhead ‘s reputation in the annals of rock, punk, and metal were cemented with over 40 years of great releases and epic touring schedules. The band had toured extensively this year, promoting the August release of their latest album Bad Magic (UDR). We will update with more news as it comes in, and we wish his family, friends and fans our condolences at this time.
UPDATE: The band has released a statement confirming Lemmy’s passing:
There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family.
We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words.
We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD.
Have a drink or few.Share stories.
Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself.
HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT.
Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister
1945 -2015
Born to lose, lived to win.
There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely…
Posted by Official Motörhead on Monday, December 28, 2015
