Continue reading "Whitney Houston, RIP"

Mike Kelley in 1983's The Banana Man

Artist Mike Kelley has passed away at his home in Los Angeles, having apparently taken his own life. The tragic news was confirmed... by Helene Winer, of New York's Metro Pictures gallery, a long-time associate of the artist.

"It is totally shocking that someone would decide to do this, someone who has success and renown and options," said Winer. "It's extremely sad." She added that the artist had been depressed.

Kelley was born in 1954 in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. He became involved in the city's music scene as a teen, and while a student at the University of Michigan, formed the influential proto-punk band Destroy All Monsters with fellow artists Jim Shaw, Niagara, and Cary Loren (a retrospective devoted to Destroy All Monsters was held at L.A.'s Prism gallery last year). Together, the band hatched a style of performance that skirted the edge of performance art...

Kelley's career took off in the early 1990s, with solo shows at the Whitney, LACMA, and other international venues. He and Oursler organized a well-recived installation -- a kind of monument to punk -- at Documenta X in 1997. In the early 2000s, he began exhibiting with Gagosian Gallery after 20 years with Metro Pictures. -[ArtInfo]

R.I.P. Mike Kelley.

Don Cornelius, the creator of TV's "Soul Train," has died at the age of 75.

Los Angeles police say the TV host/producer died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

A press information officer at the Los Angeles Police Department told CBS Radio News that police responded to a call of a shooting at Cornelius' home. There is no suspicion of foul play.

"Soul Train" debuted on television in 1971 and ran until 2006. Cornelius produced the show and was its host from 1971-1993. -[CBS News]

Continue reading "Don Cornelius, R.I.P."

Etta James at BB Kings in 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73.
She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon said.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday. -[CNN]

Continue reading "Etta James, RIP"

The Court Tavern is closed indefinitely, owner Bobby Albert said on Wednesday.

The venerable New Brunswick club was shut on Wednesday. Albert declined to comment further on the club's closing when reached at his North Brunswick home.

There was no notice of its closing posted at the club at 124 Church St., its website or its Facebook page. Music promoter Andy "Diamond" De Nicolo said that he was not alerted of the club's closing, nor did he known how the situation would affect upcoming shows scheduled there, including the high-profile concert by city punk legends Ensign on Friday. [myCentralJersey.com]

Tom Ardolino

Tom Ardolino, a self-taught drummer who for 30 years provided the impassioned but steady pulse for NRBQ, one of the longest-lasting and most beloved rock groups never to have a Top 40 single, died on Jan. 6 in Springfield, Mass. He was 56.

His death was confirmed by an NRBQ spokeswoman. She did not specify a cause, but Mr. Ardolino had been in poor health for some time.

NRBQ (the initials stand for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, although it was a quintet early in its existence) was known and critically praised for its freewheeling, genre-bending approach, which could embrace rockabilly one minute and avant-garde jazz the next. [NY Times]

Tom's group NRBQ (original member Terry Adams along with Scott Ligon, Pete Donnelly, and Conrad Choucroun) are on tour now and play in NYC TONIGHT (1/17) and tomorrow (1/18) at The Iridium with special guest Jake Jacobs. They play an early and a late show (8 PM and 10 PM) both nights. Tickets for all four shows are on sale now.

They've also got another NYC show scheduled to happen on April 14 at Brooklyn Bowl. Tickets for that show are not on sale yet but check ticketfly for updates.

All dates and a video of NRBQ with Tom Ardolino behind the kit below...

Continue reading "NRBQ 2012 playing 2012 shows; RIP Tom Ardolino"

If you've ever listened to Ultimate Break and Beats, classic Hip Hop, the classic mixes of Larry Levan, or watched a breakdance crew, chances are you probably came across the music of Jimmy Castor

Funk/disco great Jimmy "The Everything Man" Castor passed away on Monday from unknown causes in Las Vegas, according to reports.

Castor, a respected saxophonist, was the leader of the seminal funk/disco band the Jimmy Castor Bunch. The group was behind funk classics like the 1972 smash, "Troglodyte (Cave Man)."

Though the group's popularity faded at the end of the disco era, Castor's music lived on through hip hop as his song "It's Just Begun" became a staple break of the '70s and '80s b-boy break dancing scene. The song served as the back up music for the iconic b-boy collective the Rock Steady Crew in the 1983 film Flashdance. -[BET]

Some video of The Jimmy Castor Bunch is below.

Continue reading "R.I.P. Jimmy Castor"

Ted Leo posted the following today:

LOOKOUT! IST KAPUTT.

I've been getting a lot of Twitter questions about why a bunch of my records have disappeared from all the digital services (Sportify, iDudes, Mandora, etc.). It's because our beloved Lookout Records, which ceased releasing new material in 2006, but carried on keeping the catalog in print until this past December, has, sadly, shuttered it's windows for good. A better eulogy should be forthcoming, but just to answer these questions, this means that these records have reverted to my complete ownership, which is kind of cool in some ways, I guess, except that it also means I have to basically run my own label for them now unless I wind up licensing them to someone else in the future. In the immediate, I have to go through some legal stuff with the digital services to get the records back up online, and I'm hoping to have that all taken care of very soon. Physical records are now officially out of print and will likely not be repressed for a while (but I'm sure I'll get around to it eventually). I do have a bunch of stock laying around with no plans to tour for quite a while, so if there's interest, maybe I'll set up a web-store so you can buy direct from me if you want. Please feel free to email or tweet me with ideas for that. All entertaining ideas will be entertained!
And thank you, seriously, for giving a crap. I'm not happy to see Lookout gone, but having complete rights of usage and total and direct revenue from sales now, can ultimately turn this into a positive situation. I just have to get creative about it. Might try to bang one out more special Tyranny of Distance event before the 10th anniversary year is over this spring...

Ted Leo will be appearing at a few upcoming comedy shows and a benefit in Austin.

Continue reading "Lookout! Records is no more (so Ted Leo now completely owns his own records)"

Bradenton native Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, the guitarist and songwriter who joined Iron Butterfly in 1971, has died.

Reinhardt joined Iron Butterfly after stints in bands with Dicky Betts and Berry Oakley before they joined The Allman Brothers Band.

According to friends and family members who posted to Reinhardt's facebook page, he died at around 6 p.m. on Monday. He was 63.

According to reports, Reinhardt went into the hospital last week with an infection and was moved into Intensive Care on Sunday. He was on life support for a short time, but was taken off based on an advanced medical directive, or living will. -[Sarasota Patch]

Continue reading "Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, R.I.P."

Joe's final tweet...

TMZ reports on the death of Joe Bodolai. As Gothamist summarizes:

He also appears to have posted a suicide note on his blog, titled, "If This Was Your Last Day Alive What Would You Do?" The post includes a list of things he regrets ("my inability to conquer my alcoholism"), things he would have liked to have seen happen in his life ("living in Paris or New York again"), predictions for 2012 ("sales of Mayan Calendars up for 2012, drop for 2013"), and the things he is proud of (his time at SNL and "writing the first draft of Wayne’s World with Mike Myers"). At 3 a.m. on December 24th, he Tweeted a link to the post, adding, "Godbye." He then Tweeted a link to this video, and lastly, at 3:53 a.m., he wrote: "When people tell you to "dream" to make my life better I'd say 99.9% of them have never been beaten and robbed."

by BBG

David Gold, aka David Ypres frontman of Canadian doom metal team Woods of Ypres and member of The Northern Ontario Black Metal Preservation Society, passed away following a car accident yesterday near Barrie, ON, Canada. Gold was 31 years old and released three LPs with Woods of Ypres and was preparing to release a fourth via new home Earache. Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light is due on January 30th and you can check out a song from that record below and a second at Metal Hammer.

R.I.P. David Gold, you will be missed.

Continue reading "David Gold of Woods of Ypres, R.I.P."

Atlanta police are still trying to figure out who gunned down rapper Slim Dunkin in an Atlanta a recording studio Friday afternoon -- and why?

Police Major Keith Meadows said Saturday there have been no arrests in the shooting.

"We're still talking to people," Meadows said. "The truth is we don't know exactly what happened."

Witnesses told police the 24-year-old rap star, whose real name is Mario Hamilton, got into an argument before a video shoot at a studio on Memorial drive about 5:30 Friday afternoon. The person he was arguing with pulled out a pistol and shot Hamilton in the chest. Hamilton was pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital. [Atlanta News]

The sad news translated from French:

Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora died today at age 70 in his native village. She became known internationally in 1992 with the title Sodade, from her third album.

Cesaria Evoria is nicknamed the "barefoot diva" died today in Mindelo , her native village in Cape Verde. It's Mario Lucio Sousa , Minister of Culture of Cape Verde who confirmed the information launched Portuguese media. The singer aged 70 was admitted to the Hospital Baptista de Sousa Friday night for "respiratory failure" and "a heart high voltage."

The singer had to end her career in September , again because of health problems. While in Paris, she had also told the world : " I have no strength, no energy . I want you to tell my fans: I'm sorry, but now I must rest .

Listen to a 1995 performance by Cesaria at the Bottom Line in NYC at Afropop Worldwide (via Bill Bragin). Check out a video below...

Continue reading "Cesaria Evora, RIP"

Cory Smoot (right) @ one of his last shows (more by Carmelo Espanola)

North Dakota coroner William Masselo, MD has released a statement regarding the death of Cory Smoot, better known as Gwar guitarist Flattus Maximus, who passed on November 3rd at the age of 34.

"We have finalized the autopsy report and death certificate. I have determined that Cory died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease."

The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus, and has announced no plans regarding a new GWAR-tarist.

Metal Blade and GWAR have since set-up the Smoot Family Foundation to raise funds for Cory's wife, Jaime, and their unborn child.

Gwar is forging on as a four-piece for the forseeable future. Full tour dates (all in Europe in the New Year) are below.

Continue reading "Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot's autopsy details revealed"

Hubert & Elvis Costello @ Wellmont Theater- 10/6/11 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

Hubert Sumlin put the bite behind Howlin' Wolf.

And he then influenced a new pack of electric blues and rock guitarists.

Mr. Sumlin died Sunday in a hospital in Wayne, N.J., reportedly of heart failure. He had turned 80 on Nov. 16. Mr. Sumlin was best known as lead guitarist for Howlin' Wolf (Chester Burnett) from 1953 until Wolf's death in 1976.

This was no small feat. The combustible guitar parts in Wolf's big-voiced tracks -- "Smokestack Lightning," "Spoonful," "Ain't Superstitious" -- set Wolf on fire at Sun Records in Memphis and later at Chess Records in Chicago. [Sun Times]

Check out a video of Hubert performiung with Elvis Costello in NJ just two month ago ("In recent years Mr. Sumlin relocated from Chicago and then Milwaukee to Totowa, N.J.), and more, below...

Continue reading "Hubert Sumlin, RIP"

Pitchfork offshoot Altered Zones has called it quits...

Dear friends,

Today, the road comes to an end. We are saying goodbye.

Altered Zones was launched in July 2010 with the mission of highlighting small-scale DIY music from all over the world, and we couldn't be more proud of the work we've done together during this past year and a half. We've helped new artists on the fringes of experimental music find likeminded fans, we've thrown a series of amazing events, and most importantly, we've built a community of devoted listeners seeking new and relatable voices outside the sphere of popular independent music.

This site began as a tight-knit collective of 14 music blogs with a common goal, but as many of our original contributors moved on from their blogs to start labels, run venues, create zines, and make music of their own, that original group has become increasingly splintered. We love what we've built, and the idea of it remaining as a sort of time capsule of this particular era of music feels right.

We don't view Altered Zones closing as an end in itself, but rather the end of one chapter and the opening of another. AZ editors Ric Leichtung and Emilie Friedlander will contribute to Pitchfork, and will launch a new project together called Ad Hoc in 2012. In the meantime, Altered Zones will be signing off tomorrow and Friday with our favorite quotes, songs you might've missed, and albums of 2011.

Thanks to everyone who counted themselves as a loyal reader of this site-- you are who we built this for. Thanks to everyone who contributed-- it could not have existed without you! And thanks to Pitchfork for creating and supporting this site since its inception, and for making it all possible in the first place. Happy 2012. We'll see you all again very soon...

▲,
Altered Zones

by Klaus Kinski

Patrice O'Neal

As you may have heard, comedian Patrice O'Neal passed away this morning after suffering a stroke back on October 19th. The news of the stroke first reared its ugly head a week after the actual incident when comedians Jim Norton, Colin Quinn, Robert Kelly, Rich Vos and Keith Robinson confirmed it on the Opie and Anthony radio show on October 26th. As he had survived the stroke, there was always the hope that the big man would somehow pull through. Unfortunately, he lost the battle. Patrice was an absolutely brilliant comedian, respected by both the indie comedy community and the more mainstream comedy folks. He had an absolutely expert knack for presenting you with controversial material in such a playful way that he always managed to avoid coming across as controversial for the sake of being controversial. He was such a charming and magnetic presence that it is incomprehensible that he's gone at 41 years of age. To the uninitiated, do yourself a favor and spend some time on youtube. And to the medical experts who will no doubt rear their ugly heads any second now, I say "Fuck you, troll" in advance. RIP Patrice.

by Bill Pearis

After 20-plus years of pulling, packing & shipping orders all over the world, and serving Champaign-Urbana area music fanatics' needs locally, we're sad to announce we're pressing pause on Parasol Mail Order and our record store.

PMO's last day of regular operation will be Saturday, December 17th. Between now and then we will be putting our existing mailorder/store stock on sale, so if ever there was a time to buy music for the holidays, this is it!

It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that we owe all of you a huge THANK YOU for your support over the years. It's meant a lot, and will continue to as we re-boot the franchise.

In happier news, Hidden Agenda and Parasol's other in-house labels -- home to The 1900s, Elsinore, New Ruins and many more -- will continue to operate.

by BBG

Ken Russell with model Twiggy

Ken Russell, the director behind the Oscar-winning Women in Love has died aged 84. Russell died on Sunday in his sleep, according to his friend, the arts writer Norman Lebrecht.

Known for a flamboyant style developed during his early career in television, Russell's films mixed high and low culture with rare deftness and often courted high controversy. The Devils ... a religious drama that featured an infamous scene between Oliver Reed and Venessa Redgrave sexualising the crucifixion - was initially rejected by Warner Brothers. It will be released in its entirety in March next year, 42 years after it was made, when it will form part of the British Board of Film Classification's centenary celebrations.

Women in Love, released in 1969, became notorious for its nude male wrestling scene between Alan Bates and Oliver Reed, while Tommy, his starry version of The Who's rock opera, was his biggest commercial success, beginning as a stage musical before being reimagined for the screen in 1976. But Russell fell out of the limelight in recent years, as some of his funding dried up and his proposed projects became ever more eclectic. He returned to the public eye in 2007, when he appeared on the fifth edition of Celebrity Big Brother, before quitting the show after a disagreement with fellow contestant Jade Goody. -[The Guardian]

Continue reading "Director Ken Russell, R.I.P."

Robert Franklin as Santa @ South Street Seaport last year (more by Chris La Putt)

The South Street Seaport will ring in the holiday spirit on Friday, November 25th when the 28th Annual Seaport Chorus Tree Lighting Spectacular lights up the cobblestone streets of the Seaport's Historic District.

TODAY Show personality and fashion expert Jill Martin will host one of New York City's most beloved holiday traditions, with a 40-foot tree serving as the centerpiece of a seven-minute "Sparkle at the Seaport" light show spectacular. Festivities will kick-off with performances by the Darren Wallis Jazz Trio and the Soul Tigers Marching Band. All-male barbershop chorus, The Big Apple Chorus, will perform seasonal favorites, and costumed characters will help Santa Claus countdown to the tree lighting ceremony. To round-off the evening, Ronnie Spector will give a special performance, making it a night to remember for the whole family.

Ronnie Spector is also having the "Best Christmas Party Ever!" at the Cutting Room in NYC on 12/16 and 12/17...

This year the beloved tradition of twenty five years continues at the new Cutting Room located at 44 west 32nd street in Manhattan.

You can expect all the big Christmas hits-and Ronnie has the largest catalog of Christmas classics of any recording artist including 'Sleigh Ride' (#3 past decade) and 'Frosty the Snowman' (#17 past decade) along with her Ronette hits and cult classics. But what makes Ronnie's Christmas Party so special and endearing is her off-the-cuff patter and her childhood remembrances of Christmas and Santa in New York .

As the New York Times observed, "It's hard to think of a more appealing angel to welcome the holiday season than Ms. Spector."

Them Crooked Vultures at Coachella 2010 (more by Rachel Carr)

Father of two Robert McIndoe, 52, was unable to sleep for three months after going to a rock concert that left him with a permanent ringing in his ear. He was watching supergroup 'Them Crooked Vultures' at Brixton Academy.
In the coming months Mr McIndoe faced an uphill struggle to to get proper treatment for the condition, Southwark Coroner's Court heard.
His wife eventually received a letter of referral to a hospital ear, nose and throat specialist on November 1 last year - the day after he apparently killed himself.
Shirley McIndoe told the hearing that the day after the gig last July, her husband was "cross with himself" for not taking ear plugs.
She said: "When it first happened he wasn't too bothered about it because he thought it would subside, and the friend he had been with also had ringing in his ears that day.
"But it was a constant irritation.
"He didn't get a night of sleep after that until he went to hospital."-[Telegraph]

Bush Tetras

Laura Kennedy, the original bassist and co-founder of seminal no wave band Bush Tetras who has spent the past 12 years living in Minneapolis, passed away on Monday afternoon.

Kennedy was diagnosed nearly two decades ago with Hepatitis C, a "scourge of an illness" she once wrote she believed she contracted in the '80s while living and playing in New York. Born in Cleveland, she moved to NYC in the late '70s and eventually made her way to the Twin Cities 12 years ago to live with her girlfriend. Complications from the disease eventually led to liver failure, and after a long wait and struggle she received a liver transplant in November of 2008 at the University of Minnesota. Shortly afterwards, friends from throughout the local punk community rallied to help her pay her astronomical medical bills, and in January of 2009 Bush Tetras reunited to perform their first Twin Cities show in 25 years with support from the Suicide Commandos, David Thomas of Pere Ubu, and Skoal Kodiak at a fundraiser at Nick and Eddie. -[CityPages]

Laura Kennedy R.I.P..

Laura may be gone, but her legacy will live on in burners like "Too Many Creeps" and "Can't Be Funky" which you can watch/listen to, below....

Continue reading "Laura Kennedy of Bush Tetras, R.I.P."

by BBG

Rap legend Heavy D -- one of the most influential rappers of the '90s -- died earlier today ... Heavy D -- real name Dwight Arrington Myers -- was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon today ... and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 PM. He was 44 years old.

We've learned a 911 call was placed from Heavy's Beverly Hills home around 11:25 AM to report an unconscious male on the walkway .

When help arrived, we're told Heavy D was conscious and speaking -- and was transported to a nearby hospital.

He died a short time later. - [TMZ]

R.I.P. to the "overweight lover", who was responsible for many staples on 90s R&B/Hip Hop/Pop radio. He also introduced the world to one of the greatest producers of the era, his cousin Pete Rock.

Check out some videos of Heavy D below including one from a few weeks ago on the BET Awards, his first performance in many years.

Continue reading "R.I.P. Heavy D"

Flattus Maximus (right) in Chicago on 10/31 (more by Carmelo Espanola)

Metalsucks is reporting that Cory Smoot, aka Flattus Maximus has passed away:

It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their long time guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR's current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long term plans. At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today. We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss. A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him.

-Dave Brockie-

Gwar played Irving Plaza in NYC back on 10/23. Cory's third to last show was on Halloween in Chicago (his last was last night in Minneapolis). More pictures from the Chicago show are HERE

R.I.P. Cory Smoot, your humor, stage prescence, and contribution to one of the most theatrical bands ever will be missed..

"Spent Bruar Falls' last set spilling whiskey and untangling toilet paper from around my head. Clouder, appropriately spooky, killed it." - Sydney Brownstone

Goodbye @BruarFalls I'll miss you. Parting shot. (Bill Pearis)

After announcing its closure exactly a month earlier, Williamsburg music venue Bruar Falls hosted its final show on Halloween, the last night of October. RIP Bruar Falls.

Share your memories in the comments.