2003: Looking back on the deaths of a few rock ledgends

[MidnightViper88]

Worth a post here...

http://ultimate-guitar.com/news/gene...k_legends.html

R.I.P. 2003: Bidding Farewell To Rock Legends

Date: 2003-12-29 Artist: Misc Category: General Music News

While this is the season to think about all the great things coming up for the new year, it’s also a time to reflect on some of the passings of 2003. Over the past year the music world suffered many losses, with musicians both young and old passing away. Here’s a reminder of just a few of the great musicians that we lost in the last year:

First off, the great Johnny Cash succumbed to his long fight with various illnesses on September 12, 2003. His death did not come as a huge surprise, but it was soul-shaking nevertheless. Cash’s death followed the passing of his beloved wife, the equally amazing June Carter Cash, who died in May. God bless ‘em both.

Indie hero/acclaimed singer-songwriter Elliott Smith shockingly died in October of an apparent suicide. We were also shocked by the untimely death of suave British pop star Robert Palmer, who passed on in September after a sudden heart attack. Palmer’s old Power Station bandmate Tony Thompson also tragically died in November after a battle with cancer. The drummer was also known for his work with Chic and LaBelle.

The pop world also mourned the loss of middle Bee Gees member Maurice Gibb when he died after emergency stomach surgery in January. The world also lost the huge voice that was Barry White in July when the Walrus Of Love succumbed to kidney disease at the age of 58.

Other particularly untimely deaths this year included the passings of indie rock cult hero Wesley Willis in August, Warren Zevon in September and Cutting Crew’s Kevin MacMichael in late December, 2002.

We also lost a number of rock legends, some of who lived to ripe old ages, others who were tragically young. Our regards go out to the legendary Nina Simone, "Flying Purple People Eater" songwriter Sheb Woolley, Sun Records legend Sam Phillips, T-Rex drummer Mickey Finn, "The Twist" songwriter Hank Ballard, The Righteous Brothers’ Bobby Hatfield, Jimi Hendrix bass player Noel Redding, Iron Butterfly guitarist Erik Bruann, Tom Petty bass player Howie Epstein, Salsa Queen Celia Cruz, Buena Vista Social Clubbers Ruben Gonzalez and Compay Segundo and all the other musicians, songwriters and producers that we may have missed.

[ShyShy]

Sad year indeed for the music world.

[Cylob]

Quite. But not as sad as 2002.

I have Elliot Smith's discography now, a great loss of talent.

[sidd]

reminds me, i really should finish the elliot smith set. Had a great gift for making the most depressing songs sound somehow uplifting.

np: elliot smith - everything means nothing to me