Goodbye Phil Everly
When I think back on the first five days in 2014 music wise, I think immediately of Phil Everly. Since I was a kid, I’ve always been drawn to the big hits of the Everly Brothers: “All I Have To…
RIP T-Bone Wolk
Ugh. Huge loss. Tom “T-Bone” Wolk, bass player extraordinaire – and best known for his almost 30 year association with Hall & Oates – unexpectedly passed away this past Saturday at the age of 59, apparently from a heart attack. …
RIP Les Paul
Legendary guitarist, inventor, songwriter and overall pioneer Les Paul has passed away at the age of 94. The debt that popular music itself owes to Les is immeasurable. From his part in the creation of the solid-body electric guitar to…
RIP Michael Jackson: 1958-2009
Pete’s Thoughts My first memory of seeing Michael Jackson was May of 1983. I was 12 years old, and a 7th grader at Jerstad Junior High in Racine, Wisconsin. My drama teacher, Mrs. Mottl, wheeled in a TV and VCR…
Remembering Snooks Eaglin
Lifelong New Orleans resident and Ickmusic buddy Cove reflects on the passing of a New Orleans great. – PeteNew Orleans lost another of the great legends of its musical heritage this past week, when Fird “Snooks” Eaglin died at 72.…
Eartha Kitt
I can’t pretend to know a lot about Eartha Kitt other than through her stint as Catwoman and her rendition of “Santa Baby” (eat your heart out, Madonna). It’s simply that this 1957 magazine cover took my breath away. Absolutely…
Jerry Reed 1937-2008
While I fully realize that my attachment to Jerry Reed was primarily due to his participation in Smokey & The Bandit and Scooby-Doo, I found out later in life that he was a hell of a songwriter and a amazing…
R.I.P. Isaac Hayes
Performing “Theme from Shaft” at 1972’s Wattstax festival (introduced by the Rev. Jesse Jackson). Across the blogs (with mp3’s)…make sure you hit that Soul Sides link… Issac Hayes: 1942-2008 (Soul Sides) TVD remembers Issac Hayes (The Vinyl District) Isaac Hayes:…
Sad News: RIP Danny Federici (1950-2008)
Danny Federici, Bruce Springsteen’s organ, keys, and accordion player for the last 40 years, passed away Thursday afternoon after a three year battle with melanoma. My prayers and warmest condolences go out to Danny’s Family and the E Street family.…
RIP Jeff Healey
Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey passed away Sunday at the age of 41 after a long battle with a rare form of retinal cancer. Jeff had been blind since infancy due to this cancer. “Angel Eyes” was one of those songs…