1988

Andy Gibb,(Andrew Roy Gibb), 3/5/58 – 3/10/88. Born in Manchester, England (although he was considered Australian, being raised in Queensland). Andy followed in the footsteps of his older brothers (The Bee Gees) becoming a singer/songwriter. He had years of success followed by drug addiction which eventually contributed to an inflammatory heart virus which ended his life. He was 30.

I can recall that many people were shocked by his death. Andy had the reputation for being a clean cut guy, although I also recall it was well known that he had a drug problem. I imagine that it was very hard for the older brothers to deal with this loss. Once again, fame + fortune = drugs = death.

Andy Gibb - I Just Want to Be your Everything
via FoxyTunes

John Curulewski, 10/3/50 - 2/88. Born in Chicago, Illinois, John played was a founding member and played lead guitar for STYX. He left the band after their first five albums. John died of a brain aneurysm. He was 38.

Its sad to think that so many of the men and women on this page died because of drugs, but to me, its even more tragic when they die unexpectedly from an accident or serious illness. That's the case here. John chose to leave Styx because he wanted to spend more time with his wife and son and made a living teaching guitar (some of his students went on to start successful bands). Sounds like a nice family guy living a good life that was cut short unexpectedly.

Styx - Mr Roboto
via FoxyTunes













Hillel Slovak 4/13/62 - 6/25/88 Born in Haifa, Israiel, Hillel was the original guitarist and founding member of Red Hot Chili Peppers. He recorded two albums with the band, Freaky Styley (1985) and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987). Hillel battled an addiction to heroin and died of an overdose shortly after returning from a successful European tour. He was 26.

Another heartbreaking loss, another victim of heroin. As I was looking for info on Hillel I read that he is originally from Israel and that his parents were Holocaust survivors. I don't know if they are still living, but I imagine they were in 1988. What would it be like to survive the worst horrors of history and then to lose your son to a drug overdose? I live in fear of that very thing. I read that Hillel was speedballing, that's what my son was into. I also found a site that his brother, James, had set up for him. On the site he sells a book he put together of Hillells' art and writing, I would love to see it. Here is what James says on the site, "My brother Hillel Slovak past away in 1988 leaving a legacy of music. His music is well renown, but who he was as a person is only known to the lucky people and friends that got to know him even if it was fora minute. Hillel wasn't just the original guitarist and co-founder of the Red hot chili peppers...he was so much more.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - behind the sun
via FoxyTunes

Roy Orbison, (Roy Kelton Orbison), 4/23/36 – 12/6/88. Born in Vernon, Texas Roy was considered a pioneer of rock music as a singer and songwriter. His career spanned forty years. Roy died of a heart attack. He was 52.

A great line in Springsteen's Thunder Road says a lot about this four-octave range singer and his emotional, often melancholy lyrics: "Roy Orbison singing for the lonely...that's me and I want you only...". Roy had a long career and was respected and admired by many of today's and yesterday's great singer/songwriters including Elvis and Bono. Along with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison he formed the Traveling Wilburys. Unfortunately he only had a year with the band before his death. On their tribute to him they showed a picture of his guitar sitting in a rocking chair. I remember that image and think Roy would have liked it.

Roy Orbison - Only The Lonely
via FoxyTunes

1998

Tim Kelly, 1/16/63 – 2/5/98. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Tim was the guitarist for Slaughter. He was self taught at guitar and has his first band in the sixth grade. Tim died from head injuries after an automobile accident. He was 35.

From what I've read about Tim, he seemed like a really nice guy. He also knew the heartache of losing a loved one (his sister) to cancer and wrote a song for her. It seems wrong that the persona responsible for his death only received three years in prison (he was driving an 18 wheeler under the influence of several drugs and crashed into Tim).




Carl Wilson, (Carl Dean Wilson), 12/21/46 – 2/6/98. Born in Hawthorne, California Carl was a singer and lead guitarist for The Beach Boys. Carl was the youngest of the Wilson brothers. He died of lung cancer. Carl was 51.

Carl seemed to be talked about less then his Beach Boy brother's, Brian and Dennis. Here is a very touching account about the end of Carl's career, "Wilson was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in early 1997. Despite his illness and chemotherapy treatments, Carl continued to perform after diagnosis. Carl played through the Beach Boys' entire summer tour which ended in the fall of 1997. He sat down most of the time and needed oxygen after every song, but he still had his unique voice. The only time he stood during concerts was when he sang "God Only Knows" to his fans."

The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
via FoxyTunes

Falco (Johann Hölze) 2/16/57 - 2/6/98. Born in Vienna, Austria, Falco was a rap, pop and rock musicians with four #1 hits. Falco died from injuries sustained in a collisions with a bus. He was 40.

Okay, who has not at one time or another caught themselves singing along to the chorus of "Rock Me Amadeus"? Its an unusual but catchy tune and was also the only German language song to become a number one hit in the U.S. Sad ending to his life.

Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
via FoxyTunes






Cozy Powell, (Colin Flooks) 12/29/47 - 4/5/98. Born in Gloucester, England. He began playing drums at age 12 and worked with many bands over the years including Rainbow, Black Sabbath, The Jeff Beck Group and Whitesnake. Cozy died in a single car crash while driving under the influence of alcohol. He was 50.

Cozy was an incredible drummer! See for yourself here. He played with some very impressive bands. I read that Led Zeppelin considered asking him to join the band when John Bonham died. I am glad they chose to disband, it was the right thing to do, no one could replace Bonzo, but Cozy was a damn good choice if they chose to continue. Another tragic loss that could have been avoided.

Wendy O Williams, (Wendy Orleans Williams) 5/28/49 – 4/6/98. Born in Webster, New York, Wendy was the lead singer and guitarist for The Plasmatics. She was known for her shocking stage performances which often included blowing up equipment and chain-sawing guitars. She ended her own life by shooting herself. Wendy was 48.

Another depression ending in suicide. After reading a portion of her suicide note it seems that she made the decision after a lot of thought. In contrast to the punk rock persona she had, Wendy had a much softer side, "Despite her reputation as a fearsome performer, Williams in her personal life was deeply devoted to the welfare of animals, a passion that included a vegetarian diet, working as a wildlife rehabilitator and being a natural foods activist. "

Wendy O. Williams & Plasmatics - Party
via FoxyTunes




Carl Perkins, 4/9/32 – 1/19/98. Born in Tiptonville, Tennessee Carl was a pioneer in rockabilly music. He influenced many musicians who went on to have successful careers including Elvis, Johnny Cash and The Beatles. Carl died of cancer. He was 65.

According to Charlie Daniels, "Carl Perkins' songs personified the rockabilly era, and Carl Perkins' sound personifies the rockabilly sound more so than anybody involved in it, because he never changed." Many artists have covered his songs. He is most famous for the classic "Blue Suede Shoes".

Carl Perkins - Susie Q
via FoxyTunes

John Panozzo, 9/20/48 – 7/16/98. John was born in Chicago, Illinois, he was the drummer and a founding member of Styx. Years of partying with excessive drinking began to take a toll on his liver eventually dying of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging. He was 47.

I enjoyed reading about John's early start in music. He and his twin brother, Chuck, both picked up instruments at age seven. Then they hooked up with their neighbor, Dennis de Young, and the beginnings of Styx was formed. Unfortunately partying got in the way and ruined his health. "The band dedicated their 1996 Return to Paradise tour to him, and Tommy Shaw, who had earlier replaced Curulewski, wrote the song "Dear John" as the band's final tribute to their drummer and friend."

Styx - Renegade
via FoxyTunes