Russ Solomon – September 22, 1925 – March 4, 2018
Russell “Russ” Solomon, the founder of Tower Records, passed away on March 4 of a heart attack at the age of 92. Solomon founded Tower Records in Sacramento, California in 1952 before the business eventually expanded into a music empire that thrived across the globe. Despite the company’s bankruptcy in 2006, many great musicians attribute their musical foundations to Tower Records and Solomon himself.
– Adrianna Fujii
File Photo: Raymond Flotat
Carlos Denogean – September 2, 1987 – August 27, 2018
While he wasn’t listed as the main drummer for North Carolina stoner metal band Weedeater, Carlos Denogean was an important member. He served as the touring drummer for the band and tragically died at young age this August. He had recently been on tour with the band, even performing at their stop at Pyscho Vegas 2018.
– Matt Matasci
Nick John – Died – September 8, 2018
After a long battle with pancreatic cancer, metal manager Nick John passed away. He was best known as the manager for Mastodon and Gojira. As a testament his beloved status by the band, their tour with Dinosaur Jr. was cancelled after news of his death. He also worked with Slayer and other metal legends.
– Matt Matasci
Jóhann Jóhannsson – September 19, 1969 – February 9, 2018
Jóhann Jóhannsson was a well-respected composer who worked on many well-received films and released his own solo records. He passed away at the age of 48 following an accidental cocaine overdose, tragically cutting short his promising career.
– Matt Matasci
Jon Schnepp – May 16, 1967 – July 19, 2018
Producer, writer, voice actor and cartoonist Jon Schnepp left this world too soon when died from complications from a stroke at the age of 51. He served as the director for cult metal-themed cartoon Metalocalypse and the band that starred in it, Dethklok, from 2006-2012.
– Matt Matasci
Ed King – September 14, 1949 – August 22, 2018
Ed King, former guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away on August 22nd at the age of 68 after a battle with lung cancer. He joined the band in 1972, and co-wrote one of the band’s biggest hits, “Sweet Home Alabama.” He’s also credited with having given the group their three-guitar sound.
– Caitlin Wills
Marty Balin – January 30, 1942 – September 27, 2018
Marty Balin was the primary founder and songwriter for the iconic Jefferson Airplane, along with Paul Kantner and Grace Slick during their 60’s Surrealistic Pillow heyday. Balin left Jefferson Airplane in 1971 and formed the funk-rock band, Bodacious DF as lead singer. In the Mid-’70s he once again joined the offshoot Jefferson Starship with Airplane alum, Paul Kantner, and penned multiple hits including “Caroline,” “Miracles” and “With Your Love.” Balin also had a string of hit solo records beginning in the ’80s. Balin passed in September at the age of 76.
– Brian Furman
File Photo: Raymond Flotat
Hardy Fox – March 29, 1945 – October 30, 2018
Hardy Fox was one of the pioneering experimental musicians as a part of The Residents, one of the avant-garde’s most prolific artists. A trailblazer in every sense of the word, the mystique that he helped create with other Resident members inspired many artists to take a page from their weird, zany and creative world. Fox died in San Anselmo, Calif. of glioblastoma.
– Francisco Martinez
XXXTentacion – January 23, 1998 – June 18, 2018
While he certainly garnered plenty of controversy with his budding underground career, young Florida Soundcloud rapper XXXTentacion seemed to be on the brink of mainstream crossover. That all ended when he was gunned down in Deerfield Beach, FL while he was at a motorcycle dealership in what appears to be an attempted robbery gone deadly wrong. He was 20 years old.
– Matt Matasci
“Fast” Eddie Clarke – October 5, 1950 – January 10, 2018
Along with Lemmy and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, “Fast” Eddie Clarke was a part of the classic era of Motörhead. He was the last surviving member after Lemmy and Taylor died in 2015 and passed away at the age of 67 years old this January.
– Matt Matasci
Roy Clark – April 15, 1933 – November 15, 2018
Roy Clark, the country music legend, and co-host of the longest-running syndicated show ‘Hee Haw’ died at the age of 85 on November 15th from complications from pneumonia. During his career, Clark won multiple awards, including a Grammy, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
– Caitlin Will
File Photo: Mehreen Rizvi
Kyle Pavone – 1990 – August 25, 2018
Kyle Pavone is another young musician who died too soon at the age of 28. The singer of metalcore band We Came As Romans, he was in the band from 2008 up until his tragic death from an accidental overdose. He added clean vocals to the band’s dynamic sing-scream sound and was featured on every album the band released.
– Matt Matasci
File Photo: Mauricio Alvarado
Jill Janus – September 2, 1975 – August 14, 2018
Jill Janus was the lead singer of metal band Huntress and a refreshing female face in what has typically been a male-dominated genre. She had faced struggles with mental illness throughout her life, something that could be discerned from some of the music she released with Huntress. Sadly she could not overcome her demons and died at the age of 43 from suicide.
– Matt Matasci
Richard Swift – March 16, 1977 – July 3, 2018
A legend in the Northwest indie scene, Richard Swift became known for his lo-fi recording style and production. As the founder of the National Freedom recording studio, Swift produced acts such as Damien Jurado, The Mynabirds and Foxygen. Swift passed away from health complications at the age of 41.
– Aaron Grech
Joe Jackson – July 26, 1928 – June 27, 2018
While he may have generated some controversy for the way he handled his children, many of whom became major pop stars following their success with the Jackson 5, there’s no denying the man’s contributions to the world of music. The patriarch of the Jacksons, Joe left a legacy that is hard to top. He was 89.
– Matt Matasci
Mark E. Smith – March 5, 1957 – January 24, 2018
Post-punk lost one of its most volatile, yet brilliant, figures in Mark E. Smith. The only constant in Mancunian outfit The Fall, Smith’s iconic vocals and wit would go on to inspire many bands such as Pavement and Sonic Youth, while also becoming one of the sparks of inspiration for the 2000s’ post-punk revival. Smith died after a long battle with lung and kidney cancer.
– Francisco Martinez
Pete Shelley – April 17, 1955 – December 6, 2018
Pop punk probably would have become a thing without Pete Shelley, but it’s hard to imagine the success of the Green Days and Rancids of the world without. His band The Buzzcocks produced some of the most iconic songs of the ’70s punk era, such as “What Do I Get” and the ubiquitously-covered “Ever Fall In Love With (Someone You Shouldn’t’ve).” He died from a heart attack at the age of 63, leaving behind a rich legacy of buzzing punk standards.
– Matt Matasci
File Photo: Marisa Rose Ficara
Scott Hutchison – November 20, 1981 – May 10, 2018
On May 11th, 2018, Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchinson was confirmed dead by Scottish police. The discovery of his body followed disappearance and a series of cryptic tweets. Upon thorough investigation, the cause of death was ruled to be a suicide. The singer of the indie-folk stalwarts was known as a kind, caring, and compassionate individual. Hutchinson was always open with his struggles with mental health. Not only did he reveal himself in his lyrics, but he often sought out to spread public awareness of this debilitating conflict. Hutchinson’s is certainly tragic and ultimately symbolizes a conflict that is all too common. Anyone of us could be struggling right now. It is important to reach out for help if you truly need it.
– Griffin Boyle
File Photo: Mehreen Rizvi
Avicii – September 8, 1989 – April 20, 2018
On April 20th, 2018, electronic music producer Avicii was found dead in Muscat, Oman. The cause of death was later revealed as a suicide. To those who knew him personally, Tim Bergling was a sensitive and caring person with existential woes. The public may not have been able to detect some of his struggles with mental health due to his vibrant sounding dance music, but Avicii’s certainly had his struggles. In 2016, he had to retire from touring due to excessive drinking. Sadly, two years later Tim Bergling has been pronounced dead. This is a precious reminder to check in with those you love. You never know someone’s story. Even if things seem like they are going well, they just as easily could be struggling. If you ever feel like you are alone, feel free to call the National Suicide Hotline number at 1-800-273-8255.
– Griffin Boyle
Brendon Whitney – April 5, 1976 – March 30, 2018
One of the more tragic deaths of 2018 had to be the loss of Brendon Whitney, aka Alias, a founder of Anticon Collective. The underground hip-hop impresario left a major impression on the scene, while Anticon continued to create some of the most boundary-pushing music in electronic and rap music. He died from heart attack at the age of 44, leaving behind a wife and small children.
– Matt Matasci
Caleb Scofield on left
Caleb Scofield – October 6, 1978 – March 28, 2018
At 39, Caleb Scofield, best known for being the bassist and vocalist of Cave In, was taken too soon in freakish single-car accident. The support shown in the form of fundraising money for his family by his former bands and the metal community as whole shows how many people were impacted and will miss Scofield.
– Erin Winans
Mac Miller – January 19, 1992 – September 7, 2018
Born Malcolm James McCormick, Mac Miller was an American rapper, singer and producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His 2018 album Swimming, was posthumously nominated for Best Rap Album at the upcoming Grammys. Miller tragically passed away from a drug overdose at the age of 26 in his Studio City, CA home.
– Aaron Grech
Dolores O’Riordan – September 6, 1971 – January 15, 2018
Dolores O’Riordan’s Irish howl is immediately recognized along with one of the 90’s most iconic bands, The Cranberries. Her signature sound and anarchic style drove the band to the forefront of the alt-rock era. Her trademark vocals can be heard on the bands most well-known songs including “Linger”, “Zombie”, and “Salvation”.
– Brian Furman
File Photo: Sharon Alagna
Vinnie Paul – March 11, 1964 – June 22, 2018
In June of 2018, the metal community lost a true legend, Vincent Paul Abbott (aka Vinnie Paul). Although he has left this world, his self-taught skills and impact will live on. He can now rest in peace with his brother with whom he co-founded Pantera.
– Erin Winans
Aretha Franklin – March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018
Dubbed “The Queen of Soul,” Franklin’s career launched a slew of soul hits trhoughout the late 60s and early 70s. Her hits include classics such as “Respect,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Franklin passed away at the age of 76 from a Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
– Aaron Grech
Featured Image Photo Credit: Mauricio Alvarado
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