Archive for Musicians

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Michael Hutchence

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , , on July 9, 2013 by Cade

hutchence1January 22, 1960 – November 22, 1997

There were very few bands in the late 1980’s and early ’90’s that were bigger than INXS.  The Australian group owed a decent portion of its success to its dynamic, sexy and troubled lyricist/lead singer, Michael Hutchence.  Hutchence met keyboardist Andrew Farriss while in high school and joined Farriss’ band, Doctor Dolphin. Doctor Dolphin eventually became The Vegetables which eventually became INXS. INXS went on to sell millions of records across the world.  Their biggest success, 1987’s Kick, was certified 6x Platinum in the United States. Hutchence mostly handled the success well…save a bit of depression from time to time. His personal life attracted rigorous tabloid attention, particularly in his native Australia. Continue reading →

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Hillel Slovak

Posted in Mt. Sinai Memorial Park with tags , on June 13, 2013 by Cade

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April 13, 1962 – June 25, 1988

Hillel Slovak was a founding member and the original guitarist for the legendary Los Angeles-based rock band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Slovak met vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea (Michael Balzary) in high school and formed the band with drummer, Jack Irons, for a one-time gig that turned into a steady, and very popular presence in the L.A. music scene.  The line up recorded two albums – “Freaky Styley” and “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” – all while battling severe addiction to drugs, most notably, cocaine and heroin.  Slovak and Kiedis tried to sober up using each other as support, but the withdrawals proved to be too much and Slovak died of a heroin overdose at the age of 26 while separated from the band. Continue reading →

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John Lennon

Posted in Cremated with tags , , , on June 8, 2013 by Cade

lennon1October 09, 1940 – December 08, 1980

John Winston Lennon was a singer/songwriter/artist/activist who co-founded a little band called the Beatles. As a young lad in Liverpool, Lennon met Paul McCartney and embarked on one of the most famous creative partnerships of all time.  The Beatles went on to record more than 20 No. 1 singles and 18 Platinum albums and become the most famous band in the world.  After the Beatles broke up, the members went their separate ways and embarked on successful solo careers.  Lennon recorded a number of solo efforts that were met with both critical and popular acclaim.  In 1969, Lennon, married conceptual artist, Yoko Ono, and the two became very vocal advocates for peace throughout the Vietnam conflict.

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Isaac Hayes

Posted in Memorial Park Cemetery (TN) with tags , on May 30, 2013 by Cade

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August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an influential musician, producer and song-writer known for his funky blues style.  Though he wrote many songs for others, including the smash hit “Soul Man,” he was probably most known for his solo albums Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses and certainly for his work on the motion picture soundtrack for 1971’s Shaft, for which he won 2 Grammys and an Academy Award.  Hayes enjoyed a somewhat odd career resurrection in the 1990’s when he voiced the character, Chef, on the long-running animated comedy South Park. Continue reading →

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Carl Wilson

Posted in Westwood Memorial Park with tags , , , on May 22, 2013 by Cade

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December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998

Carl Wilson was a guitarist/songwriter/vocalist who skyrocketed to fame alongside brothers, Brian and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine as the Beach Boys.  Though a background singer for the early years of the band, Carl broke out with lead vocals on such hits as “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations.” He also became the defacto leader of the band after big brother, Brian, retired from touring.  Wilson’s career, though weighted heavily by it, was not confined to the Beach Boys, however.  He recorded a couple of solo albums in the 1980’s and was a common fixture in the studio, working with fellow superstars like Chicago and Elton John.

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Billy Preston

Posted in Inglewood Park Cemetery with tags , , on April 28, 2013 by Cade

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September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006

William Everett Preston was a celebrated studio musician (piano/organ – mainly) who worked with an astonishing list of artists that includes Little Richard, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash and the Beatles.  It was his work with the latter during the “Get Back”/”Let it Be” and “Abbey Road” sessions that led to his unofficial designation as “the fifth Beatle.1” He also played extensively with the Rolling Stones both live and in the studio.  Not bad.

Billy went on to release a number of solo albums and had hits in the Billboard charts, including 1973’s “Will It Go Round in Circles” and 1974’s “Nothing from Nothing”…both of which reached the top of the U.S. charts

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Liberace

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , on April 27, 2013 by Cade

liberace

May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987

Władziu Valentino Liberace was a slightly eccentric and subtly flamboyant pianist and entertainer. He was known for his modest costumes and occasional use of candelabras and jewels.  Liberace was not even remotely sparkly. And, despite all of his obvious understated-ness, he was still known to many as “Mr. Showmanship.”  I guess I just don’t see it. Continue reading →

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Michael Jackson

Posted in Forest Lawn Glendale with tags , , , , on March 23, 2013 by Cade

jackson3August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

I hesitated adding a post about Michael Jackson for one, simple reason: I have not personally visited his grave, nor do I see it happening any time soon.  He is interred within the halls of the most secure, private mausoleum in Los Angeles – and probably the whole country: The Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Glendale.

However, A) I didn’t feel right posting about Farrah without posting about Michael, given the close proximity of their deaths sort of bind them together forever. And B) His death and burial was the single, biggest celebrity death media spectacle this side of Elvis, so he sort of needs to be included.

So… Continue reading →

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Elvis Presley

Posted in Graceland with tags , , on March 19, 2013 by Cade

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January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977

Elvis Aaron Presley was a little-known singer/songwriter who struggled his entire career to find an audience.

OR…perhaps it’s more accurate to say that he was one of the biggest pop-phenomena in the history of the world.

The “King of Rock and Roll” – a title that barely scratches his impact on popular music –  was a talented singer, actor and hip-jiggler who starred in more than 30 movies and had over 35 number one singles.  His rise to stardom, at the perfect intersection of time, history and relevance  ushered in a new era of music that was both ground-breaking and controversial.  He paved the way for nearly every rock and roll artist to follow.  He was simply without peer.

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Cass Elliot

Posted in Mt. Sinai Memorial Park with tags , , , on March 7, 2013 by Cade

Photo of Mama Cass

September 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974

Known to the world as “Mama Cass,” Ellen Naomi Cohen, AKA Cass Elliot, was a singer and member of the American vocal group, the Mamas & the Papas.  Elliot’s voice can be heard prominently on many of their best-known recordings, including “California Dreamin'” and “Monday Monday.”

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