Thread: Biggest loss to rock

Jimi , Janis , Jim for sure

Tim Buckley another who died far to young

Any of the Spinal Tap drummers:

John "Stumpy" Pepys (1964–1966) (Portrayed by Ed Begley, Jr. in the video "Give Me Some Money") Died in a bizarre gardening accident, that the authorities said was "best left unsolved".

Eric "Stumpy Joe" Childs (1966–1967) Choked on vomit of unknown origin, other than his own, because "[y]ou can't really dust for vomit."

Peter "James" Bond (1967-1977) (Portrayed by Russ Kunkel whose character was mistakenly credited as the name of the previous drummer) Spontaneously combusted.

Stewart "schteadynow" Ikin (1981) Creme Brulee commitments forced him to retire, but went on backing tambourine for tour in 1982.

Mick Shrimpton (1981–1982) (Portrayed by R. J. "Ric" Parnell) Exploded onstage.

Joe "Mama" Besser (1982) (Portrayed by Fred Asparagus). Claimed he "couldn't take this 4/4 shit"; according to an MTV interview with Spinal Tap in November 1991, he disappeared along with the equipment during their Japanese tour. He is either dead or playing jazz.

Richard "Ric" Shrimpton (1982–1999) Allegedly sold his dialysis machine for drugs; presumed dead.

Scott "Skippy" Scuffleton (2001–2007) Fate unknown.

Chris "Poppa" Cadeau (2007-2008) Eaten by his pet python Cleopatra.

Plus 9 other drummers at various times (Probably between 1970-1981) all of whom are dead.

Well, when people question my belief in a Supreme Architect of the Universe I tell 'em five bullets into John and none into Yoko???

Duane Allman; a great guitarist. Hardly an innovator. He played standard rock/blues, albeit extremely well. some of licks were inspired by one on the above list.
Janis Joplin: Man! What a voice! Talent up the wazoo. But she was simply a soulful blues singer that rocked. Susan Tedeschi sings almost as well and receives much less attention. Janis was a "New Thing."
Kurt Cobain: His music was good, his songwriting overshadowed his performing abilities, IMO.
Jim Morrison. Entertaining had a twisted sense of humor. His poetry was his greatest contribution.
Jeff Buckley: Hmmm, sweet tones and talented, but I just don;t see himas any kind of heavy influence and do not see how he even fits in the poll.

The greatest loss to Rock & Roll is easily, hands down; Jimi Hendrix. Jimi's short career influenced so many that followed. One great guitarist come to mind immediately, Stevie Ray Vaughn. At the time of his death, Jimi was in a transition.

Feeling the pressure of other black performers to play with them and expand his style to what was then known as "soul" he was beginning to explore new sounds. The "Band of Gypsys" was his first public foray into his "blackness" and some of it was stilted and unformed. Was "Machine Gun" a beginning of something? Playing with Buddy Miles and Billy Cox on that night the music was not exactly what Jimi fans were expecting. Some Fans were less than enthusiastic about this "new sound." Band of Gypsys is still my favorite Hendrix album.

Jimi Hendrix was a talented, innovative performer, composer and songwriter, the likes of which music had not seen for good while before nor since. He heard the sound of Buddy Guy's Guitar and took that so far beyond anything Buddy (by his own admission) ever dreamed. Jimi's influence is still valid today. Imagine if the man had survived. I think the sound of Rock & Roll, The Blues even Jazz is probably lighter in variety due to the loss of his genius.

In May, 1969 me and this other fella took a couple hits of "Chocolate Chip" Acid jumped in my 1956 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and drove the short distance to the Santa Clara Fair grounds just to hop the fence and see Jimi. We arrived late. Climbed the fence, and were set upon by a cew of thuggish lookin' guys. The acid was really comin' on about this time and I guess I got a bit confused. The "flight or fight" response kicked in and I hit the ground ready to take on these fine young gentlemen sporting the latest in lead pipe type weaponry. They were duly impressed with my fighting position; smiled, "Come on in. Enjoy the show" within that split second that acid hit like a freight train. We got lost on hte way to the show, made in time for the last set. Jimi! The combination of acid, other psychotropic substances and Jimi's performance completely blew me away. I lived 35 miles from The Filmore and Winterland. A weekend trip to one or the other (after picking up a small handful of what ever was 'trippy') was our regular entertainment. I have never been as impressed with any show before or since although Led Zep at Winterland sometime between 1970 - 1971 come pretty damned close.