Mouseketeer, Teen Singer Annette Joanne Funicello was an American actress and singer. Funicello began her professional career as a child performer at the age of twelve. She rose to prominence as one of the most popular “Mouseketeers” on the original Mickey Mouse Club. As a teenager, she transitioned to a successful career as a singer with the pop singles “O Dio Mio,” “Tall Paul” and “Pineapple Princess,” as well as establishing herself as a film actress, popularizing the successful “Beach Party” genre alongside co-star Frankie Avalon during the mid-1960s.
Chi Cheng, 42 Deftones Bassist Chi Cheng was an American musician, best known as the bassist for the American alternative metal band Deftones. Cheng was seriously injured and entered a long-term coma following an automobile accident in Santa Clara, California, on November 4, 2008. He was traveling with his sister, Mae, when their vehicle flipped three times after hitting another car going 60 mph. After showing signs of improvement over the years, Cheng was unable to move independently or speak in sentences. On April 13, Cheng had died of heart failure due to complications from his injuries.
Clive Burr, 56 Original Iron Maiden Drummer Clive Burr was an English drummer, best known as a member of Iron Maiden from 1979 to 1982. Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979 and played on their first three records: Iron Maiden, Killers and their breakthrough release The Number of the Beast. Burr was fired from the band in 1982. After leaving Iron Maiden, he briefly played in the French group Trust and then with the American band Alcatrazz. Burr died in his sleep on March 12 in London due to complications from multiple sclerosis.
Jack Greene, 83 Country Musician Jack Greene was an American country musician. Nicknamed the “Jolly Greene Giant” due to his height and deep voice, Greene was a long time member of the Grand Ole Opry. A three-time Grammy Award nominee, he is best known for his 1966 hit “There Goes My Everything,” which earned the singer “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Single of the Year,” “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year” honors from the Country Music Association. Green had a total of five #1 Country hits and Billboard named him one of the Top 100 “Most Played Artists.”
Jimmy Dawkins, 76 Chicago Blues Musician James Henry “Jimmy” Dawkins was an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist and singer. He was generally considered a part of the “West Side Sound” of Chicago blues. In 1969, he released his first album Fast Fingers on Delmark Records, winning the “Grand Prix du Disque” from the Hot Club de France. Dawkins went on to tour Europe and Japan in the 1970s and contributed a regular column to the magazine Living Blues later in life. Dawkins died of undisclosed causes on April 10.
OBITUARIES
Annette Funicello, 70
Phil Ramone, 79 Legendary Engineer, Founder of A&R Recording Phil Ramone was a recording engineer, producer, violinist and composer, who in 1958 co-founded A&R Recording, Inc., in New York City. He was described by Billboard as “legendary” and the BBC as a “CD pioneer.” Ramone was also a founding member of META (Music & Engineering Technology Alliance) and introduced optical surround sound for movies. His breakthrough came with the Billy Joel album The Stranger in 1977 and began a fruitful collaboration that would lead to Ramone to produce a string of hit Joel albums throughout the rest of the 1970s and 1980s.
Scott Hardkiss, 43 Rave Icon, Electronic Music Producer The San Francisco native, whose real name was Scott Friedel, was credited as the founder of the 1990s electronic-house group Hardkiss Brothers, who found success amongst the rising rave culture in the United States. He later moved to New York City and performed under the moniker God Within, ultimately collaborating with Sir Elton John and the Flaming Lips. His 1997 Essential Mix is considered a classic among house music aficionados. Details of his death have not been disclosed as of press time.
Phil Kubicki, 69 Creator of the Factor Bass Pickup manufacturer and guitar-repair wizard Seymour Duncan speaks of his friend, “Hello friends and family...we lost our friend Phil Kubicki yesterday [edit: Monday, the 18th] and sad to hear. We started the K & D Guitar Company in the early ’80s when Phil started making electric guitars in Santa Barbara. He worked for Fender in the ’60s and built George Harrison’s Rosewood Telecaster used on the Let It Be recording and video. Phil was such a great guitar builder and developed the Factor Bass. Sorry to pass the sad news and he will be missed...Seymour”
MAY 2013 PERFORMER MAGAZINE 5