One half of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, Guru (born Keith Elam), lost his year-long battle with cancer on Monday. Elam had fallen into a coma in March after suffering a heart attack. Shortly thereafter, several sources claimed Elam had woken from the coma but was left in fragile condition.
He was only 43 years old. He is survived by his son, KC.
Below is an official message from the Elam family:
To read a somewhat controversial letter that Elam supposedly had written during his final days in the hospital, visit DJ Premier’s blog.
This week, the music world lost one of its most well-known photographers. Jim Marshall, responsible for iconic photographs of Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, died in his sleep in New York City on Tuesday at age 74. It has been said that Marshall contributed some of pop culture’s most important images throughout the 20th century, such as the infamous photo of Johnny Cash flipping off the camera.
Marshall was not survived by any immediate family members, but he left behind a truly inspiring collection of images, laying the foundation for many rock photographers, both his ’70s-era contemporaries and 21st century followers. You can read his obituary in The New York Times. In his memory, Rolling Stone has also posted an overview of some of his most famous shots.
We’re a little late on this one, but Pitchfork has brought it to our attention that Chicago-based punk producer and engineer Iain Burgess died last week on February 11. He fell victim to cancer, or as the Chicago Sun-Times more technically phrased it, “a pulmonary embolism as a complication from pancreatic and liver cancer.” Not only was Burgess instrumental in producing and engineering for bands that helped shape the early Chicago punk scene (The Effigies, Naked Raygun, Big Black, Shellac), he was a mentor to Steve Albini, formerly of the band Big Black and currently of Shellac. Albini is known mostly for his production work and has produced some of the industry’s most important albums, such as Nirvana’s In Utero and Pixies’ Surfer Rosa. “Iain was a dear friend and mentor, and I consider him responsible for a good many of the best things that have ever happened to me,” Albini said of the late engineer.
Cancer claimed another figure in music over the weekend: frontman Doug Fieger (pictured, second from right) of the new wave/power pop band, The Knack, best known for the hit song “My Sharona” in 1979. Fieger co-wrote the song and sang on the track. Unfortunately, The Knack never enjoyed the same level of popularity again, although “My Sharona” continued to be played, covered, and parodied. Fieger died in Woodland Hills, California at 57 years old, after battling brain and lung cancer for six years.
Watch the “My Sharona” video below. It’s the best quality we could find:
Jay Reatard died on January 13, and for someone so young to have died in his sleep, the news came as a shock to many fans. Today, Jay’s autopsy results were made public. The garage-punk singer-songwriter died from “cocaine toxicity and alcohol,” according to the Memphis publication Commercial Appeal. Jay was 29 years old.
Here at onethirtybpm, Jay Reatard’s life and music career was honored by one of our writers who took a second look at Jay’s album, Blood Visions. If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to read the fantastic Blood Visions piece in remembrance of the late Memphis musician.
Sorry for the random update, but Three Lobed Recordings is extremely sad to pass along news that our dear friend Jack Rose passed away this morning in Philadelphia at the age of 38. This news is still fresh to us and we’re still trying to process it. Jack was a warm, caring person and was always a pleasure to be around. His larger than life spirit will truly, truly be missed even moreso than his inspired musical ability. Our deepest sorrow goes out to his wife.
I highly recommend you seek out his 2005 release, Kensington Blues, his acoustic magnum opus. We’ll miss you Jack.
Jerry Fuchs, drummer extraordinaire, illustrator par excellence, Chunklet contributor and rock solid friend, died last night. I’m still awaiting to get more news, but here’s what I know: Jerry was at a party in Brooklyn and fell down an elevator shaft. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. Shortly after, he died in the early hours of Sunday, November 8 while an entire waiting room of friends were there for him.
As the new millennium started gearing up, there was a obvious reason why Jerry started playing with all the DFA-affiliated bands (The Juan Maclean, !!!, etc.) as time went on: He was an invaluable monster on the drums that could recreate those motorik-like disco beats and make it sound human. Goddamn, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end when I think about it. Recent years saw him reaffirm his roots in Athens as he became the incredibly propulsive backbone to Maserati after they gave their original drummer the boot. And man, again, watching Jerry perform was always a treat. ALWAYS.
Richard William Wright (28 July 1943 – 15 September 2008)
When a musician dies the loss isn’t only felt by the people who loved him, but the people who listened to him and where influenced by her. Not only that, but an echo shakes across the whole planet as the community and sound looses one more member. It is not a uncommon thing, every one dies, but when someone who controls sound dies there is an extra queasiness in my stomach.
Today, an truly extraordinary man died, Pink Floyd Keyboardist, Richard Wright. He was only 65 years old, fairly young, and died of cancer. He was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd and stayed with the band from its earlier Syd Barret driven incarnation to its later incarnations (eg. Wish You Where Here). This man will not be forgotten and his music will live on forever.
I could now post some videos or sound tracks, but in honor I will resist the urge. In honor there will not be a jump.
