Television personality Jimmy O'Neill, whose inimitable style helped make the music variety show 'Shindig!' a hit for ABC in the mid-'60s, has passed away at the age of 72 following a struggle with heart problems and diabetes. The Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Who were among the acts that appeared on 'Shindig!'
Claude Nobs, the founder and general manager of the Montreux Jazz Festival, has died. "Funky" Claude Nobs passed away yesterday (Jan. 10) after sustaining injuries during a cross-country skiiing accident on Christmas Eve.
Ray Collins, the singer and co-founder of the Mothers of Invention, died on Monday (Dec. 24) in Pomona, Calif. He had been hospitalized since Dec. 18 after suffering a massive heart attack, and was removed from life support on Saturday. He was 76 years old.
Iron Butterfly's Lee Dorman was found dead at his home on Friday, Dec. 21. The bassist, who also performed in the progressive rock group Captain Beyond, was 70.
We've had some great times and wonderful music to celebrate in 2012, but there have been a number of notable deaths in the rock and roll family, too. From prominent members of classic rock bands, to behind-the-scenes movers and shakers, the end of the year gives us a chance to remember the contributions of some historic rockers we've lost in 2012.
Photographer Roger Prigent, whose album cover shots included Alice Cooper's 'Love It to Death,' has passed away at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke that left him in a coma.
The music world is mourning the death of legendary A&M Records executive Gil Friesen (pictured at left in the above photo), who along with Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, helped grow the record label into a major player in the music industry. Friesen passed away Thursday (Dec. 13) at his Los Angeles home at the age of 75.
The men of Hawkwind will be glad to put 2012 behind them as another longtime member has died. Guitarist Huw Lloyd Langton succumbed to cancer last night (Dec. 6), according to a statement on the band's website. He was an influential part of the band in the early 70s and throughout the 80s, appearing on 10 of their 25 albums.
Ed Cassidy, the drummer for the classic rock band Spirit, died in San Jose, Calif. on Thursday (Dec. 6) of undisclosed causes. Notable for his shaved head (which inspired the nickname "Mr. Skin"), head-to-toe black wardrobe and massive drum kit, Cassidy was considered very influential on other drummers of the '60s rock era. He was 89 years old at the time of his death.
