W♥M

R.I.P. Julee Cruise - David (Twin Peaks) Lynch, The B-52's singer / collaborator

JULEE CRUISE - Falling single Read More Twin Peaks So a little information about Julee Cruise's involvement with Twin Peaks: she was working for Angelo Badalamenti as a talent scout in the mid 80s. Badalamenti was already working with David Lynch on his film Blue Velvet and they needed a song fans...

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Julee Cruise, the singer-songwriter best known for collaborations with David (Twin Peaks) Lynch, Angelo Badalamenti, and The B-52’s has passed away at the age of 65.

Her husband, author and editor Edward Grinnan released the news on social media, writing:

“She left this realm on her own terms. No regrets. She is at peace … I played her [The B-52’s song] ‘Roam’ during her transition. Now she will roam forever. Rest in peace, my love”.

Cruise released four of her own dream-pop albums, with her first release being the most iconic as “Falling” was used as the introductory music in the influential TV series, Twin Peaks, with Lynch penning lyrics for the song.

Cruise was born in Iowa in 1956, studied French horn at Drake University, and performed in Minneapolis with the Children’s Theater Company, soon after finding success in the movie industry the mid-80’s, starting with working on the soundtrack to Lynch’s film, Blue Velvet.

In 1991, she covered Elvis Presley’s “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” for Wim Wenders’ Until the End of the World soundtrack, among other contributions. Cruise also performed with other artists, stepping in for Cindy Wilson of The B-52’s from 1992 to 1999, and also performed with Bobby McFerrin’s improv vocal group Voicestra/CircleSong.

She sang alongside Pharrell on Handsome Boy Modeling School’s 2004 song “Class System” and her final album was a collaboration with Deee-lite’s DJ Dmitry on 2011’s My Secret Life. In 2018, Cruise released Three Demos, early recordings cut with Lynch and Badalamenti containing initial versions of “Floating,” “The World Spins,” and “Falling.”

Cause of death has yet to be determined, though previous postings said she was suffering from systemic lupus with increasing difficulty walking and standing.

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

R.I.P. - Alec John Such (Bon Jovi founding member / ex-bassist)

(Tico Torres, David Bryan, Jon Bon Jovi, ALEC JOHN SUCH, Richie Sambora)

ALEC JOHN SUCH Read More Bon Jovi Still going after some thirty-four years in the business, Bon Jovi returned to town, playing (surprisingly) to over 18,000 at a sold-out Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul for a two-and-a-half hour set that pleased both longtime fans...

BON JOVI (credit Getty Images)

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Alec John Such, founding member and ex-bassist of Bon Jovi has passed away at the age of 70 (cause currently unknown).  

Band leader Jon Bon Jovi has posted the following via social media: "

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such. He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band.

To be honest, we found our way to each other thru him — He was a childhood friend of Tico [Torres] and brought Richie [Sambora] to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life. Today these special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We will miss him dearly.”

Such was born in Yonkers, NY on November 14, 1951 and became a veteran presence on the NJ/NY rock circuit of the late 70s and joined future bandmate Richie Sambora  in a band called The Message, prior to helping found Bon Jovi and was responsible for bringing Sambora and drummer Tico Torres into the fold.  

After building their fan base and popularity with their self-titled debut and follow up, 7800 Fahrenheit, the band's third album, Slippery When Wet, sold some twelve million copies. Their next album, New Jersey, was also very successful and catapulted the band to stadium status.  

The US Slippery When Wet Tour actually started in 1986 with the band opening for .38 Special, but it became very clear, very quickly, that they were headliners in their own right (they became so popular we saw them in Kansas City twice in 1987, in Feb and June arena shows that both sold out immediately). 

Anyone growing up in the mid 80s/early 90s no doubt had their music as part of their life's soundtrack, as their radio hits were inescapable. The bassist would depart Bon Jovi in 1994 but did reunite with his bandmates when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. 

We last caught the band live in 2017 in St. Paul, and though Such's tenure was long over, the crowd without question responded the most, to the songs that Alec John Such was a part of. 

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

R.I.P. - Andrew Fletcher (Depeche Mode) and Alan White (Yes)

Depeche Mode (Getty Images) Read More Depeche Mode Depeche Mode is currently on their Delta Machine tour, stopping by Minnesota State Fair, of all places, last Tuesday, August 27th. …..

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Members of two key and legendary bands have just passed away -

Keyboardist and co-founder of Depeche Mode, Andrew Fletcher and Yes drummer Alan White.

Andrew Fletcher was age 60 and founded Depeche Mode along with schoolmates Dave Gahan and Martin Gore, back in 1980. They’ve gone on to score 54 songs on the UK singles charts and have been making records and touring for over forty years, also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

“Fletch” as he was known, died of natural causes at home, and is survived by his wife of almost thirty years, Grainne, and two children. We saw the band last ten years ago at the Minnesota State Fair, in an energetic and triumphantly memorable performance.

Depeche Mode said in a statement: 'We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness at the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy 'Fletch' Fletcher. Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint. Our hearts are with his family and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy at this difficult time.'

Longtime Yes drummer Alan White has also passed, at the age of 72, after a short illness and at his home. He had increasing health issues over the last several years, keeping him off the road with the band and they had already announced he would be sitting out their upcoming tour.

Prior to joining Yes in 1972 to replace Bill Buford, White was a member of John Lennon and Yoko’s Plastic Ono Band and the band was finally inducted into the Rock Hall in 2017. Similar to Fletcher, White leaves behind a wife of over forty years, Gigi, and two children.

The band released this statement on social media:

"The news has shocked and stunned the entire YES family. Alan had been looking forward to the forthcoming UK Tour, to celebrating his 50th Anniversary with YES and their iconic 'Close to the Edge' album, where Alan’s journey with YES began in July 1972. He recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his marriage to his loving wife Gigi. Alan passed away, peacefully at home."

Read More

Yes One of the most successful, influential progressive rock band in the world is Yes. In 1983, the band changed lineup (with Trevor Rabin) and concentrated mostly on more commercial and pop-oriented music. A second Yes band called Yes Featuring Jon Anderson …

 

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

George Perez Memorial Service at MegaCon Orlando (2022-05-22)

Memorial program front - portrait by Phil Noto Read More George Perez As you know, we’re big George Perez fans, so it’s with a sad note that I pass along George’s statement about his retirement. After this 2019 convention…

It was with heavy heart but great admiration to be present for the George Pérez memorial service hosted at MegaCon Orlando inside the sprawling Orange County Convention Center. 

The service was the last event of the four-day convention, that brought well over 100,000 to the biggest comics and pop culture event in the Southeast.  Living in nearby Sanford, FL, Pérez had been a longtime friend of the show and built up many personal and professional relationships from his regular appearances there. 

During the four-day show, a table was set up adorned with a large floral bouquet and a recent tribute art piece done by fellow artist and fan Bill Sienkiewicz with two guestbooks that the public could use to enter their well wishes and thoughts. 

A Friday fan-centric Remembering George Pérez panel also allowed fans to reminisce, share, and let everyone know what an impact his art, legacy, and good character, left on them. 

As the crowd filed in, acoustic Beatles music played and a slideshow featuring George, his friends and family, and his recent trip to DC headquarters in Burbank, was shown. 

The memorial service began with words from Constance Eza, a longtime friend of George and wife Carol, as well as a medical professional and comics event promoter. 

George’s brother, David (barely over a year younger) and his ninety-one year-old mother, Luz Maria Izquierdo took to the stage to each tell stories and thank the fans for all their support over the years. George’s father unfortunately was not in enough good health to attend.

Growing up in the South Bronx, David told tales of the brothers riding red tricycles together, and both drawing at an early age, even coming up with their own heroes, one being the Kleptomaniac Kid, who could make items teleport right into his hand.  Both brothers were also proud of their Puerto Rican heritage as well as assimilating as first-generation Nuyorican immigrants.

DC ex-publisher Dan Didio and a surprise guest, current DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee each remembered George in their own ways.  Lee recalled being starstruck and tongue-tied not only the first time they met at a convention, but for the second time as well.  In particular, Lee was amazed at the details with which George drew Avengers Mansion in 1977’s issue 162. 

Didio felt it had only been recently to sink in with him that George was really gone.  He also remarked that he previously hired Marv Wolfman for an animation project in hopes of also potentially meeting George, and that the first time he had really wished he could be back in the DC offices since his departure, was in January when he heard Wolfman and Pérez would be visiting in Burbank. 

Another longtime family friend, Shannon Lower spoke of George taking her to her first comic convention when she was nineteen, and altering the course of her life, as a result.  She spoke of times and the kindness that George and wife Carol provided, both to she and her family, as well as the comic community, specifically his efforts with Hero Initiative. 

Eza spoke briefly near the end, and the ceremony would finish with words and a quick story or two from George himself, courtesy of clips from a previous appearance at Amazing Con and also a segment filmed for a documentary. 

(click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

Program Interior

Program back

George’s brother and mother

Constance Eza

Shannon Lower

Dan Didio

Jim Lee

Dan Didio and Jim Lee at George Perez Memorial Service, MegaCon Orlando (2022-05-22)

 

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

R.I.P. Vangelis

Vangelis Read More movies We♥Movies is a directory/catalog of old Martial Arts films and collectible movies..

Vangelis (credit Decca Records)

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Word is coming out that Vangelis, the Greek composer and musician died at age 79. 

He was best known for his various synth film soundtracks including Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire and representatives said he died in a French hospital where he was being treated.

Born Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou in 1943, he was mostly self-taught. He grew up in Athens and playing the organ, formed his first band called the Forminx in 1963, playing pop music, rock’n’roll, and Beatles covers.

He once turned down an invitation from Yes to replace Rick Wakeman on keyboards (but would later form a successful duo with Yes singer Jon Anderson), he then moved to London and signed a solo deal with RCA Records, composing solo work as well as film soundtracks.

In 1981, his score for Chariots of Fire won the Oscar and has become iconic to this day. Vangelis followed that with his iconic score to Blade Runner – “We’re living in a kind of Blade Runner world now,” he said in 2005.

Other soundtracks that decade included Missing, The Bounty, Francesco and others. Vangelis worked again with Blade Runner director, Ridley Scott on 1492: Conquest of Paradise, and scored various documentaries by Jacques Cousteau.

In the world of sport, Vangelis was commissioned to soundtrack the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

More recently, he had been fascinated with outer space and his final album, 2021’s Juno to Jupiter, was inspired by the launch and mission of NASA probe Juno.

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

RIP George Perez

Read More George Perez As you know, we’re big George Perez fans, so it’s with a sad note that I pass along George’s statement about his retirement. After this 2019 convention…

We are sorry to report that beloved comic book creator, George Perez, has passed away yesterday.

George’s memorial service will take place at Megacon Orlando at 6pm on Sunday, May 22nd. It will be open to all. Details to follow.

From facebook.com:

To all of George’s fans and friends,

Constance here, with the update no one wants to read. George passed away yesterday, peacefully at home with his wife of 490 months and family by his side. He was not in pain and knew he was very, very loved.

We are all very much grieving but, at the same time, we are so incredibly grateful for the joy he brought to our lives. To know George was to love him; and he loved back. Fiercely and with his whole heart. The world is a lot less vibrant today without him in it.

He loved all of you. He loved hearing your posts and seeing the drawings you sent and the tributes you made. He was deeply proud to have brought so much joy to so many.

Everyone knows George’s legacy as a creator. His art, characters and stories will be revered for years to come. But, as towering as that legacy is, it pales in comparison to the legacy of the man George was. George’s true legacy is his kindness. It’s the love he had for bringing others joy - and I hope you all carry that with you always.

Today is Free Comic Book Day. A day George absolutely loved and a fitting day to remember his contributions to comics and to our lives. I hope you’ll enjoy your day today with him in mind. He would have loved that.

Please keep his wife Carol in your thoughts and again, I thank you for respecting her privacy. I remain available through the contact on the page.

George's memorial service will take place at MEGACON Orlando at 6pm on Sunday, May 22nd. It will be open to all. Details to follow. We will miss him always.

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

R.I.P. Klaus Schulze, Earth Wind & Fire sax player, and more

.

Klaus Schulze) Read More Klaus Schulze Klaus Schulze was a German electronic music pioneer, composer and musician and was briefly a member of Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel and The Cosmic Jokers before launching a solo career

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Word is just coming in that Klaus Schulze, the German electronic multi-instrumentalist has died at age 74.

The hugely influential artist briefly played with the groups Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel before going solo, created electronic soundscapes that are now established as a foundation of ambient/new age music, while his beats and rhythms, helped influence modern techno, trance and other dance genres.

Born in Berlin in 1947, his discography is some 50 albums, including live albums and soundtrack recordings, and was ahead of the curve with 1979’s Dune, inspired by the Frank Herbert sci-fi novel, which he would work on again with Hans Zimmer on the 2021 film adaptation.

He worked as a producer for other artists including Dead Can Dance singer Lisa Gerrard (including recording live albums together), and pop band Alphaville.

Schulze’s final album, Deus Arrakis, was also inspired by Dune, is due for release on 10 June.

===

Andrew Woolfolk, the longtime saxophonist for Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at 71.

EWF lead singer, Philip Bailey, announced Woolfolk's death on Instagram on April 25 and said he'd been ill for more than six years. Woolfolk was a member of Earth, Wind & Fire from 1973 to 1985, and also from 1987 to 1993.

===

Susan Jacks, singer of ’60s pop hit ‘Which Way You Goin’ Billy,’ has died of kidney failure on April 25 at age 73
Born in 1948, Jacks reached international fame as part of the Poppy Family with then-husband Terry Jacks. 1969’s “Which Way You Goin’ Billy,” sold three million records worldwide and hit #1 in Canada and #2 on Billboard in the US.

===

Randy Rand, the founding bassist of 1980s rockers Autograph, has died, confirmed by the band in a social media post.

The statement read: "It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts to announce the unexpected passing of our cherished friend and founding member of Autograph, Randy Rand. At the time of death, Randy was surrounded by his beautiful and infinite love, Regina Rand and family."

The band was best known for 1984's pop metal anthem, "Turn Up the Radio" as well as "Blondes in Black Cars' and more.  

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

One-Armed Boxer

Read More Shaw Brothers Thankfully, their latest release for Jimmy Wang Yu’s The Chinese Boxer, is available domestically in the USA (their first simultaneous UK and US release). …

Earlier this week, I read the sad news that Jimmy Wang Yu had passed away at the age of 79.

As a massive Shaw Brothers fan, I do own and love many of his movie… although surprisingly, watching the semi-recently Bluray release of Chinese Boxer, I discovered that the 1970 film was Jimmy Wang Yu’s last film for Shaw Brothers (after fighting very hard to get Shaw Brothers to get the film made in the first place).

Of course, Wang Yu first became famous with The One Armed Swordsman, and since then, have been unfairly typecast to play one-armed martial artist. Wang Yu made a ton of “One Armed Swordsman” unofficial sequels, including Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman and, my personal favorite, Master of the Flying Guillotine (aka One Armed Swordsman vs the Flying Guillotine). In many ways, Master of the Flying Guillotine is a masterpiece, and the film would go on to inspire Street Fighter II arcade video game.

Outside of the Shaw Brothers films and bootlegs I’ve collected over the years, many of Wang Yu’s films were never officially released in America… which is a shame.

I will likely pick up the forthcoming One-Armed Boxer (1971) by Arrow Videos. The film is coming out May 24, 2022. This was the film that he made right after leaving Shaw Brothers. He went over to Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest. Golden Harvest produced all of Bruce Lee’s films (with the exception of Warner Brothers’ Enter the Dragon)… so I also have a lot of love for Golden Harvest.

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

R.I.P. Tom Parker (The Wanted singer), age 33

The Wanted (credit: Sky News) Read More The Wanted The British-Irish vocal pop group released three studio albums, one compilation album, two extended plays and fifteen singles.

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Tom Parker, one of the singers in UK boy band The Wanted passed away earlier today.

The British/Irish vocal pop group released three studio albums, one compilation album, two EPs and fifteen singles.

The band's debut album, The Wanted, was released by Geffen Records in the UK in October 2010, hitting number four on the UK Album Chart and number eleven on the Irish Albums Chart.

In 2013, Parker appeared with his bandmates in the E! reality television series The Wanted Life.

The band announced their decision to break up in January 2014 after selling over 12 million records worldwide.
They had two UK number one singles - "Glad You Came" and "All Time Low" and after the band's hiatus, Parker embarked on a solo career.

The singer told fans in October 2020 that he had an inoperable tumor.

The band then reunited in September 2021 and released their Greatest Hits album that November, which included two new songs. They then went on tour and Parker put in an appearance sitting on a throne on stage at some of their last shows.

His wife Kelsey Hardwick wrote on Instagram: "Our hearts are broken. Tom was the centre of our world. We can't imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence."

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

R.I.P. Taylor Hawkins- Foo Fighters drummer

Foo Fighters (credit: Danny Clinch) Read More Foo Fighters One of rock’s biggest and most enduring acts gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this fall.  Medicine at Midnight is the band’s latest...

(Read more Musicians who died in 2022 )

Word has come out that fifty-year old Taylor Hawkins, drummer for the Foo Fighters, has died.

Details are still developing, but the band was in the midst of a South American festival tour, scheduled to play Bogota, Colombia just before the news broke.

The band confirmed this in an official statement, also noting “his musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

Foo Fighters’ next scheduled US show is at the end of next month in Memphis and the band had embarked on a pandemic-delayed 25^th Anniversary Tour, to play numerous countries through the end of the year.

Before joining the band in 1997, Taylor Hawkins was the touring drummer for Sass Jordan and Alanis Morissette, and also drummer in the prog/experimental band Sylvia. In 2004, Hawkins formed his own side project, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, in which he also sang, beginning on their 2006 debut album.

When the Foos were not touring, Hawkins played in a three-piece cover band, Chevy Metal, that played deep cuts from the likes of ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Queen, and Black Sabbath.

He leaves behind his wife, three children, and millions of fans.

FOO FIGHTERS scheduled Tour dates

03/25/22 FESTIVAL ESTEREO PICNIC BOGOTÁ, CO

03/27/22 LOLLAPALOOZA BRASIL SÃO PAULO, BR

04/29/22 BEALE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL MEMPHIS

05/01/22 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL NEW ORLEANS

05/14/22 THE PAVILION AT STAR LAKE BURGETTSTOWN

05/16/22 MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION COLUMBIA

05/18/22 MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION COLUMBIA

05/20/22 COASTAL CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK RALEIGH

05/22/22 WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE DAYTONA BEACH

05/24/22 PNC MUSIC PAVILION CHARLOTTE

05/27/22 BOSTON CALLING MUSIC FESTIVALBOSTON

06/08/22 FLUGHAFEN TEMPELHOF BERLIN, DE

06/10/22 NOVA ROCK FESTIVAL NICKELSDORF, AT

06/12/22 I-DAYS MILAN, IT

06/14/22 ST. JAKOB-PARK BASEL, CH

06/16/22 CIUDAD DE LAS ARTES Y LAS CIENCIAS VALENCIA, ES

06/18/22 ROCK IN RIO LISBON LISBON, PT

06/20/22 WANDA METROPOLITANO STADIUM MADRID, ES

06/22/22 FESTIVAL DE NIMES NIMES, FR

06/23/22 FESTIVAL DE NIMES NIMES, FR

06/25/22 EMIRATES OLD TRAFFORD MANCHESTER, UK

06/27/22 VILLA PARK BIRMINGHAM, UK

06/30/22 LONDON STADIUM LONDON, UK

07/02/22 LONDON STADIUM LONDON, UK

07/17/22 CITI FIELD NEW YORK

07/19/22 SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SARATOGA SPRINGS

07/22/22 ROGERS CENTRE TORONTO, CA

07/24/22 LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD PHILADELPHIA

07/27/22 MAINE SAVINGS AMPHITHEATER BANGOR

07/29/22 OSHEAGA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL MONTREAL, CA

08/01/22 RUOFF MUSIC CENTER NOBLESVILLE

08/03/22 U.S BANK STADIUM MINNEAPOLIS

08/06/22 EMPOWER FIELD AT MILE HIGH DENVER

08/08/22 USANA AMPHITHEATRE WEST VALLEY CITY

08/10/22 BIG SKY EVENTS ARENA BIG SKY

08/13/22 T-MOBILE PARK SEATTLE

08/18/22 BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM LOS ANGELES

08/20/22 BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM LOS ANGELES

09/18/22 DENNY SANFORD PREMIER CENTER SIOUX FALLS

09/21/22 CANADA LIFE CENTRE WINNIPEG, CA

09/23/22 SASKTEL CENTRE SASKATOON, CA

09/25/22 BRANDT CENTRE REGINA, CA

09/27/22 ROGERS PLACE EDMONTON, CA

09/29/22 SCOTIABANK SADDLEDOME CALGARY, CA

10/01/22 SOUTH OKANAGAN EVENTS CENTRE PENTICTON, CA

10/03/22 SAVE ON FOODS MEMORIAL CENTRE VICTORIA, CA

10/05/22 ROGERS ARENA VANCOUVER, CA

10/07/22 HAYDEN HOMES AMPHITHEATER BEND

10/09/22 AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL SACRAMENTO

11/30/22 HBF PARK PERTH, AU

12/04/22 AAMI PARK MELBOURNE, AU

12/06/22 AAMI PARK MELBOURNE, AU

12/10/22 SUNCORP STADIUM BRISBANE, AU

12/12/22 ACCOR STADIUM SYDNEY, AU

12/15/22 SKY STADIUM WELLINGTON, NZ

12/17/22 WESTERN SPRINGS AUCKLAND, NZ

John (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com