Monday was Memorial Day in the United States of America. A national holiday to remember the brave men and women that sacrificed their lives for the good of their country. A time…
Category: Obituaries
RIP: John Greek, founding member of the Wailers, 65
Years before the Wailers recorded LOUIE LOUIE with Rockin’ Robin Roberts, they were considered one of the hottest rock bands to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. In 1959, when they were still…
More on James Brown
I was digging around my photo archives, trying to find a decent print from the James Brown show at the Keystone Palo Alto that I photographed, but it appears that certain items…
RIP: James Brown, grandfather of Funk / Soul, entertainment icon
Devastated. That’s the way my friend Laurel described what she felt at 12:42 am on Christmas morning when she sent me an email. James Brown is dead . The song of the…
More on Dirk Dirksen
Here’s details on the official Dirk Dirksen memorial: Dirk Dirksen, the beloved and often despised “Pope of Punk” requests, no, DEMANDS, your attendance at his memorial Saturday December 2, 2006 at 11am…
RIP: Dirk Dirksen, San Francisco music promoter
The LOUIE REPORT just lost another great ally. Dirk Dirksen, San Francisco’s own “pope of punk” has passed away. Apparently, he died in his sleep Sunday night/Monday morning. Dirk was the most…
RIP: Sandy West, drummer for Runaways
From Stretch Riedle, the uber-archivist of LOUIE recordings: Only slightly Louie Louie related but very worthy of mention: Sandy West, the drummer for the Runaways, has died of lung cancer. She was…
RIP: Jennell Hawkins, singer with Richard Berry + Freddie Willis
Here’s some sad news: Singer-pianist Jennell Hawkins died in Los Angeles on Friday, October 13, after a long illness following a stroke last year. She was the lead singer on the Dreamers‘…
RIP: Michael Rivinius, musician
This week, thanks to my pal David at Punmaster.com, I received word that musician Michael Rivinius had died. I first met Michael back in 1989 when he arranged a show with Richard…
RIP: Harold Welch, bay area restaurateur, music promoter
A few days ago, I was reading the San Jose Mercury when I ran across an obituary of an old friend. Harold Welch was a very colorful character in the San Francisco…