{"id":8210,"date":"2017-01-09T16:08:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-09T23:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/?p=8210"},"modified":"2019-06-26T21:17:03","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T04:17:03","slug":"remembering-those-we-lost-in-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/?p=8210","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Those We Lost in 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ll-2016-deaths\"
\n2016 was certainly one for the history books<\/p>\n

In the political universe, 2016 was the year for the craziest, most divisive election in the modern history of the United States. While a few of my associates will be celebrating this bizarre moment where all the normal rules were tossed by the wayside, so many of us are truly dreading to see what happens next.<\/p>\n

If there was a unifying theme of 2016, it was an excess of deaths for some very talented people \u2013 musicians, actors, writers and various good people that made a real difference in making the world less bleak.<\/p>\n

Last year \u2013 2015 was a difficult one for the LOUIE project. We lost some principal members of the documentary project., as well as a beloved family member.<\/p>\n

Last year, around this time, it took me a few days to write up an overview of those we lost in 2015.<\/p>\n

This year \u2013a bit more of the same, as more principal members of the documentary project have left us.<\/p>\n

So, let try to summarize the year that was, or at least, my personal thoughts on the people we lost last year.<\/p>\n

\"frankielee-eppix\"<\/p>\n

Frankie Lee<\/a><\/strong>
\nFrankie Lee<\/strong> was someone I failed to mention in my 2015 wrap-up. Between the years of 1999 to 2001, I was a writer, researcher and associate producer for Blues Express, a television production company and record label based in San Francisco. I worked closely with Frankie, helping produce a video segment on his life story, as well as writing liner notes for his CD release \u201cHere I Go Again.\u201d<\/p>\n

I really enjoyed working with Frankie, and that album in particular, which I was proud to be involved with. Members of the Etta James<\/strong> band were backed up Frankie on that album, including Etta\u2019s sons Sametto James<\/strong> and Donto James<\/strong>, who coincidentally married Richard Berry\u2019s daughter Christy. <\/p>\n

I was saddened to hear that Frankie died of cancer on April 24, 2015. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, let\u2019s go over some of the losses of 2016…<\/p>\n

\"long-john-hunter-elpaso\"
\nLong John Hunter<\/a>
\nLong John Hunter<\/strong> was another musician I was honored to work with in conjunction the Blues Express TV program. Like Frankie Lee, Long John was a blues musician that came from Texas. Around that time, Norton Records had just reissued some of his early 1950\u2019s recordings from El Paso. He was a blues player with some really great stories, and I was more than happy to capture some of those moments with the interview I conducted. (January 4)
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"bowie-time-person-year\"<\/p>\n

David Bowie<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

David Bowie<\/strong>\u2019s death caught so many of us off-guard that it initially felt like a hoax. As the sad news was confirmed, his passing ignited a floodgate of emotional tributes. On this LOUIE site, I noted one of his earliest recordings \u2013a cover version of Paul Revere & Raiders<\/strong>\u2019 LOUIE answer song \u2013 \u201cLouie Go Home\u201d; the significance of the year 1983 as a moment when both Bowie + the KFJC LOUIE Marathon broke out to a much bigger audience; and the unlikely connection between \u201cFame\u201d and Richard Berry<\/strong>\u2019s old band, The Flairs<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

As the impact of David Bowie\u2019s legacy continued to be analyzed and celebrated throughout 2016, there were a considerable number of people that planted the idea that David Bowie was the one that really should have received TIME magazine\u2019s Person of the Year award… which inspired the fake TIME magazine graphic shown above… (January 10)<\/p>\n

RIP: David Bowie (aka Davie Jones) \u2013 LOUIE of the Week<\/a>
\nDavid Bowie + LOUIE LOUIE part 2 \/ Les Dantz \u2013 LOUIE of Week<\/a>
\nDavid Bowie + LOUIE connection part 3 \/ Footstompin\u2019 \u2013 non-LOUIE of the Week<\/a><\/p>\n

_____________<\/p>\n

\"blowfly-profile\"
\nBlowfly<\/a>
\nBlowfly<\/strong> (aka Clarence Henry Reid<\/strong>) was an inspired creature that discovered a way to fuse funk soul music, rockin\u2019 oldies, rap hip hop and comical obscenity into an absurd art form. Countless hours were laughing along with his not-ready-for-radio \u201cOldies But Goodies\u201d parodies of 50s rock \u2018n\u2019 roll standards. You categorize this one as a guilty pleasure, not designed to be shared with children or those that might be easily offended (January 17)
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"paul-kantner-block\"<\/p>\n

Paul Kantner<\/strong>
\nPaul Kantner<\/strong> of Jefferson Airplane \/ Starship<\/strong> was truly a San Francisco institution. We (the LOUIE production team) would see him all over town \u2013 drinking coffee in North Beach, catching a punk or hippy music show, walking around in Golden Gate Park, or simply performing at one his own shows as the leader of the Jefferson Starship. The LOUIE production team was honored to work with Kantner on a handful of projects for a various clients. (January 28)
\n_____________
\n\"signe-herb_greene\"<\/p>\n

Signe Toly Anderson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ironically, Jefferson Airplane co-founder Signe Toly Anderson<\/strong>, passed away in Oregon on the same day as her old band mate Paul. (January 28)<\/p>\n

_____________<\/p>\n

\"buckmunger-eppix\"<\/p>\n

Buck Munger<\/a><\/strong>
\nBuck Munger<\/strong> was a dedicated advocate for music in his home state of Oregon. When Norm Sunholm<\/strong> of the Kingsmen<\/strong> and his brother Conrad decided to market their customized high-powered amplifiers, they created the Sunn Musical Equipment Company<\/strong> in 1965. As they continued to grow their company, they hired Buck Munger to represent their company with an office in California to promote their products and line up endorsement deals. Thanks to Buck, the Jimi Hendrix Experience<\/strong> and The Who<\/strong> both endorsed the products of this company, helping transform this company into a major player in the late 1960s. After his run with Sunn, Buck wound up working with Norlin (manufacturer of Gibson and Moog products) and Billboard magazine before moving back to Portland, Oregon, where he launched TWO LOUIES<\/strong>, a regional music trade public publication. Buck did a lot of great things in his hometown \u2013 a lot of celebrations as well as inspiring the eventual creation of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. He provided some great support for the LOUIE documentary project and will be severely missed. (April 19)<\/p>\n

RIP: Buck Munger, publisher of Two Louies, NW music industry legend<\/a>
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"prince-nelson\"<\/p>\n

Prince<\/a>
\nPrince<\/strong>. A super-talented singer songwriter with eccentric tendencies. <\/p>\n

Author of a song called \u201cHey Louie Louie,\u201d which has been called \u201cbest song ever\u201d as well as \u201cfunny as hell\u201d and \u201cjust stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

A musician with a wealth of previously-unheard material that may or may not be released in the near future. (April 21)<\/p>\n

RIP: Prince Nelson, musician extraordinaire (with a semi-Lost LOUIE of Week?)<\/a>
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"candyekane_swinginpromo\"<\/p>\n

Candye Kane<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Good ol\u2019 Candye Kane<\/strong>. A dynamo blues singer. A beautiful being that believed in empowerment, promoting healing, love, and self-acceptance of one\u2019s body \u2013 whatever size, shape or hue it may be. She fought her cancer for many years, and actively helped others that were also dealing with cancer She put up a damned good fight, but unfortunately lost the battle. Those that knew her, truly loved her. (May 6)<\/p>\n

Remembering Candye Kane \u2013 Non-LOUIE of the Week<\/a>
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"manolides-1996\"<\/p>\n

Jim Manolides<\/a><\/strong>
\nJim Manolides<\/strong> was a member of one of the earliest musical groups to cover Richard Berry<\/strong>\u2019s LOUIE LOUIE. Jim was a founding member of the Frantics<\/strong>, whose first record (\u201cStraight Flush\u201d) made the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1959. While the Frantics may not have recorded LOUIE LOUIE, they did perform the song regularly in the Seattle area in the late 1950s. According to Jim, he was the guy that taught the lyrics to Rockin Robin Roberts<\/strong>, the guy who recorded what many people consider the definitive version of the song. Not only did Jim play LOUIE LOUIE before the Kingsmen<\/strong> made it famous, but with his band James Henry & the Olympics<\/strong>, he also recorded the song \u201cMy Girl Sloopy\u201d before the McCoys<\/strong> picked it and renamed it \u201cHang On Sloopy.\u201d As our pal Barry Curtis<\/strong> stated, \u201cJimmy was opinionated and did not suffer fools, but once any of us got to really know him, we had a friend for life.\u201d<\/em> (May 9)<\/p>\n

RIP: Jim Manolides, legendary musician with Frantics, Dave Lewis, and more\u2026.<\/a>
\nSeaside Memories with James Henry & the Olympics<\/a>
\nJames Henry & Olympics \u2013 Sloopy (LOUIE-mutant) of the Week<\/a>
\nBetween Richard Berry and Rockin\u2019 Robin Roberts<\/a>
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"garyPaxton-archives-EP\"<\/p>\n

Gary S. Paxton<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gary S. Paxton<\/strong> was a friend that lived a life filed with some truly incredible moments. As a teenager, he found early success as a singer-songwriter of Skip and Flip<\/strong>, a teenage duo with a hit song that sold a million records, and toured America with legendary DJ Alan Freed. After that partnership fell apart, he wound up forging a brief alliance with Kim Fowley<\/strong>, producing a lot of records together, including their own musical project (which evolved into an actual group), the Hollywood Argyles, which had a big hit with \u201cAlley Oop.\u201d From 1959 until the time of his passing, he produced thousands of records for a wide variety of musicians, with an assortment of #1 hit records in rock, country and gospel music. He survived a murder attempt on his life, character assassination attempts by tabloid media, multiple marriages, and became a reborn Christian that eventually found an everlasting love with Miss Vicki Sue<\/strong>, who was with him until the very end. He also produced some excellent records with Richard Berry<\/strong> after LOUIE LOUIE, and also wound recording the very first album by Paul Revere & the Raiders<\/strong>, years before they signed to Columbia Records. (July 16)<\/p>\n

RIP: Gary S. Paxton, legendary music producer<\/a>
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"buckormsby-eppix\"<\/p>\n

Buck Ormsby <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to finding an advocate for the legacy of music from the Pacific Northwest, and the Seattle-Tacoma area in particular, one would be hard-pressed to find a stronger player than Buck Ormsby<\/strong>. As a key member of the Fabulous Wailers<\/strong>, and a co-owner of Etiquette Records<\/strong>, one of the earliest artist-owned record labels of the Northwest, Buck was a true pioneer that forged a path in uncharted territory. With Little Bill Engelhart<\/strong>, they formed The Blue Notes<\/strong>, which was considered the very first rock band of Tacoma, and they also discovered Rockin\u2019 Robin Roberts<\/strong>, who would later transform Richard Berry\u2019s ditty into the rock \u2018n\u2019 roll archetype adopted by the Kingsmen and a gazillion other bands. As the primary mover behind Etiquette Records, Buck also discovered and produced the Sonics<\/strong>, whose ragged style provided the primordial ooze for what would eventually be labeled punk. As my friend Alec Palao so eloquently stated, \u201cBuck Ormsby proffered no agenda other than to keep the faith for what he felt need nurturing and preserving: real rock\u2019n\u2019roll.\u201d <\/em> (October 29)<\/p>\n

RIP: Buck Ormsby of Fabulous Wailers + Etiquette Records<\/a>
\nDave Marsh on Buck Ormsby<\/a>
\nMore on Buck Ormsby + Song of the Week<\/a><\/p>\n

_____________<\/p>\n

\"leonard-cohen\"<\/p>\n

Leonard Cohen<\/strong><\/p>\n

The beautiful poetry of Leonard Cohen<\/strong>, set to music, provided some wonderful elements to the ongoing life soundtrack for many of us. When faced with an unexpected financial crisis late in his life, he returned to public performances for the first time in many years, discovering the biggest audience of his career during his golden twilight of his life! (November 7)
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"leon_russell-eppix\"<\/p>\n

Leon Russell<\/a> <\/strong>
\nLeon Russell<\/strong> was a musician that was highly respected by fellow musicians. As singer, songwriter, and session player, he was involved with a LOT of top-selling musical recordings over the course of his 60-year career. During an early part of his career, he filled for Paul Revere for a few weeks when the leader of Paul Revere & the Raiders<\/strong> was unable to perform. He also recorded with Richard Berry<\/strong> for some of Richard\u2019s final studio recordings. (November 13)<\/p>\n

RIP: Leon Russell \/ duet with Richard Berry \u2013 unreleased song of the week<\/a>
\n_____________<\/p>\n

\"billymillier-fashioncu\"<\/p>\n

Billy Miller<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Billy Miller was a true champion for the foot-stomping, hip-shaking, soulful roots music we call rock \u2018n\u2019 roll. Along with his beloved companion \/ partner Miriam Linna<\/strong>, they established an incredible legacy designed to honor, archive and celebrate in the grandest possible manner, the rich heritage of American garage rock music with their Norton Records<\/strong> label, Kicks magazine<\/strong> and their musical group, The A-Bones<\/strong>. (Nov 13)<\/p>\n

RIP: Billy Miller of Norton Records \/ A-Bones (with a LOUIE relative of the Week)<\/a><\/p>\n

_____________<\/p>\n

\"raul_vega_lr\"<\/p>\n

Raul Vega<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

My friend Raul Vega<\/strong> was an extremely talented artist based in the San Jose area. He created some beautiful illustrations, had an unforgettable laugh, and was one of the most generous people I\u2019ve ever known. Back in the 1980s, he, Phil Tiger<\/strong>, and Lisa Venuti<\/strong> were part of a special art collective \/ live\/ workspace known as \u201cSector Four,\u201d all of which was eventually bulldozed and transformed into another generic shopping center in Santa Clara. Before that particular renovation, they were the subject of a cover story for the March 9, 1986 issue of San Jose Mercury News – West magazine with the title “San Jose’s Lonely Bohemians.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, nothing lasts forever. Lisa moved out of California, Phil died in 2012, and we just lost Raul a few months ago. “Be a slave to art and die happy” was their mantra. (November 17)<\/p>\n

_____________<\/p>\n

\"georgemichael_3\"<\/p>\n

George Michaels<\/strong>
\nWhen Richard Berry<\/strong> visited England in 1993, George Michaels<\/strong> was one of the big name British musicians that was anxious to meet him. (December 25)
\n_____________<\/p>\n

UPDATED ADDITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"blue-johnson\"
\nBlue Johnson aka Bangkok Blue<\/strong><\/p>\n

Right after I assembled most of this article, I realized I failed to mention the passing of Blue Johnson<\/strong> aka Bangkok Blue<\/strong>, who did a jazzy remix of Richard Berry<\/strong>‘s original version, which he shared with the world on YouTube. <\/p>\n

About a month after I made contact with him, and showcased his version on this website<\/a>, he passed away.<\/p>\n

Here’s some more names whose passings I would like to acknowledge, which I know is an incomplete list….<\/p>\n

Keith Emerson<\/strong> \u2013 keyboardist, songwriter (March 11)<\/p>\n

Merle Haggard<\/strong> – singer, songwriter, legend (April 6)<\/p>\n

Betty Babjak<\/strong> \u2013 wife of Smithereens guitarist Jim Babjak. (February 24)<\/p>\n

Pete Fountain<\/strong> – jazz clarinetist (August 6)<\/p>\n

Mose Allison<\/strong> – singer, songwriter (November 15)<\/p>\n

Sharon Jones<\/strong> – singer with the the Dap-Kings (November 18)<\/p>\n

Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire of Oakland<\/strong> w\/36 deaths (December 2) <\/p>\n

Greg Lake<\/strong> – singer, songwriter, guitarist with Emerson Lake Palmer, King Crimson (December 7)<\/p>\n

Santiago Avila<\/strong> – the beloved “Uncle Sandy” that inspired one of my favorite people, Robert Armstrong to become “Big Sandy” (December 22)<\/p>\n

Don “Duck” Edwing<\/strong> – MAD magazine writer – artist (December 26)<\/p>\n

Carrie Fisher<\/strong> \u2013 actress, writer, humorist (December 27)<\/p>\n

Debbie Reynolds<\/strong> – Actress, singer, dancer, businesswoman (December 28)<\/p>\n

… and lest we forget…<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nDan Hicks<\/strong> – singer\/ songwriter (Feb 6) – The LOUIE team worked on the video production of Dan’s 60th Birthday Bash at The Warfield, San Francisco CA, December 9 2001.<\/p>\n

– ERIC PREDOEHL<\/strong> of LouieLouie.net<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2016 was certainly one for the history books In the political universe, 2016 was the year for the craziest, most divisive election in the modern history of the United States. While a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,22,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ep-world","category-louie-universe","category-obituaries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8210"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10621,"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8210\/revisions\/10621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}