The Musician Death Thread
Rod de'Ath, Drummer for Rory Gallagher
Rod de'Ath R.I.P
August 1st, 2014
It's with great sadness that we pass on the news that Rod de'Ath, Rory's drummer from 1973-77, has passed away. Rod had been fighting ill health for the past few months and last night passed away peacefully in his sleep. Our thoughts and condolences to Rod's family and loved ones.
Dónal Gallagher:
Getting the news of Rod's passing is a cold, icy shock.
A supreme percussionist, his ambidextrous drumming ability made Rod unique. The drum patterns and tones he played were extraordinary, like Rory, I doubt if he ever played the same thing twice, his stamina was of olympic proportions and would match the 200% Rory's performance gave.
On the road, Rod was a true professional - though at times he would push things to the limit but this gave rise to some of the best road experience tales - he was quite the character, bless him.
From the night in '72 that Rod 'dived in at the deep end' to drum (without rehearsal) for Rory, in Limerick, the guy has always had my admiration as an amazing man and musician.
A one of a kind person, Rod - they don't make them like you anymore, that's for sure.
Dónal
Here is a great clip of Rod in action at the Montreaux Jazz Festival on July 22nd, 1977...2 days after the last Johnstown flood... enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CysHNJFvuw
August 1st, 2014
It's with great sadness that we pass on the news that Rod de'Ath, Rory's drummer from 1973-77, has passed away. Rod had been fighting ill health for the past few months and last night passed away peacefully in his sleep. Our thoughts and condolences to Rod's family and loved ones.
Dónal Gallagher:
Getting the news of Rod's passing is a cold, icy shock.
A supreme percussionist, his ambidextrous drumming ability made Rod unique. The drum patterns and tones he played were extraordinary, like Rory, I doubt if he ever played the same thing twice, his stamina was of olympic proportions and would match the 200% Rory's performance gave.
On the road, Rod was a true professional - though at times he would push things to the limit but this gave rise to some of the best road experience tales - he was quite the character, bless him.
From the night in '72 that Rod 'dived in at the deep end' to drum (without rehearsal) for Rory, in Limerick, the guy has always had my admiration as an amazing man and musician.
A one of a kind person, Rod - they don't make them like you anymore, that's for sure.
Dónal
Here is a great clip of Rod in action at the Montreaux Jazz Festival on July 22nd, 1977...2 days after the last Johnstown flood... enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CysHNJFvuw
Phil Kolarczyk, Bass player, RIP
Local bassist Phil Kolarczyk passed away Friday nite Aug. 8th. Phil played in a number of local band to include The Hurricanes, The Red Arrow and Dakota Rose. RIP Phil....
http://www.gibbonsfunerals.com/obits/ob ... ?id=489911
http://www.gibbonsfunerals.com/obits/ob ... ?id=489911
Suicidal Tendencies Bassist Tim 'Rawbiz' Williams R.I.P.
http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/6 ... z-williams
http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/6 ... z-williams
Re: Phil Kolarczyk, Bass player, RIP
How about "The Amasing Picnic" too. I'll miss Phil.m2helmet wrote:Local bassist Phil Kolarczyk passed away Friday nite Aug. 8th. Phil played in a number of local band to include The Hurricanes, The Red Arrow and Dakota Rose. RIP Phil....
http://www.gibbonsfunerals.com/obits/ob ... ?id=489911
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I'm saddened to report the passing of Darryl Carter over the weekend. Darryl played guitar and sang with several area bands over the past few years, including Holy Smoke Blues, Euphoria and Quintessence. He was talented onstage, but also pleasant, cordial and inspirational off stage. He was enthusiastic about working with young performers. My heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to Darryl's surviving family, loved ones, friends and music community.
Here is a picture of Darryl in action, playing with Holy Smoke Blues during the 2008 Central PA Festival of the Arts in State College.

Here is a picture of Darryl in action, playing with Holy Smoke Blues during the 2008 Central PA Festival of the Arts in State College.

The area music community loses another valued member, as Allan Robison has passed.
(Since I don't know if the link will work because of the Altoona Mirror's paywall system, here is the obituary:)
Allan L. Robison, 71, Altoona, died Friday at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, after an extended illness.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Frank R. and Nellie Mae (Eby) Robison. He married Sally Ann Olson on June 8, 1963, at First Baptist Church in Altoona.
Surviving are his wife; two sons: Craig S. (Vicki) of Dunedin, Fla., and Christopher T. (Leslie) of Hagerstown, Md.; a daughter, Carisa L. Walter (Ed) of Altoona; six grandchildren: Tonya Deal, Ryan London, Ryan Robison, Max Robison, Ethan Robison and Alexis Yandle; five great-granddaughters; a sister-in-law, Joyce Robison; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Gordon and Ronald; and two infant daughters: Dawn Renee and Stacey Lynn.
Allan was a 1961 graduate of Altoona High School and a graduate of Altoona School of Commerce. He retired as director of Blair County Community Action Agency after 28 years of service, and he was a member of the board of directors of the Greater Altoona Economic Development Corp. and Altoona Parking Authority.
Allan was a well-known drummer, having played for several area bands, including J.D. and the Impressions, Fire and Rain, Prime Time and Big Mac and the Fries. He especially enjoyed playing for and acting as sound engineer for many downtown Altoona concerts. He enjoyed Pittsburgh Steelers football, golfing, travel and music.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home Inc., 2309 Broad Ave., Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Interment will be at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Blair County Community Action Agency, 2100 Sixth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602, in Allan's memory.
Here is a picture of Allan playing drums with Big Mac and the Fries, taken during the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert at downtown Altoona's Heritage Plaza in September, 2005.

(Since I don't know if the link will work because of the Altoona Mirror's paywall system, here is the obituary:)
Allan L. Robison, 71, Altoona, died Friday at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, after an extended illness.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Frank R. and Nellie Mae (Eby) Robison. He married Sally Ann Olson on June 8, 1963, at First Baptist Church in Altoona.
Surviving are his wife; two sons: Craig S. (Vicki) of Dunedin, Fla., and Christopher T. (Leslie) of Hagerstown, Md.; a daughter, Carisa L. Walter (Ed) of Altoona; six grandchildren: Tonya Deal, Ryan London, Ryan Robison, Max Robison, Ethan Robison and Alexis Yandle; five great-granddaughters; a sister-in-law, Joyce Robison; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Gordon and Ronald; and two infant daughters: Dawn Renee and Stacey Lynn.
Allan was a 1961 graduate of Altoona High School and a graduate of Altoona School of Commerce. He retired as director of Blair County Community Action Agency after 28 years of service, and he was a member of the board of directors of the Greater Altoona Economic Development Corp. and Altoona Parking Authority.
Allan was a well-known drummer, having played for several area bands, including J.D. and the Impressions, Fire and Rain, Prime Time and Big Mac and the Fries. He especially enjoyed playing for and acting as sound engineer for many downtown Altoona concerts. He enjoyed Pittsburgh Steelers football, golfing, travel and music.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home Inc., 2309 Broad Ave., Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Interment will be at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Blair County Community Action Agency, 2100 Sixth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602, in Allan's memory.
Here is a picture of Allan playing drums with Big Mac and the Fries, taken during the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert at downtown Altoona's Heritage Plaza in September, 2005.

Primal Scream Guitarist Robert 'Throb' Young R.I.P.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... @yahoo.com
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... @yahoo.com
Rob Crewe, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, R.I.P.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... @yahoo.com
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... @yahoo.com
Tim Hauser, Manhattan Transfer founder, R.I.P.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/arts/ ... .html?_r=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/arts/ ... .html?_r=1
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Neil Young Bassist Rick Rosas AKA Rick the Bass Player
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rick-rosas-dies/
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rick-rosas-dies/
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The Rolling Stones Saxophonist Bobby Keys R.I.P.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/rol ... d=27308347
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/rol ... d=27308347
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Faces and Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan dies aged 69
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/d ... lagan-dies
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/d ... lagan-dies