As 2019 heads towards the sunset, I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon the numerous losses that music faced this past year. Though PiercingMetal has long posted extended memorials in our “In Memoriam” Features, it’s almost impossible to speak about them all. Instead, I’m again using this comprehensive rundown that was culled from other online research sources so we can say “Hail and Farewell” a little bit better to more of them. Those who’ve already been toasted will have their entry highlighted in the list should you care to examine that post. Let’s say “goodbye” once more to these talented folks.
January 1, 2019: Shane Bisnett (31), American metalcore bassist (Ice Nine Kills)
January 2, 2019: Daryl Dragon (76), American pop keyboardist and songwriter (Captain & Tennille, The Beach Boys)
January 16, 2019: Lorna Doom (61), American punk rock bassist (Germs)
January 25, 2019: Bruce Corbitt (56), American thrash metal singer (Rigor Mortis, Warbeast)
February 1, 2019: Alex Brown (52), American punk rock guitarist (Gorilla Biscuits, Project X, Side by Side)
February 15, 2019: Kofi Burbridge (57), American jam band keyboardist and flautist (Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Derek Trucks Band, Aquarium Rescue Unit)
February 21, 2019: Peter Tork (77), American rock bassist and singer (The Monkees)
February 25, 2019: Mark Hollis (64), British new wave and post-rock singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (Talk Talk)
February 26, 2019: Andy Anderson (68), British new wave drummer (The Cure, The Glove, Hawkwind),
February 27, 2019: Doug Sandom (89), British rock drummer (The Who)
February 28, 2019: Stephan Ellis (69), American rock bassist (Survivor)
March 1, 2019: Paul Williams (78), British rock and blues singer (Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Juicy Lucy, Tempest, Allan Holdsworth)
March 4, 2019: Keith Flint (49), British electronica singer (The Prodigy)
March 6, 2019: Mike Grose, British rock bassist (Queen)
March 11, 2019: Hal Blaine (90), American rock and pop drummer (The Wrecking Crew)
March 16, 2019: Dick Dale (81), American surf rock guitarist
March 17, 2019: Bernie Tormé (66), Irish guitarist (Gillan, Guy McCoy Tormé, Atomic Rooster, Desperado)
April 13, 2019: Paul Raymond (73), British hard rock keyboardist (UFO, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack)
May 31, 2019: Roky Erickson (71), American psychedelic rock singer-songwriter (The 13th Floor Elevators)
June 5, 2019: Brian Doherty, American alternative rock guitarist (Big Wreck)
June 6, 2019: Dr. John (77), American R&B and jazz singer-songwriter and keyboardist
June 8, 2019: Andre Matos (47), Brazilian heavy metal singer (Viper, Angra, Shaman)
June 13, 2019: Nature Ganganbaigal (29), Mongolian musician (Tengger Cavalry)
August 1, 2019: Ian Gibbons, 67, British rock keyboardist (The Kinks)
August 5, 2019: Lizzie Grey, 60, American glam metal guitarist (Spiders & Snakes, London)
August 27, 2019: Neal Casal, 50, American rock guitarist (Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Blackfoot)
September 13, 2019: Eddie Money, 70, American pop rock singer
September 15, 2019: Ric Ocasek, 75, American new wave singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Cars)
September 16, 2019: Mick Schauer, 47, American stoner rock keyboardist (Clutch)
September 18, 2019: Tony Mills, 57, British hard rock singer (Shy, TNT)
September 19, 2019: Larry Wallis, 70, British rock guitarist (Pink Fairies, Motörhead)
September 20, 2019: Yonrico Scott, American rock and blues drummer (The Derek Trucks Band)
September 23, 2019: Richard Brunelle, 55, American heavy metal guitarist (Morbid Angel, Paths of Possession)
September 24, 2019: Robert Hunter, 78, American rock lyricist and multi-instrumentalist (Grateful Dead)
October 2, 2019: Morten Stützer, Danish thrash metal guitarist (Artillery)
October 6, 2019: Ginger Baker, 80, British rock and jazz drummer (Cream, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, The Graham Bond Organisation).
October 6, 2019: Larry Junstrom, 70, American Southern rock bassist (.38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd)
October 21, 2019: Peter Hobbs, 58, Australian thrash metal guitarist and singer (Hobbs’ Angel of Death)
November 4, 2019: Timi Hansen, 67, Danish metal bassist (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond)
December 9, 2019: Marie Fredriksson, 61, Swedish pop rock singer (Roxette)
December 24, 2019: Dave Riley, 59, American punk rock bassist (Big Black)
We close this list with a humble “Thank You” to all of these talented individuals for the gifts that they gave to the world during their time with us. Thanks to those gifts your memories will remain long after you’ve left. We shall miss you all and say “Rest In Peace”.