Karl Cochran, Peter Jason, David Johansen, and Robert John Dies

These artists are a guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer that has collaborated with KISS; an actor who has worked with John Carpenter, been in movies such as The Karate Kid, and Heartbreak Ridge, and TV like These artists are a guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer that has collaborated with KISS; an actor who has worked with John Carpenter,

been in movies such as The Karate Kid, and Heartbreak Ridge, and TV like These artists are a guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer that has collaborated with KISS; an actor who has worked with John Carpenter, been in movies such as The Karate Kid, and Heartbreak Ridge, and TV like Gunsmoke, Arrested Development, and Gunsmoke; Co-founded and was lead vocalist for the New York Dolls; and was a singer with big hits like Sad Eyes, and The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Karl Cochran, born on December 26, 1963, in Staten Island, New York, was a renowned guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer who began his professional music career at the age of fourteen. Raised in a musically inclined family—his father was a DJ—Cochran was exposed to various genres early on, including funk, jazz, blues, and rock.

He honed his guitar skills under the tutelage of jazz guitarist Harry Leahey. Throughout his career, Cochran collaborated with notable artists such as Ace Frehley of KISS, co-writing “Into The Void” for the “Psycho Circus” album, and played with the Eric Singer Project and Joe Lynn Turner.

He also contributed to the band Nuclear Assault and was involved in various other musical projects. Beyond performing, Cochran was dedicated to teaching guitar, bass, voice, and music theory since 1984. In 2014, he suffered a stroke that temporarily sidelined his live performances, but he remained active in music production and education.

Tragically, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Cochran died in a car accident in Bridgewater, New Jersey, at the age of 61. He was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his 90-year-old mother, Arna Cochran, who lost control and struck a tree; Cochran was ejected from the car and later succumbed to his injuries at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Geri, and will be remembered for his significant contributions to the rock music scene and his dedication to mentoring aspiring musicians.

Peter Jason, born Peter Edward Ostling on July 22, 1944, in Hollywood, California, was a prolific American character actor renowned for his extensive career spanning nearly six decades. Raised in Balboa, he attended Newport Beach Elementary School, Horace Ensign Junior High, and Newport Harbor High School,

where he discovered his passion for acting after starring in a school production of “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” Initially aspiring to be a football player, this pivotal role shifted his focus to the performing arts. He furthered his education at Orange Coast College and briefly attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology.

Jason’s career encompassed over 160 films and 90 television series, often portraying military personnel and authority figures. He collaborated frequently with directors John Carpenter and Walter Hill, appearing in films such as “Prince of Darkness,” “They Live,” and “48 Hrs.” Notably, he played Con Stapleton in the HBO series “Deadwood” and appeared as the soccer coach in “The Karate Kid.”

His voice work included roles in video games like “Fallout 2” and “Gears of War 2.” Jason was married to Eileen Rosaly and had two children from previous relationships, Robin Goldwasser and Michael Andrew van Ameringen. He passed away from cancer on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at his home in West Hollywood, California, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of diverse and memorable performances.

David Johansen, born David Roger Johansen on January 9, 1950, in Staten Island, New York, was an influential American singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the charismatic frontman of the proto-punk band the New York Dolls. He was the son of Helen, a librarian of Irish descent, and an insurance salesman father of Norwegian descent, who had previously sung opera.

Johansen attended St. Peter’s Boys High School but was expelled in 1964, later completing his education at Port Richmond High School. He began his musical career with the Vagabond Missionaries before co-founding the New York Dolls in 1971, a band that, despite limited commercial success, became seminal in the glam rock and punk movements.

After the Dolls disbanded in 1977, Johansen embarked on a solo career, adopting the alter ego Buster Poindexter in the 1980s, under which he achieved success with the hit “Hot Hot Hot.” He also ventured into acting, with notable roles in films like “Scrooged” (1988). Johansen was married three times: first to actress Cyrinda Foxe in 1977, then to photographer Kate Simon from 1983 to 2011, and later to artist Mara Hennessey in 2013.

In 2020, he was diagnosed with stage four cancer and a brain tumor, leading to the end of his musical career. He passed away at his Staten Island home on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Mara Hennessey, and her daughter, Leah Hennessey.

Robert John, born Robert John Pedrick, Jr. on January 3, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, was an American singer-songwriter renowned for his falsetto voice and chart-topping hits. He began his music career at the tender age of 12 under the name Bobby Pedrick, Jr., achieving his first pop chart entry in 1958 with “White Bucks and Saddle Shoes,” written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.

In 1963, he led Bobby & The Consoles, releasing the minor hit “My Jelly Bean.” By 1965, he adopted the stage name Robert John and signed with MGM Records, followed by a stint with Columbia Records in 1967, during which he collaborated with songwriter Mike Gately. His 1971 cover of The Tokens’ “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, earning a gold disc from the Recording Industry Association of America.

John’s most notable success came in 1979 with the self-penned “Sad Eyes,” which ascended to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite his early fame, he faced challenges, including working in construction before being rediscovered by producer George Tobin.

John resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife, Diane Pedrick, and their two sons, Thomas and Matthew. After suffering a severe stroke several years prior, he passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the age of 79.