By early 1973, the classic quartet was in place, adopting the name Kiss and developing the now-iconic makeup and stage personas that would become central to their identity.
The band Kiss emerged from the fertile and competitive New York rock scene of the early 1970s, built on a combination of musical ambition, theatrical instinct, and a keen sense of branding that would soon set them apart from virtually every other act of the era. The origins of the group trace back primarily to the partnership between Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley,
Four more losses to reflect on here in late April of 2026…
These guys were an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, founder of Traffic and solo artist; a singer, musician, leader of the Osmonds; a singer and member of the girl group The Ronettes; and a Trinidadian vocalist, bass guitarist, songwriter, and member of Hot Chocolate.
With a few red lights, a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what, we get out of this
I know, I know we’ll never forget
Deep Purple emerged in 1968 as one of the pioneering forces of what would soon be labeled hard rock and heavy metal, although their earliest recordings reflected a far broader and more experimental musical identity. The band was formed in Hertford under the initial name Roundabout,
For here, am I sitting in a tin can
Far, above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do
David Bowie was born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London, England, into a working-class family whose modest circumstances belied the creative intensity that would define his life. His father, Haywood Stenton Jones, worked in promotions for a children’s charity, while his mother, Margaret Mary Burns,
Four more losses to reflect on here in 2026.
These individuals were a singer, songwriter, musician and film composer, who was the lead singer for the group Country Joe and the Fish; a singer, who was the lead vocalist for the rock band Boston from 2007 on; a singer in the Hi-Fives, Starliters, and the Rascals; and was a movie/TV star known for Ghostbusters and Charles in Charge.
Breathe deep the gathering gloom
Watch lights fade from every room
Bedsitter people look back and lament
Another day’s useless energy spent
The Moody Blues were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1964, emerging from the fertile Midlands beat scene that had already produced The Spencer Davis Group and other rhythm-and-blues-inflected acts. Originally conceived as a harmony-driven R&B band, the group took its name from the Duke Ellington composition “Mood Indigo,” reflecting both their jazz awareness and their desire for a slightly more sophisticated image than many contemporaries.
Reporting on some major passings here early in 2026
These individuals have been a lead vocalist for the the group Three Dog Night; acted in movies and TV such as Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and SCTV; was the original bassist for the band Funkadelic; and acted in movies and television such as Sanford and Son, Baby… I’m Back!, and The New Odd Couple.
Reporting on several guys that have recently passed.
These guys were a cartoonist and author of the comic strip Dilbert; musician and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead; film director, screenwriter, animator, storyboard artist and playwright, best known for his Disney work; and the bass guitarist of German rock band Scorpions.
Several notable souls have been lost to start the new year.
These individuals were keyboards, guitar, six-string bass player for the Cure; a model, singer, and actress in multiple movies; rockabilly performer, film producer, actor and wrestling manager; and a Swiss author of pseudoscientific books which made claims about extraterrestrial influences on early human culture.
Some great musicians and a wonderful film star have passed.
These artists were the bassist for the Moody Blues; acted in The Godfather series of movies, Play It Again Sam, Reds, and many more; was the bassist for the Yardbirds and Box of Frogs; and was in Buddy Holly’s band the Crickets, and wrote the theme song for the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
