All The Rock Stars Are Leaving

The rockers we’ve lost in 2015 include a number of great artists and important contributors. They range from early rock ‘n’ roll pioneers and key industry figures, to trusted members of bands that helped shape rock music as we know it.

It started with the sad news that Irwin Steinberg, a legend at the Mercury and Polydor labels, had died. Then legendary musicians — including Lemmy Kilmister, Scott Weiland, influential writer and producer Allen Toussaint, Toto‘s Mike Porcaro, B.B. King, Yes‘ Chris Squire and REO Speedwagon‘s Gary Richrath all passed.

Yesterday,

Glenn Frey, Eagles guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, passed away Monday. He was 67.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18th, 2016. Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia,” the Eagles wrote in a statement Monday.

Mic Gillette, renowned trumpet and trombone player and founding member of the legendary Oakland funky soul band Tower of Power, died suddenly of a heart attack over the weekend. He was 64.

Gillette started playing with members of seminal funk outfit back in 1966 and as first trumpet, he was a powerful sonic force behind Tower of Power’s rise to prominence in the 1970s.

David Robert Jones

(8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known as David Bowie (was an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, painter, and actor. He was a figure in popular music for over five decades, and was considered by critics and other musicians as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s.

Drummer Terence Dale “Buffin” Griffin, a founding member of Mott the Hoople, passed away at the age of 67 following a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

This was one of a dear friend’s favorite bands who is no longer with us either.

I know I’m getting old, but the loss of these icons saddens me and make me remember my mortality as well. I have “Memento Mori” tattooed on my left forearm. I know that life can be short, but with the passing of each of these musical giants, a little piece of my memories and history dies as well.

I just wanted to give a little tribute and shout out of appreciation to these guys, and hopefully remind you guys that nothing is permanent, and to cherish each day that you are blessed with on this planet.

Rock on fellas, thanks for the memories, I for one appreciate them. Rest In Peace.