R.I.P.

R.I.P. Brilliant Actor GENE HACKMAN – Aged 95

Posted on by JL

Brilliant actor GENE HACKMAN, his wife Betsy Arakawa (65), and one
of their three dogs were found dead on February 26, at their residence
in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Their bodies were discovered during a wellness check, after a maintenance worker
grew concerned when the couple did not answer the door. He saw the bodies through
a window and called 911. There were no traces of foul play. Hackman who was born named Eugene Allen Hackman in San Bernardino, CA was 95.

As I just read a great NME eulogy – you can read
it here – two of his best and my favourite movies
came to mind.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION – 1971

TRAILER

MISSISSIPPI BURNING – 1988

TRAILER

All HACKMAN movies here.

Former NEW YORK DOLLS’ Flamboyant Frontman DAVID JOHANSON Passed Away Aged 75

Posted on by JL

1 March 2025

DAVID JOHANSON, best known as frontman of controversial
and seminal NYC punks NEW YORK DOLLS (1971-1976) passed
away yesterday, aged 75, following a long battle with cancer.

The NYD already broke up after 2 albums, due to all sort of problems (drugs,
fights, no discipline whatsoever, bad management – the late Sex Pistols manager
Malcom McLaren managed them for a short while – and other turbulent stuff).
As several members did, Johanson started a solo stint with 4 albums and did
some acting.

In 2004 the Dolls reunited (except for troubled guitarist Johnny Thunders
who died in 1991), made 3 LPs and toured now and then. They called it a
day forever in 2011.

Cover of their 1973 debut LP – Johanson in the middle

1973

David Johanson: Story

Soul Songstress ROBERTA FLACK Passed Away, Aged 88

Posted on by JL

24 February 2025

Enchanting American soul voice ROBERTA FLACK passed
away today, aged 88. No cause of death has been revealed
so far.

She scored no less than three number hits in the US with her
gripping performances of songs written by other musicians.

The First Time I Saw Your Face (1969), Feel Like Makin’ Love (1975) and of course Killing Me Softly With This Song from 1973, composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel and Lori Lieberman.

Story – Discography

(Image on top: cover of her album ‘Chapter Two’)

Former THE JAM Drummer RICK BUCKLER Dies At 69

Posted on by JL

19 February 2025


The Jam with Rick Buckler in the middle.

For 10 years (1972-1982) punk mods THE JAM featuring voice/songwriter and
guitarist Paul Weller, bassist Bruce Foxton, and drummer Rick Buckler were one
of the greatest bands in the UK.

They released 6 top albums and a series of hit singles. Their
2nd LP All Mod Cons is their magnum opus, a 5-star record
(in mine and many Jam fans’ book). Stream here.

Yesterday sad news came in. Drummer Rick Buckler
passed away, following a brief illness. He was 69. R.I.P.

BBC interview – 2015

THE JAM

Story – All Albums

R.I.P. MARIANNE FAITHFULL

Posted on by JL

31 January 2025

MARIANNE FAITHFULL has passed away yesterday at the age of 78 after a long illness. The wonderful, glamorous persona and singular voice fought breast cancer and Covid-19 the past few years. Her career started as rolling stone girl who was Mick Jagger‘s fiancée for several years.

She recorded/released countless albums. She was a compelling live artist (as I
witnessed a couple of times) and she played in several movies. An icon forever.

You can read Steorogum‘s extensive obituary here .

R.I.P.

THE POGUES Legend SHANE MACGOWAN Passed Away One Year Ago Today

Posted on by JL

30 November 2024

SHANE MACGOWAN, the former voice/face of iconic English-Irish misfits
The Pogues, one of the greatest performers/songwriters ever, passed
away today 1 year ago, on 30 November 2023 after being sick for some
time.

He was aged 65. This Christmas Day he would have celebrated his 67th one.
Shane had a wild life filled with lots of alcohol. Yet, he seemed to survive
anyway and live forever.

Shane MacGowan about that fabulous The Pogues classic
‘Fairytale Of New York’ feat. the late great Kirsty MacColl.

Soul-Stirring Voice And Heartfelt Songwriter MARK LANEGAN Would Have Celebrated His 60th Birthday Today

Posted on by JL

25 November 2024

American singer-songwriter MARK LANEGAN was born on 25 November 1964
in Ellensburg, Washington. Happy 60 to the singular artist with one of the most
impressive baritone voices ever in rock.

He was the frontman of grunge band Screaming Trees (1984-2000). He started
a successful solo career and also played/recorded with multiple artists such as
Queens Of The Stone Age, Isobel Campbell, The Gutter Twins with Greg Dulli, Soulsavers
and many more.

In March 2020 Lanegan was infected with Covid-19, went into a coma, couldn’t
walk for months, and got completely deaf. While recovering he started to write a
memoir called Devil In A Coma.

On 22 February 2022 ast year, he passed away. No cause of death was revealed. R.I.P.

This year a 20th Anniversary Box Set of his splendid Bubblegum LP was released. It includes a remastered double LP edition of the original album and a 4XLP/3XCD/Digital release containing 40 remastered tracks, 12 of which are previously unreleased. More
info here.

Bio – Discography


Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Belgium 2015

NICK DRAKE – Troubled Heart And Soul Singer-Songwriter Passed Away 50 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

25 November 2024

English gripping heart and soul singer-songwriter NICK DRAKE,
born in Rangoon, Burma (South-East Asia) suffered of severe depression
during his short lifetime. He died of an overdose of amitriptyline, a prescribed
antidepressant, 50 years ago today, on 25 November 1974. He was only 26.
R.I.P.

As it happens regularly with artists, they get more attention after then
before their death, that was also the case for Drake who released 3 LPs.

FIVE LEAVES LEFT (1969)


.
BRYTER LAYTER (1971)


.
PINK ROOM (1972)


.
Nick Drake Story

2 October 2024 – Rock Icon TOM PETTY Passed Away 7 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

2 October 2024

A

Seven years ago today, on 2 October 2017, the fab Americana singer-songwriter
and rocker at heart from Florida TOM PETTY passed away following an accidental
drug overdose.

He was only 66. With his band The Heartbreakers he made 13 studio LPs. Solo
he canned 3 longplayers and he released two albums with supergroup Traveling Wilburys (Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Petty).

To remember the legend TUTV picked these 3 great songs.

– ANYTHING THAT’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL –
Debut single 1977

– DON’T COME AROUND HERE NO MORE –
1985

– I WON’T BACK DOWN –
1989

Story – All Albums

R.I.P. KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

Posted on by JL

Rest in peace

30 September 2024

Iconic Texan-born country singer-songwriter KRIS KRISTOFFERSON has
passed away last Saturday at the age of 88 at his home in Maui, Hawaii.
He leaves behind his wife, 8 children and 7 grandchildren.

Family statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on
Saturday, Sept. 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank
you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know
he’s smiling down at us all.”


.
He released 22 LPs in his long, successful career.
The Cedar Creek Sessions was his most recent,
and now final one, it came out in 2016.


.
He collaborated with numerous other artists and wrote many songs for
others, such as Janis Joplin‘s biggest hit Me And Bobby McGee (1971).


.
He won several awards and also played in multiple movies.

In 1985 he was part of country supergroup The Highwaymen
featuring other mega stars of the genre, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson
and Waylon Jennings. They made 3 albums together.


.
KK: Story – All Albums