Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ Singer Bill Withers Dies At 81
Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “ Lean on Me, ” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” has died from heart complications, his family said in a statement to The Associated Press. He was 81.
The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, died on Monday in Los Angeles, the statement said. His death comes as the public has drawn inspiration from his music during the coronavirus pandemic, with health care workers, choirs, artists and more posting their own renditions on “Lean on Me” to help get through the difficult times.
Joe Diffie, Nineties Country’s ‘Pickup Man,’ Dead at 61...
Joe Diffie, a consistent country-music hitmaker throughout the Nineties, died Sunday due to complications related to Covid 19 His publicist confirmed the death to Rolling Stone. Diffie was 61.With a traditional-leaning voice that drew comparisons to George Jones, Diffie populated his records with honky-tonk ballads and lighthearted novelty tunes, earning the Oklahoma native five Number One singles in the first half of the Nineties. These began with his debut release, the deeply moving “Home,” followed by “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Pickup Man,” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.” In all, Diffie charted 18 Top Ten singles, with the majority reaching the Top Five, including the 1993 radio staples “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” and “John Deere Green.”
Alan Merrill, ‘I Love Rock ‘N Roll’ Writer, Dies at 69
Alan Merrill, the lead singer and co-writer of the first recorded version of “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” in 1975, died today (March 29), a victim of the Covid-19 virus. Merrill, 69, recorded the song with his band, the Arrows. In 1982, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts scored a #1 single with their version, which remained at the top of the U.S. chart for seven weeks. Merrill lived in New York City. His current band, the Alan Merrill Extravaganza, were performing concerts in the NYC area as recently as this month.
FORMER RIOT GUITARIST LOU A. KOUVARIS DIES
Original Riot guitarist Lou A. Kouvaris - who appeared on the first Riot album Rock City (1977) and wote songs for Narita (1979) - has passed away from Coronavirus (COVID-19). Riot's manager Giles Lavery says he developed symptoms over a week ago. He was 66 and passed away at his home in Long Island, New York. BraveWords offers condolences to Lou's family, friends and fans. Riot Act consisting of Kouvaris, Ventura, singer Don Chaffin, Drummer Claudio Galinski and bassist Paul Ranieri played their first official live gig at this year’s Metal Hall of Fame 2020 on January 15th. Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice spoke with Kouvaris. "The band is planning on re-recording all the songs off the first three Riot albums, Rock City, Narita and Fire Down Under and they are also in the process of recording all new material for a new album plus a tour."
Country music legend Kenny Rogers dies at 81
By Phil Helsel
Kenny Rogers, the country musician behind such hits as “The Gambler” and "Lady" over a six-decade career, has died at the age of 81, his family announced early Saturday.
“Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” according to a statement from his management firm, SKH Music. His family plans a small private service due to the coronavirus outbreak, the statement said. The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family.
