PETER CAVANAUGH LEGENDARY RADIO EXEC/PROMOTER HAS DIED

Sad news today we learned yesterday that National Radio Legend Peter C. Cavanaugh has passed away at the age of 79. Peter C. Cavanaugh, a Flint radio icon at WTAC from the sixties to the early eighties and the man who organized the Sherwood Forest concert series in Davison, is often credited with introducing Michigan and the rest of the country to the likes of The Who, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, and The MC5.  

In addition to his career with WTAC-AM and WWCK-FM, Peter was the author of the book 'Local DJ.' The novel explores the culture of rock 'n roll, local radio, and highlights the author's personal spin on producing/promoting hundreds of rock concerts throughout the Midwest.

Peter was also the subject of a great film of his life also called Local DJ by DJ/Filmmaker Jim Baade a very close friend of Peter C.

“Local DJ - The Story of Flint Rock n' Roll” looks at the lesser-known, yet significant contributions Flint made to music. Lesser known to the rest of the world maybe, but in Michigan, we knew that this was a story that had to be made into a film by any means necessary -- and the only person to tell it was Peter C. Cavanaugh -- a Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame DJ and Promoter. 

The stories are legendary and the film's riveting look at 50 years of music and culture flow within this 141-minute documentary. However, keep in mind, this is more than a story about a man and his city, but a motion picture for a generation of baby boomers who were coming of age everywhere. - Jim Baade

View LOCAL DJ here:  

https://vimeo.com/330230347 

use the password 1234

Read the Book Local DJ HERE

Pete Cavanaugh was born to be in radio! He was the most joy-filled man when speaking of his love of rock and radio. He was not only a disc jockey but also a program/general manager, PR man extraordinaire, and a prolific concert promoter. Famous for producing the famous concerts at Mt. Holly Michigan. Read the list of bands from these shows HERE

Peter C. Cavanaugh on the air at WNDR in Syracuse, New York. 1959

At the age of sixteen in 1957, Peter C. Cavanaugh enjoyed a fifty-eight percent total audience share on his hometown station, WNDR in Syracuse, New York. Decades later, he’s written a book about his adventures ever since, promoting and producing literally hundreds of early concerts with the likes of Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Kiss, and so on, as well as running a seven-station radio group which included the top-rated Rock ‘n’ Roll stations in America. 

“Of all who had a major influence on me while growing up in the Midwest, none matched the audaciousness, tenacity, and gonzo-like behavior of Peter Cavanaugh. He was more than just the rock ‘n roll guru who gave America its first encounters with The Who, Bob Seger, and all the great Detroit bands (Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, MC5, etc.) He was the one who taught me how to go up against the powers-that-be and live to tell all.

Thank you, Peter Cavanaugh, for saving a generation of Flint kids from the likes of Pat Boone”

MICHAEL MOORE -"Stupid White Men", "Bowling For Columbine", "Fahrenheit 9/11"/"SiCKO"

In 2011 Peter was honored by the Cleveland Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Former local radio exec spotlighted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Peter Cavanaugh lived life to the very fullest and will be missed by his wife, daughters, and legions of friends and fans. We end with that last quote from Peter's Blog:

I now take leave with these closing words from “Local DJ” – a memoir recounting my sordid days in early Rock & Roll Radio.

These are troubled times.

Love your family.

Support local radio friends.

Play your music loud and hard.

Trust yourself any time you choose.

Peter Cavanaugh

GUITARIST/SONGWRITER /AUTHOR ALAN GWYLLT HAS DIED

Los Angeles, CA — Alan George Gwyllt (Justin Alan Kase), 64, born  January 6, 1955, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at the home of a close friend in Los Angeles.

He leaves daughter Alisha Ellison (Brian) and son, Justin Kase, grandchildren Vincent Joseph age 15, and Hudson Robert age 3, sister Karen (Gwyllt) Heddle, and many friends and fans.

Alan with Alisha

Alan grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan the son of Hazel and Les Heddle Sr. who supported his musical dreams throughout their lives.

Alan's home on Sheridan St. in Ypsilanti was the hub of all the local teenage musicians (and fans) with his rehearsal (garage) in the back yard of the neighbor's house. The Garage was the coolest place to hang out as a young teen. Everyone I know has a favorite story of being in the garage watching Air rehearse.

 Alan, Scott, Rich, and manager Jim Vanheck

He had a magical gift for playing just about any instrument he picked up.
In his early years, Alan’s parents had given him some very quality instruments.

He had a Guild semi hollow-body 6-string guitar, an Ampeg amplifier with a 15” speaker, a Wurlitzer electric piano, a Farfesia organ and a Shure microphone. He even owned a Sitar! He continued to collect rare instruments throughout his life. Rich Nisbet

The first popular band that formed in the "Garage" was named Blue Air. Rich Nisbet (bass/vocals), Dave Haushalter (guitar), Scott Carter (drums/vocals), and Alan on guitar and various other instruments... Haushalter left the band and it became a 3 piece known as Air.

In 1998, Alan, Scott, and Rich did a one-night reunion of “Air” at TC's Speakeasy in Ypsilanti. They performed “I Wanna Be Free” and “Words of Love”, just like they had done at a talent show 31 years earlier in Junior High.

In 1972 Air went into a studio in Detroit to record 2 originals; “Jump Back” and “Twelve O’Clock Satanial”. They were released on 45 rpm.

In 2018, Kanye West sampled Twelve O’Clock Satanial on an album called “Daytona” that he was producing for Pusha T. The song "If You Know You Know" was written by Terrence Thornton Kanye West Alan Gwyllt and Richard Nisbet.  Pusha T performed it on the Jimmy Kimmel show that year and the album was nominated for a Grammy®.

Masquerade

L-R Alan, Bill Jones, Jim King, Ken Gilbert, and Rich Nisbet

Alan and Rich had a jam session with Jim King (keyboards) and Bill Jones (drums), and by adding fantastic lead singer Ken Gilbert they formed the second version of Ann Arbor the band “Masquerade”.

The band played clubs and colleges in Michigan, Indiana and the famous underground bar in Chicago, “Mothers”. But “Second Chance” in Ann Arbor would become their “home” performance venue.

Masquerade with new drummer Neil Buchanan and Mgr Jim Goldberg 

After Masquerade went their separate ways, Alan began pursuing a country music career. He wrote many country songs that he sent to Nashville. He won a Charlie Daniel's band songwriting competition twice. He later relocated to Tennessee and changed his name to Justin Alan Kase to pursue his new dream in country music.

Alan had a passion for so many things, not just music, the list is quite vast, here are some of the ones we remember.

He loved rescuing animals and we all thought he might become a Veterinarian some day. He at various times had a Tarantula, Scorpion, many Raccoons and a Kinkajou!  Rich remembered his saltwater aquarium. He raised many baby raccoons/possums and took in many stray animals over his lifetime.

Alan's day job over the years was as an upholsterer.  He had a pretty good clientele going before his move to Tennessee.

He loved Karate (a black belt), writing, songwriting/arranging/recording, poetry, video games, and was a huge Science Fiction fan.

In 2007, Alan moved to West Florida to be with his parents. He began writing his books there. After his parents passed, He relocated briefly to New Orleans and then on to Los Angeles.

In 2011, as Al G Gwyllt, he became a published author of 6 Sci-Fi books. Here are but 3 of them. Amazon has them all.

Jan. 2018 he moved in with his good friend Doug Brandon and after many years of struggling with end-stage Cirrhosis of the Liver, he passed away in his room April 24, 2019, at 11:55 pm PST.

At this time there are no plans for a funeral/memorial. We will post that info as it comes in. His loving daughter Alisha has asked that if anyone would like to make a contribution to Michigan Rehabilitation Center Home of New Vision in Alan's name. Rock on old friend...xoK

Many thanks to Rich Nisbet and Alisha Ellison for assisting with this story.

If you have photos, videos or a story about Alan please feel free to leave a comment on this post.

DICK DALE KING OF THE SURF GUITAR: 1937-2019

Dick Dale

Richard Anthony Monsour (May 4, 1937 – March 16, 2019), better known by his stage name Dick Dale, was an American rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He pioneered and created what many call the surf music style, drawing on Middle-Eastern music scales and experimenting with reverberation.

Dale worked closely with Fender to produce custom made amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier. He pushed the limits of electric amplification technology, helping to develop new equipment that was capable of producing distorted, "thick, clearly defined tones" at "previously undreamed-of volumes." 

The "breakneck speed of his single-note staccato picking technique" and showmanship with the guitar is considered a precursor to heavy metal music, influencing rock guitarists from the 1960s until eternity...

USA TODAY "Miserlou," which would become his signature song, had been adapted from a Middle Eastern folk tune Dale heard as a child and later transformed into a thundering surf-rock instrumental.

His fingering style was so frenetic that he shredded guitar picks during songs, a technique that forced him to stash spares on his guitar's body. "Better shred than dead," he liked to joke, an expression that eventually became the title of a 1997 anthology released by Rhino Records.

RIP DICK...our thoughts and prayers to all of friends, family and gazillion fans....

DETROIT ROCK PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT MATHEU DIED

Sad news tonight, the Original Detroit Rock photographer Robert Matheu passed away suddenly September 21, 2018. Details are still pending and we will update this tribute as soon as possible.

Heather Harris Los Angeles Rock Photographer graciously wrote this tribute to Bob for DRNRM tonight...

Robert Matheu, Ron Sobol and Kurt Ingham photo Heather Harris

My colleague, photographer Robert Matheu passed away September 21, 2018 at the house of a friend. He leaves a wife and his three young daughters that everyone who even vaguely encountered Robert knew were the light of his life.

Robert Matheu's photography career includes hundreds of album and magazine covers worldwide. Bob had photographs in PLAYBOY, ROLLING STONE, CREEM, LIFE, TIME, MOJO, MELODY MAKER, HARPERS, VOGUE and THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

The MC5 Olympia Arena Robert Matheu

He was a documentarian and tour photographer for Iggy and The Stooges, tour photographer for Brian Wilson, photographer of memorable shots, live and studio of George Harrison, Johnny Cash, MC5, The Rolling Stones, The Pretenders, The Clash, Cheap Trick, Patti Smith, Adam Ant, the Stray Cats, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, The Faces, The Who...(whew, out of breath) and so on and so on and continued from 1969 through 2018.

Fred Sonic Smith with Iggy and Sonics Rendezvous Band phot Robert Matheu

His two books of his own and others' photography were Creem: America's only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine by Robert Matheu and Brian J. Bowe, plus The Stooges: The Authorized And Illustrated Story, by Robert Matheu and Jeffrey Morgan.  The official Iggy Pop action figure is based upon a single photo that Robert took at the first reunion of Iggy and The Stooges with James Williamson, Scott Rock Action Asheton and Mike Watt, London, England, May 3rd, 2010.

Ron Asheton (The Stooges) and Niagara Detroit were two of Bob's friends

But even these myriad accomplishments sound a little dry considering whom I'm describing. One of the touchstone continuities of anyone who had anything to do with the Stooges, Robert was the everpresent reminder of the Stooges' Detroit roots, to which his enduring friendship with Iggy Pop was testimonial.

Robert began photographing at the Grande Ballroom and all those other legendary venues that hosted all those other legendary acts from 1969 on. His loyalty to his Detroit friends and clients was equally legendary.

Backstage at Iggy and The Stooges show at the Hollywood Palladium, December 1, 2011- Evita Corby, Robert Matheu, Allie Shields (daughter of Sabel Starr Shields.)

He always seemed to be in a great mood, loved to joke around with one and all, in the audience, in the photographer areas, backstage or just with fellow music fans.

My friend Evita Corby, who James Williamson's girlfriend in the 1970s reminded me of another side of jocular Robert though. When James was onstage, she said Robert was very protective of her, since young beauties like her were a magnet to too many creeps otherwise.

Live rock music, particularly the Detroit-spawned variety meant everything to him and it showed in his spectacular photos of all this city's greatest musicians, then spread his talent to artists worldwide, everywhere.  Rock music past and present has lost one of the good guys who cared passionately about what he shot. RIP Bob

-Heather Harris, 9/24/18

Robert Matheu Website
Robert Matheu Facebook

UNITED SOUND SYSTEMS MEMORIAL FOR ARETHA FRANKLIN TOMORROW

USS is honoring the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin this Sunday at United Sound Systems Recording Studios from 4-6 pm. All are welcome, there will be no admission charge.

QUEEN OF SOUL: ARETHA FRANKLIN PASSED AWAY AUGUST 16, 2018

ARETHA FRANKLIN FUNERAL SERVICE ANNOUNCED AUGUST 31, 2018

Dates announced for Aretha Franklin's visitation, funeral services in Detroit Funeral services to be held Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple.

Franklin's body will lie in repose from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, which is located at 315 East Warren Avenue in Detroit.

The funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple, which is located at 23500 West 7 Mile Road in Detroit.

Here are more details about the funeral:

It will be a four-day event to celebrate her life.

For two days, Franklin's body will lie in repose at Charles H. Wright Museum for African American History. The viewing will be open to the public.

The funeral will be held at Greater Grace Temple and will only be for close family and friends. Organizers are working on a musical tribute with major recording artists. The venue is still being decided.

Right now, Franklin's body is being held at Swanson Funeral Home in Detroit.

View all Aretha Franklin coverage here.

By Katherine J. Wu

Aretha Franklin was no one’s understudy. But when the Queen of Soul took the stage at the 1998 Grammy Awards, she was not the singer audiences expected. At the eleventh hour, operatic legend Luciano Pavarotti had called to cancel his long-awaited headliner performance of “Nessun dorma” (None Shall Sleep) due to illness—and with no warning or preparation, Franklin agreed to step in.

It was neither her genre nor her typical vocal range. But Pavarotti was Franklin’s dear friend, and she had performed a heartfelt tribute to him earlier that week. With only 20 minutes notice, Grammy producers burst into Franklin’s dressing room with an outrageous request—and moments later, they were anxiously ushering her on stage. Read More Here

Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister. In 1960, at the age of 18, she embarked on a secular career, recording for Columbia Records but achieving only modest success.

After signing to Atlantic Records in 1967, Franklin achieved commercial acclaim and success with songs such as "Respect", "Chain of Fools", "Think", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", and "Spanish Harlem".

By the end of the 1960s she was being called "The Queen of Soul". Franklin recorded acclaimed albums such as I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967), Lady Soul (1968), Young, Gifted and Black (1972) and Amazing Grace (1972), before experiencing problems with her record company by the mid-1970s.

After her father was shot in 1979, she left Atlantic and signed with Arista Records, finding success with the albums Jump to It (1982) and Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985), and her part in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers.

On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill at her home in Riverfront Towers, Detroit. She was reported to be under hospice care and surrounded by friends and family. Stevie Wonder, Jesse Jackson, and ex-husband Glynn Turman, among others, visited her on her deathbed. Franklin died at her home on August 16, 2018, aged 76. The cause was reported to be pancreatic cancer.

Aretha Franklin's family continues to coordinate memorial and funeral plans following her death Thursday morning in Detroit.

Details will be announced in coming days, likely early next week, said Gwendolyn Quinn, spokeswoman for the singer's family. Multiple events will be held in Detroit, Quinn said.

Arrangements are being handled by Swanson Funeral Home of Detroit.

MC5 BASSIST MICHAEL DAVIS' NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY RELEASED POSTHUMOUSLY

Michael Davis passed away February 17, 2012 and 6 years later Cleopatra Records has released this book... I read it and I have say it was unvarnished and highly readable. The title is appropriate, but it took all 5 members for the high performance group to stop.

There are all of the deadly sins and quite a lot of humor in the telling of the MC5 and Mike's life. It is as honest as any autobiography I have ever read. Mike is hard on everyone he meets but just as hard on himself...I give it 5 stars as it is light years better than any of these "Detroit" rock books of late. RK

New Book By MC5's Bassist Michael Davis “I Brought Down The MC5” Now Available!

Los Angeles - Famed bass player from MC5, Michael Davis, takes us on a rollercoaster ride of triumph and tragedy in his superb new 350-page memoir titled “I Brought Down The MC5”! The book includes rarely seen photos and original artwork by Davis!

“I basically wanted to be the MC5. The attack! They were really on! They were brilliant!” - Lemmy

MC5 was an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson.

The MC5's ANTI-WAR political views, rebellious lyrics and complex music positioned them as emerging innovators of the activist musical movement in the United States. Their loud, energetic style of back-to-basics rock and roll included elements of  rock, rhythm and blues, and jazz fusion. Quite a feat for 1966!

MC5 had a promising beginning which earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a legendary reputation for energetic live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams.

In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the group disbanded.  The MC5 is often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of all time.

Their three albums are regarded as classics, and their anthem “Kick Out the Jams” has been covered by Kid Rock, Presidents of the USA, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Blue Oyster Cult, Bad Brains,  and countless numbers of up and coming young bands.

“For me, Michael was the original cool guy... He belongs in the Hall Of Fame, along with his whole group, for their contributions to American music and its politics.” - Iggy Pop

CHAPTERS:
Intro
Sandals And Needles
The Apple Bites Back
Like A Rolling Stone
Everybody Must Get Stoned
I Can Only Give You Everything
Getting Down
The New York Minute
The Promise Is Broken
Atlantic Crossing
Out Of The Frying Pan
Into The Fire
The Bridge To Nowhere
Delirious Alcoholic Megalosaurus
Play With Fire
The Oven
The Mind Shifts
The Road With No Name
My Time After Awhile
Epilogue

To purchase Michael Davis's “I Brought Down The MC5” book 

CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

I Brought Down The Mc5

READ MORE ABOUT THE MC5 HERE
READ MORE ABOUT DENNIS THOMPSON HERE

DETROIT DRUMMER MIKKI STEVENS HAS DIED

Mikki Stevens Rikki St James Sirius Trixon Glenn Dean and Jim Jam photo: S. Rynski

MIKKI STEVENS: R.I.P.

Detroit rock drummer Mikki Stevens (Michael J. Gerbino) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the age of 64 while undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.

Mikki and Rikki rip (photo: retrokimmer.com 2013)

Mikki Stevens was the former drummer for the legendary Detroit rock band Sirius Trixon & The Motor City Bad Boys, he replaced Dennis "Machinegun" Thompson of the MC5. He also played drums with Johnny Angelos & The Reputations, Moose & Da Sharks, The Motor City Rockers and The Randy Volin Blues Band.

photo: S. Rynski

Mikki Stevens will be sadly missed by his friends in the Detroit music community and those who shared his passion for restoring vintage cars.

Memorial Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons funeral home, 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Road), Sterling Heights, Michigan on Saturday, February 3rd at 7:30pm. Visitation from 3-5pm and 7-9pm

DETROIT ROCK RADIO LEGEND BOB BAUER HAS DIED

Detroit Rock Radio Legend Bob Bauer, whose voice was familiar to decades of Detroit rock listeners, has died at his home in Pinckney. He was 63.

Bauer, a 1979 graduate of the Specs Howard broadcast school, was best known for his tenure at Detroit stations WLLZ-FM ("Wheels"), WABX-FM, WCSX-FM and others. Most recently, he hosted a show that spotlighted local music at DetroitMusicStation.com high up in the Penobscot Building..

THE BOB BAUER SHOW

Justin Bauer Bob's son posted this yesterday on Facebook:

It is with a heavy heart that I am posting the news of my father's death. The memorial service will be this

Saturday July 29 from 2p to 5p

Harold W Vick funeral home 

140 S Main Street 

Mount Clemens MI 48043. 

Please reach out to Justin at 248-850-6121 if you have any help for the video montage they are putting together. My dad was a great man who loved his family friends and the City of Detroit.

Rest in rock heaven with your zillion friends Bob, you are already missed...xoK

JOHNNY BEE BADANJEK: THE DETROIT WHEELS BACK UP CHUCK BERRY!

The man who invented rock & roll passed away this evening. The great Chuck Berry. He changed the face of music forever. And so I have a little Chuck Berry Story I'd like to tell you.

We were (Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels). living in New York City, and we were booked to be on a show. The Detroit Wheels were also gonna be the house band and back up all the other acts that were on the show. Chuck Berry was the headliner. The show was in Virginia Beach at the arena. We were so excited.

So our manager borrows a car from a friend and we get one rent-a-car, and we set off from NYC at 6:00 in the morning. We were gonna drive down to Virginia Beach and rehearse with all the other groups we have to back up. The Orlons, Johnny Tillotson, The Angels, and a few others.

We were just getting into Maryland and it was real foggy. Mitch, Joe, and I were in the rent-a-car in back. McCarty, Earl, our manager and his friend were in the front car.

We were coming up to a T in the road with a yellow flashing light. The front car slowed down, and then they kept going straight. And we looked at each and said, "what the hell are these guys doing?"

And they drove straight into an aluminum office building. Right up to the tail lights! We were out of minds. We thought they were dead. The whole car was scratched up. We ran up the street to a donut shop and there was a Police Officer sitting inside. He came running out with us and down the street to the building.

Everybody in the car was alright. They were lucky. The car had be towed out of the building and taken to a dealership where we rented another car to get to the show.

We got there at noon, set up and started rehearsing all the songs on the spot. The Watusi by The Orlons, and many others. The show was sold out. We were playing and no Chuck Berry yet.

The Promoter was starting get nervous. We kept backing up all the other groups, and were waiting for Chuck. Finally the promoter yells, "he's here!" Chuck Berry walks in and he doesn't have a guitar. He says where's the band that's backing me up. The Promoter says over there, the Detroit Wheels.

So Chuck walks up to us and says....Who's the drummer. I said, I am. He says, "you see my right foot?" "When I bring it down and it hits the floor you stop."  OK!. OK! Chuck had a big foot it was a size 16 Brogan Shoe.

Then he asks if he can borrow a guitar. So McCarty says here use mine. At That time Jim was playing a Chet Atkins Country Gentleman guitar. Chuck picked it up, put it on and the crowd was going crazy.

Growing up we played a lot of Chuck Berry songs so we knew most of his stuff. So we started playing and rocking the joint. and every time we stopped, Chuck, would say something to the audience about McCarty's guitar, Chuck says.....(I never played a guitar with so many buttons on it).

The crowd was eatin' it up. So we keep playing and Chuck goes out into audience and is duck walking all around, and at the end of the song, he says, (Man playing this guitar is like flyin' a spaceship).

What a night! And we just kept on a rockin'....to us little kids we were havin' a ball. Playing with the man who invented rock & roll.

Thank you Mr. Chuck Berry for everything you taught us. RIP! God Bless!

Johnny Bee Badanjek
Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels.

DETROITER GLENN FREY OF THE EAGLES HAS DIED

 11/06/48 - 01/18/16

Our most sincere condolences to the family & friends of Glenn Frey.

 Eagles founder Glenn Frey has died.The band posted a statement on its Facebook page, listing “complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia” as the causes of death.

Frey had disclosed the problems back in November, when the band were forced to pull out of attending the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony because he required major surgery.

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 Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery.

Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide.

Cindy Frey | Taylor Frey | Deacon Frey | Otis Frey
Don Henley | Joe Walsh | Timothy B. Schmit | Bernie Leadon | Irving Azoff

“It’s Your World Now”
Written by Glenn Frey and Jack Tempchin
From the Eagles’ Long Road Out of Eden album

A perfect day, the sun is sinkin’ low
As evening falls, the gentle breezes blow
The time we shared went by so fast
Just like a dream, we knew it couldn’t last
But I’d do it all again
If I could, somehow
But I must be leavin’ soon
It’s your world now

It’s your world now
My race is run
I’m moving on
Like the setting sun
No sad goodbyes
No tears allowed
You’ll be alright
It’s your world now

Even when we are apart
You’ll always be in my heart
When dark clouds appear in the sky
Remember true love never dies

But first a kiss, one glass of wine
Just one more dance while there’s still time
My one last wish: someday, you’ll see
How hard I tried and how much you meant to me

It’s your world now
Use well your time
Be part of something good
Leave something good behind
The curtain falls
I take my bow
That’s how it’s meant to be
It’s your world now
It’s your world now
It’s your world now

FLINT MUSIC PROMOTER DAVE WEST HAS DIED

 Dave West (RIP)

Sad news just in....Flint Sherwood Forest music promoter Dave West died at 6:29pm last night.

Dave West played a prominent role in supporting and promoting Flint area musicians during the early days of Michigan Rock & Roll and was particularly involved in our Sherwood Forest concerts.

Dave is best known as the inventor and developer of West Amplifiers, building and maintaining equipment for Grand Funk Railroad, which they used exclusively for many years, and supplying heavy duty sound systems for almost all of the major Michigan bands, including Bob Seger, Dick Wagner, Alice Cooper and the like, as well as dozens of local bands just getting it together. Services pending....

MOTOR CITY BAD BOY RIKKI ST JAMES OBITUARY 10-18-2015

Rikki in Detroit 2013 photo: (retrokimmer.com)

Rikki St James

February 20, 1954 - October 18, 2015
Son of Mary Santiago. Father of Ricardo A. Santiago and Brittany L. St. James. Brother of Andre Santiago, Lisa Bryson and Maria Santiago-Powell

Detroit Guitarist/Bass Player Rikki St James died today after suffering a brain aneurysm. Rikki was receiving chemotherapy for cancer as well..he was in good spirits until the end..we received several phone calls and lots of texts from him while he was at U of M hospital and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The funeral service will be a private family affair.

Rikki loved his family especially his two children Brittany and Ricky. Our prayers are with them at this time....

Rikki St James was an old school Detroiter. He grew up not far from Tiger Stadium and his father owned the Security Seal business on Michigan Ave. Rikki worked along side his dad as young boy and worked in the building trades for over 30 years.

 Rikki  (retrokimmer.com)

In recent years Rikki has resided in Wyandotte, Michigan. He loved that small artist community. He enjoyed living there immensely.

Rikki was a very good chef..cooked authentic Puerto Rican dishes and loved to make Spaghetti Marinara from scratch on Sundays..He loved to eat the best foods. Rikki loved his many sports cars and his Softail Harley. Rode often with his pals in the Highwaymen.

Rikki was full of life, love, and laughter....

 Wyandotte Museum (retrokimmer.com)

But his true love in life was making music and meeting talented people. He loved to encourage everyone to follow their dreams and live their best life. He truly enjoyed living his life to the hilt. One of his favorite quotes was from Hunter S. Thompson..

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

His career in music began when Rikki was hired to play Bass guitar in the second version of the band the Motor City Bad Boys. This was the greatest time in Rikki's life.

He talked often about the MCBB crowds that packed CBGB's, Max's Kansas City,  and the Great Gildersleeve back in NYC. He loved NYC and the glamour and nightlife.

  Mick Stevens, Rikki St James, Sirius Trixon, Glenn Dean and Jim Jam

The Motor City Bad Boys, one of the most fascinating rock bands to ever come out of the Detroit music scene. MCBB played Second Chance, Bookies, Max's Kansas City, CBGBs and Great Gildersleeves many times during the 70's.

RIP LOVE...xoK