OBITUARIES
In memoriam

John Peel (1939-2004)

October 26, 2004 -- A number of you wrote in with the sad news that legendary BBC broadcaster John Peel has died at the age of 65, while on holiday in Peru. He was BBC Radio 1’s longest-serving DJ and in recent years had also presented Home Truths on Radio 4.

He was most famous for being one of the first DJs to give exposure to punk, reggae and hip-hop, long before they crossed over into the mainstream. He was equally renowned for his legendary “John Peel sessions” where bands were invited to record exclusive tracks for the program in a BBC studio. Sessions were usually four tracks recorded and mixed in a single day; as such they often had a “rough and ready,” demo-like feel, somewhere between a live performance and a finished recording.

Peel was Melody Maker’s DJ of the year eleven times, Sony Broadcaster of the Year in 1993, “Godlike Genius Award” from the NME in 1994, Sony Gold Award winner in 2002 and is a member of the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. He gained several honorary degrees including two doctorates and an honorary fellowship of Liverpool John Moores University. He was appointed an OBE in 1998, for his services to British music.

Greg Shaw (1949-2004)

October 22, 2004 -- Bomp Records founder Greg Shaw passed away this past Tuesday, October 19th from heart failure at the age of 55. The press release from the legendary indie label states:

“Greg’s lifelong devotion to discovering, raving about and releasing authentic -- albeit obscure -- rock & roll, and promoting rock fandom over four decades was extraordinary. Among his many accomplishments were fanzine publisher, magazine editor, band manager, author, indie label owner, and rock historian. Though his roles often varied, two things were absolutely consistent: his impeccable taste in music and the ability to be there first.”

Greg started a rock zine titled Mojo-Navigator Rock & Roll News in San Francisco in ‘66. A few years after he put out another zine called Who Put the Bomp! which featured such noted rock journalists as Lester Bangs, Greil Marcus, Dave Marsh and Richard Meltzer.

Bomp Records was launched in 1974 with the release of the Flamin’ Groovies’ “You Tore Me Down” single. Bomp will continue to release the music that was Greg’s legacy under the guidance of Suzy Shaw and Alive/Total Energy’s Patrick Boissel. They note that “However you choose to honor Greg’s memory -- do it with anything but a moment of silence.”

Johnny Ramone (1948-2004)

September 15, 2004 -- Los Angeles radio station Indie 103.1 and the Associated Press are reporting that Johnny Ramone (John Cummings) has passed away. He was 55. A publicist told the Associated Press that Ramone died in his sleep Wednesday afternoon at his Los Angeles home surrounded by friends and family. Johnny had been fighting a five-year battle with prostate cancer. He will be cremated during a private ceremony.

Johnny was born on October 8, 1948 in Long Island, NY. He was raised in nearby Forest Hills, Queens. It was here that he and Douglas Colvin (the future Dee Dee) formed the Ramones in 1974. Throughout the Ramones’ prolific career, Johnny proved one of the most influential and often imitated guitarists in punk rock.

Johnny is survived by his wife Linda and his mother Estelle Cummings.

Ernie Ball (1930-2004)

September 11, 2004 -- The music world mourns the loss of guitar string maker Roland Sherwood “Ernie” Ball, who passed away this past Thursday at the age of 74 following a lengthy illness.

Ernie Ball founded the Ernie Ball Company in 1962 and was a recognized pioneer in the instrument industry. “An artist and a business man in one, Ernie single-handedly revolutionized the music industry with the creation of Slinky Strings, so much so that everyone from the Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix to current artists like Blink 182 have Ernie Ball strings in common” commented Ernie’s son and current company president Sterling Ball.

Ernie is survived by his wife Ani, sons Sherwood, Sterling and David, daughter Nova and eight grandchildren.

Stories courtesy of Punknews.org.

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