188 Classic Rock

Dennis Locorriere, Dr Hook frontman behind 'Beautiful Woman' hit, dies at 76

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Albert Hammond (Songwriter [see below], Diamond Boys, Magic Lanterns, Duffy, Family Dogg, solo)

18th May 1980, Joy Division singer and guitarist Ian Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his house in Macclesfield, England at the age of 23.

In Memoriam CHRIS CORNELL!! Christopher John Boyle (July 20, 1964 - May 18, 2017) Singer, guitarist for Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave

May 18, 1949: Rick Wakeman, (Richard Christopher Wakeman) is born in Perivale (London) British keyboardist, famous for being a member of the progressive rock group Yes and for his prolific solo career.

On May 17, 1980, Peter Criss anouses and leaves, KISS. He would not rejoin the band until their 1996 Unplugged performance, and eventual reunion.

Happy birthday DAVE ABBRUZZESE!! David James Abbruzzese (May 17, 1968) Drummer for Pearl Jam ('91 -'94), Course of Empire, Hairy Apes BMX

Happy birthday CLAUDE SCHNELL!! (May 17, 1958) Keyboardist for Magic, Rough Cutt ('81-'83), DIO ('84-'89), Last in Line ('12-'15), etc..

Happy birthday AUDIE DESBROW!! (May 17, 1957) Drummer for Great White ('86-'00, '06-present)

Happy birthday RUSSELL GILBROOK!! (May 17, 1964) Drummer for Uriah Heep (since '07), Avantasia ('13)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enya / Eithne Ni Bhraonain (Clannad, solo)

Vangelis. (29/03/1943 - 17/05/2022)

May 17th 1996, US blues guitarist Johnny Guitar Watson died of a heart attack while on tour in Yokohama, Japan. According to eyewitness reports, he collapsed mid guitar solo. His last words were « ain’t that a bitch.

April 17th 1960, Touring in the UK, 21-year-old US singer Eddie Cochran was killed when the taxi he was travelling in crashed into a lamppost on Rowden Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, (where a plaque now commemorates the event).

17th May 2012, Donna Summer, the 1970s pop singer known as the Queen of Disco, died of lung cancer

May 17th 1942, Born Taj Mahal, US multi-instrumentalist, composer of film soundtracks. In the early 60’s he formed The Rising Sons with Ry Cooder, one of the first interracial bands of the period. Mahal has worked with Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Garth Hudson

May 17th 1948, Born Bill Bruford, English drummer. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968–1972, and then joined King Crimson. He worked as the touring drummer for Genesis in 1976 and U.K. in 1978.

Alto Reed (Bob Seger, Reed & Dickinson, Silver Bullet Band, The Blues Entourage, performed with many others) was born on this date in 1948. He died on December 30, 2020, aged 72.

May 16th 1951, Born Jonathan Richman, guitar, vocals, The Modern Lovers, (1977 UK No.5 single ‘Egyptian Reggae’ & 1977 UK No.11 ‘Roadrunner’). Appeared in the films Dumb & Dumber and There’s Something About Mary.