RIP: Mike Edwards, ELO

Mike Edwards, Jeff Lynne, Mik Kaminski, Bev Bevan

(As posted on MSNBC.com)

LONDON — A giant bale of hay has killed a founding member of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) after it tumbled down a hill and crashed into his van.

Cellist Mike Edwards, 62, died after the 1,323 lb bale rolled down a steep field in Devon, southern England, smashed through a hedge and careered on to the road.

He died instantly in the freak accident on Friday afternoon.

Sgt. Steve Walker, of Devon and Cornwall police, described the crash as "a tragic accident," the BBC reported.

YouTube footage
Police said they used photographs and YouTube footage to identify Edwards and are investigating whether the bale may have fallen from a tractor working on farmland near the road.

Edwards, who played with the band between 1972 and 1975, is believed to have swerved into another vehicle as the bale crushed his vehicle.

ELO eventually sold more than 50 million records worldwide.

Britain's Mirror newspaper reported that Edwards quit the band at the height of its fame to become a Buddhist.

RIP Paul Kopecky 1971-2009

http://www.legacy.com/JournalTimes/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=128873113

Paul James Kopecky, 37, passed away unexpectedly due to complications of juvenile diabetes at All Saints on Monday, June 22, 2009. Paul was born in Racine on October 22, 1971, the son of Joseph and Shirley (nee: Andreason) Kopecky, Jr. He was a graduate of Park High School, and was a lifetime Racine resident. Paul was employed at JC's Mufflers & Brakes of Racine, where he was an extraordinary mechanic, manager, and leader. He was also a very talented musician, and loved playing with his brothers, Joe and Bill, in their band 'KOPECKY.' Together they had released 5 CDs, and performed at music festivals worldwide and played with many national recording artists.

Hugh Hopper, RIP

No real details yet other than the fact he has been ill for some time and fighting a very admirable battle with cancer for the better part of the last year. One of the truly unique voices in the genre musically is gone...

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/user/canterburyscene/video/x5lha9_canterbury-legends-live-2008_music

http://www.dailymotion.com/user/canterburyscene/video/x7riu6_hugh-hopper-benefit-at-the-100-club_music

John Mayhew, former Genesis Drummer, dead

I know this is a touch old at this point, but after a little time off, figured I'd start here.

"Tragic end in search for drummer John"
"Family seek Genesis drummer"
"Interview with John Mayhew"
2006 interview with John Mayhew

RIP Kelly Groucutt (ELO)

(from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7900575.stm)

Kelly Groucutt, the bass player in the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), has died aged 63.

He suffered a heart attack on Wednesday night and was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital but did not regain consciousness and died on Thursday.

Groucutt, who also sang on the Birmingham band's records, joined the group in 1974 and left in 1983.

His friend Mike Sheridan, of Mike Sherridan and The Nightriders, said he was "gob smacked" by the news.

He added: "When I heard the news this afternoon I just couldn't believe it. He seemed to be such a fit guy."

Groucutt played with The Sight and Sound before joining ELO and was an influential figure in the Brum Beat scene of the 1960s.

Mitch Mitchell, 1947-2008

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/jimi_hendrixs_drummer_mitch_mi.html

Mitch Mitchell, the hall-of-fame drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, widely considered the legendary Seattle guitarist's most important musical collaborator, was found dead this morning in his Portland hotel room...

John Rutsey dead at 55

http://www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockReport/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10000007

John Rutsey, a founding member of Toronto rock band Rush, passed away this weekend according to Rush management company Anthem Entertainment. He was 55.

Rutsey was famous for playing on Rush’s 1974 debut album, including the song “In The Mood,” before deciding to leave the group due to health concerns. Rutsey suffered from diabetes and was unable to go on extended tours with the group.

Rutsey was replaced by dummer Neil Peart, which marked a turning point in the band’s sound towards progressive rock.

Rush formed in 1968 in Toronto and was originally composed of guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist Jeff Jones (who shortly thereafter was replaced by Geddy Lee) and Rutsey.

According to a 1989 interview with Alex Lifeson on the Rockline Radio program quoted by Wikipedia.org, Rutsey, “gave up playing (drums) shortly after he left the band and went into bodybuilding. He competed on an amateur level for a while, doing that for a few years.”

As of Monday afternoon, no official statement has been released on a cause of death, nor plans for a memorial service.

Buddy Miles 1947-2008

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Buddy Miles, a drummer who played with Jimi Hendrix and sang in the claymation commercials featuring the California Raisins in the 1980s, died Tuesday. He was 60.

Miles, who had been suffering from congestive heart failure, died in Austin, publicist Duane Lee said.

Miles, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, was performing with his father's jazz-influenced combo by the age 11. He then went on to play for The Delfonics, The Ink Spots and Wilson Pickett, according to his Web site.

He co-founded the band Electric Flag in 1967. He also co-founded the Band of Gypsys with Hendrix and Billy Cox, the Web site said.

Miles was drummer on Hendrix's landmark Electric Ladyland album before officially joining Band of Gypsys a few months later. Miles is best known for "Them Changes," a song he wrote and performed.