Category: Notable Obituaries

Scott Miller passes away

powerpopaholic

Sadly, Scott Miller passed away on April 15, 2013.  Scott Miller has released more than a dozen albums with his bands Game Theory and the Loud Family, and his music has been described as “a cross between Alex Chilton, James Joyce, and the Electric Prunes” (Stereo Review) and “smart, funny, and instantly memorable” (Rolling Stone). Miller was a brilliant songwriter who’s biggest impact was during the 80’s, mixing both powerpop and new wave to craft a memorable catalog of albums. Some of these are being made public on the Loud Family website.

In addition to being a musician, Scott was an author of an insightful book Music: What Happened? In the sample chapter he describes how he found Seth Swirsky’s “Watercolor Day” –

“Certainly the Internet has changed how people find out about music, and one novelty there for my methods is what I’ll call canon triangulation. Searching around for the best new songs, I’ll do a web search on several songs that I consider indicators of good ears, and see what else is on those people’s list, and so on. I found “Watercolor Day” that way, I think on a site I want to credit with being associated with Audities, though I see I’m not able to repeat the search today.”

I can only hope that he was talking about Powerpopaholic.com — but aside from that I hope people honor Scott by playing his music today. I know I will.

Olivia Tremor Control’s Bill Doss dead at 43

powerpopaholic

Next to The Apples in Stereo, no other band from The Elephant Six Collective had as much acclaim as Olivia Tremor Control, and Bill Doss was its driving force (along with Will Hart and Jeff Mangum). The band was at the zenith of neo-psychedelic movement and produced the masterpiece Dusk At Cubist Castle in 2000.  No details are given about his death,  but police so far have found no evidence of foul play.

Moldy Oldies: Goodbye Don Grady and the Yellow Balloon

powerpopaholic

Don Grady, who was one of television’s most beloved big brothers as Robbie Douglas on the long-running 1960s hit My Three Sons, died Wednesday. He was 68. A musical prodigy from a young age, Grady also played drums for  sunshine pop pioneers The Yellow Balloon, who had a minor hit with a self-titled song in 1967.

Fun Fact: The band at one time also included Daryl Dragon, who wasn’t as famous at the time as he would be a few years down the road as the male half of the popular duo Captain & Tennille.

Robin Gibb is gone. His spirit has flown.

powerpopaholic

Bee Gees member Robin Gibb lost his battle with cancer Sunday at the age of 62. Yeah I was never a disco dude as a boy, but I later appreciated The Bee Gees and what they did accomplish. Like another recently deceased member of the disco era, Donna Summer, the Bee Gees are often remembered as the leaders of a musical “fad” and not great musicians. Its so not true. They were prolific songwriters with harmonies that rivaled The Beach Boys. Even in my “disco hater” days I considered them the masters of the romantic ballad. Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees. Listen to the 1969 album Odessa and you’ll hear what I mean. For the whole enchilada listen to The Ultimate Bee Gees.

So long Davy, we’ll miss you.

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Monkees singer Davy Jones has died after suffering a heart attack. He was 66. Martin County Florida’s District 19 Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the news, first reported by TMZ. Jones joined the Monkees in 1965 along with Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork. Their hits include “I’m a Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “Daydream Believer,” and “Last Train to Clarksville.”

Jones has always been the boyish “McCartney” type of the group and lead singer for one of the best bands ever. It’s tough to put words together for this post. I think I’ll just listen to some Monkees for the rest of the day and marvel at what he has accomplished.