Former Visions Of Atlantis-singer Nicole Bogner passes

A sad start to the year, Nicole Bognor, singer on the first two Visions Of Atlantis CDs, has passed away after a long, unspecified illness.

Full story here:
http://loudwire.com/former-visions-of-atlantis-singer-nicole-bogner-passes-away-at-27/

Jani Lane of Warrent Dead at 47

It's just been announced that Jani Lane, former vocalist for 'eighties hair band Warrant, was found dead on Thursday in a Los Angeles hotel. No details concerning the cause of death have been released.

The Washington Times has a brief story here.

In other sad news, Andrew McDermott, the former vocalist for prog-metal band Threshold,  died of kidney failure on Aug. 3 after spending 4 days in a coma.

Loudness bassis Taiji Sawada RIP

Although the circumstances have yet to be revealed, former X Japan and Loudness bass player Taiji Sawada has reportedly passed away. He was 45 years old.

Full details (and admittedly there aren't many details yet) can be found here.

Update: Apparently Sawada had been on life support following his attempted suicide attempt, and his family decided to remove him from life support. Story is here.

R,I.P. Ingrid Pitt (1937-2010)

Ingrid Pitt, Hammer film's favourite heroine, has died aged 73 in south London. The Polish-born actor, right, who survived imprisonment in a concentration camp during the second world war, found fame as the blood-splattered, often blouseless star of films such as Countess Dracula, and The Vampire Lovers

The Guardian, among others, did a nice little tribute

Another tribute, slightly more detailed.

Jim Clench (1949-2010) R.I.P.

Jim Clench, best known as the bassist for April Wine, has died of lung cancer at the age of 61. Clench replaced original bassist Jim Henman after April Wine's debut album, and played with them until 1975.  In 1978 he joined BTO, appearing on two albums with them.  Rejoining April Wine in 1992, he stayed with them until late 2006 before resigning again. Clench died of lung cancer on Nov. 2. According to bandmate Brian Greenaway, funeral services are expected to be held in St. Johns, Newfoundland sometime next week.

Jim Clench was the writer of April Wine's classic song "Oowatanite", which we often play on the show and which was a crowd favourite throughout their career.

Dio remembered.

Here's a great story from a U.S. news program featuring two Heaven and Hell roadies talking about Ronnie James Dio. This is one of the best tributes I've seen so far:

 

Ronnie James Dio, Metal Legend, Dead at 67 |

Although not entirely unexpected, this is still pretty devastating news--the reports of Dio's positive response to chemo were a manifestation of optimism. The news that the Heaven And Hell tour was cancelled should have prepared us for this.

I'm too shook up to really comment on this at the moment, except to say that of course there will be a tribute on next weekend's show.

For now I'd just like to thank Ronnie for the music and offer my sincerest condolences to his friends and family.

Ronnie James Dio, Metal Legend, Dead at 67 | Billboard.com

R.I.P. Tony Taylor, former singer for Twisted Tower Dire

Twisted Tower Dire was one of those bands I'd heard of, but never got a chance to hear. However, that doesn't make this news any less sad. Tony Taylor died in a motorcycle accident in Naples, Florida on the 6th of February. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Our condolences to his family and friends. The full story can be found here:

Former lead singer of 90s band dies in motorcycle crash - NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

To Absent Friends....

Well, it's getting around to the end of the year. That means it's time to remember those who left us over the past twelve months. The Etherverse took a bit of a hit this year, and since there won't be a New Year's show (I'm still sick), this online roll-call of the dearly departed will have to suffice.

January 13 – Patrick McGoohan, American-born British actor.  Best known for the cult classic The Prisoner
April 4 -- Lux Interior, legendary frontman for The Cramps
April 12 – Marilyn Chambers, American pornographic actress
June 2 – David Eddings, American author (The Belgariad).
June 3 – David Carradine, American actor
August 13 – Les Paul, American musician and inventor of the guitar that bears his name
October  12 -- Dickie Peterson, drummer for Blue Cheer.
November 30 – Paul Naschy, Spanish movie actor, screenwriter, and director.
December 29 - Erica Boyer, American pornographic actress