RIP Gil Scott-Heron

Sad news poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron died this Friday afternoon. He was 62.

R.I.P. Broadcast's Trish Keenan

An official statement from Warp Records website: "It is with great sadness we announce that Trish Keenan from Broadcast passed away at 9am this morning in hospital. She died from complications with pneumonia after battling the illness for two weeks in intensive care.

Our thoughts go out to James, Martin, her friends and her family and we request that the public respect their wishes for privacy at this time.

This is an untimely tragic loss and we will miss Trish dearly - a unique voice, an extraordinary talent and a beautiful human being. Rest in Peace."

Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse RIP

Deeply shocked and saddened by the news that Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse took his own life. He was one of my favorite musicians. In his long career in music he had worked with Thom Yorke of Radiohead, David Lynch, The Flaming Lips, Danger Mouse, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits, Daniel Johnston and many more amazing artists. His beautiful music will not be forgotten. Here is a link to a brief interview I did with Mark back in 2003.

Lux Interior RIP

Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.

The Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, RIP

The Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, RIP. According to the Ann Arbor News reports: "Famed rock-and-roll guitarist and longtime Ann Arbor resident Ronald "Ron" Asheton was found dead in his home on the city's west side this morning, police said.nAsheton, 60, was an original member of The Stooges, a garage-rock band headlined by Iggy Pop and formed in Ann Arbor in 1967. Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton was found dead early today in his Ann Arbor home. His personal assistant contacted police late Monday night after being unable to reach Asheton for days, Detective Bill Stanford said. Officers went to the home on Highlake Avenue at around midnight and discovered Asheton's body on a living-room couch. He appeared to have been dead for at least several days, Stanford said. Detective Sgt. Jim Stephenson said the cause of death is undetermined but investigators do not suspect foul play. Autopsy and toxicology results are pending. Asheton was born in Washington, D.C. His brother, Scott, who lives in Florida, is the band's drummer. In 2007, The Stooges reunited and released "The Weirdness," their first album in three decades. Asked how it felt to be back with The Stooges, Asheton told The News in an interview that year that it was "great to be back on the road."nThe Stooges were part of a 1960s music scene in Ann Arbor that included such bands as the MC5, Bob Seger, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, and The Rationals."