Mic Drop 2025: RIP thread for musicians

[Shropshire Slasher]

Sam Rivers, bassist for Limp Bizkit, 48.

Band did not share cause of death but it was sudden. Rivers had just posted on social media on Friday.

Apparently our overlords won't allow NPR links so here's the AP obit.

Limp Bizkit band members say bass player Sam Rivers has died

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Update on the great Raul Malo of the Mavericks. He has Leptomeningal Disease, which means his stage 4 colon cancer has spread to his brain and spinal cord. He is getting radiation treatments. The band is planning a December gig at the Grand Ole Opry and sax player Max Abrams released an album. All profits from both are going toward Malo’s medical expenses

 

[mpcincal]

RIP Marcie (Mark) Free.

UNRULY CHILD/Ex-KING KOBRA Singer MARCIE FREE Dead At 71

Along with Motley Crue, Dokken, Ratt, et al, in the 1980s, I also enjoyed the Carmine Appice-led King Kobra's first album (the second, with the classic "Iron Eagle" theme song, not so much). Mark Free was the lead singer and had some chops, but he left the band after the second album, and then just kind of disappeared before I found out he was transitioning into the female Marcie Free in the early '90s, and afterward had another band, Unruly Child.

In the '90s, the whole idea of transitioning and sex changes was still way out there for me, so I was kind of shocked at this, but wished her well. She seemed to handle the transition OK, although I don't know the cause of death or circumstances, but RIP for someone whose work I enjoyed.

Here's the first video with King Kobra, with pretty much every ****-rock cliche crammed in the performance. Hindsight's 20/20, but seeing Free in that video makes you less and less surprised she ended up transitioning.

 

[waterytart]

Damn, a lot of peroxide died to make that video.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Probably worthy of a standalone. Jack DeJohnette, legendary jazz drummer, played with Miles, Keith Jarrett, Eddie Harris.
Jack DeJohnette, Towering Jazz Drummer and Bandleader, Dies at 83

 

[dixiehack]

Apparently our overlords won't allow NPR links

That’s been an issue since before the ownership change.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Sad news about the great blues singer/pianist Marcia Ball. she has ALS

Texas Roots Blues Artist Marcia Ball Announces Retirement From Touring

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Feminine Force Behind the Grateful Dead's 70s Era, Passes Away at 78

 

[Neutral Corner]

Donna Jean Godchaux died Sunday of cancer. She was 78. Best known for singing backup with the Grateful Dead after she and her husband Keith Godchaux joined the band from 1971 to 1979. She started out as a backup singer at FAME studio in Muscle Shoals, Al. and sang backup on Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" and on Elvis' "Suspicious Minds", both #1 singles. Also backed Garcia solo as well as people such as Cher and Neil Diamond.

Rest, country girl.

 

[Huggy]

Sad news about the great blues singer/pianist Marcia Ball. she has ALS

Texas Roots Blues Artist Marcia Ball Announces Retirement From Touring

Never saw her live - not sure she ever came up to Toronto or if I just missed it - but always enjoyed her whenever I would come across her on PBS or some YouTube clip, just a terrific singer and piano player.

 

[DanOregon]

Rough year for Jimmy Kimmel. Damn.

Celebrities React to Death of Cleto Escobedo, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Band Leader

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Update on the great Raul Malo of the Mavericks. He has Leptomeningal Disease, which means his stage 4 colon cancer has spread to his brain and spinal cord. He is getting radiation treatments. The band is planning a December gig at the Grand Ole Opry and sax player Max Abrams released an album. All profits from both are going toward Malo’s medical expenses

 

[TigerVols]

RIP Mani of the Roses. Wow.

Stone Roses and Primal Scream Bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield Dies at 63

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

That's a tough one. The Stone Roses were worthy enough to get a huge piece on NPR in 2014 on the 25th anniversary of their debut.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Raul Malo missed last night’s tribute because he was rushed to the hospital

Country music star rushed to ER: ‘Let’s all stand with him’

 

[maumann2]

Raul Malo missed last night’s tribute because he was rushed to the hospital

Country music star rushed to ER: ‘Let’s all stand with him’

Crap. As soon as I saw the thread updated, that's the first name that came to mind. Prayers.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

****. RIP Raul Malo

 

[TigerVols]

This one hurts and hits close to home.
When I worked in the country music business I encountered him frequently and the best word to describe him was gregarious. He was a delight to be around.

I haven’t mentioned this before but I have a sister who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in the spring of 2024. Her oncologist was Raul’s doctor as well, and is director of the Sarah Canon (aka Minnnie Pearl) Cancer Institute at the HCA HQ in Nashville. The care they both receive is world-class, and my sister and Raul shared several immunotherapy drip sessions over the past 18 months.

Fortunately for my sister things are going surprisingly and amazingly well. But every case is different of course and Raul’s version was particularly awful. Prayers to Raul, his wife and kids who came to every session with him, and of course **** cancer.

 

[maumann2]

Oh, what a cryin' shame. RIP to a wonderful, unique voice.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

In an odd twist, I discovered The Mavericks because they were part of the soundtrack for My Fellow Americans and then re-remembered them when they were on the 50th anniversary special for Austin City Limits. After that, I went down the Pandora rabbit hole for a few days and, Jesus, what a great sound.