Music Obituaries: September 2021

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It's time for the spotlight to shine one last time on some musicians who passed away recently. Every month I celebrate their lives -- the famous and the forgotten -- so they can be remembered and thanked for their contribution to music. Here and the music and music-related people who took their final bows in September 2021: Waldo Holmes (September 1, unknown cause, age 92): a member of the R&B band the Hues Corporation and writer of their biggest hit, "Rock the Boat." Dell Furano (September 4, cancer, age 70): the CEO of the ticket service Live Nation Entertainment. Joyce Milsap (September 7, unknown cause, age 81): the wife of country legend Ronnie Milsap. Phil Schaap (September 7, cancer, age 70): renown jazz historian and DJ. Warren Storm (September 7, illness, age 84): "godfather of swamp pop" drummer who began his music career at age 18 and later teamed up with the likes of Robert Plant. Don Maddox (September 12, complications of Alzheimer's disease, age 98): the final surviving member of the 40s/50s trailblazing Bakersfield country outfit the Maddox Brothers and Rose. At the time of his death he was the oldest living country music performer. Dottie Dodgion (September 17, stroke, age 91): one of the rarest of rarities: a female jazz drummer. She sang as well, but her drumming with the likes of Charlie Mingus and Benny Goodman made her stand out in numerous ways. Richard H. Kirk (September 21, illness, age 65): founding member of the influential electronic/synth band Cabaret Voltaire. *Bob Moore (September 22, long illness, age 88): MUSICIANS HALL OF FAMER. Nashville "A team" bassist who played with just about anybody and everybody, from Elvis to Roy Orbison to Jim Reeves, on sessions recorded in Nashville. He also had his own hit, "Mexico," in 1961. Sue Thompson (September 23, natural causes, age 96): she got to be the "oldest living country music performer" for 11 days. Her string of hits in the 50s and 60s included "Norman," "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)," and "Paper Tiger," as well as duets with Don Gibson. Commander Cody (ne George Frayne IV) (September 26, cancer, age 77): the front man of the country-rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, best known for their 70s cover of "Hot Rod Lincoln." Alan Lancaster (September 26, multiple sclerosis, age 72): bassist for the band Status Quo. Darrell Bath (September 27, unknown cause and age): British guitarist who worked with punk bands such as the Vibrators before a long stint in Ian Hunter's band. Andrea Martin (September 27, unknown cause, age 49): R&B singer and songwriter who wrote the 1995 Monica hit "Before You Walk Out of My Life." Barry Ryan (September 28, unknown cause, age 72): British pop singer who performed with his twin brother Paul Ryan and had a worldwide hit with "Eloise" in 1966. Farewell, and thank you for the music. Here's the late Sue Thompson with one of her big hits, "Norman":