Major Causes of Death: Accidental | Cancer | Drug | Heart Attack | Heart Failure | Lung | Natural Causes | Suicide

Levon Helm, Singer & Drummer at The Band, dies 71


Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm (May 26, 1940 - April 19, 2012), was an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for The Band.

Helm was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, and creative drumming style highlighted on many of The Band's recordings, such as "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek", "Ophelia" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". His 2007 comeback album Dirt Farmer earned the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in February 2008, and in November of that year, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #91 in the list of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2010, Electric Dirt, his 2009 follow-up to Dirt Farmer, won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, an inaugural category in 2010. In 2011, his live album Ramble at the Ryman was nominated for the Grammy in the same category and won.

On April 17, 2012, his wife and daughter announced on Helm's website that he was "in the final stages of his battle with cancer" and thanked fans while requesting prayers.

Levon Helm cause of death
Levon Helm died on April 19, 2012, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Levon Helm was 71 years old at the time of his death

Levon Helm (on Drums & vocal) & John Hiatt - The Weight

Greg Ham, of Men at Work, Dies 58

Greg Norman Ham (September 27, 1953 - April 19, 2012) was an Australian songwriter, actor and saxophone player known for playing multiple instruments in the 1980s band Men at Work. In addition to the saxophone, he played flute, organ, piano and the synthesiser. He replaced Greg Sneddon in the band.

As an actor, Ham was a regular cast member on While You're Down There.

Later in life, Ham taught guitar at Carlton North Primary School in Melbourne.

Greg Ham cause of death
Ham was found dead at his home in Carlton North, Melbourne, on 19 April 2012. Further details on his death and its circumstances are yet to be clarified.
Greg Ham was 58 years old at the time of his death.

Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now (1981)
Greg Ham on Saxophone

Dick Clark, 'American Bandstand', Dies 82

Richard Wagstaff "Dick" Clark (November 30, 1929 - April 18, 2012) was an American game-show host, radio and television personality, and businessman. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he has sold part of in recent years. Clark is best known for hosting long-running television shows such as American Bandstand, five versions of the game show Pyramid, and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Clark has long been known for his departing catchphrase, "For now, Dick Clark...so long," delivered with a military salute, and for his youthful appearance, earning the moniker "America's Oldest Teenager."

Dick Clark cause of death
Dick Clark died of a massive heart attack in his home after undergoing a procedure.
Dick Clark was 82 at the time of his death.

Clark suffered a significant stroke in late 2004. With speech ability still impaired, Clark returned to his New Year's Rockin' Eve show on December 31, 2005/January 1, 2006. Subsequently, he appeared at the Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006, and every New Year's Rockin' Eve show since then.

Daytime Emmy Awards tribute to American Bandstand and Dick Clark

Bee Gees' Robin Gibb in a coma

On 14 April 2012, it was reported that Gibb was "fighting for his life" after contracting pneumonia and was in a coma in a Chelsea hospital.

Maurice Gibb, Robin’s twin brother, died in 2003 at the age of 53 due to complications from a twisted intestine.

The Bee Gees’ younger brother, Andy, who had a successful solo career, died in 1988 at age 30 of a heart ailment.

Mike Wallace , '60 Minutes', Broadcasting legend dies 93



Mike Wallace won at least 20 Emmy Awards

Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace (May 9, 1918 – April 7, 2012) was an American journalist, game show host, actor, and media personality. During his career, which spanned over sixty years, he interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers.

He was one of the original correspondents for CBS' 60 Minutes which debuted in 1968. Wallace retired as a regular full-time correspondent in 2006, but still appeared occasionally on the series until 2008.

Wallace's youngest son is journalist Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday.

Mike Wallace cause of death
Cause of death is not released.
Mike Wallace died in Connecticut, where he resided, at 8 p.m. on April 7, 2012.
Mike Wallace was 93 years old at the time of his death.

Health
Mike Wallace wore pacemaker for over 20 years.  He had a long history of cardiac care and underwent triple bypass heart surgery in January 2008.

Mike Wallace interviews Bette Davis (1980)

Thomas Kinkade dies at 54 years old

According to an article on my Yahoo homepage, artist Thomas Kinkade has died at 54 yrs old from natural causes

Jim Marshall, founder of Marshall amps, dies 88

James Charles "Jim" Marshall, OBE (July 29, 1923 – April 5, 2012), known as The Father of Loud or The Lord of Loud, was an English businessman, and pioneer of guitar amplification. His company, Marshall Amplification, has created kit used by some of the biggest names in rock, producing amplifiers with an iconic status. Marshall has been listed as one of the four forefathers of rock music equipment along with Leo Fender, Les Paul and Seth Lover.

Jim Marshall cause of death
Jim Marshall had cancer and endured a series of strokes.
Jim Marshall was 88 years old at the time of his death..

Earl Scruggs, Bluegrass banjo legend, dies 88

*Earl Scruggs created that classic banjo picking style

Earl Eugene Scruggs (January 6, 1924 – March 28, 2012) was an American musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a three-finger banjo-picking style (now called Scruggs style) that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. Although other musicians had played in three-finger style before him, Scruggs shot to prominence when he was hired by Bill Monroe to fill the banjo slot in his group, the Blue Grass Boys.

On September 24, 1962, Scruggs recorded "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" for the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies, which became an immediate country music hit. 

Earl Scruggs Cause of Death
Scruggs died from natural causes on March 28, 2012, in a Nashville hospital

Earl Scruggs Breakdown

The Ballad Of Jed Clampett (1962) - Earl Scruggs on banjo

Updates, corrections, and Confirmations

Almost Unnoticed Deaths

Almost unnoticed deaths.

Click Read more for a full list / past years.

2011

  • March 17, 2012: Chaleo Yoovidhya, creator of Red Bull energy drink, died of natural causes 89
  • March 12, 2012: Michael Hossack, one of past drummers for The Doobie Brothers died of cancer at 65
  • February 4, 2012: Florence Green, Last surviving World War I veteran, dies 110
  • February 3, 2012: Nello Ferrara, Creator of Lemonheads candy, dies 93
  • February 1, 2012: Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali & Sugar Ray Leonard's trainer dies 90
  • January 22, 2012: Dick Tufeld, Voice of the “Lost in Space” Robot, Dies 85

James Ellis, singer, 'Disco Inferno', dies 74

James Ellis (? - March 7, 2012) was a lead singer of a Disco band 'The Trammps'

The Trammps were an American disco band, who were based in Philadelphia and were one of the first disco bands.  They are best known for their Grammy winning song, "Disco Inferno".

James Ellis cause of death.
James Ellis, died after suffering Alzheimer's disease.
james Ellis was 74 years old at the time of his death.

The Trammps - Disco Inferno.  Lead Singer James Ellis

Steve Bridges, Comic impressionist, dies 48

Steve Bridges (May 22, 1963 – March 3, 2012) was an American comedian, impressionist, and actor who "developed a repertoire of over 200 impressions, including TV characters Barney Fife and Homer Simpson, broadcasters Tom Brokaw, Paul Harvey and Rush Limbaugh... and political leaders Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Arnold Schwarzenegger".

Steve Bridges cause of Death
Steve Bridges was found dead on March 3, 2012, in his Los Angeles home. The cause of death was not immediately known. Steve Bridges was 48 years old at the time of his death.

Steve Bridges - As George W. Bush with George W. Bush

Ronnie Montrose, Guitarist, dies 64

Ronnie Montrose (November 29, 1947 – March 3, 2012) was an American rock guitarist who led a number of his own bands as well as performing with a variety of musicians, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, The Beau Brummels, Boz Scaggs, Beaver & Krause, Gary Wright, Tony Williams, The Neville Brothers, Dan Hartman, Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter.

Ronnie Montrose cause of death.
The coroner's report released on April 6, 2012 ruled his death a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ronnie Montrose was 64 years old at the time of his death.
On his most recent tour, in late 2009, Montrose revealed that he had successfully fought prostate cancer over the last two years.

Ronnie Montrose with Sammy Hagar (1974) - Bad Motor Scooter

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Davy Jones, Monkees lead singer, dies 66

David Thomas "Davy" Jones (December 30, 1945 – February 29, 2012) was an English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of The Monkees.

Davy Jones cause of death
On the morning of 29 February 2012, Jones was found dead at his Indiantown, Florida home. His publicist announced that Jones had suffered a massive heart attack in his sleep. Jones is survived by his widow Jessica and four daughters.
Davy Jones was 66 years old at the time of his death

Monkees - Daydream Believer. Davy Jones in red shirt (lead singer)

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