In Memory Of... Florida Artists

Mike Stone

feeds@yuku.com (malthursday) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:53:11 GMT

Mike Stone, who managed the Nightcrawlers and B.O.O.T., among others, passed away last year from prostate cancer. Just heard about it.

Great guy. One of the first people to reach out to me when we started the show.

Mark Elfenbein (Mass Confuzion)

feeds@yuku.com (JeffMiami) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:35:27 GMT

Former WQAM/WWOK d.j. Dan Halyburton (who was also a local 60s musician) passed along this news about Mark Elfenbein, the rhythm guitar player in the late 60s band Mass Confuzion. Elfenbein was known as Mark Stevens during his time in South Florida radio.

"Our good friend and Radio Man MARK STEVENS (ELFENBEIN) passed away Wednesday October 14, 2009, after a short battle with Lung Cancer.

Mark and I were great friends in High School and College and were...

AUSTIN HUHN III

feeds@yuku.com (Drummer Boy) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:38:27 GMT

It saddens me to report the passing of my childhood friend and local Miami musician, Austin Huhn III. Austin & I formed our first band, The Deltona's, along with guitarist/vocalist Craig Caragilor, back in 1960. I have many fond memories of the three of us cramming our amps, drums, and guitars into my English Ford Angelia and heading off for a gig. Austin was a kind and caring friend to everyone he knew. Those of us who had the good fortune of knowing him have surely gained from his...

NRBQ / Steve Ferguson

feeds@yuku.com (EC Ryder) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:44:20 GMT

Click here: Louisville musician Steve Ferguson dies | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

Sax Kari

feeds@yuku.com (JeffMiami) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:21:26 GMT

This just in from Red Kelly:

"Sax Kari passed away in Florida after a short struggle with pancreatic cancer this past Thursday, October 1st.
A memorial service was held this morning, according to his son Melvin Blair.
He was a unique figure in the landscape of American music who, in my opinion, never got anywhere near the credit he deserved.
I will miss him.
- red kelly"

Kari is a New Orleans music legend, but he's been a part of South...

Ken Collier

feeds@yuku.com (abuiltmale) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:55:37 GMT

Just heard today that veteran radio newsman Ken Collier passed away. Ken worked at WGBS and WIOD, among others in the 60s through the 80s. Jeff probably knows more about him.

Jim Carroll

feeds@yuku.com (deebee) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:20:15 GMT

60. Older than he ever thought he'd be, but still too young. RIP.

Nick Uhrig (Bryllig & The Nymbol Swabes, Plymouth Rock)

feeds@yuku.com (JeffMiami) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:21:23 GMT

I'm sorry to report that Nick Uhrig passed away on June 17, 2009, one day after his 58th birthday. Nick and his brother Paul were members of the band BRYLLIG & THE NYMBOL SWABES in the 60s. They were the top band in Chattahoochie, Florida, and were considered by many to be "the Beatles of Chattahoochie High School". The "Swabes" cut three records, two that were released locally, and one on the nationally-distributed TRX label out of Nashville. I don't...

Jim Dickenson

feeds@yuku.com (Chuck Kirkpatrick) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:39:57 GMT

...piano and guitar player with the Dixie Flyers, Criteria's in-house rhythm section during the Atlantic years, died Sunday. A wealth of reading is available on the net to those interested. His son Luther is a brilliant slide guitarist with the Black Crowes and his own band, the Mississippi All-Stars.

Jaco in Wilton Manors

feeds@yuku.com (gingerman) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:53:58 GMT

Does anyone here have any info/pics of Jaco in Wilton Manors? This is a small city known as The Island City since it is surrounded by the Middle River. For many years it and Oakland Park were known as the Twin Cities. We know he went to school there, broke his wrist there, was beaten and had his funeral mass there, but what other connections do we know of?

Here is a picture of young Jaco at a gig. Could it be in Wilton Manors? Note the Modern Music placard in front of the stage....

WildMan Billy of Echo

feeds@yuku.com (eileen0204) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:32:24 GMT

"WildMan" Bill, Bill Kerti to his family and friends, passed away suddenly June 15, 2009. He is survived by his three sisters, Debbie, Pam and Eileen. He will always be remembered for his "wildman" persona on stage with the Echoes. He was in close contact with Don Goodson until his death, and Kenny Ahern. Any fond memories or special notes anyone wishes to share would be greatly appreciated and you can email them to

Barry Beckett dies at 66

feeds@yuku.com (dungary) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:21:28 GMT

Barry Beckett, musician and producer died June 10th, '09 in his home in Hendersonville, Tenn. Earlier in his career he was a member of the infamous "Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section" (Known as "The Swampers") that backed up just about every major singer in the business. He had played on sessions and produced artists Bob Dylan,Willie Nelson,Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Elton John, Sting, Kenney Chesney, and many more artists that not only gained greatly from his talent, but...

Robin Listort

feeds@yuku.com (stackjones) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:21:42 GMT

n.m.b guitar player. had a band once called - breastfed.

Scott Sans

feeds@yuku.com (stackjones) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:20:26 GMT

'nuff said. he was a great guitar player and really good guy.

George Mazzola

feeds@yuku.com (stackjones) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:09:49 GMT

'nuff said.

Ean Evans, Lynyrd Skynyrd's bassist

feeds@yuku.com (felix) — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:55:32 GMT

Ken Malden

feeds@yuku.com (abuiltmale) — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:15:28 GMT

One of the pioneers of radio in South Florida , Ken Malden died..... he was 82. I believe years ago he was the program director at WGBS. I'm sure if I'm wrong, Jeff will correct me. Ken's last job was doing the sports updates at WQAM (part time). Ken has held about every type of job there was in South Florida radio.

DELANEY BRAMLETT

feeds@yuku.com (Chuck Kirkpatrick) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:31:29 GMT

I only learned of his passing yesterday. I worked with Delaney and Bonnie on the 1970 "blue album"...probably the most fun session I was ever in on. D & B were both very 'down-home', friendly, and soulful musicians. Delaney produced Eric Clapton's first solo album, and he encouraged Eric to sing by telling him, "God gave you a gift and if you don't use it, He'll take it away". Needless to say, Eric is one of the finest singers on the planet today....

Billy Powell 1952-2009

feeds@yuku.com (malthursday) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:13:12 GMT

ORANGE PARK, Fla. - Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell, who played on such hits as "Sweet Home Alabama" and survived the 1977...

Dennis Yost (1943-2008)

feeds@yuku.com (malthursday) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:25:22 GMT

CINCINNATI - Dennis Yost, lead singer of the 1960s group the Classics IV, has died in an Ohio hospital. He was 65.

Yost died Sunday at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, about 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati. He died of respiratory failure, said hospital spokeswoman Marielou Vierling.

The Classics IV's hits included "Spooky," "Stormy" and...