Millie Small: My Boy Lollipop singer dies aged 73:

Jamaican singer Millie Small has died at the age of 73 after suffering a stroke.

The star was most famous for her hit single My Boy Lollipop, which reached number two in both the US and the UK in 1964.

It remains one of the biggest-selling ska songs of all time, with more than seven million sales.

Island Records founder Chris Blackwell announced her death and remembered her as "a sweet person... really special".

It was Blackwell who brought Small to London in 1963 and produced her version of My Boy Lollipop, showcasing her childlike, high-pitched vocals.

"I would say she's the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record," he told the Jamaica Observer.

"It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it.

"She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special," said Blackwell.

OBIT

Oh no, that's very sad. I grew up loving Kraftwerk.

Little Richard, a founding father of rock and roll whose fervent shrieks, flamboyant garb, and joyful, gender-bending persona embodied the spirit and sound of that new art form, died Saturday. He was 87. The musician’s son, Danny Penniman, confirmed the pioneer’s death to Rolling Stone, but said the cause of death was unknown.

SOURCE

The wonderful soul singer Betty Wright has passed away at just 66.

www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/10/betty-wright-us-soul-funk-rb-singer-dies-aged-66

RIP Phil May

The Pretty Things vocalist Phil May has died.

The legendary group emerged from the British R&B boom, with their frenzied take on the blues attracting wild audiences.

Famously wearing their hair longer than the Rolling Stones, the band moved from quicksilver rhythm 'n' blues to proto garage punk, before exploding in the psychedelic day-dream of 'SF Sorrow'.

Arguably rock's first true conceptual statement, 'SF Sorrow' was followed by a lengthy move into hard rock as the 70s dawned.

Writing, touring, and recording almost to the end, Phil May led The Pretty Things from start to finish - sadly, his family have confirmed that the seminal vocalist has died.

A statement reads: "Phil May passed away at 7.05am on Friday 15 May at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was 75. He had been locked down in Norfolk with his family and, during the week Phil had suffered a fall from his bike and had undergone emergency hip surgery, after which complications set in."

It continues: "Phil had been in poor health for some time when the Pretty Things played their last live concert, ‘The Final Bow’, on 13 December 2018 at the Indigo, O2 where they were joined onstage by old friends David Gilmour and Van Morrison."

Terribly sad news - our thoughts are with his family and friends.

SOURCE

Sorry to hear that the excellent guitarist and long term KISS collaborator Bob Kulick has just passed away.

www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/rock/9393831/bob-kulick-dead-kiss-guitarist

Jings, that's sad. I still imagined him as he was in photos from the 70s in Hi-Fi Answers.

Former UFO Guitarist PAUL CHAPMAN Dead At 66

Paul Chapman, the Welsh rock guitarist best known for his work in UFO and WAYSTED, has died at the age of 66. His passing was confirmed by his son, who wrote on Paul's Facebook page: "It is with a heavy heart writing this, today is my dads 66th birthday. He passed away earlier this afternoon. He was a brilliant, energetic, loving and most carefree person and the First man I ever loved. Everyone he came in contact with loved him. no ADORED him. will keep everyone posted on his celebration of life. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers as his family grieves and processes everything at this time. I love you Dad. So much."

OBIT

Wonderful work with King Crimson
RIP Keith