Obituaries

In the swirling, technicolor maelstrom that was Haight-Ashbury, there was a bassline. It wasn’t just any bassline, mind you. It was Phil Lesh’s—an intricate, weaving, electrified pulse that felt more like the heartbeat of the universe than just another instrument in a band. Now that pulse, that cosmic conductor, has drifted into the great unknown.

In the melancholic shadow of yesternight, the world was bereft of a luminary, John Mayall, who departed this mortal coil on July 23rd, 2024. With a heavy heart, we pay homage to this titan of blues, whose life and music reverberate through the corridors of time, echoing like a somber requiem in the deepest chambers of the soul.

We at Grateful Web are deeply saddened to report the passing of Nick Daniels III, the extraordinary bassist and vocalist of the revered New Orleans-based funk ensemble, Dumpstaphunk. Nick has left us at the age of 68, after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

Today, the music world mourns the loss of one of its most distinctive voices and influential figures, Forrest Richard "Dickey" Betts, who passed away peacefully at his home in Osprey, Florida. At 80 years old, Dickey leaves behind a musical heritage that is both profound and exhilarating. As a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, his contributions transcended the Southern Rock genre, impacting the vast landscape of American music.

Scott “Top Ten” Kempner, the Bronx-born guitarist, songwriter and band leader, passed away today at a nursing home in Connecticut at the age of 69. The cause of death was complications related to early onset dementia.

Topics

For the Grateful Web and legions of Parrotheads worldwide, September 1st, 2023 marks the day we lost a beloved musical troubadour - the inimitable Jimmy Buffett. Though the world of music has known countless songsmiths, very few have ever embodied the spirit of their songs the way Jimmy did. His passing is a poignant reminder of the free-spirited, sun-soaked moments his music immortalized.

It is with profound sorrow that we at Grateful Web mourn the loss of James Casey, a saxophonist whose artistry touched the lives of countless music lovers and whose kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him. James passed away on August 28, 2023, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. He was surrounded by love, enveloped by the warm embrace of his wife and family.

Robbie Robertson, the legendary guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of The Band, passed away on August 9, 2023. His death marks the end of an era that witnessed profound influence on rock and roll, folk, and the popular music landscape. He was 80.

Born on July 5, 1943, in Toronto, Canada, Robertson's unique upbringing fostered his passion for music. With his mother's Mohawk and Cayuga heritage and his passion for rhythm and blues, Robertson's style was as diverse as his roots.

It is with profound sorrow that we mark the passing of a true legend in the realm of rock and roll, Randy Meisner, former bassist and founding member of The Eagles. Meisner passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023. He was 77.

Born on March 8, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Randy found his calling in music at an early age. By the time he was a teenager, he was immersed in the local music scene, playing in a variety of bands and honing the skills that would eventually propel him to the global stage.

With profound sadness, we report the passing of Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor. This fiercely talented artist, known for her unique voice and uncompromising spirit, died on July 26, 2023. She was 56.

Archived news