Author Archives: baldpomegranatenixon

Celebrating Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin, September 22, 1958), an American rock guitarist from Wynnewood, PA, best known for her work as the frontwoman of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and for her earlier band the Runaways.

Celebrating John Francis Anthony “Jaco” Pastorius III (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987), an American jazz bassist who was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. He worked with Pat Metheny and Joni Mitchell, and recorded albums as a solo artist.

Celebrating Lita Rossana Ford (born September 19, 1958), a London England-born, American rock guitarist for the Runaways in the late 1970s, before embarking on a solo career in the 1980s.

Celebrating Emily Remler (September 18, 1957 – May 4, 1990), an American jazz guitarist in the 1980s from Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Her career was cut short at the age of 32.

Celebrating James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) an American rock guitarist from Seattle, WA, widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music.

Celebrating Blind Willie Johnson (January 25, 1897 – September 18, 1945), an American blues guitarist from Pendleton, TX, who displayed a combination of slide guitar skills, powerful “chest voice” singing, and originality that has influenced later generations of musicians.

Celebrating Peggy Jones or Peggy Malone (married name) (July 19, 1940 – September 16, 2015), known on stage as Lady Bo, an American pioneer of rock and roll. Jones played rhythm guitar in Bo Diddley’s band in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Celebrating Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B.B. King, an American blues singer and electric guitarist. King was born on a cotton plantation around Itta Bena and Indianola, Mississippi, and is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time.

Celebrating Mike Elliott (May 18, 1940 – September 14, 2005), a Twin Cities guitarist born in Chicago. As a teen, he studied with Johnny Smith in Colorado and co-founded the influential jazz fusion group Natural Life in Minneapolis during the 1970s. Employed by Gibson Guitars, Elliott moved to Nashville in 1982 and worked with Johnny …

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Celebrating William Herman “Billy” Franze (September 14, 1948 – April 27, 2021), a Twin Cities guitarist born in Bluffton, Indiana. The Olivers, a Fort Wayne, IN band, had a national hit in 1969 with “I Saw What You Did,” featuring Franze on vocals. After relocating to the Twin Cities, he became a fixture with Dr. …

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