A memorial tribute show for KKFI 90.1's Curt "The Rocker" Mason will go down on March 26 at Record Bar, which is billed as "an event to honor a friend, help charities, and rock Kansas City."
Here's what the press release says:
Curt Mason hosted The Rocker on 90.1 KKFI FM for 12 years. His show was homegrown featuring custom playlists created from his own vast music collection focusing on a heavy rock music format. His style of programming was extremely diverse for the Midwest region. Curt was a natural radio DJ, but his true love was programming. He had a pulse on the music industry and his audience, being a great fan himself. Curt "The Rocker" had an open door policy for taking music requests and dedications which was clearly the cornerstone of his show. He loved and appreciated his legions of fans and honored the music with his heart and soul.
Nate Dogg could croon about weed, hos and other g-thangs, and make it as
smooth as a Motown love song. His silky bass could coax the panties off a mannequin. He made white kids roll through the 'burbs in Dad's car with the volume up and the seats reclined. And he was the magic ingredient that took many a West Coast gangsta rap album platinum -- except, unfortunately, his own.
Nathaniel D. Hale was 41 when he died yesterday of a stroke in Long Beach, California.
The classics will live on, though. Which one is your favorite? Which one(s) did we forget?
Click through for a poll.
Jimmy Bond, one of the founding members of the local Beatles tribute band Liverpool, died yesterday at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. Prior to his retirement from music performance in 2006, Jimmy spent 16 years performing as "Paul" in Liverpool, and as drummer, bassist, rhythm guitarist and frontman with party band Plain Jane dating back to 1971.
Trumpeter and Chiefs super-fan Tony DiPardo, passed away last week. From 1963 to 1983, he led the Zing Band with his mighty horn, first at Municipal Stadium and then at the newly constructed Arrowhead, picking up an honorary Super Bowl ring from their 1970 championship win and scoring legions of fans as he began the legacy of the loudest stadium in the NFL.
This past Monday night, I went out to the Legends in Kansas City, Kansas, to redeem a Groupon and have a few overpriced cocktails at Dave & Buster's. I stuck my face and camera against the window of Pin-Up Bowl, and this is what I saw.
Charlie Louvin was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame 10 years ago for his work with the Louvin Brothers. Louvin had been an active musician since the '40s and was most notably recognized for his work with the Louvin Brothers. He spent the bulk of the past four-plus decades as an influential country singer.
According to Paste, Nashville radio station WSM has confirmed the news after receiving word from his wife, Betty. Louvin died at approximately 1:30 a.m. this morning from complications stemming from his bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 83.
We've lost a talented bunch in 2010, capped off by Big Star's beloved Alex Chilton. (It seems like forever ago that we first heard about his death, doesn't it?) The New York Times has a slideshow (and sound-collage) of musicians that died in 2010, as part of the magazine's yearly countdown of important dead folks.
The "ivory queen of soul" died on December 26 at her home in Pasadena, California. She was 54.
Best known for hits like "Lovergirl," "Square Biz," and "I Need Your Lovin'," Marie -- also known as Mary Christine Brockert -- wrote, produced, and recorded many of her own songs. Reports are circulating that Sean Combs and Mary J. Blige are leading tributes to the singer and songwriter.
Watch this more recent video of Teena Marie here. To quote The Pitch's lovely Nadia Pflaum: "Awww, Teena Marie still had it in her 50s...but kinda looked like any middle-aged lady you'd see on the bus." You'll be missed, Teena Marie.
Captain Beefheart, aka Don Van Vliet, died Friday. According to Entertainment Weekly, the avant-garde rock legend -- see Trout Mask Replica -- and visual artist passed away at a California hospital due to complications from multiple sclerosis. He was 69.
Today is the 30th anniversary of the night that John Lennon was killed outside his apartment at the Dakota, in New York City. I am one of the many people whose life was undoubtedly influenced by Lennon's work, but I wasn't born for another six years after Lennon's life ended. My parents' only recollection was that the night was beautiful, still, and iced with big, floppy snowflakes. They drove to a hill in Manhattan, Kansas, and watched the snow fall while the radio -- and the sad fallout of events -- crackled in the background.
After the jump, a couple of firsthand recollections from the New York Times. Where were you, when you heard the news?
Eaten at location on main.. Great catfish and red beans and rice. Staff was nicend…
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MCI is freaking awesome. Its quick and easy. THATS ALL YOU NEED IN AN AIRPORT!!!
The Pitch's Taste of KC is ready for eaters this Sunday
KC Pride Festival 2013? Yes, it's still on
Cody Rhodes keeps his family's tradition alive on WWE's Monday Night Raw
Big Rip Brewing Co. opens to the world Sunday
The Humdinger: Stand in line to get in, baby
The Sucka Free Producer's Showcase is tonight at RecordBar
Where to celebrate American Craft Beer Week in KC
D'Bronx corned-beef sandwich is a deli stopgap