Open Thread Update: The Rock Legends We Miss Most

Last time we asked for the rock and roll legends we still miss – and got a clear message of the power and connection music from long ago still holds in our hearts, minds and memories.

It’s tricky to determine who we miss most in terms of sheer numbers, but a rough estimate is that Janis Joplin was a big influence for women, especially those like Reader Melanie M. (“she sang what I felt as a teen”) and Reader Ruthann. She loved Janis so much it wasn’t enough to wear it on her sleeve.

What a powerful voice Janis had! she moved me in such a way to get the same tattoo she had. (at least one of them that I know of : ) ). I also miss Jimi Hendrix, really all the Woodstock bands! Beatles, Rolling Stones, too!

Richie Havens was another popular musical force with so many fans and so much love – and a genuinely nice person, according to Reader Richard K.

Richie Havens was a great loss for me. I first met Richie when we were hanging out at the Cafe Wha in the late 1950s and early 1960s. We would take the subway back to Brooklyn together after a late nite. When I returned from college he had become a star. But he remembered me and gave me a big hug after one of his appearances at the Village Vanguard. He was a real gentleman that other musicians respected. Losing him early was a great loss.

Naturally John Lennon was another genius we all miss (“Because he was so much more than a musician,” notes Reader Penny) and many of us still hold a candle for Marvin Gaye.  The list spans the range from Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole (Reader Larry M. reminisced that “his voice was like honey”), to more modern icons like Tom Petty (“Miss that guy every day” says Reader Jan) to Luther Vandross (“…one of the GOATs of R&B”) says Reader Susanne.

…and yes, even Elvis.

Elvis Presley hit us hard. My father worked second shift and got home at 11:30pm and we had just heard it on the nightly news. Me and mom were crying hard and my dad thought someone in the family had passed…Needless to say he thought we were both crazy!

-Deb

Reader Patricia seems to sum it up.

I was devastated when Sam Cooke was murdered. And I was at a loss when Roberta Flack died and when Freddie Mercury died and Michael Jackson and Prince. Thank God their music lives on. Losing them all felt like losing a long lost relative that you were just getting to know. 

Our sentiments exactly! Is there a legend we missed?  A memory you’d like to share?  Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments!  

ORIGINAL COLUMN:

The loss of Ozzy Osbourne shortly after his farewell concert in his hometown somehow hit me harder than I expected. I wasn’t a Black Sabbath fan, but I respect the gesture and his bravery and showmanship. He went down swinging and good for him.

Bad for us, though.

I’m still reeling from losing Brian Wilson, and Sly Stone, Rick Derringer and, David Johansen – hell, I’m still not over losing David Bowie, Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Winter and George Harrison.

Music is so intertwined in our lives that the passing of favorite musicians is a personal loss.  When I was younger it wasn’t a party until you played Sly Stone. I can tell you where I was when I learned that John Lennon had been murdered. I learned Michael Jackson died when I was downtown in the East Village – spontaneous music tributes came from every bar, and people were blasting Thriller from their open windows and dancing on their fire escapes.

I’m afraid of the day we lose Mick Jagger.

YOUR TURN

But that’s me.  What musical legend’s passing hit you the hardest?  Share your opinions in the comments!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers and blogs about New York City life. Send your “Open Thread” suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.