RIP

Rico Rodriguez

The Specials' trombonist Rico Rodriguez has died at the age of 80, it has been announced. In a tweet the band expressed its condolences and said his legacy would “go on forever and a day”.  Rodriguez also recorded as a solo artist and played with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. He was an influential figure in the development of the British ska and 2-Tone movements in the 1970s and 80s after moving to England from Jamaica. He was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2007.

Wayne Carson, the prolific US songwriter who penned 'You Were Always On My Mind' amongst many other hits, has died aged 72. Other hots included 'The Letter', 'Somebody Like Me', 'Soul Deep and neon Rainbow' and artistes who recorded his songs included Elvis Presley, Willie nelson, Johnny Cash, Joe Cocker and Tina Turner.

Nashville businessman Jeff Walker has died aged just 65.  Walker suffered from a heart attack at Nashville International Airport. He died later that night in hospital.  Walker made his mark as president and CEO of the AristoMedia Group/Marco Media Group, a diversified entertainment company with branches in publicity, radio and music video promotion and country dance club marketing, among other areas. The company, which worked with both country and Christian music acts, marked its 35th anniversary in April.

Joy Beverley, the oldest of the Beverley Sisters, has died aged 91. Along with her two sisters Teddie and Babs, The trio were known for songs including "Little Drummer Boy" and the Irving Berlin standard "Sisters". They had their own BBC TV show in the 1950s and were made MBEs in 2006. Joy was married to Wolverhampton Wanderers' star Billy Wright until his death from cancer in 1994.

Leading UK house and techno DJ Colin Faver has died. 
Tributes included "Another UK legend sadly passed," said the label Rough Trade, while Nicky Blackmarket posted, "RIP COLIN FAVER one of the originals and true legend." 

Dennis Greene, a founding member of Sha Na Na, has died at 66. He left the band in 1984 to study law and Greene then moved into the movie industry and was a vice president at Columbia Pictures, and began teaching law at the University of Dayton in 2001. He died after a brief illness. Greene performed with Sha Na Na at Woodstock in 1969 and with the group in the 1978 movie "Grease."