PASSINGS
Riff West, 64, of Sanford, Florida, passed away on No- vember 19, 2014 after a lengthy illness due to a car accident. Health complications included severe respi- ratory and other in- juries sustained when an airbag exploded on his chest and head. A
self-taught bass player and vocalist, he played with several high profile rock bands, includ- ing White Witch, Molly Hatchet throughout the 80s, Foghat in the early 90s, and Gator Country in 2005. Riff had a huge heart, and produced numerous benefit concerts and fundraisers for children. An official Memorial of Riff West's Life and Legacy is in the plan- ning and organizing stage by Friends of Riff West at this time. The event will take place in late January or February, 2015.
Bobby Keys, 70, the saxophonist who toured and recorded for years with the Rolling Stones, died on December 2, 2014. The Stones immediately provided a statement via their official Twitter account that read: "The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxo- phone player, Bobby Keys. Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960's. He will be greatly missed." Born in Texas, Keys was a veteran sideman
who performed or recorded with Elvis Pres- ley, John Lennon, Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton and many other rock 'n' roll greats. He played sax on several of the Rolling Stones' best-known songs, including "Brown Sugar," "Sweet Virginia" and "Can't You Hear Me Knocking."
Sean Benjamin, 59, the multi-instrumental talent of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away sud- denly of natural causes on October 15, 2014. An absolutely amazing blues guitarist, pianist and songwriter, Benjamin was voted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame in 2000. His legacy includes performing with many of Ne- braska’s finest bands, both live and in record- ings, as well as befriending the late John Lennon while living in New York back in the ‘70’s. Among his countless accomplishments is his performance on the CD Midwest Car- olina Blues, (Rockabilly Hall of Fame Blues) by KUDZOO editor Michael Buffalo Smith in 2001. The album was a tribute to another Lincoln, Nebraska legend, Bobby Lowell, and featured Pinky Semerad, Jim Cidlik, Toni Baustian, Dave Robel, Jim Jenkins, and the original Rockabilly Hall of Fame curator, Bob Timmers.
“Sean was one of the most talented guys I
have ever met,” says Smith. “He was also one of the kindest, sweetest spirits I was blessed to know, if only for a few short years.” Read more about sean here.
www.nebrocks.org/sean.htm
At press time we learned of the death of Ian McLagan, 69, English keyboard best known as a member of Small Faces and Faces on De- cember 3, 2014. He also collaborated with the Rolling Stones and led his own band dur- ing the late 1970s. •
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