Bob Rupp on Fb, 12/12/15, forwarding Mark Wilde’s message: RIP to my old drum buddy, Mike Clifton, possibly the finest jazz drummer Berlin has ever seen. In 1988, I smuggled Regal Tip Brushes and Sticks to him in my backpack while staying with him prior to the wall being torn down. We laughed about that for years! Mike showed us true jazz & freedom in West Berlin, and also communist oppression in East Berlin. A true hero of mine and an experience I’ll never duplicate. I love you , Mike! ~ Mark Wilde
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‘AMERICAN IDOL’ SEASON 3 ALUM MARQUE ‘TATE’ LYNCHE DEAD AT 34
Former Mousketeer and American Idol Season 3 alum Marque “Tate” Lynche was found dead in his New York Apartment Sunday night (Dec. 6) under what police are calling “suspicious circumstances.” His body was discovered by his roomate, reports The Daily News.
Lynche, 34, was a cast member of The New Mickey Mouse club from 1993 to 1995 alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling. He competed on Idol in its third season, and was eliminated before the selection of the top 12 contestants. Fantasia Barrino went on to win that season.
Born Marque Syl Lynche in St. Petersburg, Florida, Lynche is the older brother of Season 9 top four finalist Michael “Big Mike” Lynche. After his stint on Idol, he appeared on Broadway as Simba in The Lion King and as Tyrone in a stage production of Fame.
Although he left the entertainment business after the death of his mother, Lynche recently began releasing music again through his Facebook page.
Billboard
https://www.yahoo.com/music/american-idol-season-3-alum-marque-tate-lynche-052840080.html
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Other Notable Musicians’ Deaths…
December 2015
15: Sándor Benkó (de), 75, Hungarian clarinetist and bandleader.
13: Luigi Creatore, 93, American songwriter and record producer, pneumonia.
11: Wolfgang Stockmeier (de), 84, German composer.
10: Rainer Bloss, 69, German electronic musician (Drive Inn).
9: Rusty Jones, 73, American jazz drummer.
8: Mattiwilda Dobbs, 90, American coloratura soprano, cancer; Bonnie Lou, 91, American country singer; Gary Marker, 72, American bassist (Rising Sons, Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band) and recording engineer, stroke.