In Memoriam|

Ron Bushy Iron Butterfly

Photo: Ron Bushy (from Wikipedia) Ron Bushy (December 23, 1941 – August 29, 2021) was an American drummer best known as a member of the rock band Iron Butterfly and as the drum soloist on the band’s iconic song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” released in 1968. He was the only member of the group to appear on all six of their studio albums.

Previously playing in a band called the Voxmen, Bushy joined Iron Butterfly in 1966, following the band’s relocation from San Diego to Los Angeles, replacing previous drummer Bruce Morse when he left due to a family emergency. Bushy became part of the group’s classic lineup, along with vocalist and keyboardist Doug Ingle, guitarist Erik Brann, and bassist Lee Dorman.

After drumming on Iron Butterfly’s first album Heavy in 1968, the band experienced substantial success with their song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” from their second album, which shared the name, in which he played a lengthy and critically acclaimed drum solo. Bushy continued to play with Iron Butterfly on their third and fourth albums, 1969’s Ball and 1970’s Metamorphosis, until their break-up in 1971. He rejoined the group when the band reformed in 1974, playing on their fifth and sixth albums, Scorching Beauty and Sun and Steel, both released in 1975. He departed the group in 1977, and rejoined the next year.

Bushy continued to drum for Iron Butterfly on-and-off as the most consistent member throughout various other member changes and break-ups.
> > > > > > > > >
On August 29, 2021, Iron Butterfly issued a statement that Bushy had died that morning at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica following a battle with esophageal cancer, at the age of 79. He is the third member of the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida lineup to have died, following Erik Brann and Lee Dorman in 2003 and 2012 respectively, and leaving Doug Ingle as the only surviving member of that lineup.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Bushy

* * * * *

Other Notable Musicians’ Deaths…

Again, the number of deaths from COVID is astounding. Please get vaccinated. Truly may save your life. If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost this past week, please check out http://www.wikipedia.com

September 2021
2: Mikis Theodorakis, 96, Greek composer (“Mauthausen Trilogy”, Zorba the Greek, Z), MP (1981–1993).

1: Adalberto Álvarez, 72, Cuban pianist (Son 14, Adalberto Álvarez y su Son), COVID-19; Aleksandr Khrabunov, 61, Russian guitarist (Zoopark).

August 2021
31: Nobesuthu Mbadu, 76, South African mbaqanga singer (Mahotella Queens), kidney failure;; Tommy Truesdale, 83, Scottish musician and radio presenter (West Sound).

30: Lee Williams, 75, American gospel singer, complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

29: Ron Bushy, 79, American drummer (Iron Butterfly), esophageal cancer; John Drake, 74, American singer (The Amboy Dukes); Lee “Scratch” Perry, 85, Jamaican reggae musician (The Upsetters), songwriter (“Run for Cover”, “Police and Thieves”) and record producer.

28: Francesc Burrull, 86, Spanish jazz musician and composer; Victor Uwaifo, 80, Nigerian musician; Teresa Zylis-Gara, 91, Polish operatic soprano (Metropolitan Opera).

27: Marcus Birks, 40, English Eurodance musician (Cappella), COVID-19; Siegfried Matthus, 87, German composer (Judith) and opera festival director (Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg); Sam Salter, 46, American R&B singer.

26: JB Tuhure, 78, Nepali singer and politician, MP (2014–2017); Kenny Malone, 83, American drummer, COVID-19.

25: Mario Gareña, 88, Colombian singer and composer; Dave Harper, English drummer (Frankie & The Heartstrings); Elly Kasim, 76, Indonesian singer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2021

Leave a Reply

Close Search Window