# Who have you seen live that is no longer with us? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, music\ **Created:** [August 2, 2018, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968 "2018-08-02T10:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/181 "2018-08-27T09:52:28Z")
> [@ohiomstr2](#): > > About a thousand years ago in Baltimore > > John Mayall and the blues breakers (w/Eiric Clapton) opening for > Big Brother and the Nolding Company are (Janis Joplin) opening for > The Doors > > Janis was called back for three encores > > Also > > Jimi Hendricks & and Joplin right before she died. Had a Magnum of Southern Comfort > > Those were the days John Mayall is NOT dead! News of his death was a hoax, I believe. (I also saw him perform live too! Great show!) ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/182 "2020-05-31T07:54:59Z")
George Carlin Steve Clark (def leppard guitarist) Ty Longley - great white guitarist Jan Kuehnemund - guitarist vixen Ronnie James Dio - Dio, Black Sabbath ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/183 "2020-05-31T09:43:46Z")
Glenn Yarbrough (d. Aug. 11, 2016) with the Limeliters at Alameda County Fair. Johnny Cash, twice, at the late lamented Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, CA, and at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, CA. Waylon Jennings (d. Feb. 12, 2002) at the late lamented Circle Star Theater. Peter, Paul, and Mary at the late lamented Circle Star Theater. Waaay back when I was a widdle kiddie in the 1960’s: Ethel Merman in a performance of Call Me Madam in the San Fernando Valley. Marcel Marceau (d. Sept. 22, 2007) at Zellerbach Auditorium at U. C.Berkeley. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/184 "2020-05-31T10:25:50Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Peter, Paul, and Mary at the late lamented Circle Star Theater. Both Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey are alive; Mary Travers and Circle Star Theater are not. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/185 "2020-05-31T10:28:34Z")
Roy Clark (Kennedy Center) Danny Gatton (when he was the house band at Club Soda in DC) Root Boy Slim (I had to step over his drunk, passed-out ass to get into the men’s room at Tornado Alley; later I saw him living in his ex-bandmate’s basement) John Prine (University of Virginia) Regarding Ray Davies: YAHOO says he died in 2017. WIKI says he’s still alive. His own website just says there are no upcoming tour dates, so that could go either way. ---
**Author:** ![mikeargo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@mikeargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikeargo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/186 "2020-05-31T11:35:33Z")
Chuck Berry Johnny Cash Duke Ellington (when I was 14 years old) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/187 "2020-05-31T11:50:48Z")
God, too, too many. Rush - Neil Peart is dead. That’s still painful. Freddie Mercury Chuck Berry Scott Weiland - I saw him solo, not with STP John Entwhistle John Denver Chris Cornell Tom Petty Jerry Garcia Dennis Wilson Joey Ramone and others Michael Hutchence Bo Diddley John Lee Hooker Clarence Clemons Too many more. I’m not a young man anymore. It’s only going to get longer. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/188 "2020-05-31T12:02:38Z")
I’m pretty sure the vast majority of performers that I have seen perform live are now dead. The musical ones off the top of my head: Victor Borge, Beverly Sills, Andre Previn, Sergiu Comissiona, Mstislav Rostropovich, Carol Channing, Kenny Rogers, Roy Clark, Ralph Stanley, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Freddy Fender, Tommy Makem, and Frenchie Burke. Frenchie Burke was as good a raconteur as he was a musician, and a lot of fun. He sat with my group and shared our shrimp and oysters once at the Fulton(TX) Oysterfest and later sent a round of beer to our table. OK, anybody who buys me beer gets a good review 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/189 "2020-05-31T23:06:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think we can safely call the scope of this thread “performers”, not just “musicians”. Perhaps we can also include speeches or presentations by notable writers, scientists, etc.? I see already a mention of Hunter S. Thompson and Kurt Vonnegut in [Post #39](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21123325&postcount=39). My contribution to this genre: Ray Bradbury (d. June 5, 2012), sci-fi writer, gave keynote address at dedication of new Paso Robles Public Library, circa mid-1990’s. (I was about to mention Richard Bach also, but in an abundance of fighting of ignorance, I looked him up first, and Lo! he’s still with us!) You _do_ all remember who Richard Bach is, right? Aviator, aerobatic pilot, author of _Jonathan Livingston Seagull_ ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/190 "2020-05-31T23:29:59Z")
Adam Schlesinger Rory Gallagher Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker Band) Chris Squire Les Paul ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/191 "2020-06-01T01:13:35Z")
Rudy Valee, 1975 _How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying_ Mose Allison, 1991? (1992?) Cafe Lido, Balboa Island Milt Hinton, 1993(?) Newport Beach ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/192 "2020-06-01T01:16:07Z")
Lemmy David Bowie Stevie Ray Vaughn The Ramones ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/193 "2020-06-01T03:35:19Z")
Stevie Ray Vaughn, Doc Watson, Merle Watson, John Prine, Jerry Reed, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Tom Petty, Dave Van Ronk, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Dick Gregory, Townes Van Zant, Johnny Shines. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/194 "2020-06-01T05:31:18Z")
In the 2 years since my last post we’ve lost… Ric Ocasek (The Cars) Ian Gibbons (The Kinks) Dick Dale Stanley Donen - spoke at a retrospective of his films at UCLA ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/195 "2021-08-24T19:10:22Z")
Well, shit. Gotta add… Charlie Watts Dusty Hill (ZZ Top) Edward Van Halen ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/196 "2021-08-24T19:38:06Z")
The Ramones. The original lineup, at CBGB, in 1977 and 1978. A bunch of times. Yes, I’m old. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/197 "2021-08-24T19:49:39Z")
John Denver The Cowsills The Supremes Paul Revere and the Raiders Helen Reddy Herman’s Hermits (one dead) Arthur Fiedler Everybody else is alive. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/198 "2021-08-24T19:57:37Z")
Tom Petty Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead vocalist/bassist) Brad Delp (Boston vocalist) Chris Squire (Yes bassist) Mary Travers (Peter, Paul and Mary) And, probably a few other band members whom I’m not thinking of right now. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/199 "2021-08-24T20:01:27Z")
Robert Ward (Ohio Players) Brad Delp (Boston) Leonard Cohen Leon Russell (show with Dylan and I actually liked Russell more that evening) Walter Becker (Steely Dan) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968/200 "2021-08-24T20:04:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Tommy Makem, multiple times (but most of you have probably never heard of him). He used to always come to the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival every year. I bought a number of The Clancy Brothers albums back in my folky days. They put on a good show. I didn’t mention Glenn Yarbrough above. He was a founding member of The Limelighters and he did a college concert at the University of Alaska, where I was attending at the time. That was in the mid-60s. I saw The New Christie Minstrels live in the 60s. There have been so many members of that group over the years that some of the originals must be dead. I saw jazz bassist Eugene Wright at the same time I saw Brubeck in Moscow. He just died last year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-seen-live-that-is-no-longer-with-us/818968.md?page=11)