Departed Band Members (R.I.P.)

[PeterC]

Here's a list of former band members of Jerry's who have all gone to that great big gig in the sky (listed roughly in the order that they first joined the band):

Roland Janes
Herman 'Hawk' Hawkins
Charlie Freeman
Ned Davis
Jerry Lee Lewis Junior
Bill Strom
Buddy Church
Russ Carlton
Mack Vickery (Atlanta James)
Joel Schumaker
Duke Faglier
Ronnie Norwood
Randy Wilkes
Buddy Harman
Butch Baker
Pete Fletcher
Sammy Cresan
B.B. Cunningham

Have I missed any? I haven't included those that only backed him in the studio.

Of course, with some former band members it's difficult to know where they are now (Russ Smith, Larry Nichols, Dan Daniels, Ed DeBruhl, Larry Estes, etc), and some others must be quite old now (Bill Taylor looked like an old man in 1973, as did Bob Moore in 1983, and J.W. Brown is no youngster either).

[Rocky]

Bill Taylor died a long time ago.

[Rocky]

Bob Moore is also dead.

[PeterC]

Bill Taylor died a long time ago.

Well there's someone who looks very much like him on Facebook who's often reminiscing about his time with JLL:

https://www.facebook.com/bill.taylor.5268

Bob Moore is also dead.

You're wrong there too. He's also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/rockabillybass

[thrund]

Bill Taylor died a long time ago.

Well there's someone who looks very much like him on Facebook who's often reminiscing about his time with JLL:

https://www.facebook.com/bill.taylor.5268

Bob Moore is also dead.

You're wrong there too. He's also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/rockabillybass

Well, Peter is right. Both are on my FB list and still with us.

Thomas

[Henry]

If this Bill Taylor is the same Bill Taylor that,s on Kays forum than i also belive he is alive.He sometimes do inputs there.

[PeterC]

If this Bill Taylor is the same Bill Taylor that,s on Kays forum than i also belive he is alive.He sometimes do inputs there.

No, that's a different Bill Taylor, a guy in his '50s.

[Rocky]

Good catch Peter, it was Russ Carlton who played sax with Bill Taylor in Jerrys band in 1973-74, not Bill Taylor. Russ died of cancer in 1975.

[PeterC]

Good catch Peter, it was Russ Carlton who played sax with Bill Taylor in Jerrys band in 1973-74, not Bill Taylor. Russ died of cancer in 1975.

Thanks Paul. I just googled him, and found that he indeed died 21st December of that year (& was born 26th May 1926). This must've been within a year of him having an affair with Linda Gail - she once said in an interview that she broke up Jerry's horn section by having a fling with him, and (according to her) he got so lovesick he couldn't play! The horn section was dropped at the beginning of 1975.

Someone told me a while back that they'd heard that Russell Smith had died, but I've never found any confirmation. Anybody?

[bailbath]

I am afraid we have another one to add to this list. Duke Faglier aka Duke Danger. Here are his wife's words from Facebook.
My , My what to say to all of you who new, loved and appreciated Duke Danger.
Yesterday evening Duke Danger passed away and moved on to biggest bandstand he'll ever be on. As you all know his battle with his cancer was long and he suffered greatly. He spent hours talking to his friends here on facebook, especially when he lots his voice . He could not have made it through his turmoil without you.
I as his wife am so grateful. He will be missed for so many reason.
I love you dearly.

[PeterC]

List sadly updated.

It would be a nice gesture if Jerry Lee Lewis paid tribute to former band members via his website or Facebook instead of remaining silent, same with musicians he admired and worked with such as B.B. King.

[wolfgangguhl]

Well, he paid tribute to B.B. King on Facebook:

“A sad morning as I hear about the death of my good friend and blues legend, BB King.
I will miss him…but his music lives forever!
God be with his family…I love you my friend.” Jerry Lee Lewis

[matt gilliam]

Peter will answer this question. I watched a Hee Haw show the other night with The Oak ridge Boys. The guitar player looked a lot like Joel.
Was he ever a part of this band?
Thank you in advance for the answer.
Matt

[PeterC]

Peter will answer this question. I watched a Hee Haw show the other night with The Oak ridge Boys. The guitar player looked a lot like Joel.
Was he ever a part of this band?
Thank you in advance for the answer.
Matt

Not as far as I'm aware Matt, but I don't know for certain... can you post a link (if it's on youtube) or a screen shot (if it's on DVD)? What year is the performance?

[matt gilliam]

Sorry but I can't do either. The oaks were singing their first big hit "y'all come back saloon". They were so young. I'll guess the year was '77 or '78.