Professional Name: Flame duDillo Wiggy
Former Member. Bass
3/2/1936 – 3/15/2018
Buell Neidlinger, a one of a kind bassist, age 82, died on March 16, 2018, at his home on Whidbey Island, WA. He was born in New York City on March 2, 1936 and started his musical career there. Continue reading
Life Member. Drum Set
12/26/1919 – 6/11/2018
Donald Roy Knapp was born December 26, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He passed away peacefully in Chicago on June 11, 2018 after recovering from two recent hip fractures. He was the son of Roy Cecil Knapp and Nellie Johnson (Knapp) Shillito. He was married to Lorie Downs (deceased in 1975); and to Kimberly Granger (divorced). Continue reading
Member. Violin
3/3/1965 – 5/18/2018
Katia Popov passed away on May 18, 2018 from a three-year battle with Ovarian Cancer and left an empty void where she carved her mark. Her determination to beat the disease mirrored her determination to become the best violinist in the world. Although she is no longer physically with us, her music has created a ripple effect that will never leave the musical community or her biggest fans, friends and family. Katia’s devotion to the violin and her love for music was apparent and contagious. She did not shy away from the stage and performing was her natural calling. Learning how to read notes before she could read the alphabet, music was in Katia’s heart and soul. She did not just play music, she played music through her entire being to deliver an experience so ethereal, audiences would be instantly captivated. Not only did her talent leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to watch her perform, but also her personality lit up a room and made people feel warm and welcome in her presence. Continue reading
Carmine Marinelli, father of AFM Local 47 composer Anthony Marinelli, served as Master of Properties at the LA Music Center for 35 years, died January 10, 2018. Continue reading
Former Life Member. Drum Set
8/17/1935 – 10/28/2017
Mitchell Peters, a prodigious composer, recording artist, music professor, and former principal timpanist and percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, died in Encinitas Oct. 28, 2017 at the age of 82.
Peters joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as its co-principal percussionist in 1969 and retired as its principal timpanist in 2006. He performed under such conductors as Zubin Mehta, Carlo-Maria Giulini, André Previn, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Sir Simon Rattle, John Williams, Michael Tilson Thomas and countless others. Continue reading
Photo by Heinrich Klaffs, Creative Commons
Fats Domino in 1973 performing in the Musikhalle Hamburg, Germany.
One of the founding fathers of rock ’n’ roll, Fats Domino (AFM Local 174-496) injected a Creole-infused shot of rhythm and blues, jazz and boogie woogie to the genre.
He was born Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. on Feb. 26, 1928 in New Orleans, where he began playing local nightclubs at age 14. Throughout his astounding career, Domino sold over 65 million records whose hits hits include “Blueberry Hill,” “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I’m Walkin’ ” and his version of “My Blue Heaven.”
His remarkable abilities on the piano proved that the instrument had as vital a place in rock ’n’ roll as the guitar.
Domino died Oct. 24, 2017, at 89. Continue reading
Life Member. Guitar
4/24/1945 – 8/30/2017
Michael passed away suddenly after a brief illness on Aug. 30, 2017. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio on April 24, 1945 to Anthony V. Consoldane and Ruth Oberlin. Raised in Warren, Ohio, Michael learned to play the trumpet at an early age and was a member of many high school bands including the Warren Jr. Military Band sponsored by the VFW Post 1090. Continue reading
Member. Cello/Bassoon/Contractor
12/7/1960 – 8/21/2017
by Lynn Grants
Born in New York City, Maurice remained a quintessential New Yorker, even after his family relocated to Los Angeles when Maurice was in his early teens. On discovering that his new school didn’t have an orchestra, he organized one, recruiting like-minded friends, and setting up a rehearsal schedule. This expanded to his forming a community orchestra, the Symphony of the Chaparral, in the Sunland-Tujunga foothill communities. He took on conducting duties with the orchestra, as well as setting programming, securing rehearsal and performance space, and acting as personnel manager. Continue reading
Photo by Larry Philpot, www.soundstagephotography.com
Member. Guitar
10/20/1950 – 10/2/2017
AFM Local 47 the world in mourning the loss of music icon and longtime Los Angeles musicians’ union member Tom Petty.
His artistry and talents with the Heartbreakers, the Traveling Wilburys, and Mudcrutch made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time and earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Thank you for the music.
Life Member. Composer
8/13/1943 – 8/10/2017
Dell joined the Musicians Union in the early 1960s during his college years at Drake in his home state of Iowa. After receiving two degrees in music, he joined the NORAD military band where he met young musicians from L.A. who became his lifelong friends. Continue reading