Musicians Who Died in 2020, from A to Z
A
• Rance Allen - Oct. 31; Toledo, Ohio-based gospel/soul singer headed the Rance Allen Group who performed at Wattstax in 1972 (watch below); died from complications of a medical procedure; was 71.
• Tony Allen - Apr. 30; Nigerian-born drummer played with and was musical director of Fela Kuti's Africa '70 band; suffered a heart attack; was 79.
• Bob Andy (nee Keith Anderson) - Mar. 27; Jamaican singer/songwriter whose songs were performed by Tony Rebel, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths and Cutty Ranks; cause undisclosed; was 76.
• Hillard "Sweet Pea" Atkinson - May 5; co-lead singer in Was (Not Was), who had hits with "Walk the Dinosaur" (No. 7, 1987, watch below) and "Spy in the House of Love" (No. 16, 1987); suffered a heart attack; was 74.
B
• Braxton "Brax" Baker - Nov. 5; up-and-coming rapper and social media influencer based in Richmond, Virginia; cause undisclosed; was 21.
• Frankie Banali - Aug. 20; NYC-born drummer played with Quiet Riot and W.A.S.P; Quiet Riot had a hit with a cover of Slade's "Cum on Feel the Noize" (No. 5, 1982, watch below); suffered from pancreatic cancer; was 68.
• William "Bucky" Baxter - May 25; Florida-born pedal steel guitarist played and toured with Bob Dylan (1992-1997) and Steve Earle & the Dukes (1987-1990); cause undisclosed; was 65.
• Harold Beane - Feb. 1; guitarist with Isaac Hayes (he played on "Walk on By," listen below) and Parliament Funkadelic; cause unknown; was 73.
