Features
Final Curtain Calls
Babylon, who joined Elton John’s band in 1988 and became the lead keyboardist in 1992, died in Los Angeles Wednesday from an apparent heart attack. He was 52.
Babylon’s professional music career took flight when he began working as a session musician in Los Angeles in 1980. Along with composing and performing music for film and TV productions, Babylon also played in groups as diverse as Iron Butterfly and Tavares.
Among his many accomplishments, Babylon won a Grammy Award in 2001 for his work arranging the stage musical “Aida.”
Babylon is survived by his wife Kathy and children Max, Ben and Jessica.
Of Babylon’s passing, Elton John said while on vacation in France:
“I am devastated and heartbroken at the death of Guy Babylon. Guy played over 1,000 shows with me and we worked together on “The Road To El Dorado,” “Aida,” “Billy Elliot,” “Lestat” and “Gnomeo and Juliet,” as well as countless albums.
“He was one of the most brilliant musicians I ever knew, a true genius a gentle angel – and I loved him so much. David and I send our deep condolences to Kathy, Max, Ben and Jessica, to Guy’s parents, to Kathy’s parents and to all his immediate loved ones.”
Jake Brockman, former keyboardist for Echo & The Bunnymen was killed in a motorcycle crash on the Isle of Man on Tuesday. He was 53.
According to the BBC, Brockman, known as the “Fifth Bunnyman,” died when his motorbike collided with a converted ambulance. Brockman had been associated with the Bunnymen since the ‘80s and became a full-time member of the band in 1989.
Brockman’s wife and family issued the following:
“Jake was always a classic bike enthusiast, he loved sailing though he was invariably seasick,” adding, “Music was central to Jake’s life.”
For more information, please click here for the Echo & The Bunnymen Web site.
Click here for the complete BBC article.
For more information on Guy Babylon, please click here for the Elton John Web site.