Monday, October 12, 2009

R.I.P. Steve Ferguson

Ferguson, founding member of NRBQ and one of the greatest and most underrated rock guitarists ever, died of cancer on October 7.





Incidentally, the above cover of Eddie Cochran's "C'mon Everybody" is one of the great lost singles of the 60s and in a sane world would have been a huge hit.

It is also worth noting that (according to his MySpace page) although Ferguson was one of the rare non-superstar musicians to actually have medical insurance, he was nowhere near covered enough to actually pay for his cancer treatments.

Okay, don't get me started on health care reform....

10 comments:

Mister Pleasant said...

Condolences to Mr. Ferguson's family and friends.

What a great tune. That intro is so psychedelic rockabilly. NRBQ is a big unknown to me, but now I have to hear more.

Who Am Us Anyway? said...

psychedelic rockabilly ... very well put, Mr. Pleasant. Very well put indeed.

Alex said...

I've been on a bit of an NRBQ binge lately (mostly the late 70s/early 80s Q). This is a big loss and he will be missed.

steve simels said...

I should add that the entire first NRBQ album, from whence that single derives, is amazing. Eddie Cochran AND Sun Ra on the same record? In 1969?

Anonymous said...

The greatest band in the known universe on the right night... I remember a solo Ferguson record from about a decade ago that was pretty good, I sadly don't own a copy. RIP...
- bill buckner

Noam Sane said...

NRBQ is a big unknown to me, but now I have to hear more.

Here's a good starting point...

Ferguson left the band in the early 70s, after just a few records. Replaced by Big Al Anderson, no slouch himself.

Unknown said...

Hadn't pulled that LP out in years, but it is on the turntable now. It's a pity NRBQ was never as big as they should have been, but then, they were so damned good live it was hard to capture on vinyl.

And go ahead, get started on the health care system..

sluggo said...

r.i.p. you ol flat foot floozy...
sluggo

geor3ge said...

God. Damnit.

Anonymous said...

Too many music-related deaths to deal with today. In addition to Ferguson, we lost Dickie Peterson of Blue Cheer, and the talented roots-rock fiddler Amy Farris. And in related NRBQ news, I've been told that Captain Lou Albano has entered a hospice, and it doesn't look like he's coming out alive.
- bill buckner