Photo: Karl Cochran & Paul Stanley | By Charmaine Patterson, People | The singer-songwriter, who joined The Isley Brothers in 1973, was diagnosed with cancer in December 2024, his family announced. Chris Jasper, known for shaping some of The Isley Brothers’ biggest hits, has died, his son Michael Jasper confirms with PEOPLE. He was 73.
. . . Jasper joined The Isley. Brothers in 1973, helping them “[transform]” “from a vocal trio into a self-contained six member R&B/Funk group,” his family said. “His songwriting talent and expertise on keyboards and synthesizers became the cornerstone of the group’s signature sound.”
Jasper helped write, produce and arrange several of the legendary R&B group’s singles, including “For the Love of You,” “Fight the Power” and “Between the Sheets.”
In 1984, Jasper, Ernie and Marvin formed Isley-Jasper-Isley, and went on to release chart-topping songs like 1985’s “Caravan of Love.”
Two years later, Jasper embarked on a solo career and launched Gold City Records, where he released 17 albums, including four gospel albums. His breakout hit “Superbad,” encouraged education and literacy, “a theme he was passionate about throughout his career,” his family said.
He also signed artists like Out Front, Liz Hogue and Brothaz by Choice.
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Read more about Mr. Jasper here:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/chris-jasper-isley-brothers-member-who-performed-on-70s-and-80s-chart-toppers-like-for-the-love-of-you-dies-at-73/
Read the original article on People
https://people.com/chris-jasper-isley-brothers-member-dies-of-cancer-at-73-11685829
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Karl Cochran, Longtime Kiss and Joe Lynn Turner Collaborator, Has Died Aged 61
By Janelle Borg, Guitar World | Guitarist Karl Cochran, who has toured and collaborated with Ace Frehley, Eric Singer, Joe Lynn Turner, and Bob Daisley, among many others, died on February 19 in Bridgewater, New Jersey, at the age of 61.
The guitarist was a passenger in a car that was being driven by his 90-year-old mother. The car crashed into a tree, and Cochran was ejected from the vehicle. He was immediately flown by helicopter to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he passed away due to severe injuries.
Upon hearing the news, former Rainbow and Deep Purple singer Joe Lynn Turner paid tribute on social media: “The passing of Karl Cochran is an unbelievable loss not only to me but to the music world in general. Karl was an extremely talented guitar player and writer. He collaborated with some of the biggest names in rock.”
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Read more on Mr. Cochran’s life and death here:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/karl-cochran-longtime-kiss-and-joe-lynn-turner-collaborator-has-died-aged-61/
Photo: Karl Cochran & Paul Stanley (of KISS)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1155190609309074&set=a.319136626247814
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Bill Freston, Longtime Columbia Records Executive, Dies at 76
By Jem Asward, Variety | R. William (“Bill”) Freston, a longtime executive at Columbia Records and a founder of the early digital radio service Click Radio, died in New York on Feb. 20 after suffering injuries in a fall on the Caribbean island of Bequia. He passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family according to the announcement.
Freston, brother of Tom [Freston], a co-founder of MTV, was born on May 9, 1948, in New Rochelle, New York and raised in Rowayton, Connecticut. His first industry job was at the free-form Boston radio station WNTN, where he rose to general manager in 1972. He moved to New York City in 1973 to begin work at Columbia Records during a boom time for the label. Over the years he worked closely with such artists as the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Janis Ian, Blue Oyster Cult, and John McLaughlin. Among other roles, he served as special assistant to label president Bruce Lundwall and was eventually promoted to senior VP. He helped spearhead projects like 1979’s “Havana Jam,” a historic event that brought Cuban and American musicians together for the first time since the Cuban Revolution.
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A funeral service and memorial will be held in April. Freston requested that any donations go to Compassionate Care ALS Inc. (www.ccals.org) in memory of his best friend, Thomas “Dilly” Walsh.
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/bill-freston-longtime-columbia-records-executive-dies-at-76/