Post by Rob Durkee on Aug 20, 2010 22:01:27 GMT -5
By ROCKIN' ROBIN
Kenny Edwards, a founding member of the group the Stone Poneys, which launched the career of Linda Ronstadt, died Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at a Santa Barbara, California, hospital. According to writer Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times, Edwards was 64.
Edwards had been battling prostrate cancer and the blood disorder known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or TTP. He was touring with longtime friend Karla Bonoff when he collapsed in Denver earlier this month. After being hospitalized in Denver, he eventually was transferred via an air-lift to a hospital near his home in Santa Barbara. Edwards was born in Santa Barbara on February 10, 1946.
Edwards played keyboards and joined Ronstadt and guitarist Bobby Kimmel to form the Stone Poneys, according to Joel Whitburn. Michael Nesmith of the Monkees wrote "Different Drum," the group's only Cash Box pop chart hit but a #12 peaker during its chart run in late 1967 and early 1968. Not long after "Different Drum" fell off the charts, the Stone Poneys disbanded. Undaunted, Edwards joined Bonoff, Andrew Gold of "Lonely Boy" 1977 hit fame and Wendy Waldman to form the group Bryndle.
Edwards continued to be instrumental for Ronstadt in the mid-1970's. He came up with the musical beginnings for her #1 hit, "You're No Good," which was a remake of a Betty Everett song. Ronstadt recalled, "He came up with the guitar and bass idea that it a very different sound. It gave (producer) Peter (Asher) and Andrew (Gold) something to build on. When he and Andrew started singing together with me, it became a really important part of my sound. He was always a really good ensemble player."
About a year later in 1976, Edwards collaborated with Ronstadt and her father to write the song "Lo Siento Mi Vida," which became part of Ronstadt's "Hasten Down The Wind" album. Edwards would help Bonoff launch her debut album in 1977, plus he also worked with the likes of Stevie Nicks and Don Henley.
Upon learning of Edwards' passing, Bonoff said, "I thank Kenny Edwards for being my teacher, my musical partner and my best friend for the past 43 years."
Kenny Edwards, a founding member of the group the Stone Poneys, which launched the career of Linda Ronstadt, died Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at a Santa Barbara, California, hospital. According to writer Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times, Edwards was 64.
Edwards had been battling prostrate cancer and the blood disorder known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or TTP. He was touring with longtime friend Karla Bonoff when he collapsed in Denver earlier this month. After being hospitalized in Denver, he eventually was transferred via an air-lift to a hospital near his home in Santa Barbara. Edwards was born in Santa Barbara on February 10, 1946.
Edwards played keyboards and joined Ronstadt and guitarist Bobby Kimmel to form the Stone Poneys, according to Joel Whitburn. Michael Nesmith of the Monkees wrote "Different Drum," the group's only Cash Box pop chart hit but a #12 peaker during its chart run in late 1967 and early 1968. Not long after "Different Drum" fell off the charts, the Stone Poneys disbanded. Undaunted, Edwards joined Bonoff, Andrew Gold of "Lonely Boy" 1977 hit fame and Wendy Waldman to form the group Bryndle.
Edwards continued to be instrumental for Ronstadt in the mid-1970's. He came up with the musical beginnings for her #1 hit, "You're No Good," which was a remake of a Betty Everett song. Ronstadt recalled, "He came up with the guitar and bass idea that it a very different sound. It gave (producer) Peter (Asher) and Andrew (Gold) something to build on. When he and Andrew started singing together with me, it became a really important part of my sound. He was always a really good ensemble player."
About a year later in 1976, Edwards collaborated with Ronstadt and her father to write the song "Lo Siento Mi Vida," which became part of Ronstadt's "Hasten Down The Wind" album. Edwards would help Bonoff launch her debut album in 1977, plus he also worked with the likes of Stevie Nicks and Don Henley.
Upon learning of Edwards' passing, Bonoff said, "I thank Kenny Edwards for being my teacher, my musical partner and my best friend for the past 43 years."