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D.C. New Wave and Power Pop Artist Tommy Keene Dies at 59
Last edited Fri Nov 24, 2017, 05:08 PM - Edit history (1)
Hat tip, though I didn't catch the name at the time I heard the story, WTOP:
DC guitar pop hero Tommy Keene dies at 59
By Neal Augenstein | @AugensteinWTOP
November 24, 2017 11:30 am
WASHINGTON – Tommy Keene, whose 1984 hit “Places That Are Gone” established the Bethesda-born singer-songwriter as one of new wave’s most promising stars, has died at 59. ... Keene died in his sleep, according to a post on his website.
“He had the perfect name to be a superstar, and the talent to back it up,” said Skip Groff, owner of Yesterday & Today Records. “When I was growing up, the word ‘keen’ was analogous to boss and groovy, and I thought that had to be a fake name.”
With movie star looks and a quiet demeanor, Keene graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. ... “All of his records sold a ton at Yesterday & Today,” said Groff.
Keene was a mainstay of the D.C. new wave scene in the early 1980s before gaining acclaim as a consistent singer and songwriter.
By Neal Augenstein | @AugensteinWTOP
November 24, 2017 11:30 am
WASHINGTON – Tommy Keene, whose 1984 hit “Places That Are Gone” established the Bethesda-born singer-songwriter as one of new wave’s most promising stars, has died at 59. ... Keene died in his sleep, according to a post on his website.
“He had the perfect name to be a superstar, and the talent to back it up,” said Skip Groff, owner of Yesterday & Today Records. “When I was growing up, the word ‘keen’ was analogous to boss and groovy, and I thought that had to be a fake name.”
With movie star looks and a quiet demeanor, Keene graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. ... “All of his records sold a ton at Yesterday & Today,” said Groff.
Keene was a mainstay of the D.C. new wave scene in the early 1980s before gaining acclaim as a consistent singer and songwriter.
Awful news. He was still releasing great records and playing amazing shows. Listen to "Places That Are Gone" if you have not yet heard the gospel.
Link to tweet
Terrible news on this Thanksgiving Day: the legendary power pop singer/songwriter Tommy Keene has passed away.
Link to tweet
Previously at DU:
What's on your favorite mix CD/tape? (third post)
Ah! Another Animaniacs fan!
Wasn't that a great show? I've got the CD, it's wonderful...
Anyways, here's the running order of the last mix CD imade:
Tommy Keene: "When we started over again"
RandomKoolzip's Top 50 Power Pop songs of all time list:
Yeah, like you've all been waiting for this, right? Anyways:
1. "Tonight," The Raspberries
2. "Starry Eyes," The Records
3. "Oh, Candy," Cheap Trick
4. "I've Been Waiting," Matthew Sweet
5. "I Wanna Destroy You," The Soft Boys
6. "Yesterday's Love," Any Trouble
7. "Until We Started," Tommy Keene
Yeah, like you've all been waiting for this, right? Anyways:
1. "Tonight," The Raspberries
2. "Starry Eyes," The Records
3. "Oh, Candy," Cheap Trick
4. "I've Been Waiting," Matthew Sweet
5. "I Wanna Destroy You," The Soft Boys
6. "Yesterday's Love," Any Trouble
7. "Until We Started," Tommy Keene
D.C. New Wave and Power Pop Artist Tommy Keene Dies at 59
Maryland-born rock musician Tommy Keene has died at 59. ... A post on his website confirmed he passed away in his sleep Wednesday. ... There was no word about the cause
Keene was born in Bethesda in 1958.
In the 1980s, he was on the forefront of the new wave and power pop movements, originally getting noticed as guitarist of the band Razz. ... His best known song was the title track to his 1984 EP "Places That Are Gone," which was voted Village Voice's EP of the year.
In addition to his critically acclaimed solo career, Keene played in support of and in touring bands of artists including Matthew Sweet, Paul Westerberg and Robert Pollard.
Maryland-born rock musician Tommy Keene has died at 59. ... A post on his website confirmed he passed away in his sleep Wednesday. ... There was no word about the cause
Keene was born in Bethesda in 1958.
In the 1980s, he was on the forefront of the new wave and power pop movements, originally getting noticed as guitarist of the band Razz. ... His best known song was the title track to his 1984 EP "Places That Are Gone," which was voted Village Voice's EP of the year.
In addition to his critically acclaimed solo career, Keene played in support of and in touring bands of artists including Matthew Sweet, Paul Westerberg and Robert Pollard.
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