RIP Davy Jones

Davvy Jones, former lead singer of the Monkees has died today at the age of 66.  The former teen heart throb suffered an apparent heart attack in his Florida home.  Hits like "Daydream Believer", "Last Train To Clarksville", and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" help thrust the made for TV band into America's spotlight.

RIP Etta James

Songstress Etta James passed away this morning from complications of leukemia, less than a week away from her 74th birthday.  She was a pillar in the 60's R&B community and continued to sing late into her life.

End of 2011 in Rock

Mike Starr, Jani Lane, Cory "Flattus Maximus" Smoot

As the year comes to a close, we here at Metal Top Hat would like to remember three men who lost their lives.  Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr, Warrant frontman Jani Lane, and GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot, all left this world too soon; they will live on through the music they created and shared with us all so take a second out of your day and watch these videos of fallen rock stars at their peak.


Alice In Chains - Brother (1992)

Warrant - Heaven (1989)

GWAR - Womb With A View (2004)

December 8th, A Sad Day

John Winston Lennon 10/09/1940 - 12/08/1980

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott 08/20/1966 - 12/08/2004

Today MTH honors two legendary musicians who were taken on the same day in history 24 years apart.    RIP

Here's some great footage of Lennon from the early 70's released in 2000 as "Gimme Some Truth: The Making Of John Lennon's Imagine Album".





From Dime's brother Vinnie Paul:

"On this day 7 years ago I had the best friend i've ever known takin from me forever!!!!!!! I would just like to say DIMES SPIRIT forever shines on like the stars in the sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets celebrate his life,music,LOVE and spirit and do a Blacktooth in his honor!!!! Getcha pull and light em up!!!!! WE MISS YOU DIME , YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!!! BIG LOVE FROM BIG BROTHER!!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!"

RIP Cory Smoot

The metal community is in mourning today at the news of the death of GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus).  Smoot is considered the true incarnation of Flattus (the 5th), because he has portrayed him the longest.  Also a talented record producer, Smoot produced the latest 3 releases from the band, Beyond Hell (2006), Lust In Space (2009), and Bloody Pit Of Horror (2010).

From Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus):  "It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing."

RIP Nate Dogg

The music industry lost another great artist last night when at the age of 41, Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale, Long Beach G-Funk legend passed.  His voice changed the game, featured on some of the greatest west coast rap of all time including hits from Snoop, DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, and many others.  Perhaps his biggest collaboration came on the G-Funk anthem "Regulate".  Find the album that altered my life after the jump.

DJ Steve1der has released a 70 minute tribute mix for Nate: