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    Descendents Co-Founder Frank Navetta Dies

    • Posted on Nov 3rd 2008 12:00PM by John D. Luerssen
    • Comments (34)
    Print |  Email More
    Frank Navetta, co-founder and original guitarist with the influential punk-pop group the Descendents, died Friday. Navetta played guitar with the band during its first six years, writing and performing on the band's 1979 debut single 'Ride the Wild/It's A Hectic World,' the 1981 EP 'Fat,' 1982's classic 'Milo Goes to College' and parts of 1985's 'I Don't Want to Grow Up.'

    "We're very sorry to announce that founding member of the Descendents, and close friend Frank Navetta passed away on October 31, 2008 after becoming ill over the course of a few days," reads an announcement on the band's official website. "This is obviously a huge loss for the Descendents family. His contribution to the band, and to music in general can not be overstated. Frank will be truly missed. We will share information about memorial services when we find out."

    Navetta, drummer Bill Stevenson and bassist Tony Lombardo formed the band, with vocalist Milo Aukerman joining on in 1981. Before exiting the band in 1985 and moving to Oregon to become a fisherman, Navetta penned such early Descendents favorites as 'My Dad Sucks,' 'Parents,' 'Statue of Liberty' and 'Marriage.'

    Dearly Departed Musicians

      Island Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart, who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. Police say he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 34 years old.

      Rock and jazz keyboardist Merl Saunders, who recorded albums with music titans like The Grateful Dead and Miles Davis, died at the age of 74 on Oct. 24 after complications from a stroke.

      Christopher Felver, Corbis

      Soul songstress Dee Dee Warwick died on Oct. 18 after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.

      Getty Images

      Levi Stubbs, Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.

      AP

      Nick Reynolds, Oct. 1: The Kingston Trio led the folk music uprising in the late 1950s, paving the way for the Dylans and the Baezs of the world. Reynolds, right with Dave Guard and Bob Shane, had been in the hospital with acute respiratory disease before his family took him off life support. He was 75.

      AP

      Norman Whitfield, Sept. 16: The Motown tunesmith responsible for anthems like 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' 'Car Wash' and 'War' died shortly after awakening from a diabetes-related coma. He was 67.

      Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

      Richard Wright, Sept. 15: With Pink Floyd, he unleashed new sounds from his collection of synths and organs that gave the band its signature psychedelic sheen. Wright, who also wrote mammoth cuts like "Us and Them" for the band, died following a battle with cancer. He was 65.

      AP

      Jerry Reed, Sept. 2: He started off as a guitarist, eventually had a string of country hits and also made the jump to the big screen with successful turns in Burt Reynolds films like 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'Gator.' Reed lost a battle to emphysema at 71.

      Doug McKenzie, Getty Images

      Steve Foley, Aug. 23: The bespeckled drummer from Minneapolis will always be known as the replacement Replacement for his brief tenure after Chris Mars left the beloved band in 1990. His death at 49 is being attributed to an accidental prescription drug overdose. He appeared in one video for the band, the visually quirky 'When It Began,' pictured.

      YouTube / Rhino Records

      LeRoi Moore, Aug. 19: As a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, Moore's saxaphone playing helped propel the band's sound to major success. He was 46.

      AP

    • Filed under: News, R.I.P.
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    Reader Comments(1 of 2)

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Pirate Imagingat 11-03-2008

    Rest In Peace

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    sandee2324at 11-03-2008

    RIP Frank...Thanks for the great music and great memories..

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Hello Der JIKSINat 11-03-2008

    RIP Frank Punk died with you...

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    jlang8689at 11-03-2008

    Never heard of him. Metallica Rocks!!!

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Stitchsmom02at 11-03-2008

    no kidding

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    bilco7at 11-03-2008

    There is a high probability that he never heard of you either, Jackass.

    vote downvote upReportLow Ranked

    JOEJR0421at 11-03-2008

    Hell yeah, Metallica's my favorite band!

    RIP Frank

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    chromefinisherat 11-03-2008

    I can't wait till you metallica retards die out. Times like this I support genocide

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    mitchmac22at 11-03-2008

    Sad to hear. Milo Goes to College was truly a landmark album in the world of hc/punk. My condolencdes.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    mitchmac22at 11-03-2008

    condolences

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    giannoulaat 11-03-2008

    I didn't know you pernonally, but rest in peace and may God be with your family

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    duko1965at 11-03-2008

    my dad sucks great song

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    bilco7at 11-03-2008

    This stuff flat bums me out. May God bless all of these musicians who have enriched my life. Prayers to the families and friends left behind.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    Adamat 11-03-2008

    Who?

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    knowyouonenoat 11-03-2008

    I don't really listen to punk or even heard of the man or his group but when anyone one dies that has touched many people he must be honored and remembered!

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    volosincat 11-03-2008

    we all die

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Darinat 11-03-2008

    One of my favorite songs from the Descendents is "Suburban Home." What a great band, and this co-founder will be greatly missed. :(

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    grhghlndrat 11-03-2008

    RIP Frank, you & the rest of the guys in The Descendents were a big influence on my son & I know when he had the chance to record @ with Bill Stevenson @ The Blasting Room he was really excited to be in the company of the guys from the band. Anytime someone passes who was influential in the music industry it is like the world has become that more empty.

    I hope the fishing is good where you have gone.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    Billion003at 11-03-2008

    Who?

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    TOM DAMICOat 11-03-2008

    what type of crap did he play??? glad i never heard of him!

    Reply
    12 Next >

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