Pylon Guitarist Randy Bewley Dies at 53
- Posted on Feb 26th 2009 11:00AM by Dan Reilly
- Comments (74)
Randy Bewley, guitarist and co-founder of new wave band Pylon, died yesterday in an Athens, Georgia, hospital where he was admitted Monday after having a heart attack. He was 53.
The influential band was started by Bewley and bassist Michael Lachowski, while the two were art students at the University of Georgia in 1979. Fellow students Curtis Crowe and Vanessa Briscoe -- who's coincidentally a nurse at the same hospital where Bewley passed -- joined soon after on drums and vocals, respectively. The band released four albums and toured with the Talking Heads and U2, before breaking up in 1983. They reunited in 1989 to tour with fellow Athens band R.E.M., recorded another album and were planning a 30th anniversary show.
Though they never achieved much fame, the band influence many acts in and out of Athens. Fred Schneider of the B-52's told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Pylon was "the best band to ever come out of Athens," while Michael Stipe told AJC that "Randy's guitar playing and attitude was intensely unique, and his influence integral and profound. He will be greatly missed." Bewley leaves behind two sons, and funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
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Dearly Departed Musicians
Randy Bewley, Feb. 25, 2009: The Pylon guitarist suffered a heart attack while driving. His Athens, GA band inspired many others, including R.E.M., with their disctinctive danceable pop sound.
Chris McKay, Retna
Kelly Groucutt, Feb. 19: He provided the bass end to classic ELO hits such as 'Mr. Blue Sky,' 'Do Ya' and 'Livin' Thing.' Groucutt died after having a heart attack, his management confirmed. He was 63.
Fin Costello, Getty Images
Louie Bellson, Feb. 14: The American big band drummer, composer and bandleader was 84.
Evans / Three Lions / Getty Images
Estelle Bennett, Feb. 11: With her sister Ronnie, left, and cousin Nedra Talley, right, Bennett sang '60s classics like 'Baby, I Love You' and 'Be My Baby' with the legendary Ronettes. She was found dead in her New Jersey home of undetermined causes. She was 67.
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Feb. 9: The "heartbeat" of Cuba's legendary Buena Vista Social Club, a group of semi-retired musicians living in Havana made famous thanks to the work of producer Ry Cooder, died of complications from prostate surgery. He was 76.
Jose Luis Magana, AP
Molly Bee, Feb. 7: The yodeling country singer shot to fame with the 1952 novelty hit 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' and later became a familiar face on TV's 'Hometown Jamboree' and 'The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show.' Bee died in California from complications following a stroke at age 69.
AP
Lux Interior, Feb. 4: The frontman of the legendary punk band the Cramps passed away due to a pre-existing heart condition.
Dave Allocca, Getty Images
Dewey Martin, Jan. 31: The drummer for the short-lived country rock pioneers Buffalo Springfield was found dead in Van Nuys, Calif. The cause of death is unknown. Martin added the backdrop to early hits penned by bandmates Neil Young ('Mr. Soul') and Stephen Stills ('For What It's Worth'). He was 68.
Getty Images
Hank Crawford, Jan. 29: The prolific saxophonist, who led Ray Charles' band, played with Jimmy McGriff and had a successful career in his own right, died at his home in Memphis. He was 74.
Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
John Martyn, Jan. 29: The acclaimed British singer-songwriter, who worked alongside the likes of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins and released 20 albums throughout a 40-year career, died at a hospital in Ireland. He was 60.
Samir Hussein, Getty Images
Reader Comments(1 of 4)
loverdedat 2-26-2009
great band, DFA records rereleased their album a year or so ago. Great music, sorry for the loss.
typhoonjaxat 2-26-2009
Come back to us soon! We need more music. Be at peace, musician friend.
countflockat 2-26-2009
RIP Mr. Bewley
uhadmefmhello1at 2-26-2009
wow a few days earlier ur playin guitar and the next ur dead-------its scarey........rest in peace.....
Donnaat 2-26-2009
so sad
dwss7at 2-26-2009
whats scary even more you or i could be nexy i m 56
gcocolaneat 2-26-2009
That was my exact thought. I'm 57.
dwss7at 2-26-2009
rip randy
Captain Wamplerat 2-26-2009
"The influential band ..." never heard of them.
jmarkburdettat 2-26-2009
cool...read a book
lueruilat 2-26-2009
You arent the only one. If they never achieved much fame, why are is this a news worthy event? THOUSANDS of people die every day from the same thing.
wade050810at 2-27-2009
THe artice mentions Pylon was very influential and respected with bands who have sold tens of millions of records. I would say that makes the article more than relevant. If it didnt interest you then why did you take time out your day to comment, it just makes your comment seem more ignorant that you even read the article. This man was a somewhat renowned musician and the best you haver to offer is negativity. He had a family and they should be consoled and not told their loved one was "not famous enough". Did your parents make you eat paint chips as a kid?
fartingbaboonat 2-26-2009
Unfortunately, I never heard of them. It's a shame he died before the ruinion. It is even even bigger shame his kids are left without a father. My condolences to Mr. Bewley's family.
Inkslinger38at 2-27-2009
Cool screen name.
nealboy16at 2-26-2009
A great loss.
Mike Lunaat 2-26-2009
I hope he was at peace with himself.
nicholasat 2-26-2009
Are you spiritually prepared to meet your maker? It just goes to show, one never knows when....
mdaokat 2-26-2009
Who?
reloanmikeat 2-26-2009
That's what you get for playing that "New Wave" garbage
Davemonat 2-26-2009
Too bad you don't have a life. It's a real shame that you wasted the space you did just to show how stupid you are!