Motorhead singer Lemmy Kilmister, whose gravelly vocals and bass playing helped define the British heavy metal sound of the 1970s and '80s, has died at the age of 70.

Born December 24, 1945, Kilmister played bass with space rock pioneers Hawkwind before forming Motorhead in 1975. Early in career  he played with mod beat band Rocking Vickers and with psychedelic Sam Gopal and Opal Butterfly.

His death was confirmed on the band's official Facebook page.

"There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th... We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words," the post read.

Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne earlier said Kilmister had died, tweeting that: "Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side."

Motorhead's original drummer, 'Philthy' Phil Taylor, died in November.

The band is best known for its 1980 hit Ace of Spades.

Stevie Wright, who fronted rock outfit The Easybeats in the 1960s and is widely regarded as Australia's first international pop star, has reportedly died at the age of 68.

The ARIA Hall of Famer became ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya Hospital on the New South Wales south coast, where he died on Sunday night, media reports said.Rock music expert Glenn A Baker also said he had been informed about the musician's death.

Wright was born in Leeds, England in 1947 and was best known for performing as the lead vocalist for the Easybeats.

The band's hit Friday On My Mind was a huge success, reaching number-one hit in Australia, number six in Britain and making it into the top 20 in the US.

The song was later covered by David Bowie on his Pin-Ups album.

They recorded several more hits including Sorry, She’s So Fine, Wedding Ring, and Good Times, which was covered in the late-1990s by INXS and Jimmy Barnes.The Easybeats broke up in 1969 and Wright became a top solo artist with his three-part epic Evie.

But he went on to battle drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.

In 2005 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his success with The Easybeats.

Wright's most recent performance was at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.

He last performed at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.

News of his death prompted tributes on social media.

"Goodbye to a man who faced his demons and won," tweeted one fan.

"Sorry indeed. So much the soundtrack of my youth and so influential on this country's musical path. RIP Stevie," another wrote.

Musician Donna G wrote: "Vale Stevie Wright, a true Australian Rock Icon. Man, we will never forget you. Thank you for everything! Rest in peace, legend."

Source:ABC/AAP

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Carlo - Casbah Candy Records

 Casbah Candy Records mourns the passing of Dave Monroe, fellow vinyl collector and dj. More than that a normal super hero whose knowledge of music, cinema, art and literature was huge and enciclopedic and only eclipsed by his cutting sense of humour, generosity and humanity. I feel priviliged to have met him once in ModChicago where we shared the decks and kept in contact ever since through the internet. I feel priviliged to be amongst those lives he touched with his smartness and good heart.Hope our paths will cross again one day soon. Until that day enjoy your trip my dearest friend. 

Carlo Sesto 

Sad new for music lovers as Rhythm'N'Soul singer Herbie Goins just passed yesterday aged 76.  

Started his singing career in NYC, opening for the likes of Sam Cooke , BB King and Bobby Bland. Very popular with the Mods, Herbie gained much appreciation in the mid sixties where, with his band, the Nightimers, became a regular attraction at the coolest London venues such as the Marquee  and, the self proclaimed "Swinging Club of Swinging London", the Flamingo. 

His legendary status amongst Soul fans is mostly due to his second single "No. 1 in your heart" , later to be a popular Northern Soul spin, backed by the rhythm'n'soul mover "Cruisin'" still an anthemic dancer with the Mods tribe. The B side of his third and last single "Coming home to you", a band original and a hot RnB number is also well worth a listen. 

He sang on Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated albums "Live at the Cavern" and "Red hot from Alex" and was on the same bills with the likes of John Lee Hooker and a young Jimy Hendrix which apparently was a usual punter to Herbie's shows. In later years Herbie made a triumphant return on stage at mod rallies, particularly at "Modstock 4" in Cattolica in 1997 (where your humble penman had the privilege to meet him ) and at the New Untouchables Isle of Wight rally of 2001. 

These are the notes from his only LP "No. 1 in your heart" also issued as "Soul Soul Soul" :  "Herbie Goins, born 21st February, 1939 in Florida, U.S.A., is the son of a Harlem Gospel singer, and after colourful careers as a chef in a New York night club and service in the U.S. Forces, eventually came to England, where he has built and earned respect of a large following of both jazz and "pop" enthusiasts. Because of his liking for jazz, Herbie has developed a great "feel" for "pop" music and I hope that this L.P. exposes the quality and style, which, to my mind, are instantly appreciated and summed up in just two words - Herbie Goins." - RIP

Carlo Sesto