Legendary music figure Kim Fowley has reportedly passed away at the age of 75. While no official cause of death has been announced, Fowley had been undergoing numerous rounds of caner treatments.
Fowley was born into a famous family, as his father was Singin’ In The Rain actor Douglas Fowley and his mother was actress Shelby Payne. Kim Fowley found his way into the music business at an early age, producing the Renegades’ “Charge” single in 1959. Fowley worked with a number of well-known bands throughout the 60’s, including Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Seeds and Gene Vincent.
His musical contributions will not soon be forgotten, as he wrote songs for Alice Cooper and KISS throughout the 70’s. Fowley was responsible for introducing Joan Jett to her future bandmates, the all-female group The Runaways.
E Street Band guitarist and ‘Little Stevie’s Underground Garage’ radio host Steven Van Zandt said the following about Fowley’s passing:
“Kim Fowley is a big loss to me. A good friend. One of a kind. He’d been everywhere, done everything, knew everybody. He was working in the Underground Garage until last week. We should all have as full a life. I wanted DJs that could tell stories first person. He was the ultimate realization of that concept. Rock Gypsy DNA. Reinventing himself whenever he felt restless. Which was always. One of the great characters of all time. Irreplaceable.”
Kim Fowley’s energy and presence will certainly be missed. L4LM sends our best to his loved ones.