Data Report

11 days into 2026 and already we lose a music great.
Bob Weir, Grateful Dead founding member and a jam band icon, dies at 78.

Source of information.

1. NBC News.

Oregon Bach Festival Co-Founder Helmuth Rilling Dies at 92
Passed away on February 11, 2026

Helmuth Rilling: Renowned German conductor, scholar, and founder of the Gaechinger Kantorei and the Oregon Bach Festival, considered one of the foremost interpreters of J.S. Bach.

Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) and the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance mourn the passing of legendary German conductor, educator, and cultural visionary Helmuth Rilling, who died on February 11, 2026, at the age of 92. A towering figure in international classical music, Rilling’s life and career were defined by an unwavering devotion to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and a profound commitment to education and artistic excellence.

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Richard in private/Masked Man in public will perform Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach on classical guitar in honor of Helmuth Rilling
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Johnny Legend
American rockabilly musician, film producer, actor and wrestling manager, (born Martin Margulies) died in Newport, Oregon, on January 2, 2026, at the age of 77.
On Friday, Johnny Legend's sister Lynne posted on Facebook...

    I’m so very, very sorry to have to let you know that Johnny has passed away from complications of a stroke and heart failure.
    He was here at my home on the Oregon coast with me, my husband Lon Osgood and our 13 kitties, who Johnny adored, and they adored him.
    Lon and he were friends since high school, and they started their band The Seeds of Time together.
    Johnny was 8 years older than me, and of course, I idolised him. Farewell to the Rockabilly Rasputin, and as Johnny himself would say,
    Rest in Pieces. I love you, my brother.

LINK:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSaturdayHoppersGroup/posts/4372687202980279/

(While its important to note medical cause of death I think it important to remember the person and honor him with music)
Here's Masked Man's
safe stay at home remote online performance and Musical Tribute to American rockabilly musician Johnny Legend

Masked Man tries to sing a rockabilly version of "Good Rockin Tonight" by Elvis which was originally done by Roy Harper..so without further ado, Here's"Good Rockin' Tonight" in honor of Johnny Legend!
AUDIO Mp3 LINK:



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Denver’s revered Flamenco artist René Heredia dies at 87
Mar. 3, 2026

René Heredia, Denver’s godfather of Flamenco guitar, passed away this weekend. He was 87.

Regarded as one of Colorado’s most revered Flamenco musicians, he died while in hospice at a senior facility in Lakewood Sunday afternoon, according to his niece and protege, Andréana Cortés

Plans were already in the works to induct Heredia into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame on April 8 in a ceremony to be held at the Colorado Convention Center. Karen Radman, executive director of the Hall of Fame, said she gave him the award in person last Thursday at The Ridge Pinehurst, a retirement community in Lakewood, according to Cortés, who also joined.

Upon her arrival, Radman said, Heredia was “humbled and thrilled” about the honor. Because of concerns he might die before the ceremony, Radman made a video recording his acceptance speech during that visit. He will still be honored at the April ceremony.

Heredia’s reputation as the Flamenco godfather comes from his decades of involvement with the artform, a combination of vocals, dance and guitar music that originated in Southern Spain. It’s known for vocalizing and expressing through guitar and dance passionate states of feeling – grief, joy, tragedy, sadness and love

LINK:
https://www.cpr.org/2026/03/03/flamenco-artist-heredia-dies-at-87/

As a tribute and in honor of René Heredia, Denver’s godfather of Flamenco guitar, Richard/Masked Man will perform Tempestad Rumba on flamenco guitar by Juan Serrano. The Rumba is a popular Cuban dance recently incorporated into flamenco.
Tempestad Rumba by Richard/Masked Man on Flamenco guitar
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