Bic Hoang, an internationally-renowned Vancouver-based multi-instrumentalist known for her work with Khac Chi Bamboo Music, died on June 26, at age 60, after a four-year battle with cancer.

In Heather Kitching's obituary, Roots Music Canadanoted that "Khac Chi was Vietnam’s premier traditional music ensemble before the husband-and-wife duo of Bic and Ho Khac Chi relocated to Vancouver in 1992 after a gig at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

"Bic was the first woman in Vietnam ever to win first prize on the one-stringed zither the dan bau in the Vietnam Competition of Professional Instrumentalists. She is also credited as the first woman ever to play the ko ni, a two-string stick fiddle whose silk threads are attached to a disc that is held in the mouth so that the mouth can serve as the resonating chamber for the instrument.

"She was a regular performer for national and international radio and television in Vietnam and received frequent invitations to perform with the country’s top ensembles. After settling in Canada, Bic and Chi sought to adapt their performances for western audiences, introducing crowd-pleasing antics like playing multiple flutes at the same time by fixing turkey baster bulbs to the ends of them and squeezing them under the arms or between their head and shoulders.

"However, they remained true to their vision of playing only instruments that were indigenous to Vietnam."

The CreateAStir website reported that Bic Hoang (also known as Hoang Ngoc Bich) "was a major force with the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra as well as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s School of Music. Having studied at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, she also played very rare instruments from Vietnam’s rural and mountainous regions including the koni,  t'rung (bamboo xylophone), and k'lông pút (percussion tubules)."

In a Facebook tribute, artistic director of the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra Mark Armanini called Hoang a “standout musician with a standout instrument and a big smile.” He added, “The VICO has lost a true ally, a unique and talented star performer. Our light has dimmed with the passing of Bic Hoang. Thanks for the River of Memories; our gratitude goes out to you.”

Hoang performed in 25 countries with groups such as the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Prague Modern ensemble, Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, World Traditional Instrument Orchestra (in the Philippines), and Little Giant Chinese Chamber Orchestra (Taiwan). In Vancouver, she performed with the Orchid Ensemble, Uzume Taiko, NOW Orchestra, Vancouver World Music Collective, Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble, and Silk Road Music, as well as Khac Chi Bamboo Music.

A funeral service was held on July 3. The Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Society has started a GoFundMe fundraiser for Hoang’s family, crediting her guidance and support as factors in the organization’s growth and success, and calling her an “exemplary artist” and an “irreplaceable mentor and supporter”.

International

Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir, the last of the original Four Tops and a stalwart of Motown’s golden age, died on July 22, at age 88, of heart failure.

ABillboard obituary reports that "He was, according to the family, 'surrounded by his loved ones' at his home in the Detroit area; an associate told Billboard that he was 'happy (Sunday), talking and interacting, and when they turned to do something and turned back around, he had slipped away.'

"With his glasses and angular frame, Fakir was arguably the most recognizable of The Tops and maintained his leadership in the group following the deaths of Levi Stubbs in 2008, Renaldo “Obie” Benson in 2005 and Lawrence Payton in 1997 (his son Lawrence Payton Jr. is part of the current lineup)."

Formed in Detroit in the early '60s, The Four Tops recorded without success for several labels — including Chess, Red Top, Riverside and Columbia — and supported Billy Eckstine before signing with Motown in 1963. They first broke through when the songwriting/production team of Holland-Dozier Holland gave The Tops “Baby I Need Your Loving” in mid-1964. It hit No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, followed by a string of hits that included “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There" (these two hit No. 1), “Standing in the Shadows of Love” and “It’s the Same Old Song.” Between 1964 and 1967, they had 11 top 20 hits and those two No. 1’s.

Billboard notes that "The Four Tops had several stints with Motown, and away from that company it also had hits with 'Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got),' 'Are You Man Enough' and 'When She Was My Girl.'"

The Four Tops were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Fakir accepted a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the band in 2009. “Reach Out I’ll Be There” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2022.

A couple of years ago, Fakir published a memoir, I’ll Be There: My Life With The Four Tops, and he was also working on a stage musical based on The Four Tops’ story.

Robin Terry, chairwoman and CEO of Detroit’s Motown Museum, said of Fakir’s death: “He celebrated every Motown milestone with the Museum; showed up for every interview request; mentored our campers and was even the voice of the Motown Museum for years. Duke loved the Museum and my staff and I loved him. Duke was one of kind and I will miss him dearly."

Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. said in a statement he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Fakir’s passing, calling him “a special member of our Motown family,” and that the Tops “always amazed me with their showmanship, class and artistry. Duke was the first tenor — smooth, suave and always sharp. For 70 years he kept the Four Tops’ remarkable legacy intact, and in all those years he never missed a performance, until just recently. I so appreciate all he did for the Four Tops, for Motown and for me…Duke will be greatly missed and will always be a significant part of the Motown legacy.”

Of note: Fakir was of Ethiopian and Bangladeshi descent. In the mid-1960s, he was briefly engaged to Mary Wilson of the Supremes.

John Brumwell Mayall, the British blues musician whose influential band the Bluesbreakers was a training ground for Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood and many other superstars, died on July 22, at age 90.

An AP obituary noted that "He is credited with helping develop the English take on urban, Chicago-style rhythm and blues that played an important role in the blues revival of the late 1960s. At various times, the Bluesbreakers included Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, later of Cream; Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac; Mick Taylor, who played five years with the Rolling Stones; Harvey Mandel and Larry Taylor of Canned Heat; and Jon Mark and John Almond, who went on to form the Mark-Almond Band.

"Though Mayall never approached the fame of some of his illustrious alumni, he was still performing in his late '80s, pounding out his version of Chicago blues. The lack of recognition rankled a bit, and he wasn’t shy about saying so. 'I’ve never had a hit record, I never won a Grammy Award, and Rolling Stone has never done a piece about me,' he said in an interview with the Santa Barbara Independent in 2013. 'I’m still an underground performer.'”

Mayall did receive two Grammy nominations, for “Wake Up Call,” which featured guest artists Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Mick Taylor and Albert Collins, and, in 2022 for his album The Sun Is Shining Down.

He also won official recognition in Britain with the award of an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2005. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the musical influence category in 2024.

Mayall was an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, on blues harmonica, keyboards and guitar, a vocalist with a pleasingly mellow delivery, and a skilled songwriter who was oft adventurous in his take on the blues genre. Such '70s albums as Jazz Blues Fusion and The Latest Edition featured a strong jazz influence, and his band lineups including such notable American jazz players as Blue Mitchell, Ernie Watts and Red Holloway.

Mayall earned the admiration of his peers and those musicians he employed and mentored over a long and very prolific career, as was demonstrated by the outpouring of affection as news of his passing spread.

Many top Canadian blues artists took to social media to pay tribute and to acknowledge the impact Mayall had on their work.

Roger Costa, Co-Administrator/Archivist of The Estate of Jeff Healey, posted this tribute on the Jeff Healey website: "Sad news my friends. Music legend John Mayall has passed away at the age of 90. Mayall was one of the most influential architects of the British Blues Invasion. In 2000, John Mayall invited Jeff Healey to perform on his Along For The Ride album. Their collaboration yielded the wonderful song, 'World Of Hurt.'"

"For Jeff, appearing on this album held a special significance. One of the Jeff Healey Band's early, bigger gigs was opening for John Mayall. Within a short couple of years, Jeff would find his star ascending and the headline situation would flip, with John ending up in the opening slot. Jeff always made a point of acknowledging John’s true status and influence, inviting him up to share the stage and jam. This show of respect became a cornerstone of their friendship. Sending out our heartfelt condolences to John’s family, friends and countless fans around the world. Rest easy John."

Former Canadian record label veteran David MacMillan posted this on Facebook: "John Mayall's contribution to the British Blues scene was huge to say the least. The bands that he formed were always stellar, and, as for his body of work, there are many excellent albums in his catalog of close to 100 releases; studio, live and compilations.

"I have been a fan for over 50 years when I started listening to my brothers copy of Bare Wires, which features Mick Taylor on guitar. The very first album I ever bought was USA Union, and many years later I sat with John and told him that this album was the start of my musical life. During my time at Eagle Rock I had the privilege (and was truly excited) to work with John whenever he came to Canada, which he did a lot. During his time with Eagle Rock he put out many solid albums including Road Dogs, In The Palace of The King and of course his 70th Birthday Live album featuring Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and more.

Derek Andrews, a veteran Toronto concert promoter and, until recently, head of The Toronto Blues Society, told Billboard Canada that "I presented John at [Toronto club] The Diamond, I believe in 1993 or 1994. More than a brilliant instrumentalist, John Mayall was a catalyst for modern blues music. His Bluesbreakers bands featuring Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor define the British blues sound that went on to influence the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and dozens of outfits that dug down to the roots of the Black history of blues, but made it contemporary and exciting.

"John was intense and focused. He served in the military but also had a background in advertising. Creative and disciplined, he left his mark on popular music.”

While living in London in the '90s, Hamilton drummer Pete Lambert (Parkdale Rebels, Crybaby) befriended John Mayall's son, Gaz, and played in his band The Trojans. Lambert tells Billboard Canada that this connection "meant I got to hang out with John, not just at gigs. In 1992, John decided it was time to spend a couple of weeks with his new grandchildren, so he came over to London and we (The Trojans) ended up playing a show with him at Gossips in Soho, the home of Gaz's Rockin' Blues [Gaz Mayall's popular music residency].

"At that time, John's son, Ben was playing bass with us, so it was a family affair for sure. Joe Strummer was there. Marianne Faithfull came with Pam, Gaz's mom. It was an exclusive one time event. A very special memory for me and I'm sure, all the guys. John is one of the true catalysts in the history of British music and not just Blues. My condolences to the entire mighty Mayall clan!"

Listen to Eric Clapton's moving tribute to his mentor here.

Jerry Miller, Moby Grape co-founder and renowned guitarist, died on July 21, at age 81.

In its obituary,Billboard terms Miller "one of the music world’s most beloved and admired guitarists."

"Born in Tacoma, Wash., Miller grew up playing in various local bands including the Elegants, the Incredible Kingsmen and the Frantics. When he was just 23 years old, he co-founded Moby Grape as the lead guitarist alongside Skip Spence (guitar), Bob Mosley (bass), Don Stevenson (drums) and Peter Lewis (guitar). The band name, chosen by Mosley and Spence, was inspired by the punch line of the joke: 'What’s big and purple and lives in the ocean?'

"The group signed with Columbia Records and recorded four albums for the label between 1967 and 1969 — their self-titled debut in 1967, 1968’s Wow/Grape Jam, 1969’s Moby Grape ’69 and 1969’s Truly Fine Citizen. Moby Grape disbanded in 1970, but regrouped in 1971 and have played and recorded music with various members throughout the years since."

Admirers of Miller's skills as a guitar player included Robert Plant, who acknowledged his influence on Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton, who dubbed Miller the “best guitar player in the world.”

Moby Grape member Don Stevenson is now a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, and he posted this tribute to his bandmate on Facebook: You don't get many best friends in life. I mourn the death of my best friend of 55 years...never a harsh word between us. Jerry had an endless supply of good energy. Just last summer I spent a week in California with Michan, Joseph, Jaron, friends and family The highlight was seeing Bob, Gordon ,Omar, and spending time on stage with brother Jer.

"Off stage, we laughed and sang acapella, reminisced, telling exaggerated stories to those around us who were interested. It's hard to imagine that there is no chance of ever doing that again....at least till we meet on the golden streets and maybe team up with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (sing a little 'corn bread peas and black molases' together). He was my dear friend, a great story teller, with the spirit of a pirate, a singer-song writer and heavyweight guitar player. I always said if John Wayne played guitar he'd want to play like Jerry. I will never stop missing him.

"In 2018 I heard Jerry's version of a blues shuffle he wrote called 'I'm Leaving You.' I called Jer, told him I loved the song and asked if it would be cool if I recorded it and put it on my album, Buskin' In The Subway. Thanks to the magic of pro tools; the production talent of Dane Clark and Tim Bovaconti's garage studio here in Toronto, we were able to keep Jerry's voice on the track and I got to sing it with him. I send my condolences to his family, friends, fans and musicians that have been touched by Jerry."

Martin Phillipps, a singer-songwriter who led New Zealand rock band The Chills to international success, died on July 28, at age 61. A cause of death has not been reported.

In its obituary, The Guardian stated that "The Chills’ Martin Phillipps leaves a legacy of melancholy brilliance," adding that "he led one of New Zealand’s shining musical exports but the band was dogged by tragedy and his personal struggles."

Phillipps was a key architect of the so-called "Dunedin sound" of the 1980s, one spawned by such N.Z. groups as The Chills, The Clean and The Verlaines, all on the roster of independent record label Flying Nun. This sound would later have a strong influence on many alternative rock bands in the U.S. and Canada.

The Chills had the most commercial success of any of the Flying Nun bands, and a stint on U.S. label Slash Records saw their work receive extensive airplay on college and modern rock radio outlets.

Phillipps formed The Chills in 1980, while still a teenager. He remained at the helm throughout the band's long career, one featuring numerous personnel changes. The track "Pink Frost" (June 1984) reached the top 20 on New Zealand's singles chart, and is now considered a Kiwi rock classic. That same year, the group charted with another single, "Doledrums," then with 1985's The Lost EP, and 1986 single "I Love My Leather Jacket."

A 1986 compilation album, Kaleidoscope World, comprising their early recordings, reached number three on the UK Independent Albums Chart, and touring in the U.K. and North America would follow. N.Z. music archive Audioculture observed that, "Flicking back between New Zealand and Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, The Chills toured relentlessly, gathering more fans as they went, pushing their psychedelic pop into the popular consciousness."

In 1990, the band were signed to a worldwide record deal with Warner Brothers' imprint Slash Records in North America. Their second studio album, Submarine Bells (1990), reached number one in New Zealand and provided their highest charting international single, "Heavenly Pop Hit". It reached number 17 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart, their only American chart appearance.

The group's third studio album, Soft Bomb (1992), peaked at number three in New Zealand; while its lead single, "The Male Monster from the Id," reached the top ten. A fourth album, 1996's Sunburnt, was credited to Martin Phillipps and the Chills, and was followed by a long hiatus from recording. Phillipps released a solo album of home demos, Sketch Book: Volume One, in 1999.

The 2014 Audioculture profile noted that "Phillipps' bulging songbook became an albatross and drug addiction and depression blighted his path in the late 1990s and the new millennium, allowing only flashes of genius since." He would later overcome those challenges, re-emerging as a potent creative force.

2015's Silver Bullets was The Chills' first studio album in 19 years, followed by Snow Bound (2018), and 2021's Scatterbrain, their seventh studio album. A new release called Springboard: Early Unrecorded Songs was in progress at the time of Phillipps' death. The group continued to tour, including a North America trek in 2022.

In March 2019, a film documentary, The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps, explored the history of the band and Phillipps' contemporary struggle with hepatitis C. It premiered at SXSW and was released theatrically in New Zealand and Australia.

Audioculture founder Simon Grigg offered this tribute: "We lost Martin today and a country is sad; a community and a whole generation are in mourning for a musician and a man who, perhaps more than any, defined a time when we grew up musically just a little more and then took that wonderful music to the world."

Read a Billboard obituary of Phillips here.

Check out an extensive feature on Martin Phillipps and The Chills in Audioculturehere.