(Image via: Bleu Ocean.com)UPDATED 06/30/11
New York City based percussive multi-intstumentalist and recording musician Bleu Ocean passed away just after 12:00pm on Tuesday afternoon, June 28th due to complications from a heart attack he suffered while performing last Friday evening at the P&G Bar in New York with his latest group, The New York Blues Project. NewYorkNearSay.com reports:
Bleu..."suffered a heart attack midway through the show amidst a scene that quickly grew surreal. A room filled with friends cheered him on as police and paramedics took the stage. In a place where music was to be performed, they instead performed CPR, trying desperately to revive him. Bleu was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he fought bravely for four days until he could fight no more."
A close friend to many in the early-mid 1970's NYC underground music scene, Bleu was a life-long musician and was involved in many interesting projects throughout his musical career. Some of his career highlights are detailed in the bio on his website:
*Toured and recorded with the Monkees.
*Formed the power-trio "Profit" in 1971 along with Jerome Arnold of Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Don Brown from Donovan’s band.
*Worked as an in-house promoter for New York City clubs "The Elgin Theater" and "Max's Kansas City."
*Managed artists Neon Leon, Kongress, Shanghai Side Show, and several others.
*Formed the "Ocean Star Band", a band that featured among it's members Jordan Rudess of Dream Theatre on keyboards.
*Appeared on the track "Bring The Boys Back Home" from Pink Floyd's legendary 1979 multi-million selling album "The Wall. According to Bleu: "I got the call from Michael Kamen and Bob Ezrin (producer) on Friday needing 30 drummers by Monday, and I was able to deliver."
