20 December 26, 2024-January 1, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents and frequently collaborated with Erykah Badu, including producing her 2000 sopho- more album Mama’s Gun. Martin, who died in August at age 45, won seven Grammy awards throughout his too-short life — four of them for his work with Franklin, and three for his work with Snarky Puppy, including sharing in a 2023 Grammy win for best contemporary instrumental album (the band’s Empire Central, which was cut live over eight days at Deep Ellum Art Company). Preston Jones and Bryson “Boom” Paul BeatKing Justin Riley, the Houston-based rapper who performed under the names BeatKing and Club Godzilla died on Aug. 15 at the age of 39. Riley broke out in 2010 with the single “Crush” and found success on TikTok with the 2020 club hit “Then Leave.” He was do- ing a morning takeover at Urban One/Radio One in Houston when he fainted and was rushed to a nearby hospital. He died that same day of a pulmonary embolism. Riley’s manager, Tasha Felder, con- firmed the news of his death with a state- ment on Instagram: “BeatKing has been the best part of the club for over a decade,” Felder wrote. “He has produced and worked with so many artists that his sound will forever live.” CMG Daron Beck Daron Beck, vocalist and keyboardist for the Fort Worth experimental metal band Pink- ish Black, died on Aug. 22 of unspecified medical complications. Pinkish Black is a giant among North Texas music and was a staple at venues across the area: The Kessler and Texas Theatre in Dallas, Rubber Gloves and The Argo in Denton, and Lola’s and The Wreck Room in Fort Worth. The band also opened for artists such as Ghost and Sleep on na- tional tours. Beck previously played in groups Max- ine’s Radiator, Pointy Shoe Factory and The Great Tyrant, Pinkish Black’s predecessor, which disbanded after bassist Tommy At- kins died in 2010. CMG Ron McKeown Buddy magazine publisher Ron McKeown died Sept. 5 from natural causes at his Sul- phur Springs home. He was 78. A Dallas native, Vietnam veteran and Bronze Star recipient, McKeown cut his teeth as a photojournalist for military publi- cations, beginning at Fort Bliss and continu- ing through a military career that concluded in 1971. Following his stint as a soldier, McKeown worked various jobs in journal- ism — both as a staff writer and a freelancer — including a stint with Belo Corp. McKeown, along with the late Stoney Burns, was a founding member of Buddy, which launched in 1973. McKeown took over as publisher in 1989 when Burns re- tired, and served as publisher until shifting into a “publisher emeritus” role in 2020, which he held until his death. Preston Jones Mark Ridlen On Nov. 16, the North Texas music commu- nity received news that one of its most cher- ished members, Mark Ridlen, had died at age 65 after a long struggle with kidney cancer. Ridlen had been an established fixture in the Dallas music underground since the 1970s, when he formed bands Quad Pi, The Klogz, The Moondials and perhaps his best-known band, Lithium-Xmas, which released a self-titled, limited-edition vinyl album in 2022. But as Dallas’ classic punk scene gave way to the club scene, Ridlen continued on as the house DJ at the legendary Starck Club, a gig that would cement his legacy and establish him as the influential DJ Mr. Rid for the next four decades. David Fletcher Wikimedia BeatKing Andrew Sherman Shaun Martin courtesy Ron McKeown/Facebook Ron McKeown published Buddy magazine Brent Elrod Mark Ridlen Naomi Vaughn Daron Beck (left) of Pinkish Black Coda from p19 Hand built not bougHt. Franklins TaTToo and supply TWo loCaTions: 469-904-2665 • 4910 Columbia ave, dallas, TX 75214 903-710-2028 • 17581 old Jacksonville hwy, flint tx 75762 proFessional TaTToo supply For pros only Call for your appointment or design commissions today! ICYMI IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER DALLASOBSERVER.COM/SIGNUP
