Virgil Howe was a talented and versatile musician who played drums, keyboards, vocals, and produced music under various names. He was best known for his work as a member of the UK rock band Little Barrie, who composed the theme music for the TV series Better Call Saul. He was also the son of Steve Howe, the legendary guitarist and long-time member of the progressive rock band Yes. Sadly, Virgil Howe passed away unexpectedly on September 11, 2017, at the age of 41, due to a heart attack. His death was a shock to his family, friends, fans, and the music community. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Virgil Howe, as well as the impact of his death on his loved ones and his musical legacy.

Early Life and Musical Influences

Virgil Howe was born in London on September 23, 1975, as the second son of Steve Howe and Janet Howe. He grew up in a musical environment, surrounded by his father’s guitars and records. He was exposed to various genres of music, from rock and jazz to classical and world music. He developed an interest in drums and keyboards at an early age, and started playing in bands with his friends. He also learned to produce music using computers and samplers, and experimented with different styles and sounds.

Virgil Howe was influenced by his father’s music, as well as by other artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Meters, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Kraftwerk, The Prodigy, and The Chemical Brothers. He admired his father’s skill and creativity, but also wanted to carve his own musical identity. He once said in an interview: “I love my dad’s music, but I don’t want to sound like him. I want to sound like me.” [according to Ultimate Guitar]

Collaboration with Steve Howe

Virgil Howe had a close and supportive relationship with his father, and they often collaborated on various musical projects. He played keyboards, drums, and vocals on several of his father’s solo albums, such as The Grand Scheme of Things (1993), Spectrum (2005), and Time (2011). He also joined his father’s band, Steve Howe’s Remedy, which released an album called Elements (2003), toured the UK, and released a live DVD. He also wrote and performed on a piece on his father’s 2011 release Time. He also played drums on 11 tracks of Steve Howe’s Anthology 2: Groups and Collaborations that were largely recorded in the 1980s. [according to Wikipedia]

Under the name The Verge, Virgil Howe produced the Yes Remixes album, released in 2003, which featured remixes of classic Yes songs by him and other artists. He also performed live with his father on several occasions, such as at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2003, and at the Royal Albert Hall in 2014, where they played a tribute to Chris Squire, the late bassist of Yes. Virgil Howe and Steve Howe had a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s music, and enjoyed working together. Steve Howe once said: “Virgil and I have a very natural way of writing together. We have similar tastes and we like the same things.” [according to Ultimate Guitar]

Other Musical Endeavors

Virgil Howe was involved in many other musical endeavors, both as a performer and as a producer. He was a member of several bands, such as The Dirty Feel, The Killer Meters, and Little Barrie. He also produced music under his own name, and under various aliases, such as Sparo, The Verge, and Dr. Rubberfunk. He also worked as a session musician for artists such as Pet Shop Boys, Demis Roussos, and Amorphous Androgynous. He also played DJ sets in London, and hosted a regular radio show for Soho Radio. [according to Wikipedia]

One of his most notable bands was Little Barrie, which he joined in 2008 as a drummer. The band consisted of Barrie Cadogan (guitar, vocals), Lewis Wharton (bass), and Virgil Howe (drums). They played a blend of rock, blues, soul, and funk, and were influenced by artists such as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Kinks, The Who, and The Small Faces. They released four albums: We Are Little Barrie (2005), Stand Your Ground (2007), King of the Waves (2011), and Death Express (2017). They also composed the theme music for the TV series Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad, which featured their song “Bad Penny”. They also toured extensively, and supported acts such as Primal Scream, The Stone Roses, Dinosaur Jr., and Charles Bradley. [according to Wikipedia]

Virgil Howe Cause of Death and Aftermath

Virgil Howe died unexpectedly of a heart attack on September 11, 2017, at the age of 41, shortly before Little Barrie were scheduled to embark on a tour for their fourth album, Death Express. His death was announced by his father on social media, who wrote: “We are all devastated by his passing and please respect our privacy during this difficult time.” [according to Wikipedia]

His death was mourned by his family, friends, fans, and fellow musicians, who paid tribute to him and his music. His bandmates from Little Barrie said: “We are heartbroken that we have lost our dear friend and brother Virgil Howe. Our thoughts are with his daughter, family and partner. Please respect their privacy during this difficult time.” [according to Ultimate Guitar]

His father, Steve Howe, also expressed his grief and gratitude for his son, saying: “It’s our biggest tragedy, of our personal lives in our family, to lose Virgil, since we loved him so much. We’d just formed a musical partnership as well. We’d just recorded ‘Nexus’, and we brought it out even though it was a couple of months after he passed away. He was really proud of the record. It was really his music and my collaboration. So it’s a record that has a sadness about it. If he hadn’t passed away, we would have immersed ourselves in it and enjoyed it so much more.” [according to Ultimate Guitar]

Virgil Howe’s death also affected the activities of Yes, who cancelled their upcoming tour dates in 2017 and 2018. They later resumed touring in 2019, and dedicated their shows to Virgil Howe’s memory. They also performed a song called “Leaves of Green”, which featured a recorded piano part by Virgil Howe, as a tribute to him. [according to Wikipedia]

Virgil Howe’s Legacy

Virgil Howe left behind a rich and diverse musical legacy, which spanned various genres, styles, and formats. He was a talented and versatile musician, who played drums, keyboards, vocals, and produced music with skill and creativity. He was also a loving and supportive son, father, partner, and friend, who touched the lives of many people with his music and his personality. He was a passionate and dedicated musician, who always sought to express himself and explore new sounds and ideas. He was also a humble and respectful musician, who admired his father’s music, but also wanted to sound like himself. He once said: “I don’t want to be famous. I just want to make music.” [according to Ultimate Guitar]

Virgil Howe’s music lives on through his albums, songs, remixes, collaborations, and performances, which can be enjoyed by his fans and new listeners alike. His music also lives on through his family, especially his daughter, who inherited his musical talent and interest. His music also lives on through his father, Steve Howe, who continues to play and record music, and to honor his son’s memory and legacy. Virgil Howe’s music is a testament to his talent, passion, and spirit, and a source of inspiration, joy, and comfort for many people. Virgil Howe may be gone, but his music will never be forgotten.

What was Brodie Lee’s cause of death? The tragic story of a wrestling star

Brodie Lee, also known as Luke Harper in WWE, was a professional wrestler who passed away on December 26, 2020, at the age of 41. His death shocked and saddened the wrestling world, as he was a respected and beloved performer and person. But what was Brodie Lee’s cause of death? How did he die so young and unexpectedly? In this article, we will explore the details of his life, career, and illness that led to his demise.

Who was Brodie Lee?

Brodie Lee was the ring name of Jonathan Huber, who was born in Rochester, New York, on December 16, 1979. He was interested in wrestling from a young age, and started his career as a backyard wrestler, performing under the name Huberboy #2. He later trained with Kirby Marcos, Rik Matrix, and Tony Mamaluke, and made his debut for Roc City Wrestling in 2003. He adopted the name Brodie Lee from the movie Mallrats, combining the names of actor Jason Lee and his character Brodie Bruce.

He worked on the independent circuit for several promotions, such as Chikara, Ring of Honor, and Dragon Gate, where he gained a reputation for his size, agility, and charisma. He signed with WWE in 2012, and was given the name Luke Harper. He joined the Wyatt Family, a stable of cult-like followers led by Bray Wyatt, and won the NXT Tag Team Championship and the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship with his partner Erick Rowan. He also had a brief run as a singles competitor, winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship in 2014.

He left WWE in 2019, after requesting his release due to creative differences and frustration with his booking. He joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020, as Mr. Brodie Lee, the leader of the Dark Order, a faction of masked minions. He won the AEW TNT Championship in August 2020, defeating Cody Rhodes in a dominant fashion. He lost the title back to Rhodes in October 2020, in a brutal dog collar match, which turned out to be his last match.

What was Brodie Lee’s cause of death?

According to his wife, Amanda Huber, Brodie Lee died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare and progressive lung disease that causes scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue. The exact cause of IPF is unknown, but it may be triggered by environmental factors, genetic mutations, or autoimmune disorders. IPF affects the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream, leading to shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and weight loss. There is no cure for IPF, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is three to five years.

Amanda Huber revealed that her husband was hospitalized in October 2020, after experiencing difficulty breathing. He was treated at the Mayo Clinic, where he received the best possible care and support from the doctors and nurses. He was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away on December 26, 2020. She also stated that his death was not related to COVID-19, and thanked AEW for their kindness and compassion during this difficult time.

How did the wrestling world react to Brodie Lee’s death?

Brodie Lee’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from his colleagues, friends, and fans in the wrestling industry. Many wrestlers shared their memories and stories of working with him, praising his talent, humor, and generosity. They also expressed their condolences and support to his family, especially his wife and two young sons, Brodie Jr. and Nolan. AEW dedicated a special episode of Dynamite to Brodie Lee, featuring matches and segments involving his friends and fellow Dark Order members. The show ended with a video package highlighting his career and life, followed by a 10-bell salute and a tribute from AEW president Tony Khan, who presented Brodie Jr. with the TNT Championship belt and declared him the champion for life.

Brodie Lee was a wrestling star who left a lasting impact on the industry and the fans. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend, who touched many lives with his kindness and passion. He will be remembered as a fierce and captivating performer, a thoughtful mentor, and a very kind soul. Rest in peace, Brodie Lee. You will be missed.