Blackie Onassis, drummer for alternative rock band Urge Overkill in their heyday in the ’90s, has died.A spokesman for the band reported his passing to the band los angeles timesBut no cause of death was given.
Onassis (real name John Rowan) joined Urge Overkill in 1991, alongside founding members Nash Kato and Eddie “King” Roeser.he appeared on their album supersonic storybook (1991), saturation (1993), and quit dragon (1995).
While the Chicago-based band has influenced alternative rock radio with songs like “Sister Havana” and “Positive Bleeding,” they’re probably best known for their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” on Quentin Tarantino’s film pulp Fiction. When they opened for Nirvana on their tour in support of It doesn’t matter.
during an interview to rotate In a 1992 issue of the magazine, Onassis said of the band: “We’re here to revive the swinger era — the late ’60s, playboy life, when America was a fun place. Las Vegas’ The Golden Age, Neil Diamond, Moonlight Dancers, and Anton La Vey!”
Onassis played with Urge Overkill until their disbandment in 1997. When the band regrouped in 2004, Onassis was not in the lineup. Urge Overkill is still active today, with a line-up of Kato, Roeser, Adam Arling and drummer Nate Arling.
according to los angeles timesOnassis battled heroin addiction and was even arrested for drug possession after release quit dragon. He co-wrote several songs on Kato’s 2000 solo album fledglingbut has all but disappeared from public view over the past two decades.
in a facebook post On Wednesday (June 14), the band said, “Urge Overkill regrets to report that Blackie has passed away. Please respect our privacy at this time. Our hearts go out to his family and all fans. We know he will be miss.”
Our condolences to the family, friends and bandmates of Blackie Onassis during this difficult time. Hear him on drums on “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” and “Nun of Havana” in the video below.