Scott “Top Ten” Kempner, a founding member of influential bands The Dictators and The Del-Lords, has passed away at the age of 69. The veteran musician had been battling early onset dementia, and had been living at a Connecticut nursing home at the time of his passing.
As the original and longstanding rhythm guitarist of The Dictators, Kempner was a punk-rock pioneer. The New York City band formed in 1972 and released their proto-punk debut album The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! in 1975, a year before the Ramones fully ushered in punk rock with their self-titled debut.
Kempner remained with The Dictators through nearly all their incarnations, playing with them up until 2021, when his health struggles forced him to leave the band. He appeared on all four of their albums, which also included Manifest Destiny (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), and D.F.F.D. (2001).
In 1982, after The Dictators’ initial breakup, Kempner formed The Del-Lords, who were...
As the original and longstanding rhythm guitarist of The Dictators, Kempner was a punk-rock pioneer. The New York City band formed in 1972 and released their proto-punk debut album The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! in 1975, a year before the Ramones fully ushered in punk rock with their self-titled debut.
Kempner remained with The Dictators through nearly all their incarnations, playing with them up until 2021, when his health struggles forced him to leave the band. He appeared on all four of their albums, which also included Manifest Destiny (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), and D.F.F.D. (2001).
In 1982, after The Dictators’ initial breakup, Kempner formed The Del-Lords, who were...
- 11/30/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Scott Kempner, a co-founder of The Dictators and The Del-Lords, died today of complications of early onset dementia at a nursing home in Connecticut. He was 69.
Kempner joined with Andy Shernoff and Ross “The Boss” Friedman to form The Dictators in 1972. The band’s debut album arrived in 1974, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, considered one of the seminal bridges for punk. The band recorded three albums before splitting up for regular appearances, but have reunited sporadically. Their 1977 sophomore album, Manifest Destiny, edged onto the Billboard 200 at No. 193.
After the initial breakup, Kempner, bassist Manny Caiati, and guitarist Eric Ambel formed The Del-Lords, taking their name from a director of Three Stooges shorts. The group released seven albums throughout their career, including 2013’s Elvis Club.
Kempner also was a sideman in several bands, among them The Brandos, The Helen Wheels Band, Little Kings (with Dion Dimucci) and The Paradise Brothers (with...
Kempner joined with Andy Shernoff and Ross “The Boss” Friedman to form The Dictators in 1972. The band’s debut album arrived in 1974, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, considered one of the seminal bridges for punk. The band recorded three albums before splitting up for regular appearances, but have reunited sporadically. Their 1977 sophomore album, Manifest Destiny, edged onto the Billboard 200 at No. 193.
After the initial breakup, Kempner, bassist Manny Caiati, and guitarist Eric Ambel formed The Del-Lords, taking their name from a director of Three Stooges shorts. The group released seven albums throughout their career, including 2013’s Elvis Club.
Kempner also was a sideman in several bands, among them The Brandos, The Helen Wheels Band, Little Kings (with Dion Dimucci) and The Paradise Brothers (with...
- 11/29/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has picked up worldwide rights to the music documentary The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon, slating it for release March 17 across VOD platforms.
The film written and directed by Matt Eskey, in his feature debut, tells the true story of Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., who comes of age in Danville, Va, listening to records from his father’s soul radio station and plotting his escape from the confines of conservative small-town life.
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During an early 1980s cross-country bicycle trip, Kirby experiences The Mojo Revelation and becomes “Mojo Nixon” — a primitive, blues-inspired musician. Mojo then teams up with...
The film written and directed by Matt Eskey, in his feature debut, tells the true story of Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., who comes of age in Danville, Va, listening to records from his father’s soul radio station and plotting his escape from the confines of conservative small-town life.
Related Story Emily Hampshire Rom-Com ‘The End Of Sex’ Acquired By Blue Fox Entertainment Related Story Animated Film 'Lamya's Poem' Gets Digital Release Date For North America Related Story Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Emmy-Winning Documentary 'When Claude Got Shot'; Snoop Dogg Executive Producer
During an early 1980s cross-country bicycle trip, Kirby experiences The Mojo Revelation and becomes “Mojo Nixon” — a primitive, blues-inspired musician. Mojo then teams up with...
- 2/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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