Post by darkstar3 on Apr 12, 2011 14:16:28 GMT
Lakewood Patch News
Obituaries, Arts
Bill Pettijohn, Frontman for Moonlight Drive, Dies at 62
Lakewood man also led Dragonwyck in the 1970s and the Rolling Stones cover band, Beggars Banquet.
By Alana Baranick |
April 9, 2011
Bill Pettijohn established a reputation as an impressive Jim Morrison impersonator while performing across the United States and Canada as the frontman of Moonlight Drive, The Doors tribute band he co-founded in 1981.
The 62-year-old Lakewood resident, who was a major figure in the Cleveland music scene for 40 years, died of complications from cancer April 8.
Friends may call from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Jenkins Funeral Chapel, 2914 Dover Center Road, Westlake, where a memorial service will take place at 2 p.m.
Pettijohn and his friends, Tommy Brame and Jack Boessneck, founded the band Dragonwyck in 1969. He and Braeme later co-founded Moonlight Drive because of his strong Morrison-sounding vocals.
The band appeared in the 1984 film, Strangers in Paradise, directed by and starring Ulli Lommel.
In 2008, Moonlight Drive celebrated its 27th anniversary at the House of Blues in Cleveland.
Pettijohn and Brame also formed a Rolling Stones tribute band in 1988 called Beggars Banquet, which sometimes opened for Moonlight Drive. Pettijohn would start the show mimicking Mick Jagger, then follow as a Morrison sound-alike.
More recently, the pair had begun preparing to resurrect Dragonwyck.
Pettijohn was born William Lee Pettijohn in Cleveland and grew up in Lakewood.
He is survived by his children, Bill and Shannon; and sisters, Marijane and Peggy Criscoulo.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/bill-pettijohn-62-frontman-for-moonlight-drive-the-popular-doors-tribute-band
Obituaries, Arts
Bill Pettijohn, Frontman for Moonlight Drive, Dies at 62
Lakewood man also led Dragonwyck in the 1970s and the Rolling Stones cover band, Beggars Banquet.
By Alana Baranick |
April 9, 2011
Bill Pettijohn established a reputation as an impressive Jim Morrison impersonator while performing across the United States and Canada as the frontman of Moonlight Drive, The Doors tribute band he co-founded in 1981.
The 62-year-old Lakewood resident, who was a major figure in the Cleveland music scene for 40 years, died of complications from cancer April 8.
Friends may call from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Jenkins Funeral Chapel, 2914 Dover Center Road, Westlake, where a memorial service will take place at 2 p.m.
Pettijohn and his friends, Tommy Brame and Jack Boessneck, founded the band Dragonwyck in 1969. He and Braeme later co-founded Moonlight Drive because of his strong Morrison-sounding vocals.
The band appeared in the 1984 film, Strangers in Paradise, directed by and starring Ulli Lommel.
In 2008, Moonlight Drive celebrated its 27th anniversary at the House of Blues in Cleveland.
Pettijohn and Brame also formed a Rolling Stones tribute band in 1988 called Beggars Banquet, which sometimes opened for Moonlight Drive. Pettijohn would start the show mimicking Mick Jagger, then follow as a Morrison sound-alike.
More recently, the pair had begun preparing to resurrect Dragonwyck.
Pettijohn was born William Lee Pettijohn in Cleveland and grew up in Lakewood.
He is survived by his children, Bill and Shannon; and sisters, Marijane and Peggy Criscoulo.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/bill-pettijohn-62-frontman-for-moonlight-drive-the-popular-doors-tribute-band