Randy Vanwarmer dead at 48 - R.I.P.

Randy Vanwarmer, really known for the 1978 hit "Just When I Needed You Most", has died in Seattle at the age of 48.

He passed away of complications from leukemia at the University of Washington Medical Centre on Monday night and had been ill for the past year.

His biggest hit "Just When I Needed You Most" spent more than 20 weeks on the Australian chart in 1979, reaching No. 17. In the United States it went to No. 4.
The great Westcoast album "Warmer" reached No. 67 in Australia in 1979 too.

Randy, born May 30, 1955 in Indian Hills, Colorado, has had other hit songs: "All I Have Tonight" (1981) and "Suzi Found A Weapon" (1981) received some airplay.

He recorded 4 albums for Bearsville-Warner Brothers Records between 1979 and 1984. Randy moved to Los Angeles in 1982 with his wife, Suzi Blosser, a former record executive for ABC and Warner Brothers.

After this era, Randy concentrated on songwriting. He has collaborated on several songs like Oak Ridge Boys "I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes" (1984 - number one Country hit in The U.S.A.) and for Alabama "I'm In A Hurry (And I Don't Know Why)" (1992 - also number one Country hit in The States).

Randy Vanwarmer songs have been featured on albums by Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Laura Branigan, Smokie and Billie Joe Royal among others.

Randy Vanwarmer represents several albums (with a few anthologies included).

On his website, here is the following information in the news section:

"Randy's latest project!
Randy's latest project is an album of songs by the great american composer Stephen Foster. Songs you know and love performed in a way you have never heard before. Check this site often for updates and news about when and where it will be available

Randy is gone
In early 2003 Randy was diagnosed with Leukemia and has recently undergone a bone marrow transplant at The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle Washington. There were many complications following the transplant and Randy died in his sleep Monday round midnight. He is the best brother in the whole world and I miss him very very much.
His music is his gift and he gave it to us all.
Ron Vanwarmer January 12, 2004"

Discography (albums):
1979 - Warmer (Island U.S.A.)
1980 - Terraform (Island U.S.A.)
1981 - Beat of Love (Bearsville U.S.A.)
1983 - Things That You Dream (Bearsville U.S.A.)
1988 - I Am (Capitol U.S.A.)
1990 - Every Now and Then
1994 - The Vital Spark
1995 - Third Child (Demon U.K.)
1996 - Sun Moon and Stars (JVC - Victor Japan)
1998 - Best of (Victor Japan)
2000 - Best of Randy Vanwarmer (Castle Communication U.K.)
? - American Morning, Greatest Hits
? - Terraform

Also on:
Bearsville Anthology
and
Bearsville Sampler

Comments

[jean philippe REJOU]

2003 was a sad year : Greg Guidry, Warren Zevon, Roger Voudouris... passed away...
And 2004 beginning with a sad news...

[Chuck Porter]

"You Left In The Rain, Without Closing The Door"
Why Randy wasn't a SUPERSTAR I'll never know.. (I guess you were just too far ahead of your time) I introduced Blane (my 8 month old son) to Randy's music today, while he was dancing with his mother to "YOUR LIGHT"
RIP Randy, (a life long fan) Chuck Porter~

[Neil Thomas]

I remember Randy Vanwarmer (or Randy Van as we knew him)when he played in a duo with Roger Moss in the folk clubs in Cornwall, England, in 1974, including the Cooking Pot folk club in Par run by Rog and Gill Butler aka Chucklefoot(he resided in Looe). His talent was recognised then and he was soon taken to America by Bearsville records. "Whatever You Decide" from the Terraform album was my personal favourite song. Should have been another hit. Deepest sympathies to his family.