Tim Kelly
Encyclopedia
Timothy "Tim" Patrick Kelly (January 13, 1963 - February 5, 1998) was an American
guitar
ist for the band Slaughter
. After his death in 1998, Jeff Blando
replaced Kelly in Slaughter.
, Kelly was a self-taught guitar player and began his music career around the sixth grade. He was inspired by other guitarists such as Rick Derringer
and Peter Frampton
. He played in a few bands during his career which included Hellion
, New Haven, and Allegiance
(that was fronted by his brother Bryan) along with other cover bands. After no real success with these bands, Kelly teamed up with Mark Slaughter
and Dana Strum
(both of whom came from Vinnie Vincent Invasion
) to form a new group with their own original music. They later found Blas Elias
and he joined as their drummer
. Thus, the group Slaughter was formed in Fall of 1988.
With Slaughter, Kelly was a collaborator, writing and playing several songs. In the first album of the band (Stick It to Ya
), he wrote and performed an instrumental piece called "Thinking of June" which he dedicated to his sister who died in 1982 from ovarian cancer
. In all, Kelly released four studio albums with the band, and two live album
s, the last of which (Eternal Live
) was released posthumously and includes a pictorial and video tribute to Kelly which was quickly put together by Blas Elias and Pat Lucero.
while traveling on Highway 96 in Arizona
. Kelly's vehicle was hit head on when an 18 wheeler
crossed the middle line. Kelly was transported to a Bagdad, Arizona
clinic where he was pronounced dead from massive head injuries. At the time of the accident, the driver of the 18 wheeler was under the influence of at least three different drugs including amphetamines. He was later sentenced to three years in prison.
Kelly is buried at Saint Ignatius Cemetery in Pennsylvania
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist for the band Slaughter
Slaughter (band)
Slaughter is an American heavy metal band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada by lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum. The band reached stardom in 1990 with their first album, Stick It to Ya which spawned several hit singles including "Up All Night", "Spend My Life", "Mad...
. After his death in 1998, Jeff Blando
Jeff Blando
Jeff "Blando" Bland is an American guitarist who played for Michigan based cover Band, KODY LEE, Left For Dead and Saigon Kick...
replaced Kelly in Slaughter.
Career
Born in Trenton, New JerseyTrenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, Kelly was a self-taught guitar player and began his music career around the sixth grade. He was inspired by other guitarists such as Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
and Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
. He played in a few bands during his career which included Hellion
Hellion (band)
Hellion is a heavy metal band, which was formed during 1982 in Los Angeles, California. The first line-up included Ann Boleyn , Ray Schenck , Sean Kelley and Peyton Tuthill . With a different line-up they continue on today....
, New Haven, and Allegiance
Allegiance
An allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed by a subject or a citizen to his/her state or sovereign.-Etymology:From Middle English ligeaunce . The al- prefix was probably added through confusion with another legal term, allegeance, an "allegation"...
(that was fronted by his brother Bryan) along with other cover bands. After no real success with these bands, Kelly teamed up with Mark Slaughter
Mark Slaughter
Mark Allen Slaughter is an American singer and musician. He is one of the founders of hard rock band Slaughter, and he also has worked as a voice actor and composer...
and Dana Strum
Dana Strum
Dana Strum is the bassist of heavy metal band Slaughter. Before that, he was in Vinnie Vincent Invasion together with fellow bandmate, Mark Slaughter...
(both of whom came from Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Vinnie Vincent Invasion was an American heavy metal/glam metal band formed in 1984 by former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent.-Biography:Initially forming the band in the mid-80's, Vincent recruited bassist Dana Strum, who had also served as a talent scout of sorts in L.A., recruiting band members for...
) to form a new group with their own original music. They later found Blas Elias
Blas Elias
Blas Elias , is the drummer of rock band Slaughter. He also drums for the Las Vegas production of Blue Man Group.-Biography:...
and he joined as their drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
. Thus, the group Slaughter was formed in Fall of 1988.
With Slaughter, Kelly was a collaborator, writing and playing several songs. In the first album of the band (Stick It to Ya
Stick It to Ya
Stick It To Ya is the debut album from hard rock band Slaughter. It was released in 1990 by Chrysalis Records. It sold over 2 million copies...
), he wrote and performed an instrumental piece called "Thinking of June" which he dedicated to his sister who died in 1982 from ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
. In all, Kelly released four studio albums with the band, and two live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
s, the last of which (Eternal Live
Eternal Live
Eternal Live is the fifth album from hard rock band Slaughter and their first full-length live album.This is the last album to feature guitarist Tim Kelly, since he was killed in a car accident shortly before the release of the album.-Track listing:...
) was released posthumously and includes a pictorial and video tribute to Kelly which was quickly put together by Blas Elias and Pat Lucero.
Death
On February 5, 1998, Kelly was involved in a fatal car accidentCar accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
while traveling on Highway 96 in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. Kelly's vehicle was hit head on when an 18 wheeler
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
crossed the middle line. Kelly was transported to a Bagdad, Arizona
Bagdad, Arizona
Bagdad is a copper mining community and census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States, in the western part of the state. It is one of only two remaining company towns in Arizona...
clinic where he was pronounced dead from massive head injuries. At the time of the accident, the driver of the 18 wheeler was under the influence of at least three different drugs including amphetamines. He was later sentenced to three years in prison.
Kelly is buried at Saint Ignatius Cemetery in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.