Promoter Laura Gavoor, an important figure in Detroit's techno music scene, died October 2 of complications from a brain aneurysm. She was 44. Gavoor was also the label manager for Transmat Records, home of Detroit DJ Derrick May, and was head of Yin-Sight Management since 1993.
In a 2000 interview with the Detroit Free Press about techno's origins in Detroit, Gavoor said, "We're a city of freaks and fighters. Detroit is the birthplace of people who've changed the world. It could have been nowhere else. Underground, we have a worldwide family. Out in the (techno) world, there is a lot of respect for Detroit. In our own way, we're Detroit's unheralded diplomats."
Since 2000, Detroit has hosted the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.
Jazz Pianist Ellis Larkins Dead At 79
Jazz pianist 
Ellis Larkins died of pneumonia on September 29 in Baltimore at age 79.
As a vocal accompanist, he backed Ella Fitzgerald on two celebrated recording sessions in the '50s and also worked with Mildred Bailey, Joe Williams, and Helen Humes.
Singer/Songwriter Mickey Newbury Dead At 62
Singer/songwriter 
Mickey Newbury died September 28 at his home in Vida, OR after a lengthy illness at age 62. Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Eddy Arnold, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson recorded Newbury's songs.
Elvis Presley recorded his "An American Trilogy" in the 1970's. Kenny Rogers & the First Edition's "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," Andy Williams' "Sweet Memories," and Jerry Lee Lewis' "She Even Woke Me up to Say Goodbye" were some of his best known compositions.
He is also known for arranging "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Dixie," and "All My Trials" into the classic "An American Trilogy," which was popularized by Elvis Presley in the 1970's.
