American jazz drummer, a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator.
Born July 6th, 1924 in Rock Falls.
Died February 14th, 2009 at 84 years old in Los Angeles (Parkinson's disease). [ref]
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride! Hunter S. Thompson