Original WICKED LESTER Keyboardist Passes
September 10, 2011, 13 years ago
Keyboardist William Brooke Ostrander, who was part of the pre-KISS band WICKED LESTER, passed away from cancer on Saturday afternoon, September 3rd at the Northwestern Medical Center in Saint Albans, VT.
According to an obituary posted at The Burlington Free Press:
"Brooke had an unending passion for music from the time he was a young boy, participating in numerous ensembles in High School, All State Music Festivals, and an award winning drum and bugle corps in New York City, N.Y. He received his baccalaureate and master degrees, Magna Cum Laude, in Music Theory and Composition from Emporia State University, created inspirational music with his rock and roll band Wicked Lester, and worked as a studio musician at Electric Ladyland Studio with recording artists like STEVEN STILLS. Brooke spent 10 years in Browning, Mont. where he developed a music program for the Blackfeet Indian tribe. Brooke was so much more than just a music teacher. He was a life coach for those who he knew needed him. When in his presence the love, guidance, humor, calm strength and nurturing aura was powerful enough to last a lifetime."To offer private online condolences visit: Kiddermemorialhome.com.
According to Wikipedia, the New York-based group under its original name, RAINBOW, formed in 1970. The most notable original members were bassist Gene Klein, (born Chaim Witz), and rhythm guitarist Stanley Eisen. The two would later be known as Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, respectively. In 1971 the band changed their name to Wicked Lester, and recorded an album for Epic Records, which was never officially released. Ostrander quit the band in 1972.
(Photo above courtesy of Wikipedia; Ostrander pictured standing from second to right, Gene is second from the left and Paul is in the middle - click to enlarge)
