Scott “Top Ten” Kempner, a founding member of influential bands The Dictators and The Del-Lords, has passed away at the age of 69. The veteran musician had been battling early onset dementia, and had been living at a Connecticut nursing home at the time of his passing.
As the original and longstanding rhythm guitarist of The Dictators, Kempner was a punk-rock pioneer. The New York City band formed in 1972 and released their proto-punk debut album The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! in 1975, a year before the Ramones fully ushered in punk rock with their self-titled debut.
Kempner remained with The Dictators through nearly all their incarnations, playing with them up until 2021, when his health struggles forced him to leave the band. He appeared on all four of their albums, which also included Manifest Destiny (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), and D.F.F.D. (2001).
In 1982, after The Dictators’ initial breakup, Kempner formed The Del-Lords, who were...
As the original and longstanding rhythm guitarist of The Dictators, Kempner was a punk-rock pioneer. The New York City band formed in 1972 and released their proto-punk debut album The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! in 1975, a year before the Ramones fully ushered in punk rock with their self-titled debut.
Kempner remained with The Dictators through nearly all their incarnations, playing with them up until 2021, when his health struggles forced him to leave the band. He appeared on all four of their albums, which also included Manifest Destiny (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), and D.F.F.D. (2001).
In 1982, after The Dictators’ initial breakup, Kempner formed The Del-Lords, who were...
- 11/30/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Scott Kempner, a co-founder of The Dictators and The Del-Lords, died today of complications of early onset dementia at a nursing home in Connecticut. He was 69.
Kempner joined with Andy Shernoff and Ross “The Boss” Friedman to form The Dictators in 1972. The band’s debut album arrived in 1974, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, considered one of the seminal bridges for punk. The band recorded three albums before splitting up for regular appearances, but have reunited sporadically. Their 1977 sophomore album, Manifest Destiny, edged onto the Billboard 200 at No. 193.
After the initial breakup, Kempner, bassist Manny Caiati, and guitarist Eric Ambel formed The Del-Lords, taking their name from a director of Three Stooges shorts. The group released seven albums throughout their career, including 2013’s Elvis Club.
Kempner also was a sideman in several bands, among them The Brandos, The Helen Wheels Band, Little Kings (with Dion Dimucci) and The Paradise Brothers (with...
Kempner joined with Andy Shernoff and Ross “The Boss” Friedman to form The Dictators in 1972. The band’s debut album arrived in 1974, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, considered one of the seminal bridges for punk. The band recorded three albums before splitting up for regular appearances, but have reunited sporadically. Their 1977 sophomore album, Manifest Destiny, edged onto the Billboard 200 at No. 193.
After the initial breakup, Kempner, bassist Manny Caiati, and guitarist Eric Ambel formed The Del-Lords, taking their name from a director of Three Stooges shorts. The group released seven albums throughout their career, including 2013’s Elvis Club.
Kempner also was a sideman in several bands, among them The Brandos, The Helen Wheels Band, Little Kings (with Dion Dimucci) and The Paradise Brothers (with...
- 11/29/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
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