It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Karl Cochran, a beloved guitarist, songwriter, and cherished resident of Bridgewater, New Jersey. Karl passed away suddenly in a car accident, leaving his family, friends, and fans in shock and mourning. His untimely death marks the end of an extraordinary musical journey that touched the lives of countless people around the world.

Karl Cochran was not only known for his exceptional talent as a guitarist but also for his kind heart, infectious sense of humor, and unwavering loyalty as a friend. For those who were fortunate enough to know him, Karl was more than just a musician—he was a confidant, a mentor, and a cherished companion.

One of his closest friends shared a heartfelt tribute, recalling the daily 6:00 am phone calls they shared for the past five to six years. These early morning conversations covered everything from sports and politics to music and life’s daily challenges. The bond they shared was a testament to Karl’s caring nature and his unwavering commitment to staying connected with his loved ones. His friend fondly remembered teasing Karl if he ever called at 6:01 am, holding him to the punctuality they both cherished. The absence of his call the morning after his passing was a painful reminder of the void left behind.

Karl Cochran NJ Death Obituary: Bridgewater Guitarist & Songwriter Passes Away in a Car Accident

Karl’s musical career was nothing short of legendary. A stellar musician, he played with numerous iconic bands and was revered by his peers for his extraordinary talent and passion for music. Karl was known for his work with KISS’ Ace Frehley, co-writing the song “Into The Void” on the “Psycho Circus” album. He also collaborated with Joe Lynn Turner, Nuclear Assault, The Eric Singer Project, and many others. Wherever he went, Karl’s presence was felt, and his reputation as a gifted guitarist preceded him.

Karl’s contributions to the world of rock and roll are immeasurable. He was admired not only for his remarkable musical abilities but also for his genuine humility and kind spirit. Fellow musicians and fans alike have taken to social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute to his legacy. One post read, “May you play again in heaven with Jimi, Jeff, BB, and Les and all your rock & roll heroes! You will always be my platinum star up there, my friend, and you will be dearly missed.”

Karl’s journey was not without challenges. In 2014, he suffered a serious stroke that left him in a coma. With incredible strength and resilience, he fought his way back to recovery, inspiring those around him with his courage and determination. Despite the adversity he faced, Karl continued to pursue his passion for music, never allowing his struggles to define him. His journey of perseverance and bravery remains an inspiration to all who knew him.

Beyond his musical achievements, Karl was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Geri, and a loyal friend to many. His love for his family was unwavering, and his bond with his wife was a testament to his kind and loving nature. Geri, their daughter Arna, and the rest of his family are in the hearts and prayers of everyone who loved Karl. The outpouring of condolences from friends, fans, and fellow musicians reflects the deep impact Karl had on so many lives.

Karl was not only a remarkable musician but also a wonderful human being whose kindness, generosity, and humor left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His legacy as a guitarist and songwriter will live on through his music, while his legacy as a friend, husband, and father will continue to be cherished by those who loved him.

As we mourn the loss of this extraordinary soul, we also celebrate his life and the joy he brought to so many. Karl’s music will continue to inspire generations to come, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who were touched by his presence. His passing is a profound loss to the music world and to the countless lives he impacted throughout his journey.

Karl Cochran will always be remembered as a brilliant musician, a devoted husband, a loyal friend, and a kind soul whose light shone brightly in the lives of those around him. Though he may no longer be with us, his legacy will continue to live on through his music, his memories, and the love he shared with his family and friends.

Rest in peace, Karl Cochran. You were truly one of a kind, and you will be deeply missed. May your music echo through eternity, and may your spirit find peace in the company of the rock & roll legends you admired. Your legacy will live on forever, and your memory will be cherished by all who were blessed to know you.

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Russ Ballard has shared a video for his new rendition of “God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You”, the song that he penned that was a hit for both Argent and KISS.

Ballard had this to say, “It reflected the optimism I felt at the time, with lines like ‘love your friend, love your neighbour, love your life and love your labour, it’s never too late to change your mind.’ It was a hit for Argent and a hit for KISS 18 years later when it was included in the film ‘Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey.'”

This new rendition of “God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You” follows Russ’s recent release of a new version of “New York Groove”, which was a hit for KISS guitarist Ace Frehley on his 1978 solo album.

Freeman Promotions shared this background info on Russ: Ballard is simply one of the most renowned and gifted songwriters in pop and rock music. His music career started when he was only 14 years old, and he wrote a tune, which was recorded by The Shadows, appearing on their album, ‘The Sound Of The Shadows’ in 1964.

During the 70s and 80s, his songs ruled the airwaves, and the list of hits is pretty much endless. From “Since You Been Gone” (Rainbow), “God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You” (Argent and KISS), “So You Win Again” (Hot Chocolate), “New York Groove” (Hello and Ace Frehley), “You Can Do Magic” (America), “Winning” (Santana) or “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” (Colin Blunstone) – just to name a few – everyone who needed a great song knew that with RUSS BALLARD they could not go wrong.

Numerous records/artists were also produced by him, like Roger Daltrey, America, Elkie Brooks, Skindred or Sada Vidoo. In 1974, he started a solo career (after his stint with the band Argent in early 70’s), which had its highest momentum with the ‘S/t’ album in 1984 (which included the hit single “Voices”) and the follow up “The Fire Still Burns”.

Since then, BALLARD has released 10 studio albums and is still writing and producing hits. Three songs from his 1984 and 1985 albums were featured in the TV show “Miami Vice” and were extensively played on dance floors around Europe.

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KISS guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley discussed his adjustment to life after the band’s “End Of The Road” farewell tour, which concluded over a year ago, during a recent appearance on the debut episode of the “Stories To Tell With Richard Marx” podcast..

“There are people who are touring constantly because they’re empty and because they need that audience positive response. Years ago for me, probably decades ago, that may have been the case,” Stanley said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “At this point, it’s been incredibly gratifying. The last tour was just a chance to really take in how valuable and how much this meant to me. But I couldn’t keep doing it any more than Michael Jordan could.

“I’ve always been more than a musician or performer — I’ve been an athlete — and you realize that you can only do that so long. I’ve been blessed to do it into my 70s, which if you told me that 50 years ago, I’d say you’re out of your mind. So, yeah, I miss it, but I don’t crave it. I think the people who really crave it are the ones who don’t find other means for gratification either from other people or self-gratification, whether it’s, for me, painting or my family or friends.

“I think ultimately, hopefully, I would hope that most people find that in life, at some point, you start to narrow down what’s really important,” he continued. “And ultimately, what’s important is family, friends and how you feel about yourself. You face yourself every day when those crowds aren’t there. It doesn’t matter whether there’s 20,000 or 100,000 people, if you don’t like who you see in the mirror, it’s kind of meaningless.

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