| Tim Kelly | |
|---|---|
Tim Kelly signing autographs in 1990 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Timothy Patrick Kelly |
| Born | January 13, 1963 Trenton, New Jersey |
| Origin | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Died | February 5, 1998 (aged 35) Bagdad, Arizona |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupations | guitarist, singer |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1985–1998 |
| Associated acts | NewHavenSlaughter |
| Website | www.slaughterweb.com |
Timothy "Tim" Patrick Kelly (January 13, 1963 - February 5, 1998) was an American guitarist for the band Slaughter. After his death in 1998, Jeff Blando replaced Kelly in Slaughter.
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Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Kelly was a self-taught guitar player and began his music career around the sixth grade. He was inspired by other guitarists such as Rick Derringer and Peter Frampton. He played in a few bands during his career which included Hellion, New Haven, and Allegiance (that was fronted by his brother Bryan) along with other cover bands. After no real success with these bands, Kelly teamed up with Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum (both of whom came from Vinnie Vincent Invasion) to form a new group with their own original music. They later found Blas Elias and he joined as their drummer. Thus, the group Slaughter was formed in Fall of 1988.
With Slaughter, Kelly was a collaborator, writing and playing several songs. In the first album of the band (Stick It to Ya), he wrote and performed an instrumental piece called "Thinking of June" which he dedicated to his sister who died in 1982 from ovarian cancer. In all, Kelly released four studio albums with the band, and two live albums, the last of which (Eternal Live) was released posthumously and includes a pictorial and video tribute to Kelly which was quickly put together by Blas Elias and Pat Lucero.
On February 5, 1998, Kelly was involved in a fatal car accident while traveling on Highway 96 in Arizona. Kelly's vehicle was hit head on when an 18 wheeler crossed the middle line. Kelly was transported to a Bagdad, Arizona clinic where he was pronounced dead from massive head injuries. At the time of the accident, the driver of the 18 wheeler was under the influence of at least three different drugs including amphetamines. He was later sentenced to three years in prison.[1]
Kelly is buried at Saint Ignatius Cemetery in Pennsylvania.