Find A Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA^[1] and incorporated in 2000.^[2][3]

History[link]

According to the founder, Salt Lake City resident Jim Tipton,^[4] the website was developed in 1995 to address the lack of any existing site that catered to his hobby of visiting the graves of celebrities. After some time, an online forum was created on the site.^[5] As of May 11, 2012 the site states that it hosts over 80 million records.^[6]

Content and features[link]

The website contains listings of cemeteries and graves from all around the world. American cemeteries are organized by state and county, and many cemetery records contain Google Maps (with GPS coordinates supplied by contributors) and photographs of the cemeteries. Individual grave records contain some or all of the following data fields: dates and places of birth and death, biographical information, cemetery and plot information, photographs (grave marker, the individual, etc.), and contributor information.^[7]

Interment listings are provided by individuals^[8] or genealogical societies.^[9] Major institutional contributors to Find A Grave include the US Veterans Department,^[10] the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and American Battle Monuments Commission,^[11] and the International Wargraves Photography Project.^[12]

Contributors must register as members to submit listings, which are called memorials on the website. Upon submitting a listing, that member becomes the manager of the listing, but may transfer management. Only the current manager of a listing may edit the listing, although members and non-members may send correction requests regarding listings. Members and non-members can submit notations, which consist of images or pictures or flowers, flags, religious symbols, etc., which are posted on the individual listings. Managers of listings may post links to other listings of spouses and parents for genealogical purposes. Members may also request photos of graves which then other members can fulfill.^[13]

Find A Grave also maintains links to memorials of famous persons such as Medal of Honor recipients,^[14] religious figures,^[15] and educators.^[16] Find A Grave exercises editorial control over these listings.^[17]

See also[link]

• Canadian Headstones
• Interment.net on-line database of transcriptions from grave markers
• Poets' Graves
• Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness volunteers photograph graves on request
• Tombstone tourist

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Colker, David (August 26, 1997). "Web site answers grave concerns about stars". Los Angeles Times. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MWSB&p_theme=mwsb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB82ADCB84FB85C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved September 28, 2011. (Subscription required)
• Johnstone, Nick (July 14, 2004). "Why I love ... findagrave.com". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2004/jul/14/features11.g2. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• Cobbs, Chris (July 12, 2001). "Web site attracts millions of grave-seekers". The Orlando Sentinel (Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8326287_ITM. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• Gammage, Jeff (August 1, 2005). "Find VIPs (and others) who R.I.P. through online cemetery". The Philadelphia Inquirer (Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9535304_ITM. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• Dehler, Tamie (October 13, 2007). "Genealogy: ‘Find a Grave’ tremendous on many different levels". Tribune Star (Terre Haute, Indiana: TribStar.com). http://tribstar.com/history/x1155714617/Genealogy-Find-a-Grave-tremendous-on-many-different-levels. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• King, Peter (October 2, 2009). "Tip: Find a Grave has info you're dying to know". Newday (Melville, New York: newsday.com). http://www.newsday.com/business/retirement/tip-find-a-grave-has-info-you-re-dying-to-know-1.1471344. Retrieved September 28, 2011. (Registration required)
• Silverman, Lauren (March 14, 2010). "Tracking Down Relatives, Visiting Graves Virtually". NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124671879. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 

External links[link]

• Official website

Ray LaMontagne
LaMontagne at Prospect Park, July 12, 2006
Background information
Birth name	Raymond Charles Jack LaMontagne
Born	(1973-06-18) June 18, 1973 (age 39) Nashua, New Hampshire
Genres	Folk, folk rock, folk blues
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica
Labels	RCA
Notable instruments
Martin D-35, Bourgeois Guitar Country Boy w/Sitka Top, D-150, Custom DS-260, Victoria Parlor models.[1][2]

Raymond "Ray" Charles Jack LaMontagne ( /lɑːmɒnˈteɪn/; born June 18, 1973) is a Grammy-award winning American singer-songwriter. LaMontagne has released four studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain and God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after hearing an album by Stephen Stills. Critics have compared LaMontagne's music to The Band, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, and Tim Buckley. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two children.

Early life[link]

LaMontagne was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1973. Despite his father's background in music, LaMontagne avoided the activity and spent time reading fantasy novels in the forest. He spent time in several different states in his youth. In his early teens he lived in Morgan, Utah, a small rural town of 2000 people. He was known for being an aloof, and indifferent to his education. He was much more interested in drawing images of Dungeons and Dragons than he was in his school work. He was well liked, and revered as somewhat of a mild nuisance. ^[3] After graduating from high school, LaMontagne moved to Lewiston, Maine and found work in a shoe factory.^[4]

Career[link]

LaMontagne has a unique vocal style, which he says is created by singing through his gut instead of through his nose.^[5][6] He cites Stephen Stills, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko as strong musical influences while critics have compared LaMontagne's music to The Band, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, and Tim Buckley.^[7][8]

1999 to 2005[link]

LaMontagne was inspired to quit his job and begin a career as a singer-songwriter after listening to Stephen Stills' album Manassas.^[9][10][11] LaMontagne began performing in 1999, while maintaining a part time job as a tutor.^[9] In the summer of 1999, he recorded 10 songs for a demo album that was sent to various local music venues including Maine's Oddfellow Theater, where he was hired as an opening act for John Gorka and Jonathan Edwards. A business executive introduced LaMontagne to Chrysalis Music Publishing and they recorded an album and sold it to RCA Records in the USA and Echo Records in the UK^[12]

In 2004 LaMontagne recorded his first album Trouble with producer Ethan Johns and released it on RCA Records. The album featured performances by Sara Watkins and Stephen Stills' daughter, Jennifer.^[13] The album sold over 250,000 copies in the USA and 500,000 worldwide.^[4][14][15] During a 2005 tour, LaMontagne performed on the TV show Austin City Limits.^[16]

An EP of LaMontagne's performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival was released in 2005 and his song "All the Wild Horses" was part of the soundtrack for the TV series Rescue Me and the 2009 film The Boys Are Back. His song "Trouble" appeared in the TV series Alias and his song "Jolene" was heard in the credits of the 2010 film The Town. His song "Hold You in My Arms" was featured in the 2006 movie, She's The Man.^[17]

In 2005, he performed at two charity events, a NYC fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and at the "Warren Haynes Christmas Jam".^[18][19]

2006 to the present[link]

LaMontagne performing in Dublin, January 2007

LaMontagne's second album, Till the Sun Turns Black, was released in August 2006 and featured horn and string sections on several of the songs with Rachael Yamagata providing additional vocals on the song "Barfly". The album peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 28,000 copies in its first week of release.^[20] The album spawned the single, "Three More Days" and in 2006 LaMontagne performed on The Tonight Show.^{[citation needed]}

The song "Till the Sun Turns Black" was featured on the television show "ER",^[21] and the songs "Lesson Learned" and "Within You" appeared on the CW drama "One Tree Hill". His song "Be Here Now" was heard on the trailer for the movie Away From Her, in the film 27 Dresses, on the TV shows Bones and Covert Affairs.^{[citation needed]}LaMontagne performed at KYSR's Lounge for Life charity concert on October 5, 2006 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. He also auctioned off one of his guitars on eBay for its charity auction. Funds raised from the concert and auction went to breast cancer research.^[22]

LaMontagne released his third studio album, Gossip in the Grain on RCA Records in 2008, and it debuted at #3 on the Billboard Charts with 60,000 units sold. Working again with producer Ethan Johns, the album featured LaMontagne's touring band of Jennifer Condos on bass, Eric Heywood on guitar, and Ethan Johns on drums and guest vocals from singer/songwriter Leona Naess.^[23][24]

LaMontagne at The Sage Gateshead in 2009

The song "You Are the Best Thing" was featured in the movie I Love You, Man and in the television series One Tree Hill. LaMontagne performed on Saturday Night Live in March 2009.^[25] The song "Sarah" appeared on an episode of House. His song "Let it be Me" was featured on the television series Parenthood and was included on the Parenthood soundtrack in 2010. It was also used in an episode entitled "JJ", from the sixth season of Criminal Minds (TV series).

LaMontagne's self produced studio album, God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise (Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs), was released in August 2010.^[26] In December 2010, LaMontagne received Grammy nominations and won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

In August 2010, he performed at a Nashville, TN, charity event to raise money for victims of a local flood.^{[citation needed]} The song, "Empty", appeared on an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2010 and was heard during the film credits for the movie The Conspirator. LaMontagne performed on the program Live from Abbey Road in October 2006.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011 Ray sang a duet with Irish singer Lisa Hannigan on the song "O Sleep", one of the tracks from her Choice Music Award-nominated album, Passenger.

Awards[link]

For his debut album, LaMontagne won four awards, including three Boston Music Awards (Best Male Singer/Songwriter, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year) and an XM Nation Music Award for Acoustic Rock Artist of the Year. LaMontagne has received a nomination from the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards for Best New Touring Artist, the BRIT Awards for International Breakthrough Act, the MOJO Awards for Best New Act, and was given the title of Best Voice in 2006 by Esquire.

In December 2010, LaMontagne received two Grammy nominations and won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Personal life[link]

LaMontagne lives in a farmhouse in western Massachusetts with his wife and two children.^[27] He refers to himself as a "very private person", and rarely gives interviews.^[28]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Trouble (September 14, 2004)
• Till the Sun Turns Black (August 29, 2006)
• Gossip in the Grain (October 14, 2008)
• God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise (August 17, 2010)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official U.S. website, requires Adobe Flash plugin
• Ray LaMontagne Storytellers on VH1
• Ray Lamontagne on Myspace
• Ray LaMontagne Gig Review 2009
• Ray LaMontagne on Idiomag
• Photos of Ray LaMontagne at the Boston Opera House on October 9th Exploit Boston!
• Ray LaMontagne on PBS NewsHour's Art Beat, 8/17/10

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2011)

Hansi Kürsch
Background information
Birth name	Hans Jürgen Kürsch
Born	(1966-08-10) 10 August 1966 (age 45) Lank-Latum, Germany
Genres	Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal, progressive metal
Instruments	Vocals, bass
Years active	1984–present
Labels	No Remorse, Virgin, Century Media, Nuclear Blast, SPV GmbH
Associated acts	Blind Guardian, Demons and Wizards, Edguy, Ayreon, Kai Hansen

Hans Jürgen Kürsch, better known as Hansi Kürsch (born 10 August 1966 in Lank-Latum, Germany) is a German musician, the lead vocalist and lyricist of power metal band Blind Guardian. Together with André Olbrich, he is also the principal songwriter for the band. He was also the bassist in Blind Guardian until the 1998 album Nightfall in Middle-Earth. He also provides lead vocals for the band Demons and Wizards.

History[link]

A signature of Kürsch's songwriting is his practice of overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping harmonies on his recordings, creating the atmosphere of a huge choir. The track "Chant" on the first Demons and Wizards album is vocal only, in the style of a traditional Gregorian Chant; Kürsch's is the only voice on the song.

Kürsch's lyrics revolve around various themes prevalent in the power metal genre, including medieval fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, religious/mythological tales, and legends/stories, both his own and from the literary world. Many of his lyrics also exude a dark, cynical, and negative feel, spoken from a first-person perspective. His lyrics in the first Demons and Wizards album tackle even darker themes, telling tales of death, deception, and evil, whereas "Touched by the Crimson King" was based primarily off different fantasy novels.^[1]

Kürsch has also recorded two albums for his side project with Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth, Demons and Wizards.

• Demons and Wizards - Demons and Wizards (2000)
• Demons and Wizards - Touched by the Crimson King (2005)

Guest appearances[link]

Hansi has done guest vocals on the following albums, in the following songs (listed chronologically):

• Gamma Ray - Land of the Free (1995) - Farewell
• Grave Digger - Tunes of War (1996, backing vocals only)
• Nepal - Manifiesto (1997) - Besando La Tierra, Estadio Chico
• Iron Savior - Iron Savior (1997) - For The World
• Edguy - Vain Glory Opera (1998) - Out of Control, Vain Glory Opera
• Grave Digger - Excalibur (1999, backing vocals only)
• Therion - Deggial (2000) - Flesh of the Gods
• Rage - Unity (2002, backing vocals only)
• Angra - Temple of Shadows (2004) - Winds of Destination
• Ljósálfar - Ljósálfar - Forevermoor
• Nuclear Blast All-Stars - Into The Light (2007) - Slaves To The Desert
• Ayreon - 01011001 (2008) - credited as Celtic Cross symbol: Age Of Shadows, Beneath The Waves, Newborn Race, The Fifth Extinction, Unnatural Selection, River of Time, The Sixth Extinction
• Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki's Neverland - Reversing Time (2008) - To Lose The Sun
• Van Canto - Hero (2008) - Take to the Sky
• Aneurysm - Shades (2008) - Reflection
• The Arrow - Lady Nite (2009) - Never Say Never
• Rage - Strings to a Web Bonus DVD (Live at Wacken Open Air 2009) (2010) - Set This World on Fire, All I Want, Invisible Horizons
• Solar Fragment - In Our Hands (2011) - Inside the Circle
• Grave Digger - Ballad of Mary (2011) - Rebellion 2010
• Grave Digger - Rebellion - The Clans Are Still Marching 2011 Live

References[link]

External links[link]

• Interview with Hansi at Nocturnal Horde (July 16, 2005)
• Blind Guardian official homepage
• Demons and Wizards official homepage

Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian in Malmö, Sweden, September 21, 2006. L-R: Olbrich, Ehmke, Kürsch, Siepen, Schüren, Holzwarth
Background information
Origin	Krefeld, Germany
Genres	Power metal, progressive metal, speed metal, thrash metal
Years active	1984–present
Labels	No Remorse, Virgin, Century Media, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Demons and Wizards, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iced Earth, Iron Savior, Savage Circus, Schattentantz, Power Quest
Website	www.blind-guardian.com
Members
Hansi Kürsch André Olbrich Marcus Siepen Frederik Ehmke
Past members
Thomas "Thomen" Stauch Markus Dörk Christof Theißen Hans-Peter Frey Mathias Wiesner

Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany.^[1] They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres.^[2][3] Blind Guardian is a part of the German heavy metal scene that emerged in the mid-1980s.

The band's lyrics, written by vocalist Hansi Kürsch, are inspired by the fiction of fantasy authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin as well as traditional legends and epics.^[4] Over the years, a running theme has developed personifying the band members as travelling bards, leading some fans to refer to the band affectionately as "The Bards".

Biography[link]

Formation as Lucifer's Heritage (1984–1987)[link]

Blind Guardian was formed in 1984 in Krefeld, Germany, by Hansi Kürsch (vocals, bass) and Andre Olbrich (guitar) under the name Lucifer's Heritage. The band first released two demos in 1985 and 1986, despite undergoing chaotic lineup changes: Markus Dörk (guitar) and Thomen Stauch (drums) were replaced by Christof Theißen and Hans-Peter Frey, respectively. Finally, in 1987, Marcus Siepen joined and Thomen came back to form the lineup which would stay consistent for the next 18 years.

Name change and rise to success (1988–1996)[link]

After Lucifer's Heritage signed a contract with No Remorse Records, the band changed their name to Blind Guardian to avoid any speculations about Satanism (in a bio it was stated that they also wanted to distance themselves from the black metal movement, as their demos were placed in with black metal albums at local record shops). They released their debut album Battalions of Fear in 1988, which was essentially a speed metal album heavily influenced by Helloween.^[5] These two German bands had close ties, and Helloween founder Kai Hansen made a guest appearance on Blind Guardian's second LP, Follow the Blind (1989), where the band revealed some thrash metal influence.^[6][7] Their third LP, Tales from the Twilight World (1990), had a much more melodic and "epic" feeling, with usage of choir and classical music influence.

Blind Guardian signed with Virgin Records in 1991, and released their fourth studio album Somewhere Far Beyond in 1992 and the live album Tokyo Tales in 1993. Flemming Rasmussen, former Metallica producer, began working with the band in 1994, producing their fifth studio album Imaginations from the Other Side, released in 1995, and The Forgotten Tales, an album that contained half covers and half original work, released in 1996.

Later years and departure of Thomen Stauch (1997–2009)[link]

In 1998, Blind Guardian released their epic album Nightfall in Middle-Earth. "Complete with anthemic choruses, spoken word story lines, and plenty of bombastic power metal punctuating every dramatic turn", says Allmusic's Vincent Jeffries, "Nightfall in Middle-Earth is perhaps Blind Guardian's most triumphant".^[8] A concept album based on J. R. R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion,^[4] Blind Guardian's music demonstrated some folk rock influence, but also featured heavy use of Queen-style layered backing vocals. Since Nightfall, bass guitar has been played by sessional member Oliver Holzwarth, and Hansi has been able to devote all his attention to singing. Nightfall was also the last Blind Guardian album produced by Rasmussen.

Lead vocalist Hansi Kürsch

A Night at the Opera, named after the Queen album, was released four years later. On this album, the band's sound lacked almost all influence of their original speed metal. Power and progressive metal abound, with over the top orchestral backing and a consistent vocal and guitar layering throughout.^[9] Though not a true concept album, many of the lyrics dealt with the common themes of religion and relations between human and divine powers. It was followed by a live album in 2003 and a DVD, Imaginations Through the Looking Glass, in 2004, which was the last recorded Blind Guardian material to feature Thomen Stauch on drums. He left the band due to musical differences and was replaced by Frederik Ehmke. The first album with Ehmke was A Twist in the Myth, which came out in 2006.

Blind Guardian participated in the soundtrack for the In the Name of the King: a Dungeon Siege Tale fantasy movie (Uwe Boll), which came out in 2008.^[10] The band also recorded a theme song for Sacred 2 Fallen Angel role-playing video game, the prequel to Sacred.^[11]

Recent events (2010–present)[link]

André Olbrich performing in 2009

"A Voice in the Dark" was the next single from Blind Guardian that was released 25 June 2010. On July 30, 2010 the album followed, called At the Edge of Time. The band started "The Sacred Worlds and Songs Divine Tour 2010", the European dates will have the opening acts Enforcer and Steelwing. The 22 October in Gothenburg, Sweden only Steelwing was the opening act. The US dates will have Holy Grail and Seven Kingdoms and later they were announced that they would play at Wacken Open Air in 2011.

On July 21, 2011, Hansi Kürsch announced on Blind Guardian's official website that they are working on an orchestral album.^[12][13] On September 1, 2011, Oliver Holzwarth joined Rhapsody of Fire as a full-time member, after 13 years as Blind Guardian's session bass player.^[14] On January 27th, 2012, the band released a compilation album, titled Memories of a Time to Come, containing re-recorded and remixed songs from the band's entire discography.^[15]

Musical style[link]

Blind Guardian with the band's definitive scenery in background

Blind Guardian's first two albums, Battalions of Fear and Follow the Blind, were more in the style of speed metal than their following works. Beginning with their third album Tales from the Twilight World, Blind Guardian gradually began to write more complicated compositions focusing less on speed. As of their sixth album, Nightfall in Middle Earth, Hansi stopped playing bass to focus on singing. At this point the band began to incorporate large amounts of orchestral arrangements, and utilized the technique of overdubbing, heavily influenced by the English rock band Queen.^[16]

Blind Guardian's music features the staccato guitars and double bass drumming characteristic of power metal, as well as the use of overdubs and numerous backing vocals to create a dense sound. This technique, especially notable in the guitar and vocal tracks, creates the impression of a vast army of musicians playing in unison and singing in harmony. This proved significant on all albums after the first two but most particularly on A Night at the Opera.

Another definitive feature of Blind Guardian music is frequent use of folk tunes and instruments, especially in power ballads such as "Lord of the Rings", "The Bard's Song", "A Past and Future Secret", "Skalds and Shadows" and "Curse My Name", among others.

Side projects[link]

Along with Jon Schaffer, the leader and founder of Iced Earth, Kürsch is a member of Demons and Wizards, where he is the lead singer.

Blind Guardian have been working on and off for eight years on an orchestral project writing music about The Lord of the Rings (negotiations failed to be included on the famous The Lord of the Rings film trilogy as the soundtrack, because the band wanted to concentrate on their next album). Although it will not be a power metal album, it will be published under the name of Blind Guardian because it matches the theme of the band's lyrics, according to Hansi.^[17]

Due to the tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011, Blind Guardian began working with their former record company, EMI Music, and auctioned off an exclusive studio session for two in the Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany for charity in which 100% of proceeds would be donated to the tsunami relief efforts.^[18] The auction ended on April 22, 2011 with a final bid of £1,171.00.^[19]

Line-up[link]

Current members[link]

• Hansi Kürsch – lead vocals (1984–present), bass (1984–1996)
• André Olbrich – lead guitar, backing vocals (1984–present)
• Marcus Siepen – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1987–present)
• Frederik Ehmke – drums, percussion, flute and bagpipes (2005–present)

With:

• Thomas Hackmann (sessional member) – backing vocals (1990–present)
• Oliver Holzwarth (sessional and live member) – bass, backing vocals (1997–present)
• Michael Schüren (sessional member) – keyboards, grand piano (1997-present)
• Olaf Senkbeil (sessional member) - backing vocals (1998–present)
• Pat Bender (sessional member) – keyboards, sound effects (2002–present)

Former members[link]

• Thomas "Thomen" Stauch – drums (1984–1985, 1987–2005)
• Markus Dörk – Guitars (1984–1985)
• Christof Theißen – Rhythm guitar (1986)
• Hans-Peter Frey – drums (1986)
• Mathias Wiesner – keyboards, effects (studio) (1989–2002)

Discography[link]

• Battalions of Fear (1988)
• Follow the Blind (1989)
• Tales from the Twilight World (1990)
• Somewhere Far Beyond (1992)
• Imaginations from the Other Side (1995)
• Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)
• A Night at the Opera (2002)
• A Twist in the Myth (2006)
• At the Edge of Time (2010)

References[link]

Blind Guardian-Battlefield is the theme song for Robot Unicorn Attack heavy metal version

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Blind Guardian

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Blind Guardian

• Official website
• Blind Guardian on Myspace
• Blind Guardian discography at MusicBrainz
• Hansi Kurskch Interview With Metal Rules