Artist Jerry Fogle • Birth 1956 (approx 42 years) • R.I.P. Thu 20 Aug 1998 (approx 68 years)

Bands (2 numbers or more)

Guitars 1972-87๐ŸŽธ. Old official page was guitars from 1971 – 1988.ย Jerry, Doug Young, Tim McDonell and Tim Gibson had worked on the Mighty Mite. Classmates were Robert Garven, Greg Lindstrom, Tim Baker and Pat Galligan. Brother of Richard Fogle. Real name was Jerald Fogle. Probably his name was Jerald Alan Fogle, who died 42 year old, but other explanation that it is not the same person. Timothy Michaelsen used to play Cirith Ungle on the radio at KKBZ in the Early 80s that’s how Timothy met this great guy, Jerry Fogle.

Jerry quit the band after the release of One Foot In Hell because he was depressed at the fact we had been together for about fifteen years and although we had sold quite a few albums and had lots of fans worldwide we could never seem to get the support we feel we deserved. Our goal was to get signed to a major record label, so we could go tour Europe, where we had always dreamed of going to play. We would work at the band room four or five nights a week answering fan mail, writing new songs and playing for our local fans. We kept waiting for a big break that never came. After Jerry left the band he stopped playing, and his life seem to spiral downhill. He was drinking pretty heavily, and he finally drank himself to death, alone sad and unhappy. I talked to him recently before his death, and he finally admitted that his leaving the band was a huge mistake which he had regretted all along. The sad thing about his death is the loss and squandering of so much talent. Listening to Jerry’s solos sometimes bring tears to my eyes, he played with so much feeling and emotion. One solo that comes to mind is the double lead in “Cirith Ungol”, the intertwining guitars weave a tale of sadness and hopelessness which I feel is the high point in our long and sad tale. I miss him very much, not that we were that close at the end, but I miss his talent which is lost forever!

Robert Garven, Metal Nightmare interview 2000

 

With Jerry Fogle gone we have lost one of the greatest unheralded guitarists ever to walk the earth.

Greg Lindstrom, interview

 

Jerry Fogle should be mentioned in the same breath as Tommy Bolin and Randy Rhoades. I’m going to make it my personal mission to get CDs to every guitar magazine I can so more people can discover what an incredible guitar player he was.

Greg Lindstrom, interview by Patrick Lefevre

He unfortunately died of liver failure 20th Aug 1998. Rest in peace.

Memorian:

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Rebecca
Rebecca
Guest
9 years ago

Great guy!

 
Arnon Mello
Arnon Mello
Guest
10 years ago

Cirith Ungol was a great band, and Jerry a talented and awesome guitar player!! I remember back 1987 when my brother and I bought the album King Of The Dead. Was love at first listen. I remember much people here in my town just didnยดt understand why we liked so much the band, but for us they where great and still is up today. RIP Jerry, you were underated by the mainstream, but you were great for we the fans!!!

 
Miguelize
Miguelize
Guest
12 years ago

he was great guitarist, when I listen he for first time, in King of the dead albun, I think sound like mystic, like tony Iommi.

 
Brian
Brian
Guest
12 years ago

I knew Jerry in those (early to mid 70s and 80s) days in Ventura fantastic player nice guy the real deal for sure! RIP

 
Guido - Axevyper
Guido - Axevyper
Guest
13 years ago

If the world we live in was ruled by justice and logic and if music world was ruled by music lovers and not by money-hungry sharks, Jerry would now be a guitar-icon like Eddy Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix or Yngwie Malmsteen. I’m talking as a guitar player and as a fan, he had a true unique style. His use of a raw alternate picking mixed with arpeggios and dream-like melodies still amazes me. The double leads he created on “Cirith Ungol” and “Nadsokor” are some of the best things I’ve ever heard from a six string… Rest in peace Jerry, I really want to think my love for your music can reach you, wherever you are.

 
Fer
Fer
Guest
13 years ago

Sad. Not only that Jerry died, but also the fact that he was so depressed because of the band not receiving the credit and recognition they deserved.
Cirith Ungol was definitely one of the finest metal bands ever, and the fact that they still have a huge fan base is the best proof.

 
Rayzor Cardona
Rayzor Cardona
Guest
14 years ago

Thanks Rob. Jerry’s death so long ago, i just discovered recently that news. Thats for that post Rob. I post quite a bit on really obscure sites in the hope they are read or discovered. I will most definely continue to contribute. The Cirith Ungol webpit allows this. Cirith Ungol band members and loyal fans have shouldered and kept Cirith Ungol alive. Jerry is still with the band except in a different way.

 
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