Tom Rapp, "who...

...founded Pearls Before Swine, an eclectic band much loved by aficionados of underground music in the 1960s and ’70s," died at age 70.

I had never heard of Mr. Rapp nor his band, but I'm always on the lookout for obscure groups from the '60s (such as this one). From his obit:

Among Mr. Rapp’s claims to fame is “Rocket Man,” a song from Pearls Before Swine’s 1970 album, “The Use of Ashes.” It is said to have been among the inspirations for the Elton John hit of the same name.

Who knew?