(aka El Duce )

The Mentors

(born: March 24, 1958, Seattle, WA, died: April 19, 1997, Riverside, CA)

Eldon Hoke, also know as El Duce, a fixture on the Los Angeles Entertainment scene for the last 20 years was killed Saturday evening, April 19, in Riverside, CA.   His death was the result of being hit by a train in a state of alcoholic intoxication.  

Mr. Hoke was best known as the drummer and lead singer of the rock group The Mentors.  He rose to national prominence in 1985 as a result of the U.S. Senate ( P.M.R.C. ) hearings regarding “obscene lyrics” in rock music, which named publicly the Mentors as the worst exponent of such lyrics in music.  In addition to his musical career Mr. Hoke also was employed frequently as a bit player or extra in many motion picture, music video, and television productions.  His comic visage and friendly manner made him a show business natural. 

Recently Mr. Hoke had appeared on the Jerry Springer Show in a show devoted to Shock Rock, and in the National Enquirer and other tabloids domestically and internationally regarding his claim that he was approached by Courtney Love to kill Kurt Cobain. 

The last musical performance by Mr. Hoke was given on Friday, April 18th, at Al’s Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Mr. Hoke was born on March 24, 1958 in Seattle, WA.  He is survived in the by his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hoke of Seattle, Wa, a brother, Steven Hoke, of Seattle, a sister, Mrs. Christina Sherrod, of Renton, WA, a sister, Mrs. Annetta Boggs, of Los Angeles, an uncle, David Hoke, an uncle, Charles Saltviet, or Portland, and an aunt, Esther Moreland, of Woodland Hills.  The loss is also grieved by his lifelong friends and group members of the Mentors, Eric Carlson of Hollywood, CA and Steve Broy, of Riverside, CA.   Donations in his memory can be made to the Salvation Army.