Cyril Davies was one of the pioneers of the British blues movement of the 1960s. He began his career during the ’50s when he actually played the banjo in an acoustic skiffle group. He soon switched to the harmonica, eventually becoming Britain’s first Chicago blues style player. In 1962, he and fellow musician, Alexis Korner, opened the popular Ealing Club. It was there that they founded Blues Incorporated, a highly influential electric blues band that counted Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Charlie Watts as members over the years. The club became hangout for up-and-coming musicians like Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Brian Jonesand Eric Burden who generally ended up jamming together by the end of the night. Cyril Davies was 31 when he died on January 7, 1964. Cause of death was either leukemia, lung cancer or pleurisy, depending upon your source.
John “Dizzy” Gillespie
October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993
Dizzy Gillespie was one of the biggest names in jazz, period. Over a career that spanned nearly 60 years, Gillespie drew the blueprint for future jazz trumpeters to follow. A gifted improviser, composer, and bandleader, Gillespie directly influenced the likes of such greats as Miles Davis, Arturo Sandoval and Fats Navarro. When be-bop first began to rear it’s head, it was Gillespie that embraced it and brought it to the masses. Songs like “A Night in Tunisia” and “Groovin’” were considered outlandish at the time but have since come to represent the greatness of jazz’s first modern style. Over the course of his storied career, Gillespie collaborated with nearly every giant in jazz. That list includes John Coltrane,Cab Calloway, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, and Ella Fitzgerald. Gillespie stayed very active right up to his final years. In 1989, he performed an astonishing 300 shows all around the world. On January 6, 1993, Dizzy Gillespie, age 75, died of pancreatic cancer.
Lou Rawls was one of the most popular soul and jazz singers during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Over the course of his career, he released over 70 albums and sold upwards of 40 million. Rawls’ career in music began as a teenager in Chicago where he and classmate, Sam Cooke performed in a local gospel group. Signed to Capitol Records in the early ’60s, Rawls kept a busy pace over the course of the next two decades, from opening for the Beatles in 1966 to co-hosting a television show in 1969 to singing a remarkable rendition of the National Anthem before the Muhammad Ali – Earnie Shavers fight of September 29, 1977. His most memorable hit was 1976’s “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.” Lou Rawls passed away as a result of cancer at the age of 72.
Georgeanna Tillman
February 6, 1943 – January 6, 1980
Georgeanna Tillman was an original member of Motown’s legendary girl group, the Marvelettes. Formed in 1960, the group were responsible for Motown’s first #1 pop single with “Please Mister Postman.” Tillman left the group in 1965 due to the effects of lupus and sickle cell anemia which were making it near impossible to continue. She succumbed to the diseases on January 6, 1980, passing away at the age of 36.
Reverend Claude Jeter was a much respected gospel singer and founding member of the Swan Silvertones, one of the genre’s most beloved groups. And for a time, he was also a member of the equally respected Dixie Hummingbirds. As a singer, Jeter is said to have inspired the likes of Eddie Kendricks, Al Green and Paul Simon who has claimed that Jeter’s “Mary Don’t You Weep” inspired him to write “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” Simon returned the favor years later by hiring Jeter to sing on his There Goes Rhymin’ Simon album. The Reverend Claude Jeter was 94 when he passed away on January 6, 2009
Although by no means a household name, Ken Nelson made one of the biggest impacts on country music during his time as an A&R executive at Capitol Records. Specializing in country music, Nelson was one of the main factors in country music’s massive growth during the ’50s. While with Capitol, he produced hit records by the likes of Buck Owens, Gene Vincent, Ferlin Husky, Wanda Jackson, Merle Haggard and more. In 1961, Nelson produced the Hank Thompson’sLive at the Golden Nugget, considered to be the first live album ever released by a country singer. Ken Nelson was 96 when he passed away on January 6, 2008.
Steve Gilpin was the lead singer for the Australian new wave band, Mi-Sex. Formed by Gilpin in 1978, the group scored two moderate hits with “Computer Games” and “People.” Thanks to heavy airplay, constant touring, and television exposure, Mi-Sex were one of Australia’s most popular bands by 1979. After the group’s break-up in 1985, Gilpin continued on singing in various groups throughout Australia and New Zealand. In late 1991, he was involved in a car accident that left him with massive head injuries and in a coma until his death on January 6, 1992. Steve Gilpin was 46 when he passed away from his injuries.
Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond. Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands. He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at Elvis Presley’s home. He later went to work at Hi Records, first as a musician, then a producer, and ultimately running the company. It was under his watch that the label achieved it’s most success with releases by such legends as Bill Black, Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Mitchell himself. Willie Mitchell, age 81, died on January 5, 2010 as a result of cardiac arrrest he suffered in December of 2009.
Salvatore “Sonny” Bono
February 16, 1935 – January 5, 1998
Sonny Bono was a successful singer, songwriter, producer and actor who came to the world’s attention in the mid ’60s when he partnered with his wife, Cher to form the singing and comic duo, Sonny & Cher. One of Bono’s first jobs in the music business was assisting producer, Phil Spector. He was also writing songs, penning such pop classics as “Things You Do To Me” (Sam Cooke), “Needle and Pins” (the Searchers, Jackie DeShannon, Tom Petty), and of course, “I Got You Babe,” “The Beat Goes On” and many more made famous by Sonny & Cher. In 1971, CBS debuted The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour which was a top 20 hit for it’s four season run. Sonny and Cher split both professionally and personally in the mid ’70s, afterwhich Bono periodically made television guest star appearances into the ’90s. In 1988, Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, an office he held until 1992. By all accounts he did a great job and was very popular in the position. On January 5, 1998, Sonny Bono died of injuries he sustained from accidentally skiing into a tree at near Lake Tahoe.
Mal Evans worked as the Beatles’ road manager for many years and also appeared in minor roles on several of their records. He also discovered and produced Badfinger. Evans was working as a bouncer at the Cavern Club in Liverpool when, in 1963, Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, hired him to work with Neil Aspinall as the Beatles’ assistant road manager. Evans’ duties ranged from bodyguard to errand-runner for the band. During the Beatles’ later years, Evans helped out in the studio. He contributed an occasional lyric or two and even played on several records. It was Evans who was manning the alarm clock during the key moment of “A Day in the Life.” In 1968, Evans brought Badfinger to Apple Records and even though he almost no technical experience in the studio, produced several of Badfinger’s songs, including their hit, “No Matter What.” Evans moved to Los Angeles during the early ’70s after he and his wife separated. In December of 1976, his wife asked for a divorce and Evans reportedly fell into a noticeable depression. On January 5, 1976, a friend went to Evans’ apartment to check on him only to find him in an agitated and confused state and in possession of an air rifle. Police were called and demanded Evans put down what they thought was a regular rifle, but he refused. Mal Evans, age 40, was shot and killed by the officers who felt threatened by his actions. The shooting was ruled justifiable.
Willa Mae Dorsey was a Grammy-nominated Gospel singer whose career spanned nearly 60 years. She began singing while still in her teens, often songs written by her cousin Thomas A. Dorsey, the “Father of Gospel Music.” Over the years, she sang for princes and presidents and reportedly was one of the first black singers to sing in white churches. In 1969, she released her first album, The World’s Most Exciting Gospel Singer, for which she was nominated for a Grammy. The following year, she released what would become her best-selling album, Stand Tall. Willa Mae Dorsey, age 75, died on January 5, 2009 after a series of strokes.
Drew Glackin is best remembered as the bassist for critically praised Americana band, the Silos. He also played bass for Graham Parker, Susan Tedeschi, and the Crash Test Dummies. A multi-instrumentalist, Glackin could play the piano, trumpet and French horn while still in elementary school and soon thereafter picked up the guitar and bass. He studied music while in college in Hartford, Connecticut where he worked booking talent at a local club. He joined the Silos in 1998. Drew Glackin was 44 when he died on January 5, 2008 of cardiac arrest brought on by an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
Charles Mingus was a universally respected composer, bandleader and pioneering jazz bassists. Though hard to categorize, Mingus’ music drew heavily from hard bop and free jazz. As a composer, Mingus knew few equals, with many compositions considered too difficult to play by even the best of players. Throughout his career, Mingus played with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell. Mingus was extraordinarily prolific, with one decade beginning during the ’60s seeing over 30 new albums alone. During his later years, Mingus suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease, forcing him to give up playing the bass. On January 5, 1979, Charles Mingus died of Lou Gehrig’s disease at the age of 56.
Sam “Bluzman” Taylor
October 25, 1924 – January 5, 2009
Sam “Bluzman” Taylor was a blues musician, singer and oft-covered songwriter who came to prominence during the 1960s. As a guitarist or bandleader, Taylor worked with the likes of Maxine Brown, Big Joe Turner, Otis Redding. and Sam and Dave. Over the years, his songs have been recorded by Freddie King, Son Seals, Jay and the Americans, the Isley Brothers, and BT Express who scored a huge hit with his “Do it ’til Your Satisfied.” That song was later embraced by the hip hop community, appearing in songs by Epmd, Beanie Sigel, Ma$e, and DMX. Sam Taylor was 74 when he died of heart disease on January 5, 2009.
Sandro de America (Born Roberto Sanchez)
August 19, 1945 – January 4, 2010
Sandro de America was an Argentine singer and actor who rose to prominence during the ’60s. He began his career imitating Elvis Presley, but soon evolved into a style that raised him above the pack and garnered him millions of fans worldwide. By doing so, he became known as the “father of Spanish rock.” As an actor, Sandro appeared in popular telenovelas (Spanish soap operas), and approximately two dozen films. In the early ’70s, he became the first Latino performer to sell-out Madison Square Garden, and he did so four other time. One such concert in April of 1970 was broadcast worldwide via satellite, marking it the first time any singer had ever done so. On January 4, 2010 Sandro de America died of complications from a heart and lung transplant he received on November 20, 2009. He was 64 years old.
Phil Lynott was the lead singer, bassist and primary songwriter for the popular ’70s Irish rock band, Thin Lizzy. Formed in 1969, the band gained international fame during the mid ’70s with such rock hits as “The Boys are Back in Town,” “Jailbreak,” and “Dancing in the Moonlight (It’s Caught Me in it’s Spotlight).” Their 1978 live album, Live and Dangerous sits alongside Frampton Comes Alive and Kiss Alive as one of the definitive albums of it’s generation and one of the best live rock albums of all time. Lynott released a handful of solo albums beginning in 1980, the best of which being Solo in Soho. Thin Lizzy called it quits in 1984. On Christmas Day, 1985, Lynott collapsed in his home, and was brought to an area hospital where it was discovered he was suffering from a kidney and liver infection, a result of his drug and alcohol abuse. He died while still in the hospital’s intensive care unit on two weeks later as a result of heart failure and pneumonia. Phil Lynott was 36 when he passed away on January 4, 1986.
Keith Baxter was the drummer for popular ’90s British rock band, 3 Colours Red. Formed in 1995, the band found moderate success with the 1999 release of Revolt which included the band’s biggest hit, “Beautiful Day.” The popularity of that album helped them secure tour dates with the likes of Aerosmith and Marilyn Manson. In 1999, the band split due to internal politics and Baxter went on to form the band, Elevation and later collaborated with Therapy?. 3 Colours Red briefly reformed in 2002. On January 4, 2008, 38-year-old Keith Baxter died of a gastro-intestinal hemorrhage.
Greg Pineda, was the lead singer and guitarist for Southern California band, Aluminum Marshmallow. Originally formed by Pineda and Tom Behrens back while while still in elementary school in 1967, the group had reunited several years ago. Since then, they have become local favorites in Sierra Madre, California. Pineda also owned and operated a recording studio, All Media Services, in Westlake Village, California. It was there that he produced a series of music videotapes called The Hollywood Music Store with the help of Chuck Negron, as well as members of Ambrosia, REO Speedwagon, Chicago and more. Greg Pineda was 54 when he passed away on January 3, 2009. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a few months earlier.
Randy California (Born Randy Wolfe)
February 20, 1951 – January 2, 1997
Randy California was the original lead singer, guitarist and primary songwriter for the psychedelic rock band, Spirit. Formed in Los Angeles in 1967, the group is best remembered for their 1969 hit, “I Got A Line On You.” California mastered the electric guitar as a child and when he was just 15, he was invited to play inJimi Hendrix’s Jimmy James & the Blue Flames. It was Hendrix who began calling him Randy “California” to distinguish him from the band’s Randy Palmer who then became known as Randy Texas. It is believed that California would have become a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Since he was just 15 at the time, his parents would not allow him to go with the Blue Flames to Europe where Hendrix ultimately formed the Experience. California soon helped form Spirit who released their first album, Spirit, when he was still just 17. That album included the song, “Taurus,” a song that includes a California guitar part that many have accused Jimmy Page for lifting when he wrote Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” By the early ’70s, California parted ways with Spirit and released his first solo album, but then reformed a new version of the group with original member, Ed Cassidy in 1974. They continued on until California’s tragic death. On January 2, 1997, Randy California drowned while rescuing his son from a powerful rip tide while swimming in the ocean off Hawaii. His son survived, but California was killed at the age of 46.
Woodward “Tex” Ritter
January 12, 1905 – January 2, 1974
Tex Ritter was a universally famous cowboy actor and country singer whose career spanned nearly 50 years. He was also the father of popular actor, John Ritter. His career began in the late ’20s when he appeared in such radio programs as Death Valley Days and the Lone Star Rangers. He soon graduated to motion pictures, making countless b-movie westerns that made him a star. He began making records in 1942 and landed his first hit, “I’m Wasting My Tears on You,” two years later. In 1953, he sang his hit “High Noon” on the very first televised broadcast of the Academy Awards, taking home the Oscar for Best Song that night. During the late ’60s he had moved to Nashville where he began working at the Grand Ole Opry while hosting country radio programs. Tex Ritter was 68 when he died on January 2, 1974 following a heart attack.
Cyril Davies was one of the pioneers of the British blues movement of the 1960s. He began his career during the ’50s when he actually played the banjo in an acoustic skiffle group. He soon switched to the harmonica, eventually becoming Britain’s first Chicago blues style player. In 1962, he and fellow musician, Alexis Korner, opened the popular Ealing Club. It was there that they founded Blues Incorporated, a highly influential electric blues band that counted Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Charlie Watts as members over the years. The club became hangout for up-and-coming musicians like Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Eric Burden who generally ended up jamming together by the end of the night. Cyril Davies was 31 when he died on January 7, 1964. Cause of death was either leukemia, lung cancer or pleurisy, depending upon your source. 
Drew Glackin is best remembered as the bassist for critically praised Americana band, the Silos. He also played bass for Graham Parker, Susan Tedeschi, and the Crash Test Dummies. A multi-instrumentalist, Glackin could play the piano, trumpet and French horn while still in elementary school and soon thereafter picked up the guitar and bass. He studied music while in college in Hartford, Connecticut where he worked booking talent at a local club. He joined the Silos in 1998. Drew Glackin was 44 when he died on January 5, 2008 of cardiac arrest brought on by an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
