John Rostill was an English musician and songwriter who is perhaps best remembered as the second bassist for one of England’s most successful rock groups, the Shadows. With 69 UK charting singles (including 17 #1s) they have been recognized as England’s third most successful charted singles act in history. Only Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley sit above them. They are also credited for being one of the very first and most influential rock bands to come to prominence in the years leading up to the Beatles. After playing around London, at times backing such visiting acts as the Everly Brothers, Rostill was hired by the Shadows as a replacement for original bassist, Brian Locking. He played with the band from 1963 to 1968. After the group broke up in 1968, Rostill performed in Tom Jones’ touring band during the early ’70s. He was also a successful songwriter, having been recorded by Presley and Olivia Newton-John (“Let Me Be There,” “If You Love Me, Let Me Know,” and “Please Mr. Postman”). By late 1973, the Shadows had reformed and Rostill was about to join back with them when tragedy struck. On November 26, 1973, John Rostill, 31, was accidentally electrocuted while working in his home studio.
Tommy Dorsey
November 10, 1905 – November 26, 1956
Tommy Dorsey was a trombonist and band leader who came to prominence during jazz’s swing era. He was also the younger brother of another jazz great, Jimmy Dorsey with whom he found success as the Dorsey Brothers. Beginning his career in the Scranton Sirens at just 15, Dorsey backed such performers and Rudy Vallee and Paul Whiteman. He formed his first band in 1935 and began touring nationally. But as many big bands did in the aftermath of WW2, Dorsey broke up his band due to economics of the times. Dorsey also released numerous hit records during his career, including 17 that topped the charts. His biggest hit was “I’ll Never Smile Again” which featured Frank Sinatra on vocals. Tommy Dorsey, 51, died while choking in his sleep on November 26, 1956. Reports indicate that after eating a big meal, he took some sleeping pills and retired to bed. The dosage was apparently strong enough to not allow him to wake up while he choked to death.
Irving Gertz was a respected composter who came to prominence due to his work on science fiction and fantasy b-films of the ’50s and ’60s. After serving in the US Army Signal Corps during World War 2, Gertz went to work in Hollywood, creating music for such films as The Leech Woman, and The Alligator People, and such TV shows as Land of the Giants and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Irving Getz was 92 when he passed away on November 14, 2008.
Jerome Kern was a prolific American composer who has some 700 songs to his credit. Throughout his career he wrote such future standards as “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Ol’ Man River,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Kern’s long career found him mostly writing for the theater, penning songs for such classic shows as Roberta, Show Boat and Zigfield Follies. In many cases, he also scored the films that were based on his Broadway musicals. He won two Academy Awards for songs that appeared in films. On November 5, 1945, Kern, 60, suffered a cerebral hemmorhage while walking to a drugstore in New York City. He died as a result six days later.
George M. Cohan was a popular songwriter, composer, producer, singer and actor who was one of the biggest draws on Broadway during the ’40s. Cohan took to entertaining early, performing as a dancer in family productions along the Vaudeville circuit. He began writing and selling songs at the turn of the century, his first hit being “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He became one of the most prolific writers in what became to be known as Tin Pan Alley in New York City. Some estimates put his output at as many as 1500 songs. During that time he also produced many popular Broadway shows. During the ’30s, Cohan turned his sights on film and began appearing in popular movies of the day. And they were just song-and-dance roles, but serious drama parts. In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, a musical adaptation of his life was released. Playing Cohan in the film was James Cagney, who one the Best Actor Academy Award that year. On November 5, 1942, George M. Cohan died of cancer at the age of 64.
Bobby Scott was a notable jazz pianist who, remarkably, turned professional when he was just 11. By the time he was 15, he was touring with the likes of Louis Prima. During the ’50s, Scott played with Gene Krupa and scored a pop hit with “Chain Gang.” In later years, Scott spent more time behind the scenes. He served as music director for Dick Haymes and produced records by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Darin and Sarah Vaughan. Bobby Scott passed away on November 5, 1990.
Paul Mauriat was a French conductor and orchestra leader who is best remembered for his 1968 #1 single, “Love Is Blue.” It remained at the top of the U.S. singles chart for five weeks. Mauriat’s music is generally classified as easy listening. He came to prominence during the ’50s as musical director for Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. He scored several soundtracks and toured the world playing to adoring fans. He was 81 when he passed away on November 3, 2006.
Ray Ellis was an accomplished musician, producer and arranger during the ’50s and ’60s. He is best remembered for his work with Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis, Emmylou Harris and most notably, on Billie Holiday’sLady in Satin. He also composed the Today Show’s theme song twice, one that was used throughout most of the ’70s and anoter that was used that was primarily used between 1987 and 1985. And he composed soundtrack music for numerous cartoons and game shows over the years as well. Ray Ellis, 85, died of malenoma on October 27, 2008.
Vic Mizzy is best remembered for the scores he wrote for television and film during the ’50s and ’60s. His credits include Green Acres and The Addams Family on TV, and the Don Knotts films, The Reluctant Astronaut and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Vic Mizzy, 93, passed away on October 17, 2009.
Cole Porter was on of America’s most beloved composers and lyricists. His popular scores include Kiss Me Kate and Anthing Goes while his iconic catalog of songs includes “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Night and Day,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” The greatest stars in the world have performed his songs on stage and screen. That list includes Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Although he suffered many ailments through the latter part of his life, it was kidney failure that finally took his life at the age of 73.
Leonard Bernstein
August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990
With his sister Shirley following a performance, March 1951.
Leonard Bernstein was one of the world’s most respected composers and one of the first American conductors to achieve worldwide acclaim. Born in Massachusetts, Bernstein took to music at an early age and began learning the piano. After graduating from high school, he attended Harvard where he became a member of the storied Harvard Glee Club. By November of 1943, Bernstein was conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra where he stayed until 1969. He was one of the first conductors to make numerous television appearances. In 1957, his most famous piece of work as a composer debuted on Broadway. It was West Side Story. Over the course of his career, he wrote many pieces including five musicals, three symphonies and two operas. On Christmas Day, 1989, Bernstein made history by conducting Beethoven’sSymphony #9 in East Berlin with an orchestra made up of musicians from both sides of the Berlin Wall. It was part of the celebration commemorating the fall of the Wall. With his health ailing in part due to years of heavy smoking, Bernstein made his final performance in August of 1990 and retired all together on October 9th of that same year. He died of pneumonia five days later.
Neal Hefti was a jazz musician and composer who is best remembered for writing the theme music for the Batman series and the Odd Couple movie and series. Prior to his career as a composer, he played the trumpet in Woody Herman’s band. He also arranged for Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich and Count Basie. Neil Hefti passed away in his home at the age of 85.
Nelson Riddle was an orchestra bandleader who was hired by Capitol Records in 1950 to arrange for their stable of the era’s great vocalists. While at Capitol, Riddle worked with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin and Keely Smith. During the ’60s and ’70s, Riddle worked primarily in film and television, arranging and scoring the Batman series, and such films as Ocean’s Eleven, Robin and the Seven Hoods, and The Great Gatsby, for which he won an academy award. During the ’80s, Riddle worked with Linda Ronstadt’s popular and critically acclaimed series of pop standard albums. His work as arranger, earned him two Grammys. Nelson Riddle died of liver ailments in 1985. He was 64 years old.
Bobby Byrd was a young gospel and soul singer when, in 1952 while playing in a baseball game against the prisoners of a Georgia prison, he met inmate, James Brown. Brown was reportedly singing for the other inmates. Byrd was so impressed that he helped arrange for Brown’s parole. Over the next 20 years, Byrd helped guide Brown’s career while singing and writing songs with him. He was the leader of Brown’s back-up group, the Blue Flames. Byrd released his own records in the ’70s. His music has been sampled by the likes of Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and LL Cool J. Bobby Byrd died of cancer at the age of 73.
Hector Zazou was a much respected French composer and producer who has collaborated with Bjork, Mark Isham, Siousxie Sioux, David Sylvian, Suzanne Vega, Robert Fripp, Peter Buck and many more. He was celebrated for his ability to fuse classical influences with electronic music. Hector Zazou, age 60, passed away after after falling ill earlier in the year. Cause of death is not known.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the info.
Guy Babylon was a composer and keyboardist who, in 1989 was hired by Elton John to tour and record with him. He won a Grammy in 2001 for his work on Aida, a rock musical by John and Tim Rice. While swimming in a pool on September 2, 2009, Guy Babylon suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 52.
Lil Hardin-Armstrong
February 3, 1898 – August 27, 1971
Lil Hardin was an accomplished jazz pianist, singer, bandleader and prolific composer. She was also Louis Armstrong’s second wife. As a composer, she can count the following standards as her own, “Don’t Jive Me,” “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue,” “Just For A Thrill,” and “Bad Boy.” The latter two becoming hits for Ray Charles and Ringo Starr, respectively. Hardin performed and recorded well into the ’60s with many of jazz’s greatest names. When Louis Armstrong passed away in July of 1971, Hardin was devastated. Even though they had been divorced, Hardin took part in the funeral as if she were still family. Roughly six weeks later, while performing at a televised memorial to Armstrong, Lil Hardin collapsed at the piano and died later that evening. She was 73 years old.
Bernard “Jack” Nitzsche
April 22, 1937 – August 25, 2000
Jack Nitzsche was a respected arranger, composer, producer and session musician who was involved in many of the greatest west coast pop recordings of the ’60s and ’70s. His first significant contribution to pop music came in 1955 when he co-wrote “Needles And Pins” with Sonny Bono. The song was a hit for Jackie DeShannon and was later recorded by the Searchers, Cher and the Ramones. By the early ’60s, Nitzsche was working as an arranger for Phil Spector, orchestrating the celebrated “wall of sound” on hits like Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep Mountain High.” Nitzsche was also part of the famed Wrecking Crew, a group of studio musicians that included Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, and Hal Blaine. Much like their Motown counterparts, the Funk Brothers, the Wrecking Crew were the faceless band behind many ’60s pop hits coming out of Los Angeles. They could be heard on records by the likes of the Monkees and the Beach Boys. Nitzsche also worked on classic recordings by the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, Graham Parker and Willy DeVille to name a few. During the ’70s, Nitzsche created the music for several motion pictures including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Starman, 9-1/2 Weeks, and An Officer And A Gentlemen, for which won the best song Oscar for “Up Where We Belong.” Jack Nitzsche died of cardiac arrest at the age of 63.
Joe Maneri was jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who came to some prominence during the ’90s. He specialized in taking traditional ethnic folk elements and embellishing them with his own avant garde free-form jazz. He has been compared to Ornette Coleman and Sun Ra. Thanks to composer John Zorn, a 1963 unreleased album found a home on his Avant Records in the late ’90s, exposing him to new fans than ever before. Maneri went on to record sevaral more albums throughout the late ’90s and 2000s. Fan and comic writer, Harvey Pekar used Maneri’s music in his 2003 film, American Splendor. Joe Maneri passed away at a Boston hospital due to complications from heart surgery. He was 82.
David Rose was a songwriter and composer best known for writing “The Stripper.” Throughout his career, Rose wrote music for such television programs as Bonanza, the Red Skelton Show and Little House On The Prairie. His television work earned him four Emmys. He had a three-year marriage to singer Martha Raye and later, another three-year marriage to Judy Garland. Written in 1958, “The Stripper” didn’t become a hit until it was featured in the 1962 film, Gypsy. Instantly recognizable song eventually became synonomous with the art of stripping. David Rose passed away at the age of 80.
John Rostill was an English musician and songwriter who is perhaps best remembered as the second bassist for one of England’s most successful rock groups, the Shadows. With 69 UK charting singles (including 17 #1s) they have been recognized as England’s third most successful charted singles act in history. Only Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley sit above them. They are also credited for being one of the very first and most influential rock bands to come to prominence in the years leading up to the Beatles. After playing around London, at times backing such visiting acts as the Everly Brothers, Rostill was hired by the Shadows as a replacement for original bassist, Brian Locking. He played with the band from 1963 to 1968. After the group broke up in 1968, Rostill performed in Tom Jones’ touring band during the early ’70s. He was also a successful songwriter, having been recorded by Presley and Olivia Newton-John (“Let Me Be There,” “If You Love Me, Let Me Know,” and “Please Mr. Postman”). By late 1973, the Shadows had reformed and Rostill was about to join back with them when tragedy struck. On November 26, 1973, John Rostill, 31, was accidentally electrocuted while working in his home studio.
Jerome Kern was a prolific American composer who has some 700 songs to his credit. Throughout his career he wrote such future standards as “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Ol’ Man River,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Kern’s long career found him mostly writing for the theater, penning songs for such classic shows as Roberta, Show Boat and Zigfield Follies. In many cases, he also scored the films that were based on his Broadway musicals. He won two Academy Awards for songs that appeared in films. On November 5, 1945, Kern, 60, suffered a cerebral hemmorhage while walking to a drugstore in New York City. He died as a result six days later.
George M. Cohan was a popular songwriter, composer, producer, singer and actor who was one of the biggest draws on Broadway during the ’40s. Cohan took to entertaining early, performing as a dancer in family productions along the Vaudeville circuit. He began writing and selling songs at the turn of the century, his first hit being “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He became one of the most prolific writers in what became to be known as Tin Pan Alley in New York City. Some estimates put his output at as many as 1500 songs. During that time he also produced many popular Broadway shows. During the ’30s, Cohan turned his sights on film and began appearing in popular movies of the day. And they were just song-and-dance roles, but serious drama parts. In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, a musical adaptation of his life was released. Playing Cohan in the film was James Cagney, who one the Best Actor Academy Award that year. On November 5, 1942, George M. Cohan died of cancer at the age of 64.
Bobby Scott was a notable jazz pianist who, remarkably, turned professional when he was just 11. By the time he was 15, he was touring with the likes of 
Paul Mauriat was a French conductor and orchestra leader who is best remembered for his 1968 #1 single, “Love Is Blue.” It remained at the top of the U.S. singles chart for five weeks. Mauriat’s music is generally classified as easy listening. He came to prominence during the ’50s as musical director for Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. He scored several soundtracks and toured the world playing to adoring fans. He was 81 when he passed away on November 3, 2006.
Vic Mizzy is best remembered for the scores he wrote for television and film during the ’50s and ’60s. His credits include Green Acres and The Addams Family on TV, and the Don Knotts films, The Reluctant Astronaut and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Vic Mizzy, 93, passed away on October 17, 2009.
Hector Zazou was a much respected French composer and producer who has collaborated with Bjork, Mark Isham, Siousxie Sioux, David Sylvian, Suzanne Vega, Robert Fripp, Peter Buck and many more. He was celebrated for his ability to fuse classical influences with electronic music. Hector Zazou, age 60, passed away after after falling ill earlier in the year. Cause of death is not known.
Guy Babylon was a composer and keyboardist who, in 1989 was hired by Elton John to tour and record with him. He won a Grammy in 2001 for his work on Aida, a rock musical by John and Tim Rice. While swimming in a pool on September 2, 2009, Guy Babylon suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 52.
Joe Maneri was jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who came to some prominence during the ’90s. He specialized in taking traditional ethnic folk elements and embellishing them with his own avant garde free-form jazz. He has been compared to Ornette Coleman and 
David Rose was a songwriter and composer best known for writing “The Stripper.” Throughout his career, Rose wrote music for such television programs as Bonanza, the Red Skelton Show and Little House On The Prairie. His television work earned him four Emmys. He had a three-year marriage to singer Martha Raye and later, another three-year marriage to 