Allan Sherman
November 30, 1924 – November 20, 1973
Allan Sherman was a popular humorist, television producer and parody singer-songwriter who had a massive top 40 hit with his 1963 novelty single, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” a song about a child’s rough time at summer camp. It was sung to the tune of “Dance of the Hours” by Amilcare Ponchielli. That was followed by another humorous hit, “The Twelve Gifts of Christmas.” Such songs were a direct influence on likes of Weird Al Yankovic. Sherman’s career actually began in television. From 1952 to 1967, he was the producer of I’ve Got a Secret, which was based on an idea of his. He began putting out novelty records in the early ’60s. His specialty was taking old folk songs and changing the lyrics to poke fun at his Jewish heritage. One such hit of his was “Sarah Jackman” sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques.” Sherman’s popularity was short lived though, likely due to the fickle tastes of music fans. Some have even specualted that the changing mood in America after the assasanation of John F. Kennedy lead to his decline in popularity. Sherman tended to eat and drink heavily, leading to health problems as he grew older. He suffered from diabetes and lung disease and died of emphysema at the age of 48.
Marie Gianini was part of the comedy, dance and vocal duo, the Avon Sisters, who spent many years performing through the Midwest and entertaining troops with the USO. Forming the duo with her sister, Theresa Frisby, perhaps her biggest thrill came when President Franklin Roosevelt called her to thank them for their hard work. Marie Gianini was 85 when she passed away at a care center on November 6, 2009.
Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler was was a Green Beret medic who served for the US Army in Vietnam. In 1966, Sadler co-wrote and sang lead on “Ballad of the Green Berets.” Ironicallly, the pro-military song became a massive hit during an era mostly associated with the anti war movement. The song sat at the top of the charts for five weeks and sold approximately nine million copies. Sadler later became a published author, writing more than 20 adventure books. On November 6, 1989, Barry Sadler died from a serious gunshot wound he suffered a year earlier. While traveling in Guatamala in 1988, he was shot in the head while in a taxi cab. He laid in a coma for several months and ended up suffering brain damage and was partially paralyzed. The shooting was originally reported as a robbery and never officially solved, but some have claimed it was an assasination attempt by those who believed that Sadler was training the Contras.
No matter who you’ve been told was the earliest to use sampling in there songs, it’s likely that Dickie Goodman isn’t on that list even though he was doing it as far back as 1956. It was that year that he released his first big hit, “The Flying Saucer” that was basically a “man on the streets” interview that included snippets of songs by Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry as the answers to his questions about an alien invasion. The song was a huge hit that continues to get airplay on Dr. Demento type programs. Goodman continued to release such novelty, or as they were called “break-in” records well into the ’70s. In 1975, he released his biggest hit, another break-in record, “Mr. Jaws,” parodying the blockbuster film of that summer, Jaws. The record shot to #4 on the Billboard singles chart. Dickie Goodman shot and killed himself on November 6, 1989.
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.
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.
Robert Goulet
November 26, 1933 – October 30, 2007
Robert Goulet was a popular American singer and actor who skyrocketed to fame when he was cast as a virtual unknown in the role of Sir Lancelot in the 1960 Broadway production of Camelot. He more than held his own opposite Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, earning himself a Tony as well as Grammy for Best New Artist in 1962. His recording of the show’s “If Ever I Would Leave You” was a hit and subsequently became his signature song. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Goulet continued to work in the theatre and was also a familiar face in film and on television. Though less visible in later years, he still occasionally made guest appearances on TV up until the final years of his life. Robert Goulet was 73 when he died of Pulmonary Fibrosis on October 30, 2007.
Maxene Andrews, along with her two younger sisters, LaVerne and Patty were better known as the Andrews Sisters, the best selling female vocal group in pop music history. Over their career, the Andrews’ recorded over 600 sides that sold over 75 million copies in all. They had 113 charted hits, 46 of which landing in the top 10, a feat that surpassed even Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Maxene died of heart attack on October 21, 1995.
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.
Harry “Bing” Crosby
May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977
Bing Crosby was one of America’s most beloved entertainers, with a career that spanned over fifty years. As a pop singer, Crosby was a direct influence on the likes of Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Dean Martin. He was so beloved, that in 1948 it was estimated that his songs made up more than half of the 80,000 weekly hours devoted to music on radio. He was also instrumental in the growth of the music industry itself. In the late ’40s, he heavily invested in Ampex, helping it develop the first commercial reel-to-reel recorder in North America. As for his music, he is credited with over 1700 recordings, almost 400 of which being top 30 hits, with over 40 making it to #1. It is rightfully assumed that if sales data was collected more accurately during the early part of his career, those numbers would be much higher. While vacatoining in Spain, Bing Crosby died of a massive heart attack while playing golf. He was 74 years old.
Al Martino (Born Alfred Cini)
October 7, 1927 – October 13, 2009
As Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather
Al Martino was a Philadelphia bricklayer before leaving the family masonry business to follow his passion as a singer and actor. He went on to become one of America’s most beloved Italian American crooners. He is perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of Johnny Fontaine, the connected lounge singer in The Godfather. Some believe that character was based on Frank Sinatra. With the encouragement of childhood friend, Mario Lanza, Martino began singing in local clubs which eventually lead him to compete on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts television program. He won first prize and soon landed a recording contract. Over the course of his career, Martino released several hit records including 1952’s “Here In My Heart” which became the first single by an American performer to land at the top spot of the UK singles charts. His biggest hit however, was 1965’s “Spanish Eyes.” In all, he had eleven Top 40 singles in the U.S. In 1972, he played Johnny Fontaine, one of the most memorable characters in the classic film, The Godfather. He reprised the role in the two sequels and sang the theme song as well. Eerily mirroring the life of Johnny Fontaine, Martino’s recording contract was reportedly bought out by mobsters who later beat him when he tried to terminate it. The situation caused him to move to England for several years. Al Martino died unexpectedly in his Pennsylvania home. He was 82 years old.
John Denver (Born Henry Deutschendorf) December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997
John Denver was an American folk rock singer-songwriter who released several pop hits during the ’70s. His 300-strong catalog of popular songs included “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulder.” Denver also had a strong presence on television and film during the height of his career. He was featured in a handful of Muppet specials, hosted the Grammy’s five times, and sat in for Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show several times. In 1977, he starred alongside George Burns in the popular comedy, Oh God!. In later years, Denver devoted most of his time to various humanitarian causes. He was also a licensed pilot and flying enthusiast. On October 12, 1997, John Denver died when the experimental aircraft he was piloting crashed shortly after take off from a Central California coast airport. Witnesses say the plane made a sudden dive into the ocean, leading experts to conclude that he likely accidentally pushed the right rudder pedal while maneuvering in the seat. Denver was 53 when he died.
Stephen Gately was a founding member and co-lead singer of the immensely popular Irish boy band, Boyzone. Formed in 1993, the group had six #1 singles in the UK and four #1 albums, with sales in the neighborhood of 20 million albums overall. The group broke up in 2000, so Gately released a solo album, which was just as popular with fans throughout the UK. He also spent his time acting in theater productions as well as on British television. Boyzone reformed in 2008 for a series of successful concerts and recordings. In the months leading up to his death, Gately was working on a book. Stephen Gately was found dead in his apartment in Spain on October 10, 2009. Initial reports indicate that no foul play, drugs or alcohol are suspected, with some believing that he died of natural causes at the age of 33.
Mario Lanza (Born Alfred Cocozza)
January 31, 1921 – October 7, 1959
Mario Lanza was an American tenor vocalist and actor who was a household name during the ’40s and ’50s. He was arguably the biggest opera draw of his generation as well as a direct influence on Luciano Pavorotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. He transitioned to film in the late ’40s, starring in The Midnight Kiss, The Toast of New Orleans and The Great Caruso. Lanza was the first artist ever signed to the RCA Victor label as well as the first to two and a half million albums. Ailing in his later years, Mario Lanza died of a pulonary embolism at just 38 years of age.
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.
One-time popular KHJ radio personality, Lloyd Thaxton became the host of his own pop music television show during the 1960s. The Lloyd Thaxton Show began as a local Los Angeles show only in 1961, but once it went into national syndication in 1964, it became the highest rated musical variety program on television for nearly a decade. Over the course of its run, the show featured such guests as Bobby Vee, the Byrds, Sonny & Cher, the Kinks, and the Bobby Fuller Four. Lloyd Thaxton died of multiple myeloma at the age of 81.
Most agree that Irving Berlin was one of the greatest songwriters in history. A very prolific writer, he reportedly wrote over 1500 songs over a career that spanned some 60 years. Many of his songs became standards loved the world over. That list includes “White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” He also wrote the scores to nearly 40 Broadway shows and major Hollywood films, earning him eight Oscar nominations. Irving Berlin died in his sleep at the age of 101.
Connie Haines (Born Yvonne JaMais)
January 20, 1921 – September 22, 2008
With Frank Sinatra
Connie Haines was a prolific big band singer whose voice could be heard on over 200 recordings. She was just four years old when she began performing publicly, and by the time she reached her early teens, she was a regular on local radio programs. Throughout her career, Haines performed or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Harry James and Frankie Laine. She died of myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease, at the age of 87.
Warren Wayne Brown was a one-time vice president of MCA Music as well as brother of jazz band leader, Les Brown. After WWII, Brown who had played the trombone in the Navy band, went to work as a song plugger for Leeds Music. When MCA purchased Leeds, Brown moved to Los Angeles to become VP. He retired in 1981 and passed away of an undisclosed illness on September 15, 2008.
Allan Sherman was a popular humorist, television producer and parody singer-songwriter who had a massive top 40 hit with his 1963 novelty single, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” a song about a child’s rough time at summer camp. It was sung to the tune of “Dance of the Hours” by Amilcare Ponchielli. That was followed by another humorous hit, “The Twelve Gifts of Christmas.” Such songs were a direct influence on likes of Weird Al Yankovic. Sherman’s career actually began in television. From 1952 to 1967, he was the producer of I’ve Got a Secret, which was based on an idea of his. He began putting out novelty records in the early ’60s. His specialty was taking old folk songs and changing the lyrics to poke fun at his Jewish heritage. One such hit of his was “Sarah Jackman” sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques.” Sherman’s popularity was short lived though, likely due to the fickle tastes of music fans. Some have even specualted that the changing mood in America after the assasanation of John F. Kennedy lead to his decline in popularity. Sherman tended to eat and drink heavily, leading to health problems as he grew older. He suffered from diabetes and lung disease and died of emphysema at the age of 48.
Marie Gianini was part of the comedy, dance and vocal duo, the Avon Sisters, who spent many years performing through the Midwest and entertaining troops with the USO. Forming the duo with her sister, Theresa Frisby, perhaps her biggest thrill came when President Franklin Roosevelt called her to thank them for their hard work. Marie Gianini was 85 when she passed away at a care center on November 6, 2009.
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.
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.
Stephen Gately was a founding member and co-lead singer of the immensely popular Irish boy band, Boyzone. Formed in 1993, the group had six #1 singles in the UK and four #1 albums, with sales in the neighborhood of 20 million albums overall. The group broke up in 2000, so Gately released a solo album, which was just as popular with fans throughout the UK. He also spent his time acting in theater productions as well as on British television. Boyzone reformed in 2008 for a series of successful concerts and recordings. In the months leading up to his death, Gately was working on a book. Stephen Gately was found dead in his apartment in Spain on October 10, 2009. Initial reports indicate that no foul play, drugs or alcohol are suspected, with some believing that he died of natural causes at the age of 33.
One-time popular KHJ radio personality, Lloyd Thaxton became the host of his own pop music television show during the 1960s. The Lloyd Thaxton Show began as a local Los Angeles show only in 1961, but once it went into national syndication in 1964, it became the highest rated musical variety program on television for nearly a decade. Over the course of its run, the show featured such guests as Bobby Vee, the Byrds, 
Most agree that Irving Berlin was one of the greatest songwriters in history. A very prolific writer, he reportedly wrote over 1500 songs over a career that spanned some 60 years. Many of his songs became standards loved the world over. That list includes “White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” He also wrote the scores to nearly 40 Broadway shows and major Hollywood films, earning him eight Oscar nominations. Irving Berlin died in his sleep at the age of 101.
