Aaron-Carl Ragland was a respected house and electronic producer and DJ who began building a following in Detroit during the mid ’90s. Ragland was revered for his dynamic showmanship and for bringing the house, electronic and techno communities together. After several popular releases on respected techno labels like Soul City, he formed his own label, Wallshaker Music. Ragland recently canceled his European tour when he was hospitalized for abdominal pains and learned he was suffering from lymphoma. Aaron-Carl Ragland was 37 when he died of the disease on September 30, 2010.
John Hanson was the sound man, roadie and sometime rhythm guitarist for Washington DC new wave band, the Slickee Boys. Formed in the mid ’70s, the Slickee Boys soon became heroes of the local underground scene. Hanson was just 16 years old when he went to work for the band as the decade was drawing to a close. Besides acting as the band’s roadie and sound man while on the road, Hanson filled in on rhythm guitar, taking over the slot officially in 1988. The band broke up, for the most part, in 1991 after which Hanson played in such groups as the Septic Twins, the Zones, and the Upsetters. He also worked the soundboard at the legendary DC venue, the 9:30 Club. John Hanson reportedly committed suicide on September 24, 2010. He was 47.
Dick Griffey November 16, 1938 – September 24, 2010
Dick Griffey is best remembered as the founder of influential R&B label, SOLAR (Sound Of Los Angeles Records). Formed in 1977, the label was one of the most successful R&B labels outside of Motown. Griffey launched his music career during the ’60s when he became part owner of a Los Angeles nightclub, Guys and Dolls which played host to shows by the likes of Ike & Tina Turner and Isaac Hayes. He soon went on to work as a talent scout for the influential TV dance program, Soul Train. That lead to a partnership with show creator, Don Cornelius with Soul Train Records. For some reason, the label folded within two years, so Griffey built SOLAR from its ashes. The label was one of the most influential urban labels during the late ’70s and ’80s thanks in part to Griffey’s ability to find talent that were much more than the majority of one-dimensional disco and dance acts of the era. The label roster included the Whispers, Klymaxx, Midnight Starr, Lakeside, and the Deele. The latter featured a young Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Antonio “L.A.” Reid. Griffey was also a successful concert promoter for a time, setting up tours for the likes of Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Aretha Franklin. During the ’90s, Griffey had a part in the birth of Death Row Records, the label founded by Suge Knight and Dr. Dre. On September 24, 2010, Dick Griffey passed away while recuperating from heart surgery. He was 72.
Sam Fields was a popular and longtime Los Angeles area radio disc jockey. For over three decades, he spun records at such influential stations as KMET, KROQ, KLAC, KKGO and KKJZ. But it was his love and knowledge of jazz that made him stand out above all the rest. He hit the L.A. airwaves in 1972 and was most recently heard at Long Beach’s respected KKJZ where he was recognized for bringing blues to the jazz station’s playlist. Sam Fields was 55 when he passed away in his home on September 23, 2005. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Eddie Fisher was a singer who became one of the world’s most popular entertainers during the 1950s. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fisher started winning local amateur contest while still just a child. By the mid ’40s, he was fronted various regionally popular big bands, and was soon discovered by Eddie Cantor who helped him land a record deal with RCA Victor. After serving in Korea, where he fronted the Army Band, he began turning up on TV variety shows, helping him become one of the most popular pre-rock ‘n roll singers. He went on to sell millions of records, co-star in several motion pictures, and host his own television show. He continued making albums up until the mid ’80s. Eddie Fisher was married to Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor and Connie Stevens. His children include actresses Carrie Fisher, Joely Fisher, and Tricia Leigh Fisher. On September 9, 2010, Eddie Fisher broke his hip, and died two weeks later of complications from hip surgery. He was 82.
Geoffrey Burgon
July 15, 1941 – September 21, 2010
Geoffrey Burgon was a British composer who is best remembered for his television and film scores. Burgon learned to play the trumpet in grade school and until the age of 30, he played professionally as part of various jazz bands. Growing tired of it, he turned to his other love, composing. His first piece of note was 1976’s Requiem. He found his most success on British television, composing award winning music for the likes of Brideshead Revisted and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He also created music for Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, Doctor Who, and The Chronicles Of Narnia. His music could be heard on the BBC and ITV over the past four decades. Geoffrey Burgon was 69 when he passed away on September 21, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately release.
Rual Yarbrough
January 13, 1930 – September 21, 2010
Rual Yarbrough was a respected banjoist who performed and recorded with some of biggest names in bluegrass. Proficient on the banjo, Yarbrough formed his first band, the Dixie Gentlemen, during the mid 50s. After the group broke up in 1966, Yarbrough went on to play in Jimmy Martin’s band. From there he played with Jim & JesseMcReynolds, Bobby Smith, and the great Bill Monroe, for whom he played on over twenty records. Rual Yarbrough was 80 when he died of pulmonary fibrosis on September 21, 2010.
Leonard Skinner was a Jacksonville, Florida high school gym teacher who, during the late 1960s sent a group of his students to the principal’s audience for wearing their hair too long. A few years later, those school friends, Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington, named their newly formed rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd as an inside joke tribute to their former coach at Robert E. Lee High School. Skinner later became a local real estate agent and shared a mutual admiration for the band. He even allowed them to use a photo of him inside 1975’s Nuthin’ Fancy. Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease in recent years, Leonard Skinner passed away in a Jacksonville health care facility on September 20, 2010. He was 77.
Earland Edwards was a San Francisco area radio personality who, as The Doug Of Edwards, hosted a popular jazz program, Ear Tyme, on Pacifica Radio KPFA-FM. It has been reported that Edwards never missed, and was never late for, his Sunday afternoon show since it began back thirty years earlier. Prior to that, Edwards spent ten years on KPOO, another popular San Francisco station, where he played jazz records and hosted live on-air performances. He also set up and broadcasted live from local shows at times. He was also socially active throughout the Bay area, supporting many worthwhile causes. Earland Edwards was 80 when he passed away on September 19, 2010.
William “Buddy” Collette
August 6, 1921 – September 19, 2010
Buddy Collette was an influential jazz musician who was equally adept at the clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Collette was a respected figure of the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s and a regular performer throughout the storied Central Avenue clubs. His most celebrated works were his collaborations with Chico Hamilton, Dexter Gordon, andCharles Mingus. During the early ’50s, Collette could be heard as part of the house band on Groucho Marx’s popular television program, You Bet Your Life, and in 1963, he became one of the first group of African-American players to perform in the Academy Awards show band. He also taught college level music throughout Los Angeles for many years and was largely responsible for the desegregation of the local musicians’ union, leading to more equitable wages for Black musicians. In later years, Collette worked tirelessly to preserve Los Angeles’ jazz legacy. Buddy Collette was 89 when he passed away on September 19, 2010.
Click here to watch the NAMM Oral History interview of Buddy Collette. Courtesy of Dan Del Fiorentino
Aaron-Carl Ragland was a respected house and electronic producer and DJ who began building a following in Detroit during the mid ’90s. Ragland was revered for his dynamic showmanship and for bringing the house, electronic and techno communities together. After several popular releases on respected techno labels like Soul City, he formed his own label, Wallshaker Music. Ragland recently canceled his European tour when he was hospitalized for abdominal pains and learned he was suffering from lymphoma. Aaron-Carl Ragland was 37 when he died of the disease on September 30, 2010.
John Hanson was the sound man, roadie and sometime rhythm guitarist for Washington DC new wave band, the Slickee Boys. Formed in the mid ’70s, the Slickee Boys soon became heroes of the local underground scene. Hanson was just 16 years old when he went to work for the band as the decade was drawing to a close. Besides acting as the band’s roadie and sound man while on the road, Hanson filled in on rhythm guitar, taking over the slot officially in 1988. The band broke up, for the most part, in 1991 after which Hanson played in such groups as the Septic Twins, the Zones, and the Upsetters. He also worked the soundboard at the legendary DC venue, the 9:30 Club. John Hanson reportedly committed suicide on September 24, 2010. He was 47.
Dick Griffey is best remembered as the founder of influential R&B label, SOLAR (Sound Of Los Angeles Records). Formed in 1977, the label was one of the most successful R&B labels outside of Motown. Griffey launched his music career during the ’60s when he became part owner of a Los Angeles nightclub, Guys and Dolls which played host to shows by the likes of 
Sam Fields was a popular and longtime Los Angeles area radio disc jockey. For over three decades, he spun records at such influential stations as KMET, KROQ, KLAC, KKGO and KKJZ. But it was his love and knowledge of jazz that made him stand out above all the rest. He hit the L.A. airwaves in 1972 and was most recently heard at Long Beach’s respected KKJZ where he was recognized for bringing blues to the jazz station’s playlist. Sam Fields was 55 when he passed away in his home on September 23, 2005. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Eddie Fisher was a singer who became one of the world’s most popular entertainers during the 1950s. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fisher started winning local amateur contest while still just a child. By the mid ’40s, he was fronted various regionally popular big bands, and was soon discovered by Eddie Cantor who helped him land a record deal with RCA Victor. After serving in Korea, where he fronted the Army Band, he began turning up on TV variety shows, helping him become one of the most popular pre-rock ‘n roll singers. He went on to sell millions of records, co-star in several motion pictures, and host his own television show. He continued making albums up until the mid ’80s. Eddie Fisher was married to Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor and Connie Stevens. His children include actresses Carrie Fisher, Joely Fisher, and Tricia Leigh Fisher. On September 9, 2010, Eddie Fisher broke his hip, and died two weeks later of complications from hip surgery. He was 82.
Geoffrey Burgon was a British composer who is best remembered for his television and film scores. Burgon learned to play the trumpet in grade school and until the age of 30, he played professionally as part of various jazz bands. Growing tired of it, he turned to his other love, composing. His first piece of note was 1976’s Requiem. He found his most success on British television, composing award winning music for the likes of Brideshead Revisted and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He also created music for Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, Doctor Who, and The Chronicles Of Narnia. His music could be heard on the BBC and ITV over the past four decades. Geoffrey Burgon was 69 when he passed away on September 21, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately release.
Rual Yarbrough was a respected banjoist who performed and recorded with some of biggest names in bluegrass. Proficient on the banjo, Yarbrough formed his first band, the Dixie Gentlemen, during the mid 50s. After the group broke up in 1966, Yarbrough went on to play in 
Leonard Skinner was a Jacksonville, Florida high school gym teacher who, during the late 1960s sent a group of his students to the principal’s audience for wearing their hair too long. A few years later, those school friends, 
Buddy Collette was an influential jazz musician who was equally adept at the clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Collette was a respected figure of the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s and a regular performer throughout the storied Central Avenue clubs. His most celebrated works were his collaborations with Chico Hamilton, Dexter Gordon, and 
The Music's Over 