Jack Richardson was a respected Canadian record producer who was ultimately honored by having the Juno Awards’ Producer of the Year Award named after him. He was also an instructor at the most prestigious music schools in Canada. While working for an ad agency in 1968, Richardson created a bottle-cap reimbursement campaign for the Canadian Coca-Cola company. Those who purchased designated Cokes could collect the bottle caps and ultimately redeem them for a promotional album, A Wild Pair, which featured the Guess Who on one side and the Staccatos (later known as the Five Man Electrical Band) on the other. The campaign was so successful that the album reportedly would have achieved gold status had it been an “official” release. Richardson went on to produce several Guess Who albums and singles including their biggest hits, “These Eyes” and “American Woman.” He also produced Bob Seger’s landmark album, Night Moves, as well has hit albums by the likes of Alice Cooper, Poco, Badfinger, and the Irish Rovers. His son, Garth Richardson is an in-demand producer as well who has worked with Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and System Of A Down. Jack Richardson was 81 when he passed away on May 13, 2011.
John Carter June 14, 1945 – May 10, 2011
John Carter was a successful producer, songwriter, A&R man, and artist manager who due to the respect he garnered, was commonly referred to as simply, Carter. His earliest success came in 1967 when “Incense and Peppermints,” a song he co-wrote, became a hit for the Strawberry Alarm Clock. He in fact also came up with the band’s name by putting together random words he found on the singles chart. He was soon hired by Atlantic Records where he worked in promotion, and eventually went to work at Capitol Records where he produced numerous hit albums by the likes of Sammy Hagar, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, Bob Welch, and the Motels, to name just a few. In 1983, he made perhaps his biggest mark on pop music by A&Ring Tina Turner’s landmark album, Private Dancer, which sold over 20 million copies, collected numerous Grammy’s and made the singer relevant again. In later years he held high positions at Chrysalis, A&M, Atlantic, and Island Records. John Carter died of cancer on May 10, 2011. He was 65.
Richie Hayward is perhaps best remembered as the founding drummer for legendary southern rock band, Little Feat. Formed by Lowell George in 1969, the band quickly built a sizable following thanks to their seamless merging of rock, jazz, blues, country and R&B. Albums like Little Feat, Sailin’ Shoes and Dixie Chicken are now classic rock staples while there 1978 live album, Waiting On Columbus, is widely considered one of the greatest live albums ever released. Hayward also kept very busy outside of Little Feat. As a session player, he worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, the Doobie Brothers, Robert Palmer, Warren Zevon, and many more. Richie Hayward was 64 when he died of liver cancer on August 12, 2010
Barry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable whos’s who of popular music. Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, Etta James, Jerry Jeff Walker to name just a few. As a musician, Beckett was part of bothe the storied Fame AND Muscle Shoals rhythem sections, working on such pop music milestones as “Land of 1000 Dances” (Wilson Pickett), “When A Man Loves A Woman” (Percy Sledge), and “Torn Between Two Lovers” (Mary MacGregor). He passed away in his home at the age of 66.
Danny McKenna was the founding guitarist for Texas rock band, Toby Beau who scored a 1978 hit with “My Angel Baby.” It was a #1 hit on the Easy Listening charts and reached #13 on the overall singles chart. The single would eventually achieve gold status and was recognized by BMI for receiving over 1 million radio plays. Due in part to the success of the single, Toby Beau toured with the likes of Bob Seger, Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers. McKenna left the band before the release of their follow up album and returned to Texas, got married and had two children. He started a successful business as a luthier, repairing and refurbishing all kinds of stringed instruments for local musicians, as well as others throughout Texas. He also handmade several guitars and instruments of his own invention, such as an electric “J-fiddle” and a hybrid between an electric guitar and a mandolin. McKenna always remained active as a musician and formed several local bands throughout the years, and he was extremely generous when sharing his love of music, often doing free repairs for churches or students who couldn’t afford it. He passed away on April 26, 2006 at the age of 54. – Additional information courtesy of Emily McKenna.
Jerry Brackenridge was a highly respected sales and marketing executive who spent most of his long music career within the EMI family of companies. Brackenridge was first hired by Capitol during the ’60s and steadily worked his up way through the ranks until eventually landing in the position of Vice President of Field Sales. Over the course of his 38+ year career with EMI, Brackenridge handled sales and marketing for such EMI labels as Capitol, EMI-America, Blue Note, Angel, Rhino, Virgin and dozens more. His hard work and loyalty to his job helped build the careers of such artists as Bob Seger, Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Radiohead, Coldplay, and countless more. He left the company in 2002. Jerry Brackenridge, 66, died of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on November 26, 2009.
Walter Lee
September 29, 1942 – September 28, 2008
Walter Lee, began his career in music as lead guitarist for the Boston-area rock ‘n roll combo, the Uniques, a band who had some local success after releasing two singles. He was eventually hired by Capitol Records and moved to Detroit where he is credited for bringing Bob Seger to the label. After a handful albums failed to get Seger noticed outside of the Midwest, Capitol was ready to drop him until Lee persuaded the higher-ups to put out an album that captured Seger in his element, live on stage. That album was Live Bullet, and it launched Seger into the stratosphere. The 80’s found Lee running Capitol’s radio promotion department in Hollywood. His leadership as Vice President and GM at the label contributed to such successes as Duran Duran,the Motels, Missing Persons, Iron Maiden, Steve Miller and many more. After leaving Capitol, Lee lead the promotion team at Morgan Creek Records. In recent years, he was a partner at Pro Sports Music, a firm that promoted music through sporting events. Walter Lee died of colon cancer on September 28, 2008.
Jack Richardson was a respected Canadian record producer who was ultimately honored by having the Juno Awards’ Producer of the Year Award named after him. He was also an instructor at the most prestigious music schools in Canada. While working for an ad agency in 1968, Richardson created a bottle-cap reimbursement campaign for the Canadian Coca-Cola company. Those who purchased designated Cokes could collect the bottle caps and ultimately redeem them for a promotional album, A Wild Pair, which featured the Guess Who on one side and the Staccatos (later known as the Five Man Electrical Band) on the other. The campaign was so successful that the album reportedly would have achieved gold status had it been an “official” release. Richardson went on to produce several Guess Who albums and singles including their biggest hits, “These Eyes” and “American Woman.” He also produced Bob Seger’s landmark album, Night Moves, as well has hit albums by the likes of Alice Cooper, Poco, Badfinger, and the Irish Rovers. His son, Garth Richardson is an in-demand producer as well who has worked with Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and System Of A Down. Jack Richardson was 81 when he passed away on May 13, 2011.
Richie Hayward is perhaps best remembered as the founding drummer for legendary southern rock band, Little Feat. Formed by 
Barry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable whos’s who of popular music. Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, Etta James, Jerry Jeff Walker to name just a few. As a musician, Beckett was part of bothe the storied Fame AND Muscle Shoals rhythem sections, working on such pop music milestones as “Land of 1000 Dances” (
The Music's Over 