RIP, Harvey James (January 15, 2011) Australian Pop Legend, Guitarist For Sherbet

Harvey James
September 20, 1952 – January 15, 2011

Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Harvey James was an Australian rock guitarist who, beginning in the early ’70s, played in such groups as Mississippi, Ariel, the Party Boys, and most famously, Sherbet.  It was with Sherbet that James found the most success, as they were one of the most popular bands during the ’70s.  Songs like “Howzat,” “Summer Love,” and “Cassandra” were big hits in their home country, and in many cases, found fans all over the world.  The group had several Australian gold and platinum albums and were reportedly the first from there to reach over $1 million dollars in sales.  The group was managed by the legendary Roger Davies who has also counted such clients as Tina Turner, Olivia Newton-John, Cher, and Janet Jackson.  Sherbet disbanded in 1979 but reunited throughout the years with James participating.  Harvey James was 58 when he died of cancer on January 15, 2011.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the help

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Died On This Date (March 11, 2004) Edmund Sylvers / The Sylvers

Edmund Sylvers
January 25, 1957 – March 11, 2004

As one of disco’s family-groups, the Sylvers, Edmund Sylvers scored a huge hit with “Boogie Fever” in 1976. He was also the voice of the Marlon Jackson character in the popular Jackson 5 cartoon. After the disco fever died off, Sylvers continued to work as a percussionist and a producer with such artists as Jackson 5, the Whispers, Gladys Knight and Janet Jackson. He succumbed to cancer on March 11, 2004.

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Died On This Date (February 10, 2006) J Dilla aka Jay Dee

J Dilla aka Jay Dee (Born James Yancey)
February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006

J Dilla was a respected hip hop producer who rose to prominence during the late ’90s.  He began getting noticed thanks to mid ’90s remixes for the likes of the Pharcyde, Janet Jackson and A Tribe Called Quest.  In 1997, Jackson’s “Got ’til It’s Gone” won a Grammy.  Even though Dilla produced it, he wasn’t credited, therefore didn’t receive the Grammy.  Dilla began releasing his own albums in 2000, each of which were moderately successful, particularly throughout hip hop’s underground community.  In 2003, he began collaborating with Los Angeles based producer and MC, Madlib.  Together they recorded as Jaylib.  Around that time, Dilla learned he was suffering from a rare blood disease that made it increasingly more difficult for him to get around.   His health continued to deteriorate over the next few years.  On February 10, 2006, 32 year old J Dilla died of cardiac arrest.

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