Nathan Scott was a prolific composer and arranger who had over 100 film and TV music credits to his name. Over a career that spanned from the early ’40s through the ’70s, Scott helped create the music of such television shows as Lassie, Dragnet, My Three Sons, Rawhide, and The Twilight Zone. His film credits include The Color Purple and Wake of the Red Witch. He was also the father of Grammy-winning saxophonist, Tom Scott. Nathan Scott died of natural causes on February 27, 2010.
Buddy Miles was 60 years old when, on February 26, 2008, he died from congestive heart failure. Miles was the great drummer behind Jimi Hendrix’sBand of Gypsys. Prior to that he spent his teens playing in such bands as the Ink Spots, the Delfonics and withWilson Pickett. In the mid-’80s, Miles was introduced to a whole new generation as the voice of The California Raisins in the popular ad campaign. It is his voice that was heard singing “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” His drums could be heard throughout his career behind the likes of Carlos Santana, Cheech & Chong and even Phish. He also released several mind blowing albums of his own throughout the years. Mitch Mitchell, drummer for Jimi Hendrix Experience was found dead in a hotel room on November 12, 2008.
Booker “Bukka” White
November 12, 1909 – February 26, 1977
Bukka White was an influential Delta blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He began making records in 1930, and about a decade later, he recorded for noted folklorist, Alan Lomax. During the mid ’60s, White enjoyed a career renaissance thanks, in part, to Bob Dylan who covered his “Fixin’ to Die Blues.” It was around that time that he also got a helping hand from John Fahey who “rediscovered” him just in time to take advantage of the folk and blues revival of the period. Bukka White was 70 years old when he died of cancer on February 26, 1977.
Frank O’Keefe was the original bassist for southern rock band, the Outlaws. Although the band was riding high on a string of what would eventually become classic rock staples, O’Keefe decided to leave the band after suffering a broken neck from a fall in July, 1976. The trials of a hectic life on the road also helped in that decision. That neck injury lead to his reliance on pain medication for the rest of his life. On February 26, 1995, O’Keefe’s lifeless body was found by his roommate in his Clearwater, FL home. He apparently died as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.
Cornelius Gunter
November 14, 1936 – February 26, 1990
Cornell Gunter was a founding member of the Platters, one of R&B/rock ‘n roll’s most successful vocal groups. He was ALSO a member of another popular group, the Coasters. With the Platters, which he helped form in 1953, Gunter sang lead on such hits as “You Send Me,” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” He left the group in 1960. With the Coasters, he sang on “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” and “Poison Ivy.” Gunter made several solo recordings throughout his career as well. Cornell Gunter was in the process of launching a comeback in Las Vegas when he was gunned down by an unknown assailant on February 26, 2009. The crime was never solved.
Nathan Scott was a prolific composer and arranger who had over 100 film and TV music credits to his name. Over a career that spanned from the early ’40s through the ’70s, Scott helped create the music of such television shows as Lassie, Dragnet, My Three Sons, Rawhide, and The Twilight Zone. His film credits include The Color Purple and Wake of the Red Witch. He was also the father of Grammy-winning saxophonist, Tom Scott. Nathan Scott died of natural causes on February 27, 2010.
Bukka White was an influential Delta blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He began making records in 1930, and about a decade later, he recorded for noted folklorist, 
Frank O’Keefe was the original bassist for southern rock band, the Outlaws. Although the band was riding high on a string of what would eventually become classic rock staples, O’Keefe decided to leave the band after suffering a broken neck from a fall in July, 1976. The trials of a hectic life on the road also helped in that decision. That neck injury lead to his reliance on pain medication for the rest of his life. On February 26, 1995, O’Keefe’s lifeless body was found by his roommate in his Clearwater, FL home. He apparently died as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.
Cornell Gunter was a founding member of the Platters, one of R&B/rock ‘n roll’s most successful vocal groups. He was ALSO a member of another popular group, the Coasters. With the Platters, which he helped form in 1953, Gunter sang lead on such hits as “You Send Me,” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” He left the group in 1960. With the Coasters, he sang on “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” and “Poison Ivy.” Gunter made several solo recordings throughout his career as well. Cornell Gunter was in the process of launching a comeback in Las Vegas when he was gunned down by an unknown assailant on February 26, 2009. The crime was never solved.