Died On This Date (March 9, 2012) Terry Teene / ’60s Rockabilly Singer
themusicsover Terry Teene (Born Terence Knutson)
1942 – March 9, 2012
Terry Teene was an American singer, musician, and prolific songwriter who reportedly penned over 300 songs during his career. He personally claimed to have played on over 100 additional records and wrote songs under more than 70 different pen names. Noteworthy records of his include “Pussy Galore” (written for, but unused in the James Bond film Goldfinger), “Just Wait Til I Get You Home,” and his biggest hit, 1960’s “Curse Of The Hearse.” The latter went on to become a yearly staple on Dr. Demento’s annual Halloween radio programs. Over the years, Teene shared the stage with Alice Cooper, the Kinks, and Cheap Trick, to name a few. Away from music, Teene enjoyed a successful career as a clown – even writing books and teaching courses on the subject. He also appeared in such films as Man On The Moon and Raging Bull. On March 7, 2012, Terry Teene was seriously injured when he was hit by a tow truck while riding a bicycle. He succumbed to his injuries on March 9, 2012. He was 70.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
Referred to as the “Godfather Of Rhythm and Blues,” Johnny Otis was a man of many aspirations and musical talents. Born and raised in the San Francisco area, Otis went on to become a successful bandleader, producer, songwriter, journalist, talent scout, arranger, disc jockey, vibraphonist, drummer, club owner, merchant, and even politician. His most popular contribution to popular music came by way of “Willie and the Hand Jive,” which sold over 1.5 million copies, rose to #9 on the pop charts, and has since been recorded by the likes of George Thorogood, 
Fred Milano is best remembered as part of the influential doo-wop singing outfit, Dion & The Belmonts. Formed by Dion DiMucci during the late ’50s, the vocal group perfected their harmonies while singing on street corners in the Bronx section of New York City. They went on to world-wide fame with such hits as “I Wonder Why,” “A Teenager In Love,” and “Where Or When.” Dion left the group for a solo career in 1960, so the Belmonts continued on as a trio. They reunited with DiMucci a couple over the next ten years or so. Milano went on to work for the New York City Department of Correction. Fred Milano died as a result of lung cancer on January 1, 2012. He was 72.
Jerry Leiber along with partner, Mike Stoller was arguably the greatest pop songwriting team of the second half of the 20th century if not all time. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Leiber moved to Los Angeles where he met Stoller in 1950 while the pair were still in high school. Leiber, a record store clerk, and Stoller, a pianist quickly realized that they shared a love of the blues and rhythm & blues music and immediately began collaborating on songs. Within the next few years, their creations were becoming hits for singers of jazz, blues, R&B and rock ‘n roll alike. The list of their early hit songs includes “Hard Times” by