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Archive for the ‘Producer’ Category

Died On This Date (March 8, 2016) George Martin / Legendary Beatles Producer

Posted by themusicsover on March 8, 2016

George Martin
January 3, 1926 – March 8, 2016

george-martinGeorge Martin was a classically trained musician, record producer, and talent scout who most famously took a chance on the Beatles after they had been turned down by most other British record labels at the time.  What followed was a collaboration that changed not only the musical landscape of the era, but also what would become popular music and pop culture for decades to come.  With Martin as producer (and so much more) on the Beatles’ original albums, they scored 30 #1 singles in the UK and 23 in the US – and millions in sales, of course. Of the list of Beatles collaborators who were referred to as “the Fifth Beatle,” it was Martin who actually deserved the title.  That alone on a person’s resume is enough to cruise through the rest of his or her life, but not Martin.  Over the next six decades, he had a big hand in the success of the likes of Elton John, Dire Straits, Cheap Trick, ELO, and Celine Dion, to name a few.  Martin also worked extensively in film, either arranging, scoring or producing. Two of the most famous songs he produced for films were Shirley Bassey‘s “Goldfinger” for Paul McCartney‘s “Live and Let Die” from the James Bond movies of the same name.  He’s been recognized with six Grammys, an Academy Award, and countless other accolades.  George Martin was 90 when he died in his sleep on March 8, 2016.

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Died On This Date (February 4, 2016) Maurice White / Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire

Posted by themusicsover on February 4, 2016

Maurice White
December 19, 1941 – February 4, 2016

Maurice-WhiteMaurice White was the founder and co-lead singer of the highly influential R&B band, Earth, Wind & Fire.  Formed in Chicago in 1969, the band went on to sell over 100 million albums, making them one of the most successful bands of the 20th century.  For over four decades, the group dazzled audiences around the world thanks in part to their dynamic horn section and energetic live shows.  White was born in Memphis, Tennessee and gravitated toward music at an early age along with childhood friend, Booker T Jones.  As a teenager, White moved to Chicago where he found work as a session drummer for the legendary label, Chess Records.  He played on numerous records by the likes of Etta James, Muddy Waters, the Impressions, and Buddy Guy.   In 1966, he joined Ramsey Lewis Trio with whom he recorded nine albums and received his first Grammy for the single, “Hold It Right There.”  Three years later, he formed Earth, Wind & Fire and went on to produce most of the their albums.  In all, the group earned six Grammys along with countless other awards and accolades.  During the ’80s, White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Due to that, he ultimately retired from touring in 1994, but continued to oversee the band’s business side while producing their records and those by others.   His most notable successes outside of Earth, Wind & Fire were releases by the Emotions and Deniece Williams.   The stunning list of other collaborators includes Barbra Streisand, Weather Report, Neil Diamond, and Minnie Riperton.  Maurice White was 74 when he passed away on February 4, 2016.  Cause of death was not immediately released but likely attributed to his long battle with Parkinson’s.

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Posted in Composer, Disco, Funk, Musician, Pop, Producer, R&B, Singer, Songwriter | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Died On This Date (February 4, 2016) Maurice White / Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire

Died On This Date (January 10, 2016) David Bowie

Posted by themusicsover on January 10, 2016

David Bowie (Born David Jones)
January 8, 1947 – January 10, 2016

Photo by David Plastik - Click To Order Quality Prints - Discount code: 10OFF

Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

David Bowie was one the most revered rock stars the world has ever known.  In fact, some have gone as far to call him the world’s ONLY rock star.  What can’t be argued is that his originality, influence, creativity, and ability to adapt to, AND buck pop music trends for over four decades is beyond rival.  Throughout his career, he sold over 140 million albums and received a staggering amount of awards and accolades. From the release of his first album, David Bowie, in 1967, through 2003’s Reality, Bowie created records that were for the most part embraced by fans and critics alike.  His many hits included such pop music staples as “Heroes,” “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “The Jean Genie,” “Young Americans,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “Let’s Dance,” and “China Girl.”  In 2004, Bowie suffered a relatively minor heart attack which greatly curtailed his recording and performing output for the next several years.  And then seemingly out of nowhere, on January 8, 2013 – his 66th birthday, Bowie surprised the masses with an announcement that an all-new album would be released that following March. The Next Day, was a welcome return to his art rock roots and quickly shot to the top of the UK charts and #2 on the US charts.  The album was adored by fans and critics.  In late 2015, it was this time announced, that his latest album, Blackstar would be released on his 69th birthday, January 8, 2016. Unbeknownst to most of the world, Bowie was diagnosed with liver cancer just 18 months prior. But rather than have us pity; rather than fade away, Bowie created his own poignantly personal eulogy by way of album and video for “Lazarus.”  Again, the release came out to great praise.  Two days later, David Bowie gone, having successfully elevated his own death to an art form like no other.

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Died On This Date (January 15, 2015) Kim Fowley / American Musician, Producer & Manager

Posted by themusicsover on January 15, 2015

Kim Fowley
July 21, 1939 – January 15, 2015

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Kim Fowley was an American producer, musician, singer, songwriter, manager, disc jockey, music publisher, and film maker who is perhaps best remembered for forming and managing the Runaways.  And legend has it that he was the one who created the phenomenon of lighting one’s match/lighter at a concert.  Born in Los Angeles, Fowley got into the music business during the ’60s, initially producing and publishing novelty hits like “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles (which was basically just Fowley with mostly anonymous studio musicians) and  “Popsicles and Icicles” by the Murmaids.  The list of artists he either produce or write/co-write songs reads like a who’s who of ’70s rock and pop. That list includes Gene VincentKISS, Warren Zevon, Cat Stevens, Helen Reddy, Alice Cooper, the Byrds, and Kris Kristofferson.  In 1975, he met Joan Jett who was looking to put an all-girl band together. A couple of weeks later, he met Sandy West outside of The Rainbow Bar and Grill on Sunset Blvd.  Fowley gave Jett’s phone number to West, and the Ruaways were born.  In 2010, Fowley was portrayed by Michael Shannon in the film, The Runaways.  During his final years, he could be heard sharing his vast knowledge of pop music and pop culture via his regular program on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM.  Kim Fowley was 75 when he died of bladder cancer on January 15, 2015.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Posted in Manager, Musician, Producer, Publishing, Rock, Singer, Songwriter | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Died On This Date (July 16, 2014) Johnny Winter / American Blues Great

Posted by themusicsover on July 16, 2014

Johnny Winter
February 23, 1944 – July 16, 2014

Photo by David Plastik - Click To Order Quality Prints - Discount code: 10OFF

Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Johnny Winter was an American blues musician and producer who can rightfully be called one of the architects of blues-rock.  An electric guitarist who had few equals, Winter was signed to Columbia Records in 1969 to what is believed to have been the biggest deal for a solo artist at the time. Born in Beaumont, Texas, Winter and his younger brother, Edgar Winter, took to music at an early age.  By the time he was 10, Winter was already performing with a ukulele on local television.  When he was just 15, his band, Johnny and the Jammers, released their first single, “School Day Blues.”  He released his first album, The Progressive Blues Experiment, in 1968. That was followed by Johnny Winter, his first with Columbia Records.  The following year, he released Second Winter, which included several songs that would become staples of his live shows and would enjoy recurring airplay on rock (and then classic rock) and blues stations ever since.  Over the next 40 years, Winter released critical and fan-acclaimed albums for such labels as Columbia, MCA, Alligator, and Virgin.  As a producer, Winter was recognized with three Grammys for albums he produced for Muddy Waters.  In 2003, Rolling Stone named him #63 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.  According to Guitar Blues Scene, Johnny Winter was 70 when he passed away on July 16, 2014.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to David Plastik of eRockPhotos for the assist.

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