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Archive for the ‘Record Label’ Category

Died On This Date (January 11, 2017) Tommy Allsup / Rockabilly & Western Swing Great

Posted by themusicsover on January 11, 2017

Tommy Allsup
November 24, 1931 – January 11, 2017

Photo by Eric Shaiman

Tommy Allsup was an influential rockabilly and western swing guitarist, but he was also one of the luckiest people in all of popular music.  While on tour with  Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson in February of 1959 – he was in Holly’s band – Allsup was on the “losing” end of the infamous coin toss that gave his seat up to Valens who was killed with the others when the plane crashed. After Holly’s death, Allsup went to work for Liberty Records where he produced records by Willie Nelson and Tex Williams, among others. Although he was most famous for his playing on Holly’s records, Allsup also recorded with the likes of Bob Wills,  The Ventures, Kenny Rogers, The Everly Brothers, and Roy Orbison.  Tommy Allsup was 85 when he died on January 11, 2017.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

 

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Died On This Date (November 13, 2016) Leon Russell / Legendary Musician, Songwriter & Producer

Posted by themusicsover on November 13, 2016

Leon Russell (Born Claude Russell Bridges)
April 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016

Photo by Carl Lender

Photo by Carl Lender

Leon Russell was a celebrated musician, singer, songwriter and producer whose early work as a session player alone was enough to rightfully find him a home in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Add to that his credits as a songwriter, and you have one of the most respected artists we have ever known.  Born in Oklahoma, Russell began playing the piano at just four years old.  By high school, he and schoolmate David Gates, of future Bread fame, had a band together. Over the next couple of years Russell needed a fake ID to play the clubs of Tulsa. And then, at just 16 years old, he headed to Los Angeles to take a crack at becoming a session musician. Russell quickly built a solid reputation and became one of the first people called into the studio or on stage to lend his talents.  The list of artists or their producers that mad that call is staggering – it includes the Byrds, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, the Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, and the Beach Boys.  And as part of the famed Wrecking Crew of L.A. studio musicians, the list goes on. Russel’s first hit as a songwriter came by way of Joe Cocker‘s 1969 recording of his “Delta Lady.”  As the ’70s dawned, Russell began making his own albums while producing others.  And thanks in part to the success of “Delta Lady,” he became a go-to songwriter for hopeful pop and rock stars.  In 1970, he released his self-titled debut. The album spawned one of his most famous songs, “A Song For You” which has been covered by a diverse list of artists that includes Ray Charles, Zakk Wylde, Andy Williams, Herbie Hancock with Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Willie Nelson, and Amy Winehouse. Russell spent the rest of the ’70s on a seemingly endless recording and touring cycle. He eventually slowed down, but became no less productive and influential.  The next three decades found him working with the likes of New Grass Revival and Bruce Hornsby while releasing several more of his own albums which leaned more bluegrass and country than much of his ’70s output. In 2010, Elton John (who called Russell his biggest influence as a pianist, singer and songwriter) and Bernie Taupin partnered with Russell on The Union, which resulted in a return-to-the-charts for both. The outstanding album, produced by T-Bone Burnett, and credited equally to both John and Taupin, entered the Billboard charts at No. 3, Russell’s highest charting album since 1972 and John’s highest since 1976.  Rolling Stone called it one of the best 30 albums of 2010.  The new-found exposure for Russell found him touring heavily up through the first half of 2016 when a heart attack sidelined him. Not discouraged, plans were being made to hit the road again in 2017.  Unfortunately, while still recovering from the heart attack, Leon Russell died quietly in his sleep on November 14, 2016.  He was 74.

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Died On This Date (May 18, 2015) Dean Schachtel / Industry Veteran

Posted by themusicsover on May 18, 2015

Dean Schachtel
DOB Unknown – May 18, 2015

dean-schachtelDean Schachtel was a beloved music industry veteran who spent the latter part of his career working as the GM for Wendy Dio and Ronnie James Dio‘s Niji Entertainment. Schachtel, who also served on the board of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, was a major force behind the annual Dio celebrations that raised money for the fund.  A tireless ambassador for the industry as a whole, his enthusiasm for all types of music was on display every single day.  A regular presence at concerts, festivals, and other music related events, Schachtel shared his enthusiasm with anyone within earshot.  Earlier in his career, Schachtel worked at Rhino, the Warner Music Group, and the Jewish Music Group, as well as KDSK radio in Southern California.  In recent years, Shachtel also managed the social media campaigns for Motorhead and Territory League Wrestling.  Dean Schachtel was 49 when he passed away on May 18, 2015.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Yahoo! Music for the assist.


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Died On This Date (December 8, 2013) Milton Olin, Jr. / Former Napster and Label Executive

Posted by themusicsover on December 8, 2013

Milton Olin, Jr.
DOB Unknown – December 8, 2013

milton-olinMilton Olin was a longtime music industry executive who is perhaps best remembered as the onetime COO of file sharing site, Napster.  Prior to his run at the company, the prominent attorney for Altschul & Olin LLP worked for entertainment discovery start-up, firstlook.com as well as A&M Records, where he served as VP of Business Development.  According to initial reports, Olin, 65, was struck and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s patrol car as he was riding his bicycle along a stretch of road in Calabasas, California.  The accident was still under investigation at press time.



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Died On This Date (November 1, 2013) Joel Oberstein / Music Industry Executive

Posted by themusicsover on November 1, 2013

Joel Oberstein
August 8, 1963 – November 1, 2013

Joel-resized A music lover since childhood, Joel Oberstein played in three Los Angeles bands while launching his career at the Los Angeles area-based Tempo Records chain, where he eventually rose to GM. He also did stints at Atlantic Records and Right Between the Acts, an innovative company that promoted new releases between sets at concerts. Oberstein eventually hooked up with Clark Benson, an entrepreneur known for the eCrush and Ranker Websites, to form Almighty/Isis. Now known as Almighty Music Marketing, the 18-year-old company, which continues to thrive, started out specializing in listening station programs in hundreds of independent record stores. Oberstein spearheaded expansions into other areas of music marketing, including the Almighty Retail Database, and its weekly New Releases Now email blasts and website. Even in the darkest days of independent retail, Oberstein was a champion of the stores and worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between the labels and the retailers who shared his passion for discovering new music and bringing attention to unappreciated classics.   Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis four years ago, Joel Oberstein died from complications of West Nile Virus. M.S. and steroid treatments to fight the disease had weakened his immune system to the point that he was unable to fight off WNV. Oberstein was 50 when he passed away on November 1, 2013.

Submitted by Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums

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