Died On This Date (October 28, 2010) John Olsson / Founder Of Olsson’s Books & Records
themusicsover John Olsson
DOB Unknown – October 28, 2010
John Olsson was a longtime music retailer who started his career at Washington DC’s Discount Records in 1958. In 1972, he left to open his own store which, after he expanded into books, was called Olsson’s Books & Records. With nine stores at its peak, the eventual chain claimed nine stores and over 200 employees. It was easily the DC area’s most popular music and book retail destination. In 2008, Olsson closed the chain due to economic factors beyond his control. On October 28, 2010, John Olsson passed away. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Oystein Aarseth, known to fans as Euronymous, was the founding guitarist of Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem. Formed in 1983, the band went on to become one of the most influential Norwegian bands of the scene. The band was as controversial as it was popular, due in part, to their violent stage show along with the suicide of lead singer, Dead (
Ann Spencer Gates was a Boston area disc jockey and later, publicist for Matador Records. Moving from Buffalo to Boston for college in the late ’70s, Gates soon had a radio program on MIT’s hip WMBR radio station. She, along with friend Lisa “Sheena” Bucholz hosted “The Mystery Girls” where they were one of the first to champion such local bands as Lemonheads and Mission Of Burma. By the late ’80s, Gates was living in New York City where she went to work for Matador Records as a publicist, working with such acts as Liz Phair, Pavement, Cat Power and Bettie Serveert. Ann Spencer Gates died on July 6, 2008 after a long struggle with breast cancer.
Gil Ellman was a big band musician and longtime Chicago area musical instrument merchant. Ellman began his life of music as a youngster when he learned to play the saxophone, clarinet and flute. His skills developed so well, that when he hit high school, he became its concert master. Shortly after graduating, and at just 18 years of age, Ellman opened his own shop where he repaired radios and such. He later became an instrument tech, working with the likes of