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Archive for the ‘Singer’ Category

RIP, Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly (May 1, 2013) Half Of ’90s Rap Duo, Kris Kross

Posted by themusicsover on May 1, 2013

Chris Kelly
June 11, 1978 – May 1, 2013

Chris Kelly on right.

Chris Kelly on right.

Chris Kelly is best remembered as one-half of the popular ’90s rap duo, Kris Kross.  Formed in 1990 with Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith when they were just 13 years old, the pair went on to have a major hit in 1992 with “Jump.”  That single, which appeared on their debut album, Totally Krossed Out, spent eight weeks at #1 on the Billboard singles chart and sold in excess of two million copies. The album from which it came sold upwards of four million copies in the US alone.  Kris Kross’ two follow-up albums went platinum and gold in the US respectively.  Kelly and Smith were also known for wearing their clothing backwards on stage.  Born in Atlanta, Kelly and Smith were discovered by Jermaine Dupri who helped land them a deal with Columbia Records’ Ruffhouse imprint.  In 1992, the duo hit the road with Michael Jackson, opening for his Dangerous World Tour.  They also appeared in Jackson’s video for “Jam.”  Throughout the ’90s, the guys made several cameos on various television shows and such.  They also recorded “Rugrats Romp” for the popular Nickelodeon program, Rugrats.  Kelly and Smith parted ways in 1998 but reunited for Dupri’s So So Def Recording’s 20th anniversary concert in 2013.  On May 1, 2013, Chris Kelly, age 34,  was found unresponsive in his Atlanta home and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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RIP, George Jones (April 26, 2013) Country Music Legend

Posted by themusicsover on April 26, 2013

George Jones
September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013

george-jonesGeorge Jones was country music, period. Born in Saratoga, Texas, Jones took to country music as early as 7 years old.  He was given his first guitar at nine, and when he turned 16, he left home to pursue his career in music.  After serving in California during the Korean War, Jones’ career sped into overdrive.  His first hit, “White Lightning” came in 1959, and for the next fifty years, he had at least one every year.  His wild days are legendary, in fact, he was so often late for his own concerts due in part to his indiscretions, one of a handful of his nicknames was No Show Jones.  Another was The Possum, but the name that has been tagged to him for over two decades prior to his death is the most fitting, The Greatest Living Country Singer.  Such a great singer in fact, that the late great Waylon Jennings included the line, “If we all could sound like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones” in his hit, “It’s Alright.”  The list of Jones’ achievements and awards is staggering.  The first one came in 1956 when Billboard named him the years Most Promising Artist.  Several Grammys followed,  as did Academy of Country Music  and Country Music Association awards. In 2002, he was recognized with a U.S. National Medal Of Arts, and in 2008, he was a Kennedy Center Honoree.  On April 18, 2013, George Jones was admitted to the hospital suffering from a fever and irregular blood pressure.  On April 26, 2013, he passed away at the age of 81.  He stopped loving her today.

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RIP, Richie Havens (April 22, 2013) Iconic American Folk Singer

Posted by themusicsover on April 22, 2013

Richie Havens
January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013

richie-havensRichie Havens was a world-renowned folk singer whose intense guitar-playing and renditions of others’ works endeared him to a legion of fans since the mid ’60s.  Born in Brooklyn, New York, Havens was still a child when he started out singing in corner doo-wop groups.  At 16, he became a member of the McCrea Gospel Singers.  In his early 20s, Havens threw himself into the Greenwich Village folk scene where he began building his reputation as a premier solo act.  He made two albums with Douglas Records before signing on with Bob Dylan‘s manager, Albert Grossman who brought him to Verve Forecast Records and thus taking his career to the next level.  Over the next several years, Havens released such classic albums as Mixed Bag, Something Else Again, and Richard P. Havens.  His recordings of “Here Comes The Sun,” “Just Like A Woman,” and “Freedom” helped define the era.  On August 15, 1969, Havens kicked off the Woodstock Festival with a remarkable three-hour set – partly due to instructions to stretch as many of the performers were late in getting to the grounds, and partly because of being called back to the stage for multiple encores.   After he was showcased in the festival’s subsequent documentary film, Havens found devoted fans the world over.  Havens also dabbled in acting, winning small roles in such films as Catch My Soul, Greased Lightning, Hearts Of Fire, and I’m Not There.  Havens continued to record and perform as recently as 2009.   In March of 2012, it was announced that Havens was retiring from the road after 45 years due to health concerns.  Richie Havens died of a heart attack on April 22, 2013.  He was 72.

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RIP, Chrissy Amphlett (April 21, 2013) Lead Singer Of The Divinyls

Posted by themusicsover on April 21, 2013

Chrissy Amphlett
October 25, 1959 – April 21, 2013

chrissy-amphlettChrissy Amphlett was an Australian singer who is best remembered for fronting the internationally famous rock band, Divinyls.  Formed in Sydney in 1980 as part of the blossoming New Wave movement, the Divinyls had their first Australian hit with “Science Fiction” in 1982.  The song has since been named one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).  The band released just five studio albums in all – four of which charted in Australia, while one, Divinyls, reached #15 in the U.S. thanks to the Top 5 single, “I Touch Myself” and its titillating video. In 1996, Amphlett, who was in a relationship with co-founder and lead guitarist, Mark McEntee, split with him, putting an end to the band’s initial run.  Following the break-up, Amphlett pursued acting.  She made her debut in the 1982 film Monkey Grip, and later appeared alongside Russell Crowe in the 1988 Australian stage production of Blood Brothers.  She went on to play Judy Garland in the original touring production of The Boys From Oz.  In 2006, she and McEntee reformed the Divinyls for the ARIA Hall Of Fame ceremony.  It was their first performance in a decade.  They recorded a yet-to-be-released album around 2007 and continued to perform select dates including the grand finale of 2007′s Australian Idol.  That same year, Amplett revealed that she was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, and in 2010, she disclosed that she was battling breast cancer.  Unfortunately, the MS kept her from receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment which may have prolonged her life.  Chrissy Amphlett was 53 when she passed away on April 21, 2013.

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

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RIP, Rita MacNeil (April 16, 2013) Canadian Country & Folk Great

Posted by themusicsover on April 16, 2013

Rita MacNeil
May 28, 1944 – April 16, 2013

Rita-MacNeilRita MacNeil was a popular Canadian folk and country singer who had the honor of outselling both Garth Brooks and Clint Black in Canada during 1990, at the height of their careers.  Born and raised on the eastern tip of Nova Scotia, the incredibly shy MacNeil was 27 when she first performed on stage – relatively late by pop music standards.  The year was 1971, and within just a few years, she recorded her first album and was becoming a popular draw along the Canadian folk festival circuit. Based on her growing popularity and work on behalf of women’s rights, MacNeil was secretly spied upon by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Security Service on the unwarranted suspicion that she had communist ties.   Her first single of note was 1986′s “Flying On Your Own” which reached #42 on the Canadian charts and was covered by Anne Murray the following year.  MacNeil went on to have numerous hits throughout the ’80s and ’90s, both in Canada and the UK.  In all, she released 24 albums which sold in the millions.  During the mid ’90s, MacNeil hosted her own CBC variety show, Rita And Friends.  Over the course of her career, she was recognized with a Juno, five honorary doctorates, and was a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia.  On April 16,  2013, Rita MacNeil died unexpectedly from complications of a surgery.  She was 68.

 

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