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but the songs live on forever

Early Rock Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (August 2, 2009) Billy Lee Riley / Rockabilly Pioneer

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Billy Lee Riley
October 5, 1933 – August 2, 2009

Billy LeeBorn to poverty in Arkansas, Billy Lee Riley moved to Memphis after a stint in the army during the ’50s.  Having learned to play the guitar from the local black farm workers, Riley set out to make a name for himself in music.  He was soon recording for Sam Phillips at Sun Studios.  During his Memphis years, Riley released such hit records as “Flying Saucers Rock and Roll,” and “Red Hot.”  In the early ’60s, Riley moved to Los Angeles where he played on records by the likes of the Beach Boys, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  He retired from music during the ’70s but returned during the ’90s, releasing the Grammy-nominated Hot Damn! in 1997.  Billy Lee Riley died of colon cancer on August 2, 2009.  He was 75.

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The Very Best of Billy Lee Riley: Red Hot! - Billy Lee Riley

Musician

DIed On This Date (July 17, 2010) Fred Carter Jr. / Country Music Legend

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Fred Carter, Jr.
December 31, 1933 – July 17, 2010

Fred Carter, Jr. was a highly respected studio musician, producer and composer who has played on some of the biggest hits from legends like Roy Orbison, Muddy Waters, the Band and Waylon Jennings.  The list of songs on which he played include Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay,” Marty Robbins’ “El Paso,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.”  As a songwriter, he’s been recorded by the likes of Chet Atkins and Dean Martin.  He was also the father of country star, Deana Carter, with whom he also worked.  Fred Carter, Jr. was 76 when he died from complications of a stroke.



Country Early Rock Pop Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 25, 1987) Boudleaux Bryant / Wrote Many Pop Hits

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Boudleaux Bryant
February 13, 1920 – June 25, 1987

Along with his wife, Felice, Boudleaux Bryant wrote such early pop hits as “Bye Bye Love,” “Rocky Top,” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” the last two being big hits for the Everly Brothers. The future Mr. & Mrs. Boudleaux met in 1945 and so began a successful songwriting partnership (and marriage) that would last some forty years. During that time, they wrote songs for a virtual who’s who of popular music. That list includes Tony Bennett, the Grateful Dead, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Nazareth, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Sarah Vaughan. Together they penned over 1500 recorded songs which obviously landed them into several songwriter halls of fame. Boudleaux Bryant passed away from natural causes on June 25, 1987



Bluegrass Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 4, 2001) John Hartford / Influential Folk & Bluegrass Pioneer

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John Hartford (Born John Harford)
December 30, 1937 – June 4, 2001

Photo by Jerry Brendle

John Hartford was a beloved folk singer-songwriter who was also proficient in several stringed instruments.  He is probably mostly associated with the banjo and fiddle.   Hartford mastered those instruments while still in his mid teens, and by the time he was in college, he had already built a name for himself throughout the St. Louis music scene.  Hartford released his first album, Looks At Life, on RCA Records in 1966.  A year later, he put out its follow-up album, which included the song, “Gentle On My Mind.”  Soon made into a pop hit by Glen Campbell, the tune earned Hartford two Grammys.  It has also been covered by Elvis Presley, R.E.M., Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, and Dean Martin, to name a few.   During the ’70s, Hartford released a string of albums that would lay the foundation for the “newgrass” movement to follow – a more electrifying form of bluegrass, sometimes even incorporating drums.   His 1976, Mark Twang earned Hartford another Grammy while his contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack of 2000 landed him yet another.  Hartford battled Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for the better part of the the last 20 years of his life, finally forcing him to retire from the road in 2001.  It wasn’t long after that he died as a result of the disease on June 4, 2001.  He was 63.

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John Hartford

 

Musician Pop Singer

Died On This Date (May 16, 1990) Sammy Davis, Jr. / World Renowned Entertainer

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Sammy Davis, Jr.
December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990

Sammy Davis, Jr. was an all-around entertainment icon who could wow audiences with his singing, dancing, comedy, impressions and his skills on the vibraphone, trumpet and drums.  And if that weren’t enough, he was and Emmy and Academy Award winning actor.  Closely associated with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, or the Rat Pack, he exemplified all that was cool in the ’60s.  And in spite of the poor treatment he as an African-American received from casinos and nightclubs, he rose to the top, with devoted friend Sinatra coming to his defense whenever necessary.  In 1954, Davis was in a serious car accident that resulted in his the loss of his left eye, which was replaced by a glass one.  It was around this time that Davis became romantically involved with actress, Kim Novak.  It has been reported that then head of Columbia Pictures, Harry Cohn, who was afraid the relationship would negatively impact the career of his most valuable starlet, arranged for the mob to kidnap Davis in order to scare him out of the relationship.   In spite of all the setbacks thrown at him throughout his career, Davis continued to be one of the hardest working entertainers over the next three decades.  But his toughest obstacle came in the form of throat cancer.  Discovered in its early stages, the doctors told him that he could saved with surgery, but Davis opted against it, saying he would rather die than lose his voice.  Davis sadly did die as a result of throat cancer on May 16, 1990.  I am honored to have attended his funeral.

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