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

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.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (June 7, 2009) Kenny Rankin / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

Kenny Rankin
February 10, 1942 – June 7, 2009

rankinKenny Rankin was one of America’s most popular soft rock singer-songwriters during the 1970s.  Frequently appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Rankin released his debut album in 1967.  That album, Mind Dusters, included the hit, “Peaceful” which not only became his signature song, but was also hits for Helen Reddy and Georgie Fame.  His “On And On” would later become a huge hit for Stephen Bishop.  Rankin had such fans in Paul McCartney and John Lennon, that in 1987, they asked him to represent them when they were elected into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.   Kenny Rankin died of lung cancer on June 7, 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Silver Morning - Kenny Rankin