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Posts Tagged ‘Jim Croce’

Died On This Date (August 20, 2012) John Stockfish / Bassist For Gordon Lightfoot

Posted by themusicsover on September 2, 2012

John Stockfish
DOB Unknown – August 20, 2012

John Stockfish was the original bassist for iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot.  Stockfish, who received his training at the esteemed Royal Conservatory Of Music in Toronto, was hired by Lightfoot in 1965.  He recorded and toured with him for four years and can be heard on such songs as “Sundown,” Song For A Winter’s Night,” and “Black Day In July.”  Throughout his career, Stockfish also worked with Jim Croce, Mel Torme, and Cab Calloway, to name a few.  John Stockfish was 69 when he died of natural causes on August 20, 2012.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.



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Died On This Date (July 16, 2012) Bob Babbitt / Legendary Motown Funk Brothers Bassist

Posted by themusicsover on July 16, 2012

Bob Babbitt
DOB Unknown – July 16, 2012

Bob Babbitt was a Pittsburgh-born journeyman bassist who can rightfully claim to have played on more than 25 gold and platinum albums along with over 200 top 10 hits.  As part of the legendary Motown house band known as the Funk Brothers from 1966 to 1972, Babbitt can be heard playing on such timeless classics as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” the Temptations‘ “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” Edwin Starr’s “War,” and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles‘ “The Tears Of A Clown” to name just a few. Prior to his stint at Motown, Babbitt played on several Del Shannon records, including “Little Town Flirt” and “I Go To Pieces.”  Following his run at Motown, Babbitt continued his hit-record contributions as part of Philadelphia International Records’ answer to the Funk Brothers, MFSB. Within that capacity, for instance, he played on several hits by the Spinners.  Babbitt also recorded or performed live with such superstars as Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, Jim Croce, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, and Bonnie Raitt.  During the ’80s, he played on several prominent commercial jingles and even dabbled in jazz with Herbie Mann and Stanley Turrentine. In 2002, he was profiled in the award-winning Funk Brothers documentary, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.  In March of 2011, Babbitt made his last television appearance with Jacob Lusk during American Idol’s Motown Week.  Bob Babbitt died of brain cancer on July 16, 2012.  He was 74.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (September 20, 1973) Jim Croce / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

Posted by themusicsover on September 20, 2009

Jim Croce
January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973

Jim Croce was an American singer songwriter who was quickly becoming one of the best selling artists of the ’70s when his life was tragically cut short when he was at his prime.   Croce’s career started while in college in the early ’60s, playing in local bands along the coffee house circuit.  In those early days, Croce began to form a local following while writing upwards of 3000 songs.  He soon began performing with his wife as Jim & Ingrid Croce and in 1968, the duo was signed to Capitol Records and released their debut album.  The album failed to ignite their career, so Croce decided he had had enough with the music business and to a job driving trucks.  It was while sitting in the cab of the truck that he began to write songs about ordinary people, developing him into a songwriter that would soon become famous.  By the early 70s, Croce began writing and recording with a musician he had recently met, Maury Muehleisen.  Together they seemed to bring out the best in each other, both in the studio, and on stage.  They began a partnership that lead to a deal with ABC Records in 1972.  Over the next year, they released two albums that included such hits as “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” “Bad Bad Leroy Brown,” “Time In A Bottle,” “I Got A Name,” and “Operator.”  But on September 20, 1973, Croce’s life would end just as his career was taking off. He and Muehleisen were aboard a small commercial plane heading from Louisiana to Texas when the plane clipped a tree just past the runway.  The plane crashed, killing 30-year-old Croce and 24-year-old Muehleisen instantly.  Some reports have indicated that the pilot may have suffered a heart attack, causing the plane to crash.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Jim Croce

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Died On This Date (September 20, 1973) Maury Muehleisen / Died With Jim Croce

Posted by themusicsover on September 20, 2009

Maury Muehleisen
January 14, 1949 – September 20, 1973

L-R: Jim Croce, Maury Muehleisen

Maury Muehleisen was a songwriter and guitarist best known as the recording and performing partner of Jim Croce.  Muehleisen had already released an album on Capitol Records when me met Croce in 1970.  They began working together, and the magic was immediate.  Muehleisen and Croce had a way of bettering each other both in the studio and on stage.  Upon the release of Croce’s debut solo album, his career took off, and he took Muehleisen with him.  Together the mounted a seemingly never ending dates on television and on tour.  But then on September 20, 1973, Muehleisen and Croce boarded an ill fated flight from Louisana to Texas.  Just after takeoff, the small commercial plane clipped a tree just beyond the runway.  The plane crashed, killing Muehleisen and Croce instantly.  The cause was officially ruled as pilot error, but some early reports indicated that the pilot may have suffered a heart attack.



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