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Posts Tagged ‘Joan Baez’

Died On This Date (July 29, 1988) Pete Drake / Pedal Steel Legend & Successful Producer

Posted by themusicsover on July 29, 2010

Roddis “Pete” Drake
October 8, 1932 – July 29, 1988

L-R: Pete Drake, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Billy Preston

Pete Drake was an in-demand Nashville producer and pedal steel guitarist during the ’60s and ’70s.  In 1950, Drake formed an Atlanta-based  band that included Joe South, Doug Kershaw, Jerry Reed and Roger Miller.  He later moved to Nashville where he played on hits by the likes of Bob Dylan, Lynn AndersonTammy Wynette, Joan Baez, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.  While in Nashville he developed a unique device to play his guitar through – it was called a “talk box” and it would reach the masses in later recordings  by Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh.  Drake died of lung cancer on July 29, 1988.

What You Should Own

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For Pete's Sake - Pete Drake

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Died On This Date (July 18, 2001) Mimi Fariña / ’60s Folk Great

Posted by themusicsover on July 18, 2010

Mimi Fariña (Born Margarita Baez)
April 30, 1945 – July 18, 2001

MimiMimi Fariña was a folk singer-songwriter who came of age during the ’60s folk revival in America.  A few years younger than sister, Joan Baez, Fariña performed at many of the same clubs and festivals, including the legendary Newport Folk Festival.  In 1963, she met writer and singer-songwriter, Richard Fariña, and within a year, they were married.  Together the recorded a couple of noteworthy albums as Mimi & Richard Fariña for revered label, Vanguard Records, also home to Morgana Kennedy.  On the night of Mimi’s 21st birthday, Richard left the party on his motorcycle only to be killed in an accident.  Vanguard released a third album of “rarities.”  By the ’70s, Fariña was performing and recording but her attention turned more toward activism.  In 1974, she founded Bread and Roses, an organization that puts together free concerts for people bound to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.  Over the years she’s had such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Odetta, Pete Seeger and Carlos Santana perform at such shows.   By the ’80s, Fariña was rarely performing or recording as she becoming more and more involved with Bread And Roses and other human rights organizations and events.  Mimi Fariña passed away of neuroendocrine cancer in 2001.  She was 56.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Mimi and Richard Farina: The Complete Vanguard Recordings - Mimi and Richard Farina

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Died On This Date (June 10, 2009) Barry Beckett / Produced Records By Bob Seger, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr.

Posted by themusicsover on June 10, 2010

Barry Beckett
February 4, 1943 – June 10, 2009

barryBarry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable who’s who of popular music.  Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, Etta James, Jerry Jeff Walker to name just a few.  As a musician, Beckett was part of both the storied Fame AND Muscle Shoals rhythm sections, working on such pop music milestones as “Land of 1000 Dances” (Wilson Pickett), “When A Man Loves A Woman” (Percy Sledge), and “Torn Between Two Lovers” (Mary MacGregor).   He passed away in his home at the age of 66.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Hits for the assist.

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Died On This Date (May 25, 2008) David Gahr / Legendary Rock & Folk Photographer

Posted by themusicsover on May 25, 2010

David Gahr
September 22, 1922 – May 25, 2008

David Gahr was a rock and folk photographer whose pictures are some of the most iconic in music history. Bursting on the scene to document the folk revival of the late ’50s to early ’60s, Gahr captured the true essence of such performers as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Mississippi John Hurt, many of which were taken at the Newport Folk Festivals. To fully appreciate the impact Gahr had on contemporary music, one must realize that when he began documenting the folk revival, much of the world’s music fans were just starting to embrace the songwriters who made up the scene. And in many cases, they saw Gahr’s photos of those artists before ever hearing a single note. Other subjects ranged from Bruce Springsteen and Janis Joplin to Ted Nugent and the Dictators. And many many more. After several months battling health issues, David Gahr passed away in his home at the age of 86.

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Died On This Date (April 30, 1966) Richard Fariña / Respected ’60s Folk Singer

Posted by themusicsover on April 30, 2010

Richard Fariña
March 8, 1937 – April 30, 1966

richard-farinaAlong with being a beat writer, Richard Fariña was a folk singer-songwriter who performed and recorded with second wife, Mimi Fariña, sister of Joan Baez.  As a counterculture author, Fariña had stories published in the Transalantic Review and Mademoiselle.  He also wrote the critically acclaimed and cult favorite novel, Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me.  Considered a protest singer, Fariña’s music career was born around 1961 in the Greenwich Village folk scene.  At the time, he was married to Carolyn Hester who introduced him to Bob Dylan, thus launching a friendship that would eventually lead him to meet Joan Baez and younger sister, Mimi.   After divorcing Hester, Fariña married Mimi and together they moved to the central coast of California where they began writing songs together.  Mimi & Richard Fariña signed to Vanguard Records who released three albums, one of which after Richard’s untimely death.  Just two days after the release of Been Down So Long, the Farinas were home celebrating Mimi’s 21st birthday.   During the party, Richard got on the back of a friend’s motorcycle for a ride.  Allegedly driving at a high rate of speed, the driver lost control of the bike on a windy road, causing it to crash.  Richard Fariña was killed instantly at the age of 29.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Mimi and Richard Farina: The Complete Vanguard Recordings - Mimi and Richard Farina

Click to find at amazon.com



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