Roosevelt Jamison was songwriter, artist manager and publicist whose most notable contribution to popular music was the soulful gem he wrote, “That’s How Strong My Love Is.” First recorded by O.V. Wright in 1964, the song had a remarkable life, which found its way on to records by Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, Candi Staton, Taj Mahal, the Hollies, Bryan Ferry, Humble Pie, Percy Sledge, Buddy Miller, and many more. Besides managing Wright, Jamison also oversaw soul singer, James Carr‘s career for a bit. Under Jamison’s watch, Carr had a major hit with “The Dark End Of The Street.” In later years, Jamison conducted sickle-cell research and taught Anatomy and Physiology. He was also worked at the hematology lab at the City of Memphis Hospital for many years. Roosevelt James passed away at the age of 76 on March 27, 2013.
Jimmy McCracklin August 13, 1921 – December 20, 2012
Over a career that spanned almost 70 years, Jimmy McCracklin made some of the finest jump blues to ever come out of California. Born in the south, McCracklin settled just outside of San Francisco after serving in the Navy during WWII. Influenced by blues piano great, Walter Davis, he cut his first record, “Miss Mattie Left Me,” for Globe Records in 1948. In 1957, he released what has become his signature song, “The Walk,” whose re-release by Checker Records a year later reached #7 on the Billboard pop chart while cracking the top 5 on the R&B chart. Its popularity also earned him a slot on Dick Clark’sAmerican Bandstand. As a songwriter, McCracklin is credited with “Stomp,” which became hits for Lowell Fulson, Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and Salt-n-Pepa. Over his long and prolific career, he wrote 1000s of songs, made 100s of records, released 30 albums (four of them gold), and played with the likes of B.B. King and Charles Brown. Obviously an influence on many, a couple of notables who have sourced McCracklin as a favorite are Bob Dylan and Phil Alvin of the Blasters. Jimmy McCracklin performed, wrote and recorded well into the 2000s and ultimately passed away on December 20, 2012. He was 91.
Donald “Duck” Dunn November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012
As the house bassist for Stax Records throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Donald “Duck” Dunn provided the unmistakable bottom-end for countless soul and R&B songs that have stood the test of time. He can also be heard on some of the greatest rock recordings from the ’70s and ’80s. From Otis Redding’s “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming,” and Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’ “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” Dunn’s groove can not be missed. And in between, there was Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and Rod Stewart, to name a few. And as bassist for Booker T. & the MG’s, Dunn made his mark on such iconic songs as “Green Onions.” In 1980, Dunn played himself alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as part of the Blues Brothers band both in the movie, and at live performances. Although semi-retired by 2000, Dunn continued to play at occasional Booker T. gigs and other events well into the new decade. Donald “Duck” Dunn died in his sleep following a performance in Tokyo, Japan on May 12, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Charles Pitts was a Memphis guitarist whose style of playing has prompted many sources to include him on the list of the architects of funk and soul guitar. By the time Pitts was just 11 years he had picked up the guitar and was learning on the street corners around his Washington DC neighborhood. One of his early teachers was none other than neighbor, Bo Diddley, who offered the boy tips on how to play. His other early sources of inspiration came from the likes of James Brown and Otis Reddingwho he saw perform at the Howard Theater which sat next door to a hotel his uncle owned. Pitts eventually became a session player for Stax Records, playing on records and/or performing live with Wilson Pickett, Gene Chandler, the Isley Brothers, and Rufus Thomas, to name s few. In 1971, Pitts came up with the iconic “wah wah” guitar sound that helped make Isaac Hayes‘ “Theme From Shaft” one of the most iconic songs of all time. He went on to play with Hayes for nearly 40 years. In later years, his riffs were been sampled by the Beasite Boys, Eazy-E, Massive Attack, and Dr. Dre. Charles Pitts died of cancer on May 1, 2012. He was 65.
Andrew Love was a tenor saxophone player, who along with Wayne Jackson on trumpet, made an indelible mark on popular music as the Memphis Horns . They have been called the greatest horn section soul music has ever known and played on virtually every Stax record that required a horn section. Their signature sound can be heard on iconic Stax recordings from the likes of Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, and Otis Redding, to name a few. If that weren’t enough, they can also be heard on Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” Dusty Springfield’s “Son Of A Preacher Man,” and Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.” They were also featured in U2′s film, Rattle And Hum. Throughout their career, Love and Jackson played on more than 80 gold and platinum albums and upwards of 50 Number One singles. In February of 2012, the Memphis Horns were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Andrew Love was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2002 and ultimate died from it on April 12, 2012. He was 70 years old.
Roosevelt Jamison was songwriter, artist manager and publicist whose most notable contribution to popular music was the soulful gem he wrote, “That’s How Strong My Love Is.” First recorded by O.V. Wright in 1964, the song had a remarkable life, which found its way on to records by Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, Candi Staton, Taj Mahal, the Hollies, Bryan Ferry, Humble Pie, Percy Sledge, Buddy Miller, and many more. Besides managing Wright, Jamison also oversaw soul singer, James Carr‘s career for a bit. Under Jamison’s watch, Carr had a major hit with “The Dark End Of The Street.” In later years, Jamison conducted sickle-cell research and taught Anatomy and Physiology. He was also worked at the hematology lab at the City of Memphis Hospital for many years. Roosevelt James passed away at the age of 76 on March 27, 2013.
Over a career that spanned almost 70 years, Jimmy McCracklin made some of the finest jump blues to ever come out of California. Born in the south, McCracklin settled just outside of San Francisco after serving in the Navy during WWII. Influenced by blues piano great, Walter Davis, he cut his first record, “Miss Mattie Left Me,” for Globe Records in 1948. In 1957, he released what has become his signature song, “The Walk,” whose re-release by Checker Records a year later reached #7 on the Billboard pop chart while cracking the top 5 on the R&B chart. Its popularity also earned him a slot on 
As the house bassist for Stax Records throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Donald “Duck” Dunn provided the unmistakable bottom-end for countless soul and R&B songs that have stood the test of time. He can also be heard on some of the greatest rock recordings from the ’70s and ’80s. From 
Charles Pitts was a Memphis guitarist whose style of playing has prompted many sources to include him on the list of the architects of funk and soul guitar. By the time Pitts was just 11 years he had picked up the guitar and was learning on the street corners around his Washington DC neighborhood. One of his early teachers was none other than neighbor, 