James “Jesse” Winchester May 17, 1944 – April 11, 2014
Jesse Winchester was an American singer-songwriter who made his biggest mark on popular music during the early ’70s. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Winchester moved to Montreal in 1967 in order to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. It was while in Canada that he launched his career in music thanks to early encouragement and support from the Band’s Robbie Robertson. Winchester released his debut self-titled album in 1970 and continued to record acclaimed albums on and off over the next 40 years. Since he couldn’t tour the U.S. as a draft resister during the peak years of his output, Winchester became better known as a songwriter than a live performer and recording artist. The long list of those who recorded his songs includes Elvis Costello, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Joan Baez, the Everly Brothers, and Wynona Judd. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter pardoned many so-called draft dodgers, so Winchester was allowed back into the US. His first show back on US soil was in April of 1977, a performance that prompted Rolling Stone magazine to declare him “the Greatest Voice of the Decade.” He permanently relocated back to America in 2002 and continued to record and tour throughout the remainder of his life. Jesse Winchester died of cancer on April 11, 2014. He was 69.
Cleotha Staples, along with her siblings, Mavis, Pervis and Yvonne, and their father, Pops Staples, made up one of the most influential soul groups of the 20th Century. Formed in Chicago by Pops in 1948, the Staple Singers got their start singing in churches in and around Chicago. In 1957, they released their first hit single, “Uncloudy Day.” In 1970, the group signed with Stax Records and began releasing a string of hits that ran through much of the decade. Their hits included “I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Yourself,” and “Let’s Do It Again.” In 1976, they performed an epic version of “The Weight” with the Band in the latter’s legendary swan song film, The Last Waltz. In 1999, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleotha was the oldest of the Staples sisters, and it is her beautiful soprano that can be heard on their classic recordings. She suffered from Alzheimer’s disease through most of the 2000s, and passed away on February 20, 2013. She was 78.
Omar Sharriff (Born Dave Alexander) March 10, 1938 – January 8, 2012
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dave Alexander became one of the world’s premier players of Texas boogie woogie piano. A self-taught pianist, Alexander began performing at his local church at a very young age. After serving in the US Navy, he settled in San Francisco where he played with the likes of Big Mama Thornton, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Witherspoon. In 1968, Anderson began making his own records, including the critically acclaimed The Rattler and The Raven. He quickly became a popular draw at the biggest blues festivals around the United States and beyond. On Thanksgiving Day, 1974, Anderson was the opening at the Band’s historic Last Waltz concert in San Francisco. That same year, he changed his name to Omar Khayam so began performing as Omar Sharriff or Omar the Magnificent. He released his last album (as Omar Sharriff) in 2000, but continued to perform well throughout the decade. On January 8, 2012, Dave Anderson reportedly shot and killed himself in his home. He was 73.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.
Ben Keith (Born Bennett Schaeufle)
March 6, 1937 – July 26, 2010
Ben Keith was a successful Nashville session player, producer, and singer-songwriter who is perhaps best remembered for his many collaborations with Neil Young. Keith first began making a name for himself in Nashville during the ’50s and ’60s when he played on numerous country and early rock ‘n roll hits. That list includes his steel guitar on Patsy Cline’s “I Fall To Pieces.” During the early ’70s, Keith was invited to play on Young Harvest album that went on to become the most successful album of 1971 and spawned such rock staples as “Old Man” and “Heart Of Gold,” both of which featured Keith’s playing. That was the beginning of a nearly 40-year musical partnership that found Keith playing on over a dozen Young albums and in countless concerts. Over the course of his career, Keith also collaborated with a group of some of popular music’s most beloved artists. That list includes Waylon Jennings, Jewel, Warren Zevon, Willie Nelson, the Band, Johnny Cash, and Ringo Starr. He also released a handful of his albums. Ben Keith passed away on July 26, 2010 at the age of 73. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Artie Traum, was an award winning guitarist who has recorded with the likes of the Band, David Grisman, Paul Butterfield, and James Taylor. He died of complications from liver cancer at the age of 65.
Jesse Winchester was an American singer-songwriter who made his biggest mark on popular music during the early ’70s. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Winchester moved to Montreal in 1967 in order to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. It was while in Canada that he launched his career in music thanks to early encouragement and support from the Band’s Robbie Robertson. Winchester released his debut self-titled album in 1970 and continued to record acclaimed albums on and off over the next 40 years. Since he couldn’t tour the U.S. as a draft resister during the peak years of his output, Winchester became better known as a songwriter than a live performer and recording artist. The long list of those who recorded his songs includes Elvis Costello, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Joan Baez, the Everly Brothers, and Wynona Judd. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter pardoned many so-called draft dodgers, so Winchester was allowed back into the US. His first show back on US soil was in April of 1977, a performance that prompted Rolling Stone magazine to declare him “the Greatest Voice of the Decade.” He permanently relocated back to America in 2002 and continued to record and tour throughout the remainder of his life. Jesse Winchester died of cancer on April 11, 2014. He was 69.
Cleotha Staples, along with her siblings, Mavis, Pervis and Yvonne, and their father, 
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dave Alexander became one of the world’s premier players of Texas boogie woogie piano. A self-taught pianist, Alexander began performing at his local church at a very young age. After serving in the US Navy, he settled in San Francisco where he played with the likes of 
Ben Keith was a successful Nashville session player, producer, and singer-songwriter who is perhaps best remembered for his many collaborations with Neil Young. Keith first began making a name for himself in Nashville during the ’50s and ’60s when he played on numerous country and early rock ‘n roll hits. That list includes his steel guitar on 
Artie Traum, was an award winning guitarist who has recorded with the likes of the Band, David Grisman,