Died On This Date (May 13, 2011) Jack Richardson / Canadian Record Producer

Jack Richardson
July 23, 1929 – May 13, 2011

Jack Richardson was a respected Canadian record producer who was ultimately honored by having the Juno Awards’ Producer of the Year Award named  after him.  He was also an instructor at the most prestigious music schools in Canada.  While working for an ad agency in 1968, Richardson created a bottle-cap reimbursement campaign for the Canadian Coca-Cola company.   Those who purchased designated Cokes could collect the bottle caps and ultimately redeem them for a promotional album, A Wild Pair, which featured the Guess Who on one side and the Staccatos (later known as the Five Man Electrical Band) on the other.  The campaign was so successful that the album reportedly would have achieved gold status had it been an “official” release.   Richardson went on to produce several Guess Who albums and singles including their biggest hits, “These Eyes” and “American Woman.”   He also produced Bob Seger’s landmark album, Night Moves, as well has hit albums by the likes of Alice Cooper, Poco, Badfinger, and the Irish Rovers.  His son, Garth Richardson is an in-demand producer as well who has worked with Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and System Of A Down.  Jack Richardson was 81 when he passed away on May 13, 2011.

Thanks to Roch Parisien for the assist.

Died On This Date (January 11, 2010) Mick Green / ’60s British Guitar Slinger

Michael “Mick” Green
February 22, 1944 – January 11, 2010

Mick Green was an English guitarist and songwriter who came to prominence as lead guitarist for Johnny Kidd & the Pirates during the ’60s.  The band is considered one of the foundations of garage rock, with their “Shakin’ All Over” being a rock music staple which has been covered by the likes of the Guess Who and the Who.  In 1964, Green left the group and resurfaced as a member of popular Mersey Beat/British Invasion band, Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas.   In later years, he played guitar for the likes of Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, and Bryan Ferry.  Mick Green was 65 when he passed away on January 11, 2010.



Died On This Date (October 7, 1966) Johnny Kidd \ ’60s British Rock Star

Johnny Kidd (Born Frederick Heath)
December 23, 1935 – October 7, 1966

Johnny Kidd was the lead singer and songwriter for Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, a British band that was building momentum just before the Beatles broke, but soon became overshadowed by them.  There sound was the blueprint from which garage rock was built.  In 1960, the band released the Kidd-written “Shakin’ All Over” which shot to the top of the UK charts.  The Guess Who had a hit in the US with it in 1965, and the Who’s 1970 live version from Live At Leeds ultimately became the recognizable version of it.  Johnny Kidd was 30 years old when he was killed in a car accident on October 7, 1966.

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Johnny Kidd & The Pirates