Victor Mizzy
January 9, 1916 – October 17, 2009
Vic Mizzy is best remembered for the scores he wrote for television and film during the ’50s and ’60s. His credits include Green Acres and The Addams Family on TV, and the Don Knotts films, The Reluctant Astronaut and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Vic Mizzy, 93, passed away on October 17, 2009.
Tennessee Ernie Ford
February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991
Tennessee Ernie Ford was a multi-faceted entertainer who found success as a country and gospel singer as well as a radio and television personality during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Over the course of his career, Ford released numerous country, gospel and pop hits, many defining their genres. One in particular, a cover of Merle Travis’ “Sixteen Tons,” became his signature song after it spent nearly a dozen weeks at the top of the country charts and over two months atop the pop charts. No honest country collection of the era is complete without it. Ford soon became a household name and a familiar face in people’s living rooms thanks to television. He was cast as the semi-regular guest, Cousin Ernie on I Love Lucy and hosted his own Tennesse Ernie Ford Show. Tennessee Ernie Ford was 72 years old when he died of liver failure. It was the 36th anniversary of the release of “Sixteen Tons.”
Louisa “Markswoman” Mark
1960 – October 17, 2009
Known to fans as Markswoman, Louisa Mark was a UK reggae singer who had risen to prominence in London during the mid ’70s. Her 1975 single, “Caught You In A Lie.” Helped her gain recognition as one of the leading females in the lovers rock sub-genre of reggae. First noticed by legendary producer, Lloyd Coxsone, Marks was awarded a recording contract when she was just 15. During her first sessions, she recorded “Caught You In A Lie” which is considered the first Lovers rock record ever released. After high school, she began recording for Trojan Records, and in 1978, she was named reggae’s top female vocalist. Louisa Mark passed away, reportedly of some form of poisoning, on October 17, 2009.
Criss Oliva
April 3, 1963 – October 17, 1993
Criss Oliva was the lead guitarist of Savatage, the progressive metal band he co-founded with his brother, Jon Oliva. The Clearwater, Florida band formed in the early ’80s and by the release of their second album in 1985, they were starting to make some noise outside of the region. Enough so to get the chance to tour with Megadeth and a multi-album deal with Atlantic Records. Savatage’s 1991 release, Streets: A Rock Opera was a tremendous succes, selling in excess of 1 million copies. Criss Oliva was killed instantly in the early hours of October 17, 1993 when an oncoming car reportedly driven by a drunk driver swerved into his lane and hit his car head on. He was 30 years old.
Levi Stubbs (Born Levi Stubbles)
June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008
Levi Stubbs was unquestionably one of R&B’s greatest vocalists. He is best remembered as the lead singer of the Four Tops, one of the Motown’s signature groups. The Tops recorded hit after hit for the label beginning in 1964. Such hits included, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “Standing In The Shadows Of Love,” and “I Can’t Help Myself.” The group and Motown parted ways in 1972, with the Tops signing to ABC Dunhill Records where they had a brief resurgence with “Keeper Of the Castle,” and “Aint No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got).” They continued to record moderately successful records through the ’70s and reunited with Motown in time to celebrate the label’s 25th anniversary in 1983 after which they recorded a few more albums and toured with the Temptations. The Four Tops continued touring and recording until the passing of Lawrence Payton in 1997. They were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Levi Stubbs died in his sleep at the age of 72.
Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums and John Harrison
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