Died On This Date (November 10, 2008) Miriam Makeba / South African Singing Star

Miriam Mekeba
March 4, 1932 – November 10, 2008

miriam-makeba

Mariam Makeba was a Grammy winning South African singer who came to prominence during the 1960s.  It was Harry Belafonte who was instrumental in her coming to America to land a record deal and continue her career.  Makeba received a Grammy for Best Folk Recording in 1966.  Exiled from South Africa for many years due to her outspoken political beliefs, Makeba spent many years living in various places, praised for her goodwill gestures, at one point even being a Guinian delegate to the United Nations.  In 1990, Nelson Mandela convinced her to come back to South Africa.    On November 9, 2008, Miriam Makeba, 76, suffered a heart attack while performing her biggest hit, “Pata Pata” at a human rights concert in Italy.  She died as a result the next day.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Miriam Makeba

Died On This Date (November 10, 2006) Gerald Levert / R&B Great

Gerald Levert
July 13, 1966 – November 10, 2006

levertGerald Levert was a popular R&B singer who, along with his brother, Sean Levert, formed a group called LeVert in the mid ’80s.  Levert was part of R&B royalty, his father, Eddie Levert was the lead singer of the O’Jays.  LeVert scored several hit albums and singles during their 10+ year run.  Levert went solo in 1991 and continued to release hit albums and chart topping singles.  In 1997, he formed LSG, an R&B supergroup made up of Levert, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill.  Their fist album sold more than 2 million copies.  Thoughout his prolific career, Levert collaborated with many other R&B greats.  That list includes Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle and Teddy Pendergrass.  Gerald Levert, 40, was found dead in his bed on November 10, 2006.  Initial reports stated cause of death was a heart attack, but it was ultimately ruled an accidental overdose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

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Died On This Date (November 10, 2009) Dick Katz / Jazz Pianist

Dick Katz
March 13, 1924 – November 10, 2009

dickkatzDick Katz was a jazz pianist and arranger who, throughout his career, played with the likes of Benny Carter, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins.  He landed a record deal with the legendary Atlantic Records in 1958.  And in 1966, he co-founded Milestone Records, a respected label that released albums by the likes of McCoy Tyner, Paul Bley and Rollins.  The label was absorbed by Fantasy Records in 1972.  Katz was also a respected music educator and writer, penning numerous jazz-related essays and liner notes throughout his 60-year career.  Dick Katz was 85 when he died of lung cancer on November 10, 2009.