Died On This Date (November 13, 2004) Ol’ Dirty Bastard / Wu-Tang Clan

Russell “Ol’ Dirty Bastard” Jones
November 5, 1968 – November 13, 2004

ol-dirty-bastardRussell Jones was an American rapper who went by the stage name Ol’ Dirty Bastard (often shortened to ODB). He was one of the founding members of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan.  Ol’ Dirty Bastard simultaneously brought a measure of humor and a touch of the absurd to the Wu-Tang Clan. Often noted for his unusual microphone technique (critic Steve Huey writes of Jones’ “outrageously profane, free-associative rhymes” delivered “in a distinctive half-rapped, half-sung style”), Jones’ stage name came from a 1980 kung fu film entitled Ol’ Dirty & The Bastard, the relevance of which was articulated by Method Man’s assertion that there was “no father” to Jones’s style.After establishing the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol’ Dirty Bastard went on to a successful solo career. However, his professional success was hampered by his erratic personal behavior and frequent legal troubles, including incarceration. He died in late 2004 of congestive heart failure as a result of an accidental drug overdose only two days before his 36th birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Return to the 36 Chambers - Ol' Dirty Bastard

Died On This Date (November 13, 1996) Bill Doggett / Jazz Keyboardist

Bill Doggett
February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996

doggett

Bill Doggett was a respected Jazz and R&B keyboardist who came to prominence in the late ’30s.  During the early part of his career, he played for the Ink Spots and Louis Jordan.  During the ’50s, Doggett formed his own band with whom he recorded a few hits, including “Honky Tonk” which sold over four million copies.  He also worked as an arranger for some of music’s biggest names, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong.  Bill Doggett died of a heart attack at the age of 80.

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Bill Doggett

Died On This Date (November 13, 1999) Donald Mills / The Mills Brothers

Donald Mills
1922 – November 13, 1999

Donald-millsDonald Mills was the last surviving member of vocal group, the Mills Bothers who scored several hits over a career that lasted over 60 years.  Starting in 1925, brothers Herbert, Harry, John Jr., and Donald performed as Four Boys and a Guitar, somewhat of a novelty group due to their young ages (11 to 15).  By the early ’30s, the Mills Brothers were regularly performing on CBS Radio, singing Proctor & Gamble commercials.  There long string of hits included “Paper Doll,” “Tiger Rag,” “Lazy River” and “Bye Bye Blackbird.”  They recorded over 2200 songs!  Donald Mills was 84 when he passed away following a lengthy illness on November 13, 1999.

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22 Great Hits - The Mills Brothers

Died On This Date (November 13, 1992) Ronnie Bond / The Troggs

Ronnie Bond (Born Ronald Burris)
May 4, 1943 – November 13, 1992

At top with the Troggs

Ronnie Bond was the founding drummer for UK psychedelic rock band, the Troggs.  Formed in 1964, the British Invasion band had such hits as “Wild Thing” and “Love is All Around.”  The band broke up in 1969, with Bond going on to release a solo single that failed to ignite much of a career for him.  Ronnie Bond, 48, died at an English hospital on November 13, 1992.  Troggs lead singer, Reg Presley, passed away in 2013.

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The Best of The Troggs - The Troggs

Died On This Date (November 13, 2009) Maurice Jones / Artist Manager & Promoter Of Live Aid

Maurice Jones
DOB Unknown – November 13, 2009

Maurice Jones began his career as an artist manager, overseeing the career of English rock band, Slade.  He eventually started his own promotion company, helping popularize such bands as Def Leppard, the Eurythmics, AC/DC, and Simple Minds.  In 1984, Jones joined forces with Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure to promote Live Aid, the massive fund raising concerts that were held in Philadelphia and London and seen by an estimated 400 million people world wide.  The concerts featured the biggest acts in popular music at the time.   After the success of Live Aid, Jones went on to create the Monsters Of Rock festival that ran for many years outside of England’s Castle Donnington and other locations from time to time.  The festivals featured the biggest names in hard rock music.  Maurice Jones was 64 when he died of cancer on November 13, 2009.