Died On This Date (November 11, 1972) Berry Oakley / The Allman Brothers Band
themusicsover Raymond Berry Oakley
April 4, 1948 – November 11, 1972
Berry Oakley was the founding bassist for legendary southern rock band, the Allman Brothers Band. After moving to Florida from his hometown of Chicago, Oakley began playing with Dickey Betts. The two soon hooked up to form the Allman Brothers with Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, and Jamoie Johanson. They went on to become one of the most influential rock bands America has ever produced. Albums like The Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East, and Eat A Peach are considered landmark recordings of the rock era. Oakley’s bass skills are particularly evident on At Fillmore East’s “Whipping Post.” Berry Oakley, 24, died of head injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. The crash occured just three blocks from where Duane Allman was killed in an earilly similar motorcycle crash just one year earilier.
What You Should Own
Jerome Kern was a prolific American composer who has some 700 songs to his credit. Throughout his career he wrote such future standards as “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Ol’ Man River,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Kern’s long career found him mostly writing for the theater, penning songs for such classic shows as Roberta, Show Boat and Zigfield Follies. In many cases, he also scored the films that were based on his Broadway musicals. He won two Academy Awards for songs that appeared in films. On November 5, 1945, Kern, 60, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while walking to a drugstore in New York City. He died as a result six days later.
Tony Duhig was the founding guitarist for British progressive rock band, Jade Warrior. Formed in 1970, the band built a loyal but small following due to its unique sound. Although they started out with a vocalist, they eventually signed to Island Records (thanks in part to fan, Steve Winwood) as an instrumental duo, with Duhig staying on. Over their run with Island during the ’70s, they released four albums that found them expanding their with string quartets and choirs. During the ’80s, Duhig left the Jade Warrior to open a recording studio. He was about to rejoin the group when he died of a heart attack on November 11, 1990.