Died On This Date (November 1, 2008) Nathaniel Mayer / Detroit R&B Singer

Nathaniel Mayer
February 10, 1944 – November 1, 2008

nathaniel-mayerNathaniel Mayer was a Detroit R&B singer who first surfaced in the early ’60s when he was signed to the legendary Fortune Records.  Mayer made several records for Fortune, including 1962’s “Village of Love,” which became a Top 40 hit and continues to be a favorite cover song to this day.  Six years after signing to the label, Mayer left the music business and all but vanished,  becoming a part of blues folklore and urban legend.   He did resurface in the early ’80s to cut one side, but was gone again until 2002.  It was that year that reissue specialists, Norton Records released a previously unissued 34 year-old track by Mayer, prompting him to come out of his self-imposed exile.  He mounted his biggest tour ever and signed with hip indie label, Fat Possum Records.  He toured with the Black Keys in 2005, turning on a new generation of fans with his raunchy and energetic live show.  Just three years into his renaissance, Nathaniel Mayer, 64, died following a series of strokes.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Albums for the assist.

 

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

I Just Want to Be Held - Nathaniel Mayer

Died On This Date (November 1, 2008) Jimmy Carl Black / Frank Zappa & the Mothers Of Invention

Jimmy Carl Black (Born James Inkanish, Jr.)
February 1, 1938 – November 1, 2008

Jimmy Carl Black is best remembered as the drummer and occasional singer of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention.  He played with Zappa from 1964 to 1969 and appeared in his 1971 classic cult film, 200 Motels.  Throughout the balance of Black’s career, he played with numerous bands including Captain Beefheart’s and numerous combos that included Zappa alumni.  He continued to perform up until the year of his death.  On November 1, 2008, Jimmy Carl Black died of lung cancer at the age of 70.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Albums for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

When Do We Get Paid? - Jimmy Carl Black

Died On This Date (November 1, 1956) Tommy Johnson / Influential Delta Blues Musician

Tommy Johnson
1896 – November 1, 1956

Tommy JohnsonTommy Johnson was a Mississippi-born blues musician whose career began around 1915, with his first recordings coming in the late ’20s.  He is considered one of the foundations of Delta blues due to his solid songwriting and his strong falsetto voice.  The band Canned Heat took their name from his “Canned Heat Blues.”  Johnson was the first known blues musician’s to claim that he sold his soul to the devil.  A primary character in the 2000 film O’ Brother Where Art Thou, also named Tommy Johnson, is said to be based upon him and not Robert Johnson as has been assumed.  Tommy Johnson, age 60, suffered a fatal heart attack after playing a party on November 1, 1956.



Died On This Date (November 1, 2008) Rosetta Reitz / Founder of Rosetta Records

Rosetta Reitz
September 28, 1924 – November 1, 2008

Photo By Jill Lynne
Photo By Jill Lynne

Rosetta Reitz was a much-respected feminist and music authority who formed her own label, Rosetta Records in 1979.  The label specialized in lost recordings of female blues artist from the 1920s to the 1960s.  Over the years, she released sides by the likes of Ida Cox, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Mae West.  Her packages were noted quality remasters, extensive liner notes and rare historical photos.  Reitz curated the Newport Jazz Festival’s “Women of Jazz” tributes in 1980 and 1981.  The programs included performances by Big Mama Thornton, Nell Carter and Koko Taylor.    Rosetta Reitz was 84 when she passed away on November 1, 2008.



Died On This Date (November 1, 2008) Shakir Stewart / Def Jam Exec VP

Shakir Stewart
April 12, 1974 – November 1, 2008

Shakir Stewart was a successful record company executive who was, most recently, Sr. VP of Island Def Jam Music Group as well as Executive VP of Def Jam.  In Stewart’s first job out of college, he signed Beyonce to a publishing deal as a staffer at Hitco Music Publishing.  From there he became an A&R consultant for LaFace Records, a label owned by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Antonio “L.A.” Reid. He brought Ciara to the label.  He later moved to the Def Jam family where he signed or oversaw such acts as Young Jeezy, Nas, LL Cool J and Rick Ross.  He quickly moved up the ranks within the company.  Shakir Stewart took his own life with a gun on November 1, 2008.  He was 34 years old.



>