Died On This Date (December 1, 1986) Lee Dorsey / New Orleans R&B Great
themusicsover Lee Dorsey
December 24, 1924 – December 1, 1986
Lee Dorsey was a New Orleans R&B singer whose upbeat party sound made him a favorite of the genre. Before he began his career in music, Dorsey was a successful prizefighter during the 1950s. By the early ’60s, he was working with legendary New Orleans musician and producer, Allen Toussaint. Dorsey’s first Toussaint-produced hit came in 1961 with the release of “Ya-Ya,” which made it to #7 on the Billboard singles chart. After leaving the music business for a few years to work as a car mechanic, Dorsey returned with a vengeance in 1965. Over the next several years, he released such classic records as “Working In A Coal Mine,” and “Yes We Can.” In 1980, Dorsey opened for the Clash on their legendary U.S. Tour. In more recent years, Dorsey’s songs have been covered by the likes of Devo, Petula Clark, the Pointer Sisters, and John Lennon. Lee Dorsey was 61 when he died of emphysema on December 1, 1986.
What You Should Own
Sam Maghett, more commonly known as Magic Sam, was a respected Chicago blues musician who began building a following during the early ’50s thanks in part, to his distinctive tremolo, or “trembling” style of play. He was part of a new generation of blues musician that was breathing new life into the genre. That group including Buddy Guy and Otis Rush. Maghett landed a record deal in the late ’50s and although none of his records charted, they are considered very influential upon future generations of Chicago blues musicians. The momentum of Maghett’s career was cut short when he was drafted into the army, deserted after just a few weeks, resulting in a six month jail term. Magic Sam scored a few minor hits during the early ’60s, but suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 32.
Jack Cooke was a bluegrass bassist and singer best remembered for his time playing in Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. Cooke first came to prominence as part of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys with whom he played from 1956 to 1960. He played on some of Monroe’s biggest hits, including the classic, “Big Mon.” After leaving Monroe, he fronted his own band for a few years until getting the call to join Stanley in 1970. He played in the Clinch Mountain Boys up until early 2009. Cooke received a Grammy in 2002 as part of the Jim Lauderdale & Ralph Stanley album, Lost in the Lonesome Pines. Jack Cooke, 72, passed away at a local hospital on December 1, 2009.
Donald Washington, Sr. was Philadelphia-area tenor saxophonist who was a vital part of the local jazz scene from the late ’60s through the mid ’80s. Over the course of his career, he played with the likes of