Died On This Date (December 25, 2008) Robert Ward / Bluesman; Played For Motown

Robert Ward
October 15, 1938 – December 25, 2008

robert-wardRobert Ward was a respected blues and R&B guitarist who came to prominence during the ’60s.  After moving to Dayton, Ohio from his home in Georgia, Ward formed a group called the Ohio Untouchables which eventually morphed into the popular funk group, the Ohio Players.   He later moved to Detroit where he collaborated with many of R&B’s greatest acts, including Wilson Pickett and the Temptations.  Ward released several albums of his own as well.  They include Fear No Evil, Hot Stuff, and New Role Soul.  Robert Ward was 70 when he passed away in his home on December 25, 2008.  He had been suffering from a variety of ailments.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Fear No Evil - Robert Ward and The Black Top All-Stars

Died On This Date (December 25, 1954) Johnny Ace / ’50s R&B Star

Johnny Ace (Born John Alexander)
June 9, 1929 – December 25, 1954

johnny-ace

Johnny Ace was a popular R&B singer during the early ’50s.  Ace became a professional musician after he served in the Korean War.  His first gig of prominence came when he joined B.B. King’s band.  After King and band mate Bobby “Blue” Bland, left the group, Ace took over lead vocals and changed the name to the Beale Streeters.  He landed a record deal in 1952 and released a handful of R&B hits including “My Song,” “Cross My Heart,” “Pledging My Love,” and “Never Let Me Go.”  On Christmas Day, 1954, Johnny Ace, age 25, died of a self-inflicted gun wound.  It has been wrongly reported that Ace was playing Russian Roulette, when in fact, according to witnesses such as Big Mama Thornton, he shot himself accidentally while basically showing off after a concert.

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Memorial Album - Johnny Ace

Died On This Date (December 25, 2010) Tony “T-Bone” Bellamy / Redbone

Tony “T-Bone” Bellamy (Born Anthony Avila)
September 12, 1940 – December 25, 2009

Tony Bellamy is best remembered as the one-time lead guitarist for the Native American rock band, Redbone.  Formed in 1969, the band achieved its most success during the early ’70s.  In 1974 they scored their biggest hit single with “Come and Get Your Love,” which reached the top 5 on the Billboard singles chart.  Prior to his days with Redbone, Bellamy played with Dobie Gray and the pre-Moby Grape band, Peter and the Wolves.  He left Redbone in 1977 and went on to form his own group, Bimbam.  He reunited with Redbone for special events in later years.  Tony Bellamy was 69 when he died of liver failure on Christmas Day, 2009.  Lolly Vegas, Redbone’s founding lead singer died the following March.

Thanks to Crag Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (December 24, 1940) Billy Hill / American Songwriter

Billy Hill
July 14, 1899 – December 24, 1940

Billy Hill was a Songwriter Hall of Fame tunesmith who penned several hits throughout the ’30s.  Born in the Boston, Hill studied music and played the violin and piano, eventually earning a living at it as part of dance bands.  His first hit as a songwriter came with 1933’s “The Last Roundup,” which made that year’s The Hit Parade and lead to him becoming one of Tin Pan Alley’s most successful writers.  His most well-known first came to prominence in 1936.  “The Glory Of Love” was made into a hit that year by Benny Goodman, and later recorded by Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Otis Redding, Eddy Arnold, and Bette Midler for the Beaches soundtrack.  More recently, the Jimmy Durante version of the song was prominently featured in the 2009 thriller, Orphan.  Billy Hill was 40 when he passed away on December 24, 1940.

Thanks to Ginger Lee Hill for the assist.



Died On This Date (December 24, 2000) Nick Massi / The Four Seasons

Nick Massi (Born Nicholas Macioci)
September 19, 1927 – December 24, 2000

Nick Massi, third from left

Nick Massi is best remembered as one of the original Four Seasons, Frankie Valli’s rock vocal group that scored with such hits as “Sherry,” “Rag Doll” and “Dawn (Go Away).”   Massi sang bass, played bass guitar, and arranged many of the early songs for the group.  He parted ways with the Four Seasons in 1965 and went on to have a successful career as an artist.  Nick Massi died of cancer on December 24, 2000.

 

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The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons