Died On This Date (December 15, 1979) Jackie Brenston / Had Hit With “Rocket 88”
themusicsover Jackie Brenston
August 15, 1930 – December 15, 1979
Jackie Brenston was an R&B singer and musician whose biggest claim to fame was, as part of Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, wrote and sang lead on “Rocket 88,” considered by many to be the very first rock ‘n roll song. The record, credited to Jackie Brenston & His Rhythm Cats was released on Chess Records and quickly reached the top of the R&B singles chart where it stayed for over a month. In later years, Bernston worked with Lowell Fulson and Earl Hooker. Jackie Bernston, 49, died of a heart attack on December 15, 1979.
Dinah Washington was one of popular music’s most influential R&B, jazz and blues singers. Over a career that spanned just 20 years, she charted over 30 records in the U.S. and U.K. Washington learned to play the piano as a child, and by her teens, she was singing in local gospel groups. By eighteen, she was singing with 
Chris Feinstein is best remembered as a producer as well as the most recent bassist for Ryan Adams & the Cardinals. Prior to joining Adams, Feinstein collaborated with Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes and Jack Ingram. In 2006, he joined Adams’ band, playing on Easy Tiger, Follow The Lights and Cardinology as well as touring with them. Reports indicate that Chris Feinstein, age 42, died in his home on December 14, 2009. Cause of death was not immediately released.