Died On This Date (October 30, 2007) Robert Goulet / Iconic American Entertainer

Robert Goulet
November 26, 1933 – October 30, 2007

Robert Goulet was a popular American singer and actor who skyrocketed to fame when he was cast as a virtual unknown in the role of Sir Lancelot in the 1960 Broadway production of Camelot.  He more than held his own opposite Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, earning himself a Tony as well as Grammy for Best New Artist in 1962.  His recording of the show’s “If Ever I Would Leave You” was a hit and subsequently became his signature song.  Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Goulet continued to work in the theatre and was also a familiar face in film and on television.  Though less visible in later years, he still occasionally made guest appearances on TV up until the final years of his life.  Robert Goulet was 73 when he died of Pulmonary Fibrosis on October 30, 2007.

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Robert Goulet: 16 Most Requested Songs - Robert Goulet

Died On This Date (October 30, 2009) Norton Buffalo / Rock Harmonica Great

Norton Buffalo
September 28, 1951 – October 30, 2009

With Steve Miller. Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Norton Buffalo was a San Francisco Bay area singer, songwriter and musician who is mostly associated with the Steve Miller Band with whom he played harmonica for over three decades.  His career started taking off during the ’70s when he first started playing with the likes of Elvin Bishop and Clover.  In the following years, he performed or recorded with a who’s who of rock, blues and country artists.  That list includes Bonnie Raitt, Commander Cody, Jerry Garcia, the Doobie Brothers, Mickey Hart, Merl Saunders, and of course, Steve Miller.  He can be heard on nearly 200 albums.  Buffalo also appeared in a few films, mostly as a musician.  Buffalo released a handful of his own albums as well.  He can be seen in 1979’s The Rose alongside Bette Midler, and Heaven’s Gate with Kris Kristofferson.  Buffalo was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to his brain in September of 2009.   He succumbed to the cancer on October 30, 2009 at the age of 58.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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King of the Highway - Norton Buffalo & The Knockouts

Died On This Date (October 30, 1968) Malcolm Hale / Spanky & Our Gang

Malcolm Hale
May 17, 1941 – October 30, 1968

malcolm-hale

Member of the 27 Club

Malcolm Hale was the lead guitarist for  the ’60s folk rock band, Spanky and our Gang.  The band released their debut album, Spanky and Our Gang, in 1967.  It contained their three biggest hits, “Sunday Will Never Be The Same,” Lazy Days,” and “Making Every Minute Count.”  A little over a year after the band’s first album, Malcolm Hale, 27, died of carbon monoxide poisoning suffered when using a faulty space heater.  The band broke up shortly thereafter.

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Spanky and our Gang
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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Spanky & Our Gang (Remastered) - Spanky & Our Gang

Died On This Date (October 29, 2008) Mike Baker / Fronted Shadow Gallery

Mike Baker
September 2, 1963 – October 29, 2008

mike-bakerMike Baker was the lead singer of ’80s progressive metal band, Shadow Gallery.  Formed in 1985 as Sorcerer, the band soon changed their name before signing to independent progressive rock label, Magna Carta Records in 1991.  Shadow Gallery, and Baker’s vocals had more in common with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Queensryche than the pop metal bands that were more in fashion at the time.  During the late ’90s, the band formed a kinship with like-minded band, Dream Theater, whose James LaBrie sang on Shadow Gallery’s 1998 song, “I Believe.”   Mike Baker, 45, died of a heart attack on October 29, 2008.

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Carved In Stone - Shadow Gallery

Died On This Date (October 29, 1971) Duane Allman / The Allman Brothers

Howard Duane Allman
November 26, 1946 – October 29, 1971

Before becoming a household name as founding lead guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band Duane Allman was an in-demand session guitarist who played on many classic records of the late ’60s.  His amazing guitar work was first heard on Wilson Picket’s superb 1968 recording of “Hey Jude.”  Eric Clapton was so impressed by Allman’s playing on that record, that he invited him down to the studio for the Derek & the Dominos sessions.  The two clicked and Allman joined on to add his signature guitar sound to most of the tracks on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.  It’s Allman’s guitar that is the most recognizable and most celebrated on the album.  Allman also played on hit recordings by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter and Boz Scaggs.  In 1969, he and his brother Gregg Allman, formed the Allman Brothers band, which 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.  In Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, Allman came in at #2, just behind Jimi Hendrix.  On October 29, 1971, just as the Allman Brothers were reaching new heights in their career, Allman was out riding his motorcycle while the band was taking a break from the road.  In what was ruled an accident, Allman lost control of his bike as he tried to avoid a large truck that was turning up ahead of him.  Duane Allman died of his injuries at a local hospital.  He was just 24.

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At Fillmore East (Live) - The Allman Brothers Band