Died On This Date (October 17, 2009) Louisa “Markswoman” Mark / Popular Reggae Singer

Louisa “Markswoman” Mark
1960 – October 17, 2009

louisamarkKnown to fans as Markswoman, Louisa Mark was a UK reggae singer who had risen to prominence in London during the mid ’70s.  Her 1975 single, “Caught You In A Lie.”  Helped her gain recognition as one of the leading females in the lovers rock sub-genre of reggae.  First noticed by legendary producer, Lloyd Coxsone, Marks was awarded a recording contract  when she was just 15.  During her first sessions, she recorded “Caught You In A Lie” which is considered the first Lovers rock record ever released.  After high school, she began recording for Trojan Records, and in 1978, she was named reggae’s top female vocalist.  Louisa Mark passed away, reportedly of some form of poisoning, on October 17, 2009.

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On This Date (October 17, 1993) Criss Oliva / Savatage

Criss Oliva
April 3, 1963 – October 17, 1993

Criss Oliva was the lead guitarist of Savatage, the progressive metal band he co-founded with his brother, Jon Oliva.  The Clearwater, Florida band formed in the early ’80s and by the release of their second album in 1985, they were starting to make some noise outside of the region.  Enough so to get the chance to tour with Megadeth and a multi-album deal with Atlantic Records.  Savatage’s 1991 release, Streets: A Rock Opera was a tremendous succes, selling in excess of 1 million copies.  Criss Oliva was killed instantly in the early hours of October 17, 1993 when an oncoming car reportedly driven by a drunk driver swerved into his lane and hit his car head on.  He was 30 years old.

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Hall of the Mountain King - Savatage

On This Date (October 17, 2008) Levi Stubbs / The Four Tops

Levi Stubbs (Born Levi Stubbles)
June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008

Levi Stubbs was unquestionably one of R&B’s greatest vocalists.  He is best remembered as the lead singer of the Four Tops, one of the Motown’s signature groups.  The Tops recorded hit after hit for the label beginning in 1964. Such hits included, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “Standing In The Shadows Of Love,” and “I Can’t Help Myself.” The group and Motown parted ways in 1972, with the Tops signing to ABC Dunhill Records where they had a brief resurgence with “Keeper Of the Castle,” and “Aint No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got).” They continued to record moderately successful records through the ’70s and reunited with Motown in time to celebrate the label’s 25th anniversary in 1983 after which they recorded a few more albums and toured with the Temptations. The Four Tops continued touring and recording until the passing of Lawrence Payton in 1997.  They were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.  Levi Stubbs died in his sleep at the age of 72.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums and John Harrison

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Four Tops: The Definitive Collection - The Four Tops

Died On This Date (October 17, 2009) Kazuhiko Kato / Japanese Producer; Founder Of Sadistic Mika Band

Kazuhiko Kato
March 21, 1947 – October 17, 2009

katoKazuhiko Kato was a singer, songwriter and producer whose career began in the mid ’60s as the member of the Folk Crusaders, a Japanese psychedelic folk rock band.  The band’s 1967 debut single, “Kaettekita Yopparai (I Only Live Twice)” which was written by Kato, sold over a million copies and is considered one of Japan’s most successful records of the era.  Following the break up of the Folk Crusaders, Kato began working as a producer, contributing to hit albums by several Japanese rock artists, his most significant being Sadistic Mika Band, a ’70s rock band formed by he and his wife.  The band found moderate success outside of Japan, even appearing on BBC’s popular Old Grey Whistle Test television program in 1975.  Kato spent his later life writing and composing for other artists, video games and film soundtracks.  His body was found hanging in a Japan hotel room on October 17, 2009, dead at 62.  Police discovered a suicide note nearby.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

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Died On This Date (October 17, 1996) Chris Acland / Lush

Chris Acland
September 7, 1966 – October 17, 1996

chrisaclandChris Acland was the founding drummer for ’90s British shoegaze band, Lush. Formed in 1987, the band released a series of increasingly popular EPs and albums.  Critics like them as well, drawing positive comparisons to Cocteau Twins.    Following the band’s 1996 tour, 30-year-old Chris Acland took his own life by hanging himself at his parents home.

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Lush