Died On This Date (October 12, 1999) Frank Frost / Blues Harmonica Great

Frank Frost
April 15, 1936 – October 12, 1999

Frank Frost was a delta blues harmonica player who was arguably one of the best.  He cut his musical teeth however, on guitar, most significantly as part Sonny Boy Williamson’s touring band.  It was Williamson who taught him to play the harmonica.  He left Williamson in 1959 and began working with drummer Sam Carr and guitarist Big Jack Johnson.  It was this combo that caught the eye of legendary producer, Sam Phillips who produced his first album, Hey Boss Man!.  In later years, Frost formed his own record label, Earwig Music Company to showcase his music.  Frank Frost continued making records until into the late ’80s and died of cardiac arrest on October 12, 1999 at the age of 63.

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Harpin' On It - Frank Frost

Died On This Date (October 11, 2009) Don Decker / Lead Singer Of Anal Blast

Don Decker
September 11, 1968  – October 11, 2009

analblastDon Decker was the lead singer and main songwriter for Anal Blast, the Minneapolis pornogrind/death metal band .  Formed in 1994, the band released just two albums, Vaginal Vampire and Battered Bleeding Bitch.  Cause of death has not been released, though some reports indicate it may be related to a condition for which he received a liver transplant in recent years.  Decker was 41 years old.



Died On This Date (October 11, 2008) Neal Hefti / Composed “Batman” and “Odd Couple” Themes

Neal Hefti
October 29, 1922 – October 11, 2008

Neal Hefti was a jazz musician and composer who is best remembered for writing the theme music for the Batman series and the Odd Couple movie and series.  Prior to his career as a composer, he played the trumpet in Woody Herman’s band.  He also arranged for Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich and Count Basie.  Neil Hefti passed away in his home at the age of 85.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Neal Hefti

Died On This Date (October 11, 2008) William Claxton / Legendary Music Photographer

William Claxton
October 12, 1927 – October 11, 2008

William Claxton was a respected photographer who documented the American jazz scene of the ’50s and ’60s.  He captured some of the era’s most iconic images.  His list of subjects included Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and most famously, Chet Baker.  His images of Baker casually dressed in a t-shirt were instrumental in developing the overall hip image of the musician.  Claxton is also responsible for many famous pictures of the likes of Sting, Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, Frank SinatraJudy Garland, Isaac Hayes, and many more.  William Claxton died of congestive heart failure just one day before his 81st birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

Chet Baker by William Claxton
Chet Baker by William Claxton

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Died On This Date (October 10, 1963) Edith Piaf / Iconic French Singer

Edith Piaf (Born Edith Gassion)
December 19, 1915 – October 10, 1963

Edith Piaf was a French singer who rose from poverty to become one of her country’s most popular performers of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s.  Because of her petite frame, she was called “The Little Sparrow” around the world, and has since become a cultural icon thanks to numerous recordings, biographies and at least one major motion picture about her life.   After conquering France, Piaf began touring the rest of Europe and the United States in the years following World War Two.  While in the U.S., she graced the stage of Carnegie Hall twice and The Ed Sullivan Show eight times.  Piaf was seriously injured in a car accident in 1951, the pain from which lead to her addiction to morphine and alcohol.  She died of liver cancer on October 10, 1963 at the age of 47.

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The Voice of the Sparrow - The Very Best of Édith Piaf - Edith Piaf