Died On This Date (January 19, 2010) C.T. Tucker / Beloved New Jersey Blues Musician

C.T. Tucker (Born Christopher Harshorne)
DOB Unknown – January 19, 2010

Photo by Alison Goessling

C.T. Tucker was a popular northwestern New Jersey R&B band leader and restaurateur.  His band, Blue Sparks From Hell, formed in 1977 and played upwards of 250 shows a year while occasionally sharing the bill with the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mel Tillis, Doc Watson, Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters.  The band was a local favorite thanks to its lively shows that incorporated blues, R&B and swing.  During the ’90s, Tucker opened Tucker’s Breakfast King which served breakfast and lunch during the day, and then re-opened as a venue in the evenings.  Acts such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Loudon Wainwright III graced its stage.   In later years, Tucker and his wife ran an animal casting business which provided critters for film and television.  On January 19, 2010, C.T. Tucker died of lymphoma at the age of 57.

Thanks to Diane Schaer for the assist.



Died On This Date (January 18, 1995) Sean McDonnell / Surgery

Sean McDonnell
DOB Unknown – January 18, 1995

sean

Sean McDonnell was the lead singer for New York City based post-hardcore band, Surgery.  In 1991, the band was signed to indie stalwarts, Amphetamine Reptile Records who released their debut, Nationwide.  In 1994, when it seemed like any band that wore flannel shirts was getting noticed by major labels, Surgery was picked up by Atlantic Records.  That following January, Sean McDonnell died from complications of asthma.



Died On This Date (January 18, 2008) Eric Ferris / Marketing Executive; Hollywood Records

Eric Ferris
DOB Unknown – January 18, 2008

ferrisEric Ferris was a rising star in the record industry. He began his career in 1998 as an assistant at Creative Artist Agency (CAA), then moved over to the label side as an assistant at Virgin Records where he worked his way up to VP of Marketing. He helped build the careers of such artists as Lenny Kravitz, N.E.R.D., the Rolling Stones and Smashing Pumpkins. He later moved on the Hollywood Records to be their Sr. VP of Marketing. He passed away on January 18, 2008 from neuro-endocrine cancer.

Please contribute to the Ferris Children’s Benefit Fund



Died On This Date (January 18, 2010) Kate McGarrigle / Popular Folk Singer

Kate McGarrigle
February 6, 1946 – January 18, 2010

Kate McGarrigle, along with her sister Anna McGarrigle, made up the popular Canadian folk duo, Kate and Anna McGarrigle.  They began singing and playing in folk groups during the ’60s, but went off on their own during the early ’70s, releasing their debut album in 1975.  Over the course of their career together, they released ten albums, two of which won Juno Awards (Canada’s answer to the Grammys).  Their songs have been recorded by the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg, and Emmylou Harris.  They have also collaborated with Nick Cave.  Having been married once to Loudon Wainwright III, Kate is the mother of popular contemporary singer-songwriters, Martha Wainwright and Rufus Wainwright, with whom she made her final television appearance on a 2008 episode of Spectacle:  Elvis Costello with….  Diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Kate McGarrigle died of clear cell sarcoma on January 18, 2010.  She was 63.

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Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Died On This Date (January 17, 1998) Junior Kimbrough / Blues Great

David “Junior” Kimbrough
July 28, 1930 – January 17, 1998

Like Fat Possum label mate, R.L. Burnside, Mississippi bluesman, Junior Kimbrough found a career spike during the twilight of his life. Kimbrough picked up the guitar as a youngster and by the late ’50s, he came into his own as a performer and songwriter.  He made his first recordings in 1966 but all but disappeared during the ’70s and ’80s, resurfacing occasionally to make a record or two.  In the early ’90s, he opened his own juke joint, Junior’s Place.  The Chulahoma, Mississippi venue became a favorite diversion for members of U2 and the Rolling Stones during its heyday.  It wasn’t until 1992, that Kimbrough released his debut album, All Night Long, on Fat Possum.  The record was a critical smash and a hit with young blues and indie-rockers alike.  The Black Keys were such fans that they recorded an entire album, Culahoma, of songs written by Kimbrough.  He released two more albums before he passed away.  Junior Kimbrough suffered a fatal heart attack on January 17, 1998.  He was 67 when he died.

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You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough - Junior Kimbrough