Died On This Date (January 17, 1998) Cliffie Stone / Country Singer

Cliffie Stone (Born Clifford Snyder)
March 1, 1917 – January 17, 1998

Cliffie Stone was a country singer, musician and songwriter as well as a producer and A&R man for Capitol Records during the label’s early years.  As a bassist, he played in big bands that became popular throughout Southern California thanks to appearances on local radio shows.  In 1946, he was hired by Capitol where he signed Tennessee Ernie Ford and Hank Thompson, among others.  He released a handful of his own albums during the 1950s.  During the ’60s, Stone found more success with his own publishing company, Central Songs.  On January 17, 1998, Cliffie Stone died of a heart attack at the age of 81.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Cliffie Stone

Died On This Date (January 17, 1970) Billy Stewart / R&B Singer

Billy Stewart
March 24, 1937 – January 17, 1970

Billy Stewart was an R&B singer who achieved some success during the late ’50s and early ’60s.  He started out in gospel before joining the Rainbows, a popular Washington DC area R&B vocal group.  In 1956, he was reportedly discovered by Bo Diddley who brought him on as a back-up singer.  He was soon signed by Chess Records where he released several hit R&B singles and albums throughout the ’60s.  Tragedy struck in 1970, when he lost control of a car while on tour in North Carolina.  The vehicle landed in a river, killing him and three members of his band.  Billy Stewart was 32 years old when he died.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Billy Stewart - Billy Stewart

Died On This Date (January 17, 1989) Patti McCabe / The Poni-Tails

Patti McCabe
DOB Unknown – January 17, 1989

Patti McCabe was a singer who released a handful of hits during the late ’50s as part of the all-girl trio, the Poni-Tails.  Formed in a Cleveland-area high school, the group, made up of McCabe, Toni Cistone and Karen Topinka (who was replaced by LaVerne Novack), were soon signed by ABC/Dunhill Records who began releasing their singles in 1958.  Their biggest was “Born Too Late” which reached #7 in the U.S. and #5 in the U.K.  By 1960, the girls had released six singles, four of which charted in the U.S. or U.K., but they decided to call it quits and each left the music business.  Patti McCabe died of cancer on January 17, 1989.



Died On This Date (January 17, 2010) Gerald McCabe / Founder of McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Los Angeles

Gerald McCabe
January 30, 1927 – January 17, 2010

Gerald McCabe was the founder of Santa Monica, California’s McCabe’s Guitar Shop, a popular instrument store as well as beloved concert venue.  Opened in 1958, the club became the focal point of the folk scene of the ’60s and continues to host the most respected singer-songwriters to this day.  Over the years, the store’s intimate backroom stage has presented the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Beck, Hoyt Axton, Steve Earle, Jeff Buckley, Peter Case, Jim Carroll, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, The Dillards, John Hammond, and PJ Harvey, to name just a few.   Hanging on the walls throughout is a remarkable collection of vintage acoustic instruments for sale.  And on the upstairs walls hang live photos of those who have graced the stage.  It’s as close to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame we have in Los Angeles.   A furniture builder by trade, it was McCabe’s love of folk music and the fact that his wife’s musician friends came to him for instrument repairs that lead to him opening the shop / club.  Following the folk boom of the ’60s, and with his desire to focus more on furniture design, McCabe sold the shop in 1986.  His furniture work has been featured in respected design magazines and related art exhibits over the years.  On Sunday, January 17, 2010, Gerald McCabe died two days after suffering a stroke.  He was 82.  If you’re in Los Angeles, be sure to visit McCabe’s at 3101 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.



Died On This Date (January 16, 1972) Ross Bagdasarian Sr. (David Seville) / The Chipmunks

Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
January 27, 1919 – January 16, 1972

Ross Bagdasarian was perhaps better known by his alter ego, David Seville of Alvin & the Chipmunks fame.  Bagdasarian was an accomplished actor, songwriter, singer, musician and producer who appeared in such films as Rear Window and Stalag 17.  During the mid-’50s, he began releasing novelty records like “The Trouble With Harry,” and the #1 hit, “Witch Doctor,” under the name of David Seville.  In 1958, he/Seville released “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” which became a smash hit and earned him two Grammys.   The success of the record spawned several more Chipmunk releases, an animated television show and movies.  On January 16, 1972, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. suffered a fatal heart attack.  He was 52 years old.  A decade later, his son, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., picked up where his father left off, re-introducing the Chipmunks to new generations.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Alvin & The Chipmunks