Died On This Date (January 13, 2010) Jay Reatard / Indie Rock Singer-Songwriter

Jay Reatard (Jimmy Lee Lindsey)
May 1, 1980 – January 13, 2010

Jay Reatard was an up-and-coming indie rock/garage punk singer-songwriter who had been building a solid following since he came on to the scene during the final years of the 20th century.  He released his first albums on Goner Records in 1998 and continued to be prolific through his final releases on indie stalwart, Matador Records.  Along the way he established himself as a critics’ darling while building his cultish following.  In the early morning hours of  January 13, 2010, Jay Reatard was found dead in his bed.  Early reports indicated that he died in his sleep and that drugs and alcohol may have contributed, but actual cause of death was not immediately released.  He was 29.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Watch Me Fall (Bonus Track Version) - Jay Reatard

Died On This Date (January 13, 2007) Doyle Holly / Played with Buck Owens

Doyle Holly (Born Doyle Hendricks)
June 30, 1936 – January 13, 2007

doyleholly

Doyle Holly was a country bass player and songwriter who achieved success both as part of Buck Owens & the Buckaroos, and as a solo artist.  Born in Oklahoma, Holly moved to California as a young man, and in 1963, he was hired by Owens to replace Merle Haggard who had recently left the Buckaroos.  Over the next several years, Owens and the band which included Holly scored over 30 top 40 country hits, many of which reaching the #1 slot.  In 1971, Holly left Owens to launch a solo career, during which time he released a couple of moderately successful albums.  His most popular song, “Lila” made it into the Top 20 of the country charts.  Holly retired from performing during the ’80s and opened a record store outside of Nashville.  On January 13, 2007, Doyle Holly died of prostate cancer at his home.  He was 70 years old.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Together Again - Doyle Holly

Died On This Date (January 13, 2010) Larry Weir / Beloved St. Louis Disc Jockey

Larry Weir
1953 – January 13, 2010

Larry Weir was a longtime disc jockey on St. Louis’ KDHX radio station.  A community radio leader in the market, KDHX continues to introduce new and vital music to its listeners.  Weir joined the staff in 1985 and went on to become a driving force and mentor to the other staffers.  His weekly Songwriters Showcase program was a popular stop for some of Americana and Folk music’s brightest stars.  Over the course of his career, he hosted James McMurtry, Guy Clark, Peter Case, and Tom Russell, to name a few.  Larry Weir suffered a stroke on December 31, 2009 and died as a result of it on January 13, 2010.  He was 57 years old.



Died On This Date (January 13, 2010) Ed Thigpen / Respected Jazz Drummer

Ed Thigpen
December 28, 1930 – January 13, 2010

Ed Thigpen was a jazz drummer who was part of the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1959 to 1965.   Over the course of his career he played with a who’s who of mid-century jazz greats including Dinah Washington, Bud Powell, Oscar Pettiford, and Ella Fitzgerald.  He also released several critically praised albums of his own .  Ed Thigpen was 79 when he passed away on January 13, 2010.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Mr. Taste - Ed Thigpen Trio

Died On This Date (January 12, 2009) Gary Kurfirst / Respected Manager and Label Veteran

Gary Kurfirst
July 8, 1947 – January 13, 2009

Gary Kurfirst was a respected artist manager, label executive and concert promoter.  Kurfirst got his first taste of the music industry when he began promoting dances while still in high school.  In 1967, he launched New York City’s Village Theater which soon became world famous as Bill Graham’s Fillmore East.  The following year, he created the New York Rock Festival which featured the likes of the Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.  It has been said that the idea of Woodstock came to be thanks to the New York Rock Festival.  By the ’80s, Kurfirst was a well-established artist manager.  Over the course of his career, he guided the careers of the likes of the Peter Tosh, Toots & the Maytals, Talking Heads, the Ramones, Blondie, Jane’s Addiction, the Eurythmics and the B-52s.  Gary Kurfirst was 61 when he died suddenly of an undisclosed cause while vacationing in the Bahamas.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.