Died On This Date (January 29, 2009) John Martyn / Respected Scottish Folk Singer

John Martyn (Born Iain McGeachy)
September 11, 1948 – January 29, 2009

John Martyn was a Scottish folk singer-songwriter and guitarist whose career spanned the better part of four decades.  With a sound that was equal parts folk, blues, jazz and rock played acoustically through a fuzzbox, Martyn was without peer in the British folk and blues scene of the ’60s and ’70s.  Over the course of his career, he has played with the likes of Phil Collins, David Gilmour and Eric Clapton.  John Martyn died of double pneumonia in an Ireland hospital.  He was 60 years old.

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Bless the Weather - John Martyn

Died On This Date (January 29, 1980) Jimmy Durante / Popular Actor & Singer

Jimmy Durante
February 10, 1893 – January 29, 1980

Jimmy Durante was a curiously popular singer and actor of the 1920s through the 1970s.  Not known for having a traditional singing voice or leading-man good looks, Durante nonetheless became one of entertainments most popular fixtures during his career.  After learning to play ragtime piano, Durante dropped out of school while still in his early teens to pursue a career in music.  He began by playing in several ragtime and New Orleans jazz bands.  He scored his first hit with “Inka Dinka Do” in 1934, and soon went on to become a popular draw on Broadway.  Durante started appearing in popular films during the early ’30s, and would do so until 1963’s It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.  And of course, Durante also conquered radio and television throughout his career.  His face that only a mother could love was very familiar on TV through most of his later career.  He was also the narrator for the wildly popular Frosty The Snowman cartoon special that has aired every year since 1969.  In ailing health during his final years, Jimmy Durante passed away from pneumonia on January 29, 1980.  He was 86 years old.

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As Time Goes By: The Best of Jimmy Durante - Jimmy Durante

Died On This Date (January 29, 2009) Hank Crawford / Memphis Jazz Great

Hank Crawford
December 21, 1934 – January 29, 2009

Hank Crawford was an alto saxophonist who, besides making several of his own acclaimed jazz recordings, was a sideman to some of the biggest names in popular music.  Over the years he’s recorded with such greats as Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and Ray Charles for whom he was musical director in the early ’60s.  As an arranger, Crawford has worked with the likes of Etta James and Lou Rawls.  Hank Crawford passed away at the age of 74.  He had been suffering from the results of a stroke for many years.

Special thanks to Susan Cross for the assist.

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Hank Crawford

Died On This Date (January 29, 1981) Cozy Cole / Influential Jazz Drummer

William “Cozy” Cole
October 17, 1909 – January 29, 1981

cozyCozy Cole was a jazz drummer whose career spanned from the 1930s to the 1970s.  After his first job backing Wilber Sweatman in 1928, Cole joined up with the great Jelly Roll Morton.   He subsequently played with the likes of Benny Carter and Cab Calloway.  In 1938, Cole played on Benny Goodman’s “Topsy Part 2,” his lengthy solo being one of the few in history to land in the Top 5 of the pop charts.  It peaked at #2 that year.  Rock drummers like Cozy Powell are said to be heavily influenced by Cole.  Cozy Cole died of cancer on January 29, 1981.



Died On This Date (January 28, 1983) Billy Fury / Early British Rock ‘n Roller

Billy Fury (Born Ronald Wycherley)
April 17, 1940 – January 28, 1983

billy-furyBilly Fury was an early British rock ‘n roll star who rivaled the Beatles with his 24 UK hit singles throughout the ’60s.  During the mid ’50s. Fury fronted a popular skiffle band, playing a popular form of music that would heavily influence the Beatles.  After scoring several hits fronting the Blue Flames (which included Georgie Fame), Fury fired the band and began auditioning for a new band.  It was the early ’60s.  When John Lennon and his Silver Beatles tried out, they were offered the gig, but only if Lennon fired Stu Sutcliffe.  He declined, but only after securing an autograph of Fury.   Fury went on to have many British hits and perform in front of countless adoring fans throughout the UK over the next several years.  He also took a shot at acting, appearing in a handful of British films.  In 1971, Fury underwent the first of three heart surgeries he’d have over the next several years.  With his career all but over due to his health problems, Fury filed bankruptcy in 1980.   In early days of 1983, Fury had a new album and tour in the works, but died of a heart attack on January 27, 1983.  He was 42.

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Billy Fury