Died On This Date (February 12, 2009) Gerry Niewood / Played Sax For Chuck Mangione; Died In Crash of Flight 3407
themusicsover Gerry Niewood
April 6, 1943 – February 12, 2009
Gerry Niewood was a jazz saxophonist who at the time of his death, played in Chuck Mangione’s band. He and Mangione grew up in the same town and graduated from its music school. In 1981, Niewood played with Simon & Garfunkel at their legendary Central Park concert. On February 12, 2009, Niewood and fellow band member Coleman Mellett boarded Continental flight 3407 in Newark, New Jersey for a Mangione gig in Buffalo, New York. Shortly before the scheduled landing of the plane, it stalled and crashed into a Buffalo suburb killing all on board. Gerry Niewood was 65 years old.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albumsand Brett Ortone for the assist.
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