Died On This Date (March 15, 1959) Lester Young / Jazz Legend

Lester Young
August 22, 1909 – March 15, 1959

lester-young.jpgLester young was one of the most influential musicians to come out o jazz’s golden age. During that era, we had the “King” of Swing, “Count” Basie, and “Duke” Ellington, but Young kept it less regal and more American by being called “The Pres,” a nickname given to him by Billie Holiday. Young recorded with many of his great peers, including Count Basie, Jo Jones, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole. To some, he was a bit of an eccentric, perhaps because he was not very trusting of anyone outside his inner circle. In fact, he created his own language that only his closest friends could understand. In his final years, Young was barely surviving some bad habits that he had developed, including heavy drinking and minimal eating. This lead to liver disease and serious malnutrition, the major contributors to his death at age 49 when he literally drank himself to death.

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Lester Young

Died On This Date (March 15, 1929) Pinetop Smith / Influential Blues Pianist

Clarence “Pinetop” Smith
June 11, 1904 – March 15, 1929

Pinetop Smith was a blues pianist who blazed the trail for boogie-woogie players to follow.  He launched his career around 1920 when he found work as part of a traveling vaudeville act with whom he sang, told jokes, and played the piano.  It was during this time that he also played for Ma Rainey on occasion.  In 1928, Smith made his first record, “Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie” which was one of the first boogie woogie hits.  He was reportedly the first to use the phrase “shake that thing” on record.  On the eve of his second recording, 24-year-old Pinetop Smith was shot and killed by an unknown assailant and for reasons never known.  Since his death, Smith has been noted as an influence on the likes of Tommy Dorsey, Ray Charles, and of course, Pinetop Perkins.



Died On This Date (March 15, 2010) Ron Lundy / Popular New York City FM Disc Jockey

Fred “Ron” Lundy
June 25, 1934 – March 15, 2010

Ron Lundy was a popular disc jockey in New York City for the better part of thirty years.  He hosted the coveted mid-day slot at such powerhouse stations as WABC and WCBS from the mid ’60s through his retirement during the mid ’90s.    Lundy was 75 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on March 15, 2010.



Died On This Date (March 15, 2004) Chuck Niles / Popular Jazz Radio DJ

Chuck Niles (Born Charles Neidel)
June 24, 1927 – March 15, 2004

Chuck Niles was a popular and extremely knowledgeable jazz radio disc jockey who entertained and educated Los Angeles, California music fans for the better part of 50 years.   Known by such nicknames as “Mr. Jazz,” Niles could be heard throughout much of Southern California on influential jazz and blues station KKJZ for the last fourteen years of his life.  After moving to Los Angeles as a young man, Niles dabbled in acting, even landing a bit part in Breakfast At Tiffany’s.  Throughout his long and fruitful years on the air in L.A., he worked at such stations as KHJ, KBCO (later KKGO), and eventually KLON which became KKJZ, one of the most famous jazz and blues stations in the United States.   Over the years, Niles was memorialized in songs like Horace Silvers’ “The Hippest Cat In Hollywood,” Bob Florence’s “Bebop Charlie,” and Louie Bellson’s “Niles Blues.”   He was also awarded a star on Hollywood’s prestigious Walk of Fame – the only jazz disc jockey to ever be bestowed that honor.  Chuck Niles was 76 when passed away on March 15, 2004.  He never regained consciousness from a stroke he suffered a few weeks earlier.

Thanks to Micaela Pierce for the assist.