Died On This Date (March 11, 2004) Edmund Sylvers / The Sylvers

Edmund Sylvers
January 25, 1957 – March 11, 2004

As one of disco’s family groups, the Sylvers, Edmund Sylvers scored a huge hit with “Boogie Fever” in 1976. He was also the voice of the Marlon Jackson character in the popular Jackson 5 cartoon. After the disco fever died off, Sylvers continued to work as a percussionist and a producer with such artists as Jackson 5, the Whispers, Gladys Knight and Janet Jackson. He succumbed to cancer on March 11, 2004.

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The Sylvers

Died On This Date (March 10, 1988) Andy Gibb / ’70s Pop Star

Andy Gibb
March 5, 1958 – March 10, 1988

Although Andy Gibb was the baby brother of Maurice Gibb, Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb, the Bee Gees, he never lived in their shadow. In fact their fame likely helped him launch his own career as he was signed by Robert Stigwood to his RSO Records label, then home to the Bee Gees as well. Brother Barry wrote for and co-produced Andy’s debut. Flowing Rivers, included three consecutive #1 singles on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100, a first for a solo male artist. As was the case with many artists from the disco era, Gibb’s career took a steady downturn throughout the eighties at about the same pace as his addiction to cocaine was growing. Although he had several guest-starring roles on television and a successful tour of Asia, he found himself in serious financial trouble, so he decided to join forces with Barry and Maurice to revive his career. But sadly, his habits caught up with him in the form of an inflammatory heart virus allegedly caused by his strong addiction to cocaine.



Died On This Date (March 10, 2005) Danny Joe Brown / Molly Hatchet

Danny Joe Brown
August 24, 1951 – March 10, 2005

As lead singer and songwriter for Molly Hatchet, Danny Joe Brown helped the Southern Rock band achieve success with such hits as “Flirtin’ With Disaster” and “Satified Man.” After an early stint in the US Coast Guard, Brown helped form the band which would be named after a 17th Century prostitute who earned her name by chopping off the heads of her johns. Diabetes started to take its toll on Brown so he was forced to retire from the band in 1980. He had a massive stroke in 1998 and passed away from renal failure due to the diabetes on this date in 2005.

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Flirtin' With Disaster - Molly Hatchet

Died On This Date (March 10, 1997) LaVern Baker / R&B Great

LaVern Baker
November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997

Originally going by the stage name of Little Miss Sharecropper, the early queen of R&B rose to fame when she signed to Ahmet Ertegun’s Atlantic Records and changed her professional name to Lavern Baker. In the 60s, Miss Baker went to Vietnam to entertain the troops and on the advice of a friend, she stayed in the Philippines for the next 22 years and worked as the entertainment director at a Marine Corps nightclub for the US government. LaVern Baker passed away from a heart condition on this date in 1997.

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Soul On Fire: The Best of LaVerne Baker - LaVern Baker

Died On This Date (March 10, 2009) Freddy Frogs / ’80s Rockabilly Revivalist

Freddy Frogs (Born Ferdinando Toscano)
September 21, 1942 – March 10, 2009

freddy-frogs

Freddy Frogs was a dynamic performer during the rockabilly’s revival of the ’80s, when he was popular draw at clubs throughout New York and beyond.  As was the case with most rockabilly revivalists, Frogs found his most success in the U.K. where his band, the BMT’s had a hit with “Crazy Little Mama.”  It has been reported that upon his return from England, he convinced the Stray Cats to go play the U.K., which ultimately sparked their successful career.  Freddy Frogs, age 66, died of a heart attack on March 10, 2009