Died On This Date (March 24, 2010) John Ciambotti / Bassist For Clover; Played With Elvis Costello

John Ciambotti
DOB Unknown – March 24, 2010

john-ciambottiJohn Ciambotti was a respected bass player who, as part of the ’70s group Clover, played in Elvis Costello’s band for the recording of My Aim is True.  Clover formed in 1967, and while building a San Francisco following, it served as a launching pad for the likes of Huey Lewis and Jeff Porcaro.  In 1977, the group was hired to back Costello on what would be his much-lauded debut album.  When Clover broke up in 1978, Ciambotti went on to be one of the industry’s most reliable session players.  He has played on landmark recordings by the likes of Carlene Carter, John Prine and Lucinda Williams.  In recent years, Ciambotti worked as a chiropractor and holistic healer specializing on musicians.  On March 24, John Ciambotti, age 67, died of an apparent abdominal aneurysm.




Died On This Date (March 24, 2009) Uriel Jones / Drummer in Motown’s Funk Brothers

Uriel Jones
June 13, 1934 – March 24, 2009

uriel-jonesUriel Jones was the phenomenal drummer for the Funk Brothers, Motown’s house band, throughout the ’60s and early ’70s.  There were of course, other drummers during this time period, but it was Jones’ funky beats that were heard on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell and Diana Ross), “I Second That Emotion” (Smokey Robinson), and “For Once In My Life” (Stevie Wonder) among others.  Uriel Jones died on March 24, 2009 of complications from an earlier heart attack.  He was 74.

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Died On This Date (March 24, 1997) Harold Melvin / Philly Soul Great

Harold Melvin
June 25, 1935 – March 24, 1997

harold-melvinHarold Melvin was one of the architects of the so-called Philadelphia Sound as leader of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. The band had several chart toppers for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International label. It was singer Teddy Pendergrass’ full-throated baritone that gave the Blue Notes the edge over other soul groups of the day. The hits started coming in 1972 with R&B staples like “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “The Love I Lost,” and “Bad Luck.” Melvin passed away on March 24, 1997 from the results of an earlier stroke from which he never fully recovered.

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The Essential Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - Bernard Wilson, Harold Melvin, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Jerry Cummings, Jerry Cummings, Laurence Brown, Laurence Brown, Lloyd Parks, Lloyd Parks, Theodore Pendergrass & Theodore Pendergrass, Jr.

Died On This Date (March 24, 2010) Johnny Maestro / Doo Wop Singer; The Crests

Johnny Maestro (Born John Mastrangelo)
May 7, 1939 – March 24, 2010

Johnny Maestro was a popular doo-wop singer who, over the course of his lengthy career, fronted two equally popular groups.  As singer for the Crests, Maestro scored a #2 hit with 1958’s “16 Candles.”  The song continues to be one of the most popular records of the era and has been covered by the Stray Cats and the Jackson 5, to name a few.  The Crests are also notable for being one of the earliest completely interracial groups in pop music.  It was made up of a Puerto Rican, an African American male and female, and an Italian American (Maestro).  Ten years later, Maestro had a major hit again, this time with “The Worst That Could Happen” as singer for Brooklyn Bridge.  The group has remained active up until the time of Maestro’s passing.  On March 24, 2010, Johnny Maestro died from cancer.  He was 70 years old.

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Johnny Maestro

Died On This Date (March 23, 2010) Marva Wright / New Orleans Blues & Gospel Great

Marva Wright
March 20, 1948 – March 23, 2010

Marva Wright was a popular New Orleans blues and Gospel singer who has rightfully been called the Blues Queen of New Orleans.  Whether performing in area clubs or in front of thousands at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Wright was a familiar and welcomed site throughout the city for many years.  She was a popular concert draw throughout Europe and beyond as well.  Even though she began singing at the age of nine, Wright didn’t make it a career until she hit her 40s, and since then she has released several critically and fan acclaimed albums and even performed at the White House.  Over the course of her career, she has performed with the likes of Joe Cocker, Glen Campbell, Fats Domino, and Lou Rawls, to name a few.   Marva Wright was 62 when she died on March 23, 2010 of complications of a stroke she suffered the previous year.

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Bluesiana Mama - Marva Wright