Died On This Date (April 29, 1993) Mick Ronson / Rock Guitar Great

Mick Ronson
May 26, 1946 – April 29, 1993

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Jack of all trades, Mick Ronson was one of those sidemen that brought out the best in those he played with. Whether it was David Bowie or Ian Hunter, Ronson’s contributions to their music helped define ’70s glam rock. But he was much more than a guitar-for-hire, as he was just as adept at songwriting, producing and arranging. Ronson’s direct influence can heard be on albums he either performed on or produced by the likes of Lou Reed, Morrissey, Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, David Johansen, Van Morrison, Elton John, Roger Daltrey and John Mellencamp.  Ronson died of liver cancer on April 29, 1993 at the age of 46.



Died On This Date (April 29, 2010) Walter Sear / Synthesizer Pioneer

Walter Sear
1930 – April 29, 2010

Walter Sear was a composer, musician, and inventor who is perhaps most celebrated as a pioneer of the music synthesizer.  He began his career in music as a classical tuba player and eventually launched a successful business where he imported and sold tubas from a shop in New York City.  During the early ’60s, he partnered with synthesizer inventor, Robert Moog to help him perfect and market the first commercial synthesizers.  Sear went on to make synth recordings for motion pictures such as Midnight Cowboy.  He also ran his Sear Sound recording studio in New York City for many years. Over the decades, artists like the BeatlesPaul McCartney, Sonic Youth, Steely Dan and Wynton Marsalis called upon Sear to outfit them with vintage synthesizers.  Walter Sear was 79 when he passed away on April 29, 2010.



Died On This Date (April 29, 2009) Marl Young / L.A. Jazz Musician & Activist

Marl Young
January 29, 1917 – April 29, 2009

marlMarl Young was a pianist and arranger who moved from Chicago to Los Angeles in 1947 and became instrumental in bringing the white and black music unions together in the early ’50s.  In 1957, Young became the first African-American selected to the board of directors of Local 47.  He stayed active on the board until 2008.  In 1962, Desi Arnaz invited Young to play piano as part of the live audience warm-up band for “The Lucy Show.”  Eight years later, he was the show’s music director, becoming the first black music director of a major television show.  Marl Young passed away in a medical rehabilitation center where he was battling prostate cancer. Cause of death was not immediately released.

Died On This Date (April 29, 1935) Leroy Carr / Depression Era Blues Star

Leroy Carr
March 27, 1905 – April 29, 1935

Leroy Carr was a blues singer, songwriter and pianist who didn’t quite fit the old blues man stereotype of the day.  As a suave young man from Indianapolis, his style of crooning would be more Nat King Cole than Muddy Waters; more Ray Charles than Robert Johnson.  And because of (or in spite of) that, he was one of the most popular blues men of the Depression era.  Some of his most popular recordings were with Scrapper Blackwell, with whom he recorded some 100 sides.  His most famous song, “How Long Blues,” was later covered by Eric Clapton.  Carr passed away of the effects of alcohol at just 30.

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