Died On This Date (May 1, 2010) Rob McConnell / Canadian Jazz Great
themusicsover Rob McConnell
February 14, 1935 – May 1, 2010
Rob McConnell was a decorated jazz trombonist and composer who lead one of Canada’s most celebrated big bands, the Boss Brass. McConnell began his career during the 1950s, at one point playing with Maynard Ferguson. Over the course of his long career, he released over two dozen albums, earning himself three Grammys along the way. Rob McConnell was 75 when he died of cancer on May 1, 2010.
What You Should Own
Erika Roman was a popular radio personality at Orlando’s Power 95.3 FM where she hosted the morning show. Born in New York City, Roman began her radio career while still in college where she was a co-host at Stonybrook University’s WUSB. She also worked at Fever Records where she promoted their artists at night clubs and other events while still in college. Later, Roman went to work as a co-host with Ed Lover and Dr. Dre on Hot 97’s morning show. In 2006, Roman went to work at Power 95.3 in Orlando. Roman was killed on May 1, 2009 in a single car accident while trying to avoid a discarded piece of furniture in the road. She was 31.
Spike Jones was a musical genius who specialized in creating satirical versions of popular songs by injecting them with crazy sound effects made by anything from cowbells and whistles to oddball noises out of his own mouth. Although he achieved most of his fame and fortune in the ’40s and ’50s, his timeless novelties continued to reach new generations of fans thanks to such radio personalities as Dr. Demento. Spike Jones died at the age of 53 as a result of many years of heavy smoking.
