Died On This Date (May 15, 2009) Wayman Tisdale / NBA Star & Jazz Musician

Wayman Tisdale
June 9, 1964 – May 15, 2009

wayman-tisdaleWayman Tisdale first came to the world’s attention as an NBA basketball player for the Indiana Pacers and later the gold medal winning US Olympic basketball team of 1984.  Tisdale averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game over his twelve-season career, playing with the Pacers, Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns.  After retiring from basketball, Tisdale pursued his other dream, music.  But unlike most other professional athletes who dabbled in music, Tisdale avoided rap and focused on smooth jazz.  In the early ’90s, Tisdale started the Fifth Quarter Band, for which he played bass.  The band was signed to MoJazz Records and released their debut in 1995.   He went on to release seven more albums that included such guests as George Duke, Bob James, Dave Koz and country star, Toby Keith.  Tisdale was diagnosed with cancer in his knee in early 2008, he had broken the knee falling down a flight of stairs.  His leg was partially amputated in May of 2008.   Plans for a 21-date concert tour were cut short when Wayman Tisdale died of cancer in a Tulsa hospital.  He was just 44.

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The Wayman Tisdale Story - Wayman Tisdale

Died On This Date (May 15, 2003) June Carter Cash / Country Music Icon

June Carter
June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003

juneJune Carter was born into country music’s iconic Carter Family on May 23, 1929.  By the time she was just ten, she was performing as part of the family group.  In 1961, the Carter Family went on the road with Johnny Cash where a romance blossomed between June and Johnny.  Two years later, Carter co-wrote “Ring Of Fire,” apparently inspired by Cash, who made it one of country music’s greatest recording’s ever.  In 1968, Carter and Cash married.  In later years, Cash would publicly credit Carter for saving his life by forcing him to kick his legendary drug habits.  Together Carter and Cash recorded several songs together, including the Grammy-winning “Jackson,” and “If I Were A Carpenter.”   Carter set her sites on writing and acting during the ’70s and ’80s, publishing two autobiographies and appearing in The Apostle, and on television’s Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.  She returned to recording in the late ’90s, releasing the Grammy-winning Press On in 1999.  June Carter Cash died unexpectedly on May 15, 2003 due to complications from heart surgery.

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Died On This Date (May 15, 1999) Barbara Lee / The Chiffons

Barbara Lee
May 16, 1947 – May 15, 1999

chiffonsBarbara Lee was a member of the ’60s girl group, the Chiffons.  Formed while the girls were still in high school in the Bronx, the Chiffons had a #1 hit out of the gate with 1963’s “He’s So Fine.”  The group continued to have notable hits over the next decade or so.   Of historical note, the Chiffons’ record “I Have A Boyfriend” was playing on KLF Radio in Dallas when interrupted with the first announcements of John F. Kennedy’s assassination.  Barbara Lee died of a heart attack on May 15, 1999, the day before her 45th birthday.

 

Died On This Date (May 15, 2008) Bob Florence / Grammy Winning Jazz Composer

Bob Florence
May 30, 1932 – May 15, 2008

Bob Florence was an award winning pianist and arranger whose interest in the piano started when he began taking lessons at the age of five.  He also led his own Los Angeles-based big band, Limited Edition, for some 50 years.  Throughout his career, he received sixteen nominations, winning one for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 2000.  He also won two Emmys for his work as Music Director on Julie Andrews In Concert and Linda Lavin’s Linda In Wonderland.   Florence passed away in his home just days before his 76th birthday.