Died On This Date (May 8, 1967) LaVerne Andrews / The Andrews Sisters

LaVerne Andrews
July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967

LaVerne Andrews, along with her two younger sisters, Maxene and Patty  were better known as the Andrews Sisters, the best-selling female vocal group in pop music history. Over their career, the Andrews’ recorded over 600 sides that sold over 75 million copies in all. They had 113 charted hits, 46 of which landing in the top 10, a feat that surpassed even Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The original group’s run can to an end when LaVerne died of cancer on May 8, 1967 at the age of 56.

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Died On This Date (May 8, 2010) Francisco Aguabella / Popular Afro-Cuban Percussionist

Francisco Aguabella
October 10, 1925 – May 8, 2010

Francisco Aguabella was a revered Afro-Cuban, jazz and Salsa percussionist who was also a sacred drummer of the Santeria religion.  Born and raised in Cuba, Aguabella picked up his first instrument at 12, and ultimately left home in his mid-20s to pursue his music career. He performed all over the world, appeared in the Shelley Winters film, Mambo, and played at the White House.    Over the course of his career, Aguabella performed with  Frank Sinatra, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana, Cal Tjader, and the Doors to name a few.  In 1992, he was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the Endowment for the Arts.  Francisco Aguabella was 84 when he died of cancer on May 8, 2010.

Thanks to NAMM Historian, Dan Del Fiorentino for the assist.

Died On This Date (May 8, 2008) Larry Levine / Engineer For Phil Spector

Larry Levine
May 8, 1928 – May 8, 2008

Larry Levine, was the gifted studio engineer who helped producer Phil Spector create the “wall Of sound.”  He took Spector’s vision and made it work on such hits as “Be My Baby,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” and “Da Do Ron Ron.”  Outside of Spector, Levine worked on records by the likes of Eddie Cochran, the Beach BoysSonny & Cher, and the Carpenters.  In 1965, Levine won a Best Engineering Grammy for his work on Herb Alpert’s “A Taste Of Honey.”  After years of suffering from emphysema, Larry Levine died in his home on his 80th birthday.

Died On This Date (May 7, 1998) Eddie Rabbitt / Country Superstar

Eddie Rabbitt
November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998

rabbittEddie Rabbit was a prolific country singer songwriter who achieved much of his success during the ’70s and ’80s.  Thanks to his hits, Rabbitt helped define what was considered “crossover” at the time, meaning that they appealed to both a country AND pop music fans.   Rabbitt’s first hit came as a songwriter in 1969 when Elvis Presley scored a gold record with his “Kentucky Rain.”  In 1974, Rabbitt signed to Elektra Records and proceeded to release a series of hits over the next ten  years or so.  In all, Rabbitt had 25 #1 country hits and eight Top 40 pop hits.  His biggest were “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” and “Drivin’ My Life Away.”  Eddie Rabbitt died of lung cancer at the age of 56.

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