Died On This Date (June 7, 2009) Kenny Rankin / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

Kenny Rankin
February 10, 1942 – June 7, 2009

rankinKenny Rankin was one of America’s most popular soft rock singer-songwriters during the 1970s.  Frequently appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Rankin released his debut album in 1967.  That album, Mind Dusters, included the hit, “Peaceful” which not only became his signature song, but was also hits for Helen Reddy and Georgie Fame.  His “On And On” would later become a huge hit for Stephen Bishop.  Rankin had such fans in Paul McCartney and John Lennon, that in 1987, they asked him to represent them when they were elected into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.   Kenny Rankin died of lung cancer on June 7, 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Silver Morning - Kenny Rankin

 

Died On This Date (June 7, 2009) Hugh Hopper / Bassist For Soft Machine

Hugh Hopper
April 29, 1949 – June 7, 2009

583058Hugh Hopper was a fusion bassist who is most famous for playing in British psychedelic rock band,  Soft Machine from 1968 to 1972.  Starting out as the band’s road manager Hopper was asked to join the band in time to record their second album.  Hopper also did session work for ex-Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett.  Hopper left Soft Machine in 1972, but continued to stay very active with various groups until he was diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2008.  He died as a result of the disease at the age of 64.

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Third - Soft Machine

Died On This Date (June 7, 2010) Stuart Cable / Drummer For Stereophonics

Stuart Cable
May 19, 1970 – June 7, 2010

Stuart Cable was a Welsh TV talk show host who is perhaps best remembered as the original drummer for the British alternative rock band, Stereophonics.   Formed in the early ’90s, the band were the first to be singed to Richard Branson’s post-Virgin record label, V2.  Stereophonics went on to release several internationally popular albums, with five of them topping the British charts.  Outside of Stereophonics, Cable also played in such bands as Nail Bombs, Stone Gods, and most recently, Killing For Company.  Cable was also a familiar presence on British television and radio.  He hosted the Kerrang! Awards and had a couple of programs on the BBC.  He also had his own BBC radio program, Saturday Night Cable on which he interviewed popular rock musicians.  In 2009, Cable released his autobiography, Demons and Cocktails: My Life With The Stereophonics.  On June 7, 2010, Stuart Cable, age 40, was found dead in his home.  No foul play was initially suspected.

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Just Enough Education to Perform - Stereophonics