Died On This Date (June 5, 1977) Sleepy John Estes / Blues Legend

Sleepy John Estes
January 25, 1899 – June 5, 1977

The son of a sharecropper, Sleepy John Estes began to perform while working as a field hand at the age of 19. He played guitar and sang at local picnics and parties around his neighborhood in Brownsville, TN. At 30, he entered the studio to record such sides as “Drop Down Mama” and “Someday Baby Blues” first on Victor Records and later Delmark, Decca and Bluebird. Not an exceptional guitarist, Estes was recognized for a great voice that was filled with the passion and pain he sang about. Big Bill Broonzy once referred to his style of singing as crying the blues. Estes virtually faded into obscurity mostly because of his reported death, but also because his voice sounded so much like an old man, many figured he was long dead by the time the ’60s blues revival rolled around. Thankfully the great Sam Charters and Bob Koester tracked him down and revived his career in 1962. He had become blind and was living in poverty. His set was one of the highlights at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. Estes died of a stroke on June 5, 1977 at the age of 78, but not before leaving a lasting impression on the likes of Bob Dylan and Peter Case, who called his fantastic 2007 release, Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John.

What You Should Own

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I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 1929-1941 - Sleepy John Estes

 

Died On This Date (June 5, 1990) Jim Hodder / Drummer For Steely Dan

Jim Hodder
December 17, 1947 – June 5, 1990

hodderJim Hodder is best known as the original drummer for Steely Dan.  He joined the group in 1972 and played on the classic albums, Can’t Buy A Thrill, Countdown To Extacy and Pretzel Logic.  He left the band in 1974 and went on to be a session player, working with such artists as Sammy Hagar and David Soul.  Jim Hodder drowned in his swimming pool in 1990.  He was just 42.

Died On This Date (June 5, 2010) Tony Peluso / Guitarist For The Carpenters

Tony Peluso
DOB Unknown- June 5, 2010

Tony Peluso was a producer and musician who is perhaps best remembered as the lead guitarist for the Carpenters for the better part of 12 years.  As a producer or engineer, Peluso worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, the Temptations, Kenny Loggins, Boyz II Men, the Four Tops, the Fixx, and Smokey Robinson.  He also collaborated with Bobby Sherman and Paul Revere & The Raiders.  Tony Peluso was 60 when he died of heart disease on June 5, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (June 5, 1993) Conway Twitty / Country Music Icon

Conway Twitty (Born Harold Jenkins)
September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993

During his time, Conway Twitty was one country music’s most successful artists, landing 45 singles at the #1 slot of the music charts.  Twitty was already singing on his local radio station by the time he hit his early teens, while also excelling at baseball.  The Philadelphia Phillies were interested in signing him when he got out of high school, but the US Army beat them to the punch.   After serving his country, Twitty took a cue from Elvis Presley headed down his musical path by way of Sun Studios in Memphis.  Twitty would eventually release of string of hits that spanned country, rock ‘n roll and R & B.   His first single, “It’s Only Make Believe” sold a staggering 8 million copies.  In 1982, Twitty opened an entertainment complex called Twitty City, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Tennessee at the time.  While on tour in 1993, Twitty became ill and passed away of an abdominal aneurysm.  He was 59 years old.

What You Should Own

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Conway Twitty: The #1 Hits Collection - Conway Twitty

Died On This Date (June 5, 2009) Jeff Hanson / Up-And-Coming Singer-Songwriter

Jeff Hanson
1978 – June 5, 2009

jeff_hanson-nightJeff Hanson was an up and coming singer-songwriter and musician from Milwaukee.  In 2003, he signed to influential indie label, Kill Rock Stars for whom he recorded three albums, Son, Jeff Hanson, and Madam Owl.  Hanson was found dead in his apartment by his visiting parents.  Initial reports indicated that he likely died from a fall.  There was no sign of foul play.

What You Should Own

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Son - Jeff Hanson