Died On This Date (July 5, 1992) Paul Hackman / Helix

Paul Hackman
1953 – July 5, 1992

Paul Hackman was a founding guitarist for Canadian hard rock band, Helix. Formed in 1974 for a battle-of-the-bands contest, the band quickly built a following in their homeland which eventually lead to a deal with Capitol Records in 1984. The band soon released a racy video for “Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'” which caused a bit of a stir years later when it was discovered it featured a then 16-year-old Traci Lords dancing around nude. Of course, no one knew she was underage at the time. Several years later, while on a Canadian tour in 1992, the band’s bus veered off a 40-foot embankment, throwing Hackman to his death. He had been asleep behind the driver.

What You Should Own

Walkin' the Razor's Edge (Bonus Track Version) - Helix

Died On This Date (July 5, 1983) Harry James / Jazz Trumpet Legend

Harry James
March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983

Harry James was a popular band leader and trumpet player whose career started in the mid ’30s.  After performing with Ben Pollack, James joined Benny Goodman’s band for about a year, leaving that to form his own big band in 1939.  One musical footnote includes Frank Sinatra, who sang with James very early in his career.  Legend has it that James wanted Sinatra to change his name to Frankie Satin.  Fortunately, Sinatra refused.  Later employing Buddy Rich, James stayed active with his band until the early ’80s.   In 1983, he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, likely due to years of heavy smoking.   And even though he was dying, James continued to perform right up until nine days before he passed away on July 5, 1983.

What You Should Own

Trumpet Blues: The Best Of Harry James - Harry James

Died On This Date (July 5, 2005) Shirley Goodman / Shirley & Lee

Shirley Goodman
June 19, 1936 – July 5, 2005

shirleyandleeShirley Goodman was an R&B singer who, with Lee Leonard, performed as Shirley & Lee during the 1950s.  Their first single, 1952’s “I’m Gone” reached #2 on the R&B charts and is considered by some scholars as an early influence on ska.   In 1956, their recording of “Let the Good Times Roll” topped the R&B charts and made it into the top 20 of the pop charts.  Shirley & Lee broke up in 1962 after which Goodman sang on records by the likes of Sonny & Cher and Dr. John.  She had a dance hit with “Shame Shame Shame,” in 1974.  Shirley Goodman, 69, passed away on July 5, 2005.

What You Should Own

Shirley & Lee

Died On This Date (July 5, 2010) David Fanshawe / Respected Ethnomusicologist

David Fanshawe
April 19, 1942 – July 5, 2010

David Fanshawe was a revered English ethnomusicologist and sometime composer who created music for television shows and more.  After high school, he began to study music in college while working as a film editor and traveling the world during holidays.  While on these excursions, many times hitchhiking, Fanshawe took along a tape recorder to capture the traditional folk songs of the people he encountered along the way.  This continued, but much more extensively upon his graduation.  Meanwhile, Fanshawe was also composing music, much of it for English television and film scores.  Many of his pieces incorporated the field music he recorded during his travels.  Samples of these recordings can also be heard in such American films as Gangs Of New York and How To Make an American Quilt.    In all, Fanshawe’s collection grew to over 2000 hours of music and over 6000 photographs.  David Fanshawe was 67 when he died of a stroke on July 5, 2010.

What You Should Own

David Fanshawe

Died On This Date (July 4, 2003) Barry White / Soul Icon

Barry White (Born Barrence Carter)
September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003

BarryA young Barry White was going down a wrong path when he heard Elvis Presley on the radio while serving four months in prison for burglary.  He was seventeen at the time, and music became his salvation.   After leaving gang life behind, White became a successful songwrither, producer, arranger and performer.  In 1969, White hit gold by producing a group called Love Unlimited Orchestra.  A string of hits followed, with their “Love’s Theme” hitting the top of the pop charts in 1974 becoming, arguably, the first disco hit ever.  White’s rich bass voice would become synonymous  with all that was sexy in the ’70s and beyond.  Hits like “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Baby” and “Never, Never Give You Up” followed and endeared him to fans thanks to his romantic blend of soul and orchestra.  His career slowed down somewhat during the ’80s and part of the ’90s until he was introduced to a whole new generation thanks to an animated appearance in a 1993 episode of The Simpsons.  A handful of hits followed throughout the ’90s, as did numerous placements of his songs on popular television shows, including Alley McBeal on which he appeared twice.  He was awarded two Grammys for 1999 release, Staying Power.  White was plagued with health problems in his later years due in part to high blood pressure.  He suffered a stroke in May of 2003 and passed away two months later.  He was 58.

What You Should Own

Barry White: All-Time Greatest Hits - Barry White