Died On This Date (2009) Allen Klein / Managed the Beatles, Rolling Stones

Allen Klein
December 18, 1931 – July 4, 2009

allan_kleinAllen Klein was a record company executive and powerful artist manager during the 1960s.  Known as a ruthless businessman, many artists benefited from his abilities to get them better record deals and higher royalties.  His client list included Bobby Darin, Herman’s Hermits, Sam Cooke, and most famously, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.   His relationships with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles would eventually sour, ending in lawsuits. Some Beatles fans reportedly blamed tensions caused by Allen for driving the band apart.  Allen Klein died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 77.


Died On This Date (July 4, 2009) Drake Levin / Paul Revere & the Raiders

Drake Levin (Born Drake Levinshefski)
August 17, 1946 – July 4, 2009

drakeDrake Levin is best remembered as the guitarist for ’60s rock band, Paul Revere & The Raiders, America’s answer to the British Invasion.  Levin was part of the band from 1963 to 1966, when he was drafted into the army.  However, Levin was able to secure a position in the National Guard which allowed him to record with the band on weekends.  Levin can be heard on the original recordings of such early Raiders hits as “Kicks” and “Steppin’ Out.”  Levin died in his home after a long battle with cancer.  He was 62.

What You Should Own

Paul Revere & The Raiders - The Complete Columbia Singles (feat. Mark Lindsay) - Paul Revere & The Raiders

Died On This Date (July 4, 2009) George Fullerton / Fender Guitars

George Fullerton
March 7, 1923 – July 4, 2009

fullertonGeorge Fullerton was a long time employee of Leo Fender, of Fender Guitar fame.  Hired early on, Fullerton first worked in repair for Fender’s early guitars and amps.  As Fender developed such models as the innovative Stratocaster and Telecaster, it was Fullerton’s job to figure out a way to mass produce them at an economical price.  Where Fender designed the guitars, Fullerton created the machines that could mass produce them.  George Fullerton died of congestive heart failure at the age of 86.

Died On This Date (July 4, 2007) Bill Pinkney / The Drifters

Bill Pinkney
August 15, 1925 – July 4, 2007

Bill Pinkney is best remembered as a longtime member of the Drifters, one of the premier vocal groups of the doo wop idiom.  He was and on-and-off member of the group between 1954 and 1958 and can be heard on such early recordings as “Money Honey,” “Honey Love,” “Maybe Baby,” and “White Christmas.”  Unfortunately, Pinkney had left the group by the time they recorded their biggest hits, “Under the Boardwalk” and “Up On The Roof.”  In 1958, the group’s manager replaced all the members of the group with new singers after which Pinkney formed the Original Drifters that included members of the early formation of the group.  They remained a popular touring act for the better part of the next four decades.  In 1988, Pinkney as the Drifters were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.   Bill Pinkney was 81 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on July 4, 2007.  He and the Drifters were scheduled to perform later that day.

 



Died On This Date (July 4, 2009) Dee Dee Bellson / Jazz Vocalist

Dee Dee Bellson
April 20, 1960 – July 4, 2009

With Louis Bellson
With Louis Bellson

Dee Dee Bellson was the adopted daughter of Pearl Bailey and Louis Bellson.  As a child, Bellson traveled with her mother on tour and occasionally appeared on her television show.  She later became a professional jazz singer, touring all over the world, performing with her father’s band, and singing on albums by such jazz artists as Weather Report and Wayne Shorter.  Dee Dee Bellson died as a result of a heart attack at the age of 49.