Died On This Date (August 8, 1975) Cannonball Adderley / Jazz Great

Julian “Cannonball” Adderley
September 15, 1928 – August 8, 1975

Somewhat of a child prodigy, Cannonball Adderley was already turning heads with his sax playing while still a teenager in Tallahassee, Florida.  He along with his brother, Nat Adderley was even competent enough to sit in with Ray Charles as far back as the early ’40s.  After relocating to New York City in the mid ’50s, Adderley was well on his way to becoming one of jazz’s most revered alto saxophonists.  Throughout his career he performed or recorded with such legends as Oscar Pettiford, Miles Davis, Yusuf Lateef and Bill Evans.  Adderley also had a brief career as an actor, first performing with his band in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty For Me, and later acting opposite David Carradine in an episode of Kung Fu.   On August 8, 1975, Cannonball Adderley died of a stroke at the age of 46.

What You Should Own

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Somethin' Else (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition Remastered) - Cannonball Adderley

Died On This Date (August 8, 2010) Ted Kowalski / The Diamonds

Ted Kowalski
DOB Unknown – August 8, 2010

Ted Kowalski was a Canadian tenor vocalist who is best remembered as an original singer in the popular vocal quartet, the Diamonds.  Formed in 1953 while the members were all in college, the group landed an American record deal within two years.  The all-White quartet quickly built a fanbase with their “safe” covers of songs previously made popular by R&B singers.  Their hits included “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” “Little Darlin,'” and “Silhouettes.”  They were also a familiar presence on the pop music and variety programs of the era.  Decades later, they were elected into both the Rock and Roll and Doo Wop Halls of Fame.  Kowalski left the Diamonds in 1958 to follow another career path.   Ted Kowalski lost his battle with heart disease on August 8, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

What You Should Own

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The Diamonds

Died On This Date (August 8, 2009) Michael Viner / ’70s Producer & Label Head

Michael Viner
1944 – August 8, 2009

vinerAlthough Michael Viner is likely best remembered as a pioneer in the audio books industry, he did make a significant mark on music as well.  Viner was a record producer and label executive during the ’70s.  While at MGM Records, Viner signed the likes of Debby Boone.  As a producer, he worked with Sammy Davis Jr. on his biggest hit, “Candy Man,” and produced the Incredible Bongo Band’s minor hit, “Apache.”   That song would become one of the foundations of rap and hip-hop, being sampled by the likes of Moby and LL Cool J.  Viner passed away of cancer at the age of 65.

Died On This Date (August 8, 2010) Jack Parnell / Bandleader For The Muppets

Jack Parnell
August 6, 1923 – August 8, 2010

Jack Parnell was an English jazz drummer, pianist and bandleader who began playing is instruments at the age of five.  During WWII, he played in the RAF band.  He composed many television theme songs throughout his career, and in 1973, he became the first British musician to win an Emmy for his work on a Barbra Streisand special.   Over the course of his career, Parnell played with the likes of Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr.  From 1976 to 1981, Parnell served as the off-camera bandleader for The Muppets program.  Jack Parnell was 87 when he passed away on August 8, 2010.