Died On This Date (August 11, 2009) Kitty White / Jazz & Gospel Singer; Sang With Elvis In “King Creole”

Kitty White (Born Kitty Bilbrew)
July 7, 1923 – August 11, 2009

Kitty White was a jazz, pop and gospel singer who is best remembered for singing “Crawfish” with Elvis Presley in 1958’s King Creole film.  Throughout her long career, White recorded for such labels as Mercury, EmArcy, Capitol and Pacific Jazz.  Kitty White passed away after suffering a stroke at the age of 86.

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Kitty White

Died On This Date (August 11, 2008) Don Helms / Played Steel Guitar For Hank Williams

Don Helms
February 28, 1927 – August 11, 2008

Don Helms’ signature steel guitar can be heard on over 100 Hank Williams recordings.  Throughout his career that spanned over 60 years, Helms played on such classic recordings as “Cash On The Barrelhead” (Louvin Brothers), “Walkin’ After Midnight” (Patsy Cline), and “Long Black Veil” (Lefty Frizzell).  He also played with Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Hank Williams Jr., among many more.  Don Helms died from complications of heart surgery and diabetes.

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Died On This Date (August 11, 2010) John Wynn / Banjo Maker & Picker

John Wynn
DOB Unknown – August 11, 2010

John Wynn was a beloved banjo and mandolin picker who also could make the instruments.  After first learning to play the banjo after meeting his future wife back in the ’50s, Wynn began playing in a band called the Stump Jumpers. A cabinet maker by trade, Wynn made his first mandolin during the early ’70s, mainly due to the economics of raising five children at the time.  That soon turned into a successful business for Wynn.  He was recently inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Hall of Fame as a Pioneer of Bluegrass.  John Wynn was 72 when he passed away on August 11, 2010.



Died On This Date (August 11, 1996) Mel Taylor / Drummer For The Ventures

Mel Taylor
September 24, 1933 – August 11, 1996

Mel Taylor is best remembered as the second drummer of surf instrumental pioneers, the Ventures.  Influenced by Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Louis Bellson, Taylor’s early career consisted of playing with Boris Pickett and Herb Alpert before replacing Howie Johnson in the Ventures.  The year was 1962 and Taylor would stay with the Ventures on and off for the next thirty years.  He passed away as a result of cancer on August 11, 1996.