Died On This Date (August 12, 2010) Richie Hayward / Drummer For Little Feat

Richie Hayward
February 6, 1946 – August 12, 2010

Richie Hayward is perhaps best remembered as the founding drummer for legendary southern rock band, Little Feat.  Formed by Lowell George in 1969, the band quickly built a sizable following thanks to their seamless merging of rock, jazz, blues, country and R&B.  Albums like Little Feat, Sailin’ Shoes and Dixie Chicken are now classic rock staples while there 1978 live album, Waiting On Columbus, is widely considered one of the greatest live albums ever released.  Hayward also kept very busy outside of Little Feat.  As a session player, he worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, the Doobie Brothers, Robert Palmer, Warren Zevon, and many more.  Richie Hayward was 64 when he died of liver cancer on August 12, 2010

Thanks to Ed Maxin for the assist

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Waiting for Columbus (Live) - Little Feat

Died On This Date (August 12, 1997) Luther Allison / Chicago Blues Legend

Luther Allison
August 17, 1939 – August 12, 1997

Luther Allison was a gifted Chicago blues guitarist who backed up both Howlin’ Wolf and James Cotton.  One of his first admires was Muddy Waters who invited Allison to join him on stage when he was just 18.  He started making records in the early ’60s and building a substantial following based in part on his lengthy live shows.   In 1972, Allison became the first and one of the few ever blues artists to be signed to Motown Records.  During the late ’70s, he moved to France where he was very popular.  He eventually moved back to the United States were he continued to perform and record well into the ’90s.  In 1997, Luther Allison died of a brain tumor at the age of 57.

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Luther's Blues - Luther Allison

Died On This Date (August 12, 2007) Merv Griffin / World Famous Band Leader & Televison Pioneer

Merv Griffin
July 6, 1925 – August 12, 2007

Besides having a long and ultra-successful career as a television host and media mogul, Merv Griffin was also a very talented musician and songwriter.  Griffin began his music career as a singer at the age of 19 when he appeared on a nationally syndicated radio program which lead to a gig singing in front of a traveling orchestra for the next four years.  Shortly thereafter, Griffin recorded his first album, Songs By Merv Griffin, which would go down in history as the first American album ever recorded on magnetic tape.  At 25, Griffin’s “I’ve Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts” became a chart topper, eventually selling some three million copies.  By now Griffin was a popular fixture on the nightclub circuit, where he was discovered by Doris Day who opened some Hollywood doors which eventually lead to his lucrative film and television career.   Griffin’s most popular song was a lullaby written for his son entitled “A Time For Tony.”  The tune was renamed “Think!” and found a home as the countdown music for the Final Jeopardy rounds.  Griffin has said that that simple melody has earned him in excess of $70 million dollars in royalties.  Merv Griffin passed away as a result of prostate cancer on August 12, 2007.  He was 82.

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Died On This Date (August 12, 1985) Kyu Sakamoto / Japanese Pop Singer; Had Hit With “Sukiyaki”

Kyu Sakamoto
December 10, 1941 – August 12, 1985

kyu_sukiyakiKyu Sakomoto was one of Japan’s most influential pop stars as well as a popular actor.  Since he sang in Japanese, he was basically unknown to English speaking music fans, however, he did have an American hit with “Sukiyaki” in 1963.  Released on Capitol Records, it became the first, and since, only Japanese sung song to hit #1 on the pop charts.  It stayed there for three weeks.   R&B group, A Taste Of Honey released an English cover of the song in 1981, while Latin pop star, Selena recorded a Spanish version that was released after her death.   On August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto was aboard the ill-fated Japan Airlines Flight 123 when it suffered mechanical troubles and crashed into the side of a mountain.  He was one of 520 passengers who perished in what has been called the deadliest single-plane crash in history.  Sakamoto was 43.



Died On This Date (August 12, 2009) Rashied Ali / Drummer Who Played With John Coltrane

Rashied Ali (Born Robert Patterson)
July 1, 1935 – August 12, 2009

rashied-aliBorn into a musical family, jazz drummer Rashied Ali began to come into his own after moving to New York City in his late 20s.  Within a short time, he was playing behind the likes of James Blood Ulmer, Pharoah Sanders, and eventually John Coltrane.  He played on Coltrane’s final recordings.  Ali went on to become one of world’s highest regarded avant garde jazz musicians.    During the ’70s he opened a Ali’s Alley, a popular jazz club in New York while continuing to play with the likes of Don Cherry and  Bill Laswell.  Ali continued to play and record up until his passing on August 12, 2009.  He died after a heart attack during heart surgery.

Thanks to reader James Dean for the assist