Died On This Date (August 15, 2008) Jerry Wexler / Legendary Producer & Label Head
themusicsover Jerry Wexler
January 10, 1917 – August 15, 2008
Jerry Wexler was best known as a music producer who was responsible for some of the greatest music from the 1950s through the 1980s. He also coined the phrase “rhythm and blues” while he was editor of Billboard magazine before he became a partner of Atlantic Records in 1953. While at Atlantic he either produced or signed some of the all time greats of popular music. That list includes Wilson Pickett, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers. He retired from the music business in the late ’90s, and passed away of congestive heart failure in 2008.
Thanks to the Jeff Ballenberg for the assist.
Jim Dickinson was a much respected Memphis musician and producer who is best remembered for his production work with the Replacements, Big Star, Alex Chilton, and Willy DeVille among others. As a musician, he played piano on such landmark songs as the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” and the Flamin’ Groovies “Teenage Head.” He’s also worked with the likes of Bob Dylan and Ry Cooder. Dickinson also released several acclaimed albums throughout his career. Talent runs in the Dickinson family, his sons Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson have a popular band, the North Mississippi Allstars. Jim Dickinson died in his sleep following heart surgery. He was 67.
Known as the “Godfather Of The Bass Guitar,” Robert Wilson was the founding bassist for influential funk group, the Gap Band. Formed in 1967 by brothers Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson, and Ronnie Wilson, the Gap Band went on to have several R&B hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s and helped define what we now call funk. Their hits include “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me),” and “Early In The Morning.” In recent years, their music could be heard as samples in songs by the likes of Nas, Snoop Dog, 
Lew DeWitt is best remembered as a singer and guitarist in the Statler Brothers. He also penned a handful of their songs, including “Since Then,” and “Flowers On The Wall” which made it to #4 on the Billboard singles chart in 1965. The song found a new audience thanks to its prominent placement in Pulp Fiction in 1994. In 1982, DeWitt left the group for health reasons. In 1990, DeWitt passed away after years of struggle with Chron’s disease.
Jon Bergen was a well-liked and respected music industry veteran who held sales and marketing positions at Mercury, Restless, Beyond, and Gold Circle Records, as well as BMG Distribution. Throughout his career, he worked closely with the likes of Blondie, Veruca Salt, Pat Benatar, and John Waite. After leaving the label side of the business, Bergen and partner, Bo Caldwell, formed Bender Music Group where they assisted artists and small labels in bringing their music to retail and marketing. Bender’s clients included Young MC, Richard Butler, Howard Hewitt, and Jon Anderson. Jon Bergen died as the result of a car accident on August 15, 2010. He was 37.