Died On This Date (August 25, 2001) Aaliyah / American Pop Star

Aaliyah Haughton
January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001

Aaliyah Haughton was a Brooklyn-born star on the rise when her life was tragically cut short.  Raised in Detroit, she caught the singing bug early in life, leading her to perform on Star Search as as child and score a recording contract with famed Jive Records at just 12 years old.  Her debut album, Age Aint Nothing But A Number sold an astonishing 2 million units.  Her follow-up, One In A Million sold over 8 million world wide.  Haughton was also getting started as an actress, appearing in 2000’s Romeo Must Die which lead to her title role in Queen Of The Damned.  She released her third album, Aaliyah in 2001, and her career was on a serious roll when she found herself in the Bahamas to film the first video for the first single, “Rock The Boat.”  On August 25th, after filming of the video was complete, Haughton and 8 other crew and passengers boarded a small plane to fly back home.  The plane, loaded with heavy equipment and gear had trouble on take-off, crashing about 200 feet past the runway.  All nine on the flight were killed.  Aaliyah Haughton was just 22 years old.

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Age Ain't Nothing But a Number - Aaliyah

Died On This Date (August 25, 1979) Stan Kenton / Jazz Icon

Stan Kenton
December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979

kentonStan Kenton was a popular jazz pianist and band leader who made his mark as part of the West Coast jazz scene of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s.  He was considered an innovator in his day – taking what others called a “dance band,” and filling it out to what he preferred to call an “orchestra.”  In doing so, he created what was then labeled a “wall of sound,” a term hijacked by Phil Spector in later years.    His influence can be heard today across America’s high school and college jazz bands.  Stan Kenton died on August 25, 1979 following a stroke.  He was 67.

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New Concepts Of Artistry In Rhythm - Stan Kenton

Died On This Date (August 25, 1999) Rob Fisher / Naked Eyes; Climie Fisher

Rob Fisher
November 5, 1956 – August 25, 1999

L-R: Rob Fisher, Simon Climie
L-R: Rob Fisher, Simon Climie

As half of the 80’s pop duo, Naked Eyes, Rob Fisher was responsible for a couple of the most memorable hits from the classic MTV generation.  Fisher played keyboards and wrote songs for the group which included singer, Pete Bryne.  Their 1983 cover of Burt Bacharach’s “Always Something There To Remind Me” was a Top 10 hit in the U.S., while their follow-up single, “Promises Promises” reached #11 on the charts.  Following the 1985 break up of Naked Eyes, formed another duo, this time with Simon Climie.  As Climie Fisher, they scored a moderate his with “Love Changes Everything” in 1987.  When the band dissolved in 1990, Fisher basically left the business.  He died on August 25, 1999, following surgery for bowel cancer.  He was just 39.

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Everything - Climie Fisher

Died On This Date (August 25, 1995) Arnie Treffers / Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers

Arnie Treffers
February 15, 1947 – August 25, 1995

Arnie Treffers was the main songwriter and lead singer of Netherlands rock band, Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers who became local favorites in the mid ’70s.  The band’s sound fell somewhere between Elvis Presley and the Sweet.  These days their recordings are prized by collectors around the world.  Treffers died of lung cancer on August 25, 1995.



Died On This Date (August 25, 2009) Berle Adams / Former Label Executive & Agent

Berle Adams (Born Beryl Adasky)
June 11, 1917 – August 25, 2009

adams_berleBerle Adams was a longtime music industry executive who, through his career was Vice President of MCA and co-founded Mercury Records.  Adams began his career as an agent, representing such acts as Coleman Hawkins and Louis Jordan.  He later formed his own agency as well as a couple of publishing companies.  In 1945, he co-founded Mercury Records, quickly releasing hits by the likes of Vic Damone and Frankie Laine.  In 1950, Lew Wasserman hired Adams at MCA where he stayed for the next two decades, working mostly in television.  While with MCA, Adams formed Uni Records who signed the Who, Neil Diamond and Elton John to name a few.  In 1971, Adams left MCA to work for the William Morris Agency.  Berle Adams passed away on August 25, 2009 at the age of 92.