Joe Hinton
November 15, 1929 – August 13, 1968
Joe Hinton was a gospel singer who began making non-secular soul music in 1958. Over the next six years, he scored a handful of R&B hits which included, “You Know It Ain’t Right,” “I Want A Little Girl,” and a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away.” Joe Hinton died of skin cancer at the age of 38.
“King Curtis” Ousley
February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971
King Curtis was a revered tenor saxophonist who, as a session man, played on hits by the likes of the Coasters, Aretha Franklin, and Buddy Holly. His most famous playing can be heard on “Yakety Yak” by the Coasters. He also released several albums on his own before his career was tragically cut short. According to reports, Ousley was carrying an air conditioner up to his New York apartment during a sweltering heat wave. En route, he was met by two men doing drugs who wouldn’t let him pass. In the resulting scuffle, Juan Montanez fatally stabbed Ousley. Sam Moore has claimed that he and Aretha Franklin witnessed the attack as they were arriving to visit Ousley. Franklin and Stevie Wonder each performed at his funeral.
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
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.
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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