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



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.