Died On This Date (August 9, 1974) Bill Chase, Wally Yohn, John Emma, Walter Clark / Chase

Bill Chase
October 20, 1934 – August 9, 1974

Wally Yohn
DOB Unknown – August 9, 1974
John Emma
DOB Unknown – August 9, 1974
Walter Clark
DOB Unknown – August 9, 1974

Bill Chase, John Emma, Wally Yohn and Walter Clark were members Chase, an early ’70s jazz rock band whose sound was not dissimilar to Chicago or Blood, Sweat & Tears.  Formed in the late ’60s by Bill Chase, a trumpet player who had previously played with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson, the band released their debut album in 1971.  That album, Chase earned them a Best New Artist Grammy nomination.  Known for their rousing live shows, the band toured the world, in many cases blowing the headlining act off the stage.  They recorded a few more albums and had some personnel changes over the next couple of years.  While working on their fourth album in August of 1974, the band were en route to perform at a fair in Minnesota. Bad weather caused the plane to crash, killing Bill Chase, Wally Yohn, Walter Clark and John Emma as well as the pilot and a female passenger.



Died On This Date (August 9, 1971) Leslie Kong / Notable Early Reggae Producer

Leslie Kong
1933 – August 9, 1971

leslie_kongLeslie Kong was unique in that he was a Chinese Jamaican and therefore seemed an unlikely person to be one of the founding fathers of reggae.  Kong owned a record store in Kingston when he heard a young Jimmy Cliff singing outside in 1961.  Kong had an epiphany and launched his own label, Beverley’s which was instrumental to the early development of ska, rock steady and reggae.  Kong recorded Cliff’s first record as well as Bob Marley’s earliest singles in 1962.  Other key reggae artists that Kong recorded during their early years were Desmond Dekker, Joe Higgs, Toots & The Maytalls, and Derrick Morgan.  Kong has the distinct honor of producing reggae’s first International hit with Dekker’s “007 (Shanty Town)” in 1967.  In August of 1971, Leslie Kong suffered a fatal heart attack.  Many believe it was due to a curse that the Wailers’ Bunny Livingston placed on him after a business dispute.  He was just 38.


Died On This Date (August 9, 2002) Paul Samson / Heavy Metal Great

Paul Samson
June 4, 1953 – August 9, 2002

With his band, Samson, Paul Samson helped usher in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal of the late ’70s. With contemporaries like Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Girlschool, Samson brought a cleaner, more progressive sound to the metal that originated from the likes of Black Sabbath. Forming the band in 1978, Samson built a steady cult following over it’s six-year existence. At one point, the band was fronted by Bruce Bruce who later changed his name back to Bruce Dickinson and left to join Iron Maiden. Samson’s guitar could also be heard on Ram Jam’s 1977 hit, “Black Betty.” Samson died of cancer while recording a Samson comeback album in 2002.

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Died On This Date (August 9, 2008) Charlie Adell / Veteran R&B Record Promoter

Charlie Adell
September 19, 1923 – August 9, 2008

Charlie Adell was a record promoter who specialized in R&B during his run which began when in the 1950s, Brunswick Records hired him to work records by Jackie Wilson, among others.   During the ’60s, Adell moved over to the legendary Stax Records where he worked with such acts as the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes.  Later, he went to work for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at their Philadelphia International label, promoting the likes of the O’Jays and Wilson Pickett.  Charlie Adell passed away on August 9, 2008 at the age of 84.


Died On This Date (August 9, 2009) David Van De Pitte / Arranger For Motown

David Van De Pitte
October 28, 1941 – August 9, 2009

As a music arranger for Motown, David Van De Pitte helped make hits out of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Eddie Kendricks‘ “Keep On Truckin,'” Gladys Knight’s “If I Were Your Woman,” and many more.  Van De Pitte started working at Motown in 1968 and besides his arrangement successes, he was also the music director for live shows by the likes of Diana Ross, Paul Anka, the Four Tops and the Temptations.  David Van De Pitte died of cancer at the age of 67.