Died On This Date (August 3, 2008) Erik Darling / The Weavers, Rooftop Singers

Erik Darling
September 25, 1933 – August 3, 2008

Erik Darling was a folk singer-songwriter who found success in two of the genres most influential groups, the Weavers and the Rooftop Singers.  Prior to replacing Pete Seeger in the Weavers in 1958, Darling had a group with future film star, Alan Arkin.  The group was first called the Tunetellers and later, the Terriers and they scored a Top 5 Billboard hit with their version of “Banana Boat Song (Day-O).”   Darling was in the Weavers for four years after which he formed the Rooftop Singers, a hipper folk group whose “Walk Right In” landed at #1 on pop charts in 1963 and was certified gold for selling over 1 million copies for Vanguard Records.  Darling died of lymphoma at the age of at the age of 74.  Upon learning of Darling’s passing, Vanguard’s Morgana Kennedy said, “That’s sad.”

Thanks to Craig Rosen at  Number1Albums for the assist

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Vanguard Visionaries: The Rooftop Singers - The Rooftop Singers

Died On This Date (August 3, 2008) Paul “Moon” Mullins / Bluegrass Fiddler & Radio Personality

Paul “Moon” Mullins
September 24, 1936 – August 3, 2008

Paul “Moon” Mullins was a fiddle player and disc jockey who entertained bluegrass fans through his radio programs in Kentucky and Ohio.  Mullins learned to play the fiddle while in the army from 1955 to 1958.  When he returned home, he joined Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys, playing fiddle.  Several years later, he became the announcer for Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Festival.  In 2007, Mullins was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.  He passed away in a nursing facility on August 3, 2008 at the age of 71.



Died On This Date (August 2, 1983) James Jamerson / Bassist On Many Early Motown Hits; The Funk Brothers

James Jamerson
January 29, 1936 – August 2, 1983

jamersonBorn in South Carolina, James Jamerson moved to Detroit where learned to play the bass in high school.  He soon started playing in the local jazz and blues clubs and by the early ’60s, he was working at Berry Gordy’s studio.  He, along with some of popular music’s greatest musicians were called the Funk Brothers and they can be heard on nearly every Motown record throughout the ’60s.  Jamerson played on literally hundreds of Motown songs including such hits as “My Girl” (the Temptations), “You Can’t Hurry Love (the Supremes), “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Gladys Knight), and “What’s Goin’ On” (Marvin Gaye).   It has been said that Jamerson played on more #1 pop hits than the Beatles, who own that actual record.   Many of the world’s greatest bass players have pointed to Jamerson as their main influence.  That list includes John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, and Jack Bruce.  Jamerson and Motown parted company in 1973 after which, he found work playing on such disco hits as “Boogie Fever” and “Don’t Rock The Boat.”   A longtime drinker,  James Jamerson died of cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 47.



Died On This Date (August 2, 2009) Billy Lee Riley / Rockabilly Pioneer

Billy Lee Riley
October 5, 1933 – August 2, 2009

Billy LeeBorn to poverty in Arkansas, Billy Lee Riley moved to Memphis after a stint in the army during the ’50s.  Having learned to play the guitar from the local black farm workers, Riley set out to make a name for himself in music.  He was soon recording for Sam Phillips at Sun Studios.  During his Memphis years, Riley released such hit records as “Flying Saucers Rock and Roll,” and “Red Hot.”  In the early ’60s, Riley moved to Los Angeles where he played on records by the likes of the Beach Boys, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  He retired from music during the ’70s but returned during the ’90s, releasing the Grammy-nominated Hot Damn! in 1997.  Billy Lee Riley died of colon cancer on August 2, 2009.  He was 75.

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The Very Best of Billy Lee Riley: Red Hot! - Billy Lee Riley

Died On This Date (August 2, 2010) Mitch Jayne / The Dillards

Mitch Jayne
July 5, 1930 – August 2, 2010

Mitch Janye was the long time bassist for influential bluegrass band, the Dillards.  He was also the author of many of the groups most beloved songs.  Formed in 1962, the pickers eventually added electric guitars, drums and keyboards to the mix which in turn, laid the foundation for country rock to come in the early ’70s, and newgrass in the ’80s and ’90s.  Artists who have taken a cue for the Dillards include the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Eagles, New Grass Revival, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sam Bush, String Cheese Incident, Ricky Skaggs, and the Byrds.  The Dillards made their mark on television as well.  During the ’60s, they had a recurring role as the Darlings, a bluegrass band that performed on the Andy Griffith Show.  The group continued to release albums well into the ’90s.  Outside of the Dillards, Jayne authored several books, hosted a radio show, and spent time as a school teacher.  Mitch Jayne was 80 when he passed away on August 2, 2010.

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The Dillards