Died On This Date (August 2, 1987) David Martin / Bassist For Sam The Sham

David Martin
1937 – August 2, 1987

pharaohsAlthough he had been a professional musician since 1959, David Martin is best remembered as the founding bassist for Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs.  Formed in 1963 with Sam “The Sham” Samudio,  the group scored a monstrous hit with “Wooly Bully,” co-written by Martin.  Although America teens were firmly entrenched in the British Invasion at the time, the song raced to #2 on the pop charts and sold over 3 million copies.  And even though the song never hit the #1 position, it was named the #1 single of that year based on its tremendous sales.  No other single has ever done that.   To this day, no honest music collection of the era is complete without that song.  Martin left the group not long after the release of “Wooly Bully” due to a conflict with management.  He soon retired from music and opened his own video and television repair shop which he ran until he passed away on August 2, 1987.

What You Should Own

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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs - Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs

Died On This Date (August 2, 1975) Chan Daniels / The Highwaymen

Chan Daniels
January 1, 1940 – August 2, 1975

Chan Daniels at far right
Chan Daniels at far right

Chan Daniels was an original member of ’60s folk group, The Highwaymen who scored a couple of hits with “Michael,” and “Cotton Fields.”  Formed in 1958, The Highwaymen were very popular along the college folk circuit due, in part, to their political songs.  More pop-leaning and less confrontational than Bob Dylan or Phil Ochs, the Highwaymen found their audience alongside the likes of the Kingston Trio and New Christy Minstrals.  The group disbanded in 1964 as Daniels, Bob Burnett and Steve Butts opted to go to grad school.  They reunited on occasion in later years.  Chan Daniels passed away on August 2, 1975.



Died On This Date (August 2, 1997) Fela Kuti / Afro-Beat Pioneer

Fela Kuti
October 15, 1938 – August 2, 1997

An afro-beat pioneer, the Nigerian born Fela Kuti was considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.  Born to politically active parents in 1938, Kuti later went to London to study medicine, but switched to music.  While in college he formed his first band which introduced a sound that married jazz, funk and the West African traditional music, later to be called afro-beat.  While visiting the United States in 1969, Kuti was introduced to the Black Power movement, which would strongly influence his beliefs and music moving forward.  He soon became a target of the Nigerian government due to the confrontational lyrics in his songs.  His house was burned down and he was beaten by soldiers on multiple occasions.  But he kept doing what he did best, make great music with a strong message of the people.  To many, his voice and words were as important as Bob Marley’s were.  Fela Kuti died from complications of AIDS  on August 2, 1997.

What You  Should Own

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Best of the Black President - Fela Kuti

Died On This Date (August 2, 1972) Brian Cole / The Association

Brian Cole
September 8, 1942 – August 2, 1972

coleBrian Cole’s first foray into show business was as a stand-up comic and actor, eventually joining the Association as bassist.  The group had two pop hits with “Along Comes Mary” and “Cherish.”  Their other claim to fame was that the were the opening act for the legendary 1967 Monterey Pop Festival which first introduced many to the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Otis Redding.  It was also considered by some historians as the beginning of the “Summer of Love.”   The band continued to build an audience over the next few and were about to embark on their 1972 when Brian Cole was found dead of a heroin overdose in his room.  He was just 29.

What You Should Own

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The Association: Greatest Hits - The Association

Died On This Date (August 2, 2009) Howie Goodman / Veteran Record Promoter

Howie Goodman
November 5, 1949 – August 2, 2009

Born in New York, Howie Goodman grew up to become a passionate record promoter.  While in college in Memphis during the early ’70s, Goodman began working at two area clubs.  That lead to his work as an independent record promoter, working records throughout Memphis and some of the country’s biggest markets.  He soon opened his own promo company, Good Choice Promotion.  Howie Goodman died of cancer at the age of 59.