Died On This Date (December 25, 2010) Dorothy Jones / The Cookies

Dorothy Jones
May 16, 1934 – December 25, 2010

Dorothy Jones was a founding member of R&B girl group, the Cookies.  Formed in 1953, the Cookies had hits with “In Paradise,” “Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad (About My Baby),” “Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys,” and of course, “Chains.”   The Beatles also had a hit with “Chains” a few years later.  The Cookies can also be heard singing back up on Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” and Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion.”  The group split up in 1967.  Dorothy Jones was 76 when she died of Alzheimer’s Disease on December 25, 2010.

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The Cookies

Died On This Date (December 18, 2010) Clay Cole / Popular American Rock & Roll TV Host

Clay Cole
January 1, 1938 – December 18, 2010

Clay Cole was a pioneering ’60s New York City rock ‘n roll television show host who, outside of perhaps Ed Sullivan, showcased more rising rock stars than anyone of his era.  At its peak, The Clay Cole Show aired six nights a week and played host to a who’s who of rock and R&B stars.  What was particularly unique about the show, which aired from 1959 to 1968, was that Cole, who was just 21 years old, was as much of the fun as the show’s teenage dancers.  It was on The Clay Cole Show that American teens first caught a glimpse of the likes of Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, Chubby Checker (who debuted “The Twist” – both song AND dance on the program), Dionne Warwick, and the Rolling Stones.  Of special note, that particular episode featured both the Stones AND the Bealtes, making it the first and only time that has ever happened.  The show also featured many future legends of comedy for their television debut.  That list includes George Carlin and Richard Pryor.  When tastes in popular music began to gravitate toward psychedelic rock in the late ’60s, Cole ended the show, even though it was just peaking in popularity. After the program ended, Cole went on to be a successful producer, writer and director for television.  He won two Emmys as a producer.  Clay Cole died of a heart attack on December 18, 2010.  He was 72.



Died On This Date (December 17, 2010) Captain Beefheart / Rock Legend

Captain Beefheart (Born Don Glen Vliet)
January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010

Captain Beefheart was a respected, innovative, and highly influential rock musician who launched his 40-year career in 1964.  A multi-instrumentalist with a powerful voice, Beefheart found himself at the top 1960s avant-garde rock heap.  He was a high school classmate of Frank Zappa with whom he occasionally recorded and performed with.  In 1969, Beefheart released his groundbreaking opus, Trout Mask Replica on Zappa’s Straight Records.  Sonically, the album found itself somewhere in the middle of blues, psychedelia, jazz and rock.  In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine positioned it at #58 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.   It is commonly cited as an influence on post-punk and alternative rock.    Beefheart could count no less than Paul McCartney and John Lennon as fans – at one point they had planned to make him the first artist on their experimental label, Zapple, but the idea for the label was scrapped.  Others he is said to have influenced are the Velvet Underground, the Residents, Throbbing Gristle, and arguably, the entire industrial movement.  He retired from music in 1982 to put more focus on his talents as a visual artist.  It has been reported that his paintings can command as much as $40,000.  Captain Beefheart died on December 17, 2010 of complications from Multiple Sclerosis.  He was 69.

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Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band

Died On This Date (December 17, 2010) Pascual Saura / Bassist For Spanish Rock Band, M-Clan

Pascual Saura
DOB Unknown – December 17, 2010

Pascual Saura was the longtime bassist for the popular Spanish rock band, M-Clan.  Formed as Murcielagos Clan in 1992, the band built a sizable following around the world.  Saura has been with M-Clan since 1993.  He died unexpectedly on Friday, December 17, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released, but he had suffered a brain hemorrhage in recent months.

Died On This Date (December 17, 2010) Robin Rogers / Contemporary Blues Singer

Robin Rogers
DOB Unknown – December 17, 2010

Robin Rogers was a contemporary blues singer who built herself a sizable following throughout southeastern United States and beyond.  Most recently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rogers ran away from home in her early teens and eventually found her voice as a singer while on the road.  By the early ’80s, Rogers was living in South Florida where she first recorded for Sal Sol.  In more recent years, she cut albums for 95 North and Blind Pig Records.  Robin Rogers passed away on December 17, 2010 after battling liver cancer.

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Back In the Fire - Robin Rogers