2010

Died On This Date (May 24, 2010) Stella Nova aka Steve New / The Rich Kids

Stella Nova (aka Steve New)
May 16, 1960 – May 24, 2010

Stella Nova was an English punk/new wave  singer and guitarist who, as Steve New, nearly became the Sex Pistols’ second guitarist before their recently fired bassist, Glen Matlock, invited him to join his new band, the Rich Kids.   Born in London, New began playing music while still in grade school.  By the late mid ’70s, he was fully entrenched in the city’s vibrant punk scene, which lead to his invitation to audition for the Sex Pistols and ultimate membership in the Rich Kids.  Formed in 1977, the band was made up of Matlock, New, Rusty Egan, and front man and future Ultravox singer, Midge Ure.  The new wave/power pop band who had more in common with the Small Faces than with the Sex Pistols,  built a solid cult following before disbanding two years later.  New went to work with the likes of Sid Vicious, Iggy Pop, and Public Image, Ltd.  In recent years, he was going by Stella Nova and working as a composer, arranger, and producer.   Stella Nova/Steve New was 50 when he died of cancer on May 24, 2010.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.

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Died On This Date (May 24, 1963) Elmore James / Blues Great

Elmore James
January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963

Elmore James was and is the undisputed King Of The Slide Guitar. James began making music on a one-string instrument at the age of twelve and by his mid teens, he was playing local dances and juke joints until he went off to fight in World War II. He was part of the US Navy and was there for the invasion of Guam against the Japanese. After the war, James returned to Mississippi only to learn that he had a serious heart condition. He settled in with his adopted brother and began working in his radio repair shop. It was there that James began to tinker with his amps to create a unique sound that could only be called raw and distorted. So ahead of his time, that sound wouldn’t hit the mainstream until rock musicians made it their own in the ’60s. As the ’50s dawned, James began recording sides for Trumpet Records, first as a side man and then front and center after the surprise R&B hit of his “Dust My Broom.”  James made a go at the road, but his poor health brought him back home where he worked a bit as a disc jockey and radio repairman while he continued to make records. He suffered two heart attacks during this period, but the third one on May 24, 1963 proved to be fatal. Elmore James died at the age of age of 45, very young by blues standards.

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Died On This Date (May 24, 2008) Sonny Okosun / Nigerian Pop Star

Sonny Okosun
January 1, 1947 – May 24, 2008

Sonny Okosun was one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians through most of the ’70s and ’80s.  His most popular song was 1977’s “Fire In Soweto,” which was featured on Little Steven’s anti-apartheid album, Sun City.  Another of his songs, “High Life” was later featured on the soundtrack for 1986 film, Something Wild.  By the mid 80s, Okosun had moved out of the pop arena and transitioned into gospel music.  He died of colon cancer on May 24, 2008 at the age of 61.

Died On This Date (May 24, 2008) Jimmy McGriff / Jazz Great

Jimmy McGriff
April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008

Jimmy McGriff was a jazz organist that was known for his talent on the Hammond B-3.  Very gifted as a child, McGriff learned the piano at five years old and by the time he was a teen, he was also playing the saxophone, vibes, drums and bass.  Although he didn’t take up the Hammond B-3 organ until in his twenties, he would be come the instrument he was most closely associated with.  Over the course of his career, McGriff played with the likes of Jimmy Smith, Junior Parker, Buddy Rich, and Carmen MacRae.   He died of Multiple Sclerosis on May 24, 2008.

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Died On This Date (May 23, 2009) Jay Bennett / Former Member of Wilco

Jay Bennett
November 15, 1963 – May 23, 2009

jaybennettJay Bennett was an exceptional, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer most famously known for his years in Wilco.  Prior to Wilco,  Bennett helped found Titanic Love Affair in the early ’90s.  He joined Wilco in 1994 and stayed with the group until a less-than-amicable split in 2001.  After Wilco, Bennett released a handful of studio albums while appearing on several as an in-demand studio musician.  He also produced albums by the likes of Blues Traveler.   In May of 2009, Bennett filed a lawsuit against Jeff Tweedy of Wilco claiming, according to Paste Magazine, “Tweedy owes Bennett ‘damages of at least $50,000’ for his time in the band, including his less-than-favorable depiction in the 2002 Wilco documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.” Jay Bennett passed away of an accidental overdose from a prescription painkiller on May 23, 2009 .  He was just 45.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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