Died On This Date (March 3, 2008) Norman “Hurricane” Smith / Produced The Beatles, Pink Floyd
themusicsover Norman Smith
February 22, 1923 – March 3, 2008
Norman “Hurricane” Smith was a British engineer and producer who worked closely with George Martin and who could count the Beatles, Pink Floyd and the Pretty Things among his successes. He was lead engineer on every song the Beatles ever recorded at EMI Studios. After being promoted to A&R and Producer at EMI, he signed Pink Floyd to the label. And along with his work with both Pink Floyd and the Pretty Things, he reluctantly helped usher in what would become known as psychedelic rock. In the early 1970s, Smith recorded under the name Hurricane Smith and had a couple of hits including “Don’t Let It Die” and “Oh Babe, What Would You Say?.” John Lennon’s nickname for Smith was “Normal.” Cause of death was not determined by press time, but likely Smith likely died of natural causes at the age of 85.
Dusty Springfield was one of Britain’s most popular female singers of the ’60s. What endeared her to fans was the sensuality she added to what was being defined as “white soul.” Over the course of her early career, Springfield scored hits with such songs as “I Only Want To Be With You,” “Wishin’ and Hopin,'” the Academy Award winning, “The Look of Love,” and her most iconic hit, “Son of a Preacher Man.” In 1969, Springfield, in a move she felt would better legitimize her talent, went to Nashville to work with some of the city’s best session players. What they came up with, was Dusty in Memphis, arguably one of popular music’s greatest albums. It earned her a Grammy nomination as well as a home in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Springfield all but disappeared from the public eye for nearly two decades until, in 1987, her career was resurrected by of all acts, the Pet Shop Boys. Their collaboration on “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” shot to #2 on both the U.K. and U.S. charts and was one of the era’s most popular videos on MTV. Her career got another boost in 1994, when “Son of a Preacher Man” was prominently featured in Quentin Tarantino’s landmark film, Pulp Fiction. That same year however, Springfield was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she continued to work until her final live performance in December of 1995. On March 2, 1999, 59-year-old Dusty Springfield died as a result of the cancer.
Hank Ballard was a popular R&B singer and songwriter who helped usher in the early days of rock ‘n roll. His biggest hit was 1969’s “The Twist,” a song he wrote for a dance he invented, no matter what Chubby Checker says. Raised in Detroit, Ballard quickly took a liking to the music he heard around him, and by the early ’50s, he was singing in a local doo-wop group. He was soon discovered by famed music impresario, 
Ernie Ashworth was a popular country performer as well as a successful songwriter. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Ashworth released two albums which contained seven Top 10 country hits including the #1 “Talk Back Trembling Lips.” As a tunesmith, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Paul Anka, Little Jimmy Dickens, and