2010

Died On This Date (January 25, 1986) Albert Grossman / Legendary Artist Manager

Albert Grossman
May 21, 1926 – January 25, 1986

Albert Grossman is best remembered as an artist manager representing, among others, Bob Dylan between 1962 and 1970.  He also co-founded the Newport Folk Festival with George Wein in 1959.  In 1961, Grossman put three folk singers together, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, otherwise known as Peter, Paul and Mary.  Over the years, Grossman also represented John Lee Hooker, Johnny Average, Ian & Sylvia, Odetta, Janis Joplin, and the Band.  Grossman also built the legendary Bearsville Recording Studio outside of Woodstock, NY and formed Bearsville Records.  Acts like Todd Rundgren, Foghat, NRBQ and Jesse Winchester recorded for the label. On January 25, 1986, Albert Grossman died of a heart attack while flying from the U.S. to London aboard the Concorde.  He was 59 years old.



Died On This Date (January 25, 2010) Jane Jarvis / Former Organist at Shea Stadium

Jane Jarvis
October 31, 1915 – January 25, 2010

Jane Jarvis was a jazz pianist who is perhaps best remembered as a longtime organist at New York’s Shea Stadium.  Jarvis began playing the piano as a child, and even in those early years, she was recognized for her advanced talents.  Jarvis began studying under college professors while still a child.  One of her early professional jobs was as the staff pianist at a local Milwaukee television station.  During the mid-50s, Jarvis was hired by the Milwaukee Braves to play between innings at their home games.  In the early ’60s, Jarvis moved to New York City where she went to work for Muzak, the company that provided background music for retail stores.  There, she worked as the staff composer and arranger.  In 1964, the New York Mets hired Jarvis to play the organ at their home games.  She became a local celebrity for her work at the stadium….particular for her rendition of “Meet the Mets.”    She retired from the Mets in 1979, but stayed active throughout the New York jazz scene for many years.  Jane Jarvis was 94 when she passed away on January 25, 2010.



Died On This Date (January 24, 2009) Corey Daum / Lizzy Borden

Corey Daum (Born Corey James)
DOB Unknown – January 24, 2009

Corey Daum was a guitarist for heavy metal stalwarts, Lizzy Borden from 1989 to 1996 although it’s not clear if he played on any of their albums.  Daum was killed on a Nashville highway when the driver of the vehicle in which he was a passenger crashed into a concrete wall.  The alleged drunk driver was charged with vehicular homicide.  Corey Daum was 39 years old when he died.



Died On This Date (January 24, 1970) James Sheppard / Shep & The Limelites

James Sheppard
DOB Unknown – January 24, 1970

At left with The Heartbeats
At left with The Heartbeats

James Sheppard was a doo wop singer best remembered as the lead singer of The Heartbeats and later,  Shep and the Limelites.  Formed in Queens, New York in 1960, Shep and the Limelites scored a big #2 pop hit with “Daddy’s Home” a year later.  The instantly recognizable song was covered by many in years to come, most notably by Jermaine Jackson in 1972.  The group disbanded in 1966 but was reformed by Sheppard a couple of years later.  On January 24, 1970. James Sheppard was found beaten, robbed and shot to death in his car on the Long Island Expressway.


Died On This Date (January 23, 1990) Allen Collins / Lynyrd Skynyrd

Larkin Allen Collins
July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990

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Allen Collins was a founding guitarist of and sometime co-writer for southern rock giants, Lynyrd Skynyrd.  The band’s ride to fame was partially due to songs co-written by Collins.  That list includes “That Smell,” “Free Bird,” and “Gimme Three Steps.”  When Ronnie Van Zant and others from the band  were killed in a plane crash in 1977, Collins went on to have success with the Rossington-Collins Band. Their biggest hit was 1980’s “Don’t Misunderstand Me.”  Tragedy struck Collins again in 1986 when he caused a car accident that killed his girlfriend and left him paralyzed from the waist down.  Since he was under the influence, he was charged with vehicular manslaughter.  He accepted a plea which kept him out of jail, but had him, among other penalties, speak out against drunk driving at all future Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts.  Collins died of pneumonia, brought on by the paralysis on January 23, 1990.  He was 37 years old.

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Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd - Lynyrd Skynyrd