Died On This Date (January 23, 1993) Thomas A. Dorsey / The Father Of Gospel Music
themusicsover Thomas A. Dorsey
July 1, 1899 – January 23, 1993
Thomas A. Dorsey was a ’20s era singer, musician and composer who has been called the “Father of Gospel.” Dorsey’s career began in jazz during the early ’20s, a time when he formed the backing band for Ma Rainey. In 1928, and going by the name, Georgia Tom, Dorsey teamed up with Tampa Red to record “Tight Like That” which went on to sell seven million copies. Over the course of his career, he is said to have written over 400 songs. During the mid ’20s, Dorsey set his focus creating a music that would become known as Gospel. He took standard Christian praise and married it with jazz and blues. Many of his gospel songs have become standards and have been recorded by greats of future generations of rock ‘n roll and R&B. Thomas A. Dorsey was 93 when he passed away on January 23, 1993.
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Earl Wild was arguably the greatest jazz and classical pianists of his generation. Wild was just a child when he began learning from masters of the instrument, and by 1939, he was working at NBC. It was that year, that he became the first pianist to play on live television. He has also been credited for being the first to play live over the internet – the year was 1997. Following his time in the US Navy Band during WWII, Wild went to work for ABC Television as the staff pianist and composer. He also conducted master glasses all over the world. On January 23, 2010, Earl Wild died of congestive heart failure. He was 94.
Rhett Forrester was most famously, the lead singer of American hard rock band, Riot from 1981 to 1984. A charismatic stage performer, Forester likely took the best of his tennis and ballroom dance training into the hard rock arena where he helped lead Riot to the top of the US metal scene as a much-in-demand live act. Riot split up in 1984 and Forrester went on to release a well received solo album in 1986. Forrester’s life came to a tragic end in the early morning of January 22, 1994 in what is believed to be an act of random violence. While sitting at a stop light in Atlanta, Forrester was approached by two apparent strangers. According to a witness, there was a brief altercation, prompting one of the men to pull out a gun and shoot Forrester in the back. He drove a few blocks where he died as a result of the shooting. The perpetrator was never apprehended.
Helno was the lead singer of French alternative world rock band, Les Negresses Vertes. Formed in 1987, the group members had never played their instruments prior to starting the band. But their skills and style soon evolved into an exciting mix of gypsy, punk, Mediterranean and South American, often augmented with the use of traditional instruments. By the early 90s the band was expanding their audience thanks in part to their dymanic performances at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD Festival. Meanwhile, Helno was struggling with a heroin addiction, finally losing his life to an overdose at his parents’ house on January 22, 1993.