2010

Died On This Date (July 17, 2009) Gordon Waller / Peter & Gordon

themusicsover July 17, 2010 2 Comments

Gordon Waller
June 4, 1945 – July 17, 2009

Gordon Waller and Peter Asher were the popular ’60s duo, Peter and Gordon. Since Asher’s sister, Jane Asher dated Paul McCartney at the time, Peter and Gordon were lucky enough secure unrecorded Lennon-McCartney songs for their own use. One of those songs, “A World Without Love” became their biggest hit. They broke up in 1968 after which Waller recorded a handful of solo albums and appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Peter and Gordon reunited a few times in later years. Gordon Waller went into cardiac arrest on July 16, 2009 and died the next day.

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Blues Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (July 17, 1983) Roosevelt Sykes / Blues Great

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Roosevelt Sykes
January 31, 1906 – July 17, 1983

Nicknamed “Honeydripper,” Roosevelt Sykes was a blues piano player that had a style as big as his frame. Beginning his career at the age of 15, Sykes quickly got crowds dancing to and cheering for his thundering style of boogie piano. Sykes began making records in the ’20s, and would record for such storied labels as Decca, Bluebird and Okeh Records. Spending much of his time on the road, Sykes tended to play for male audiences at work camps up and down the Mississippi River, which no doubt solidified his reputation for sexually explicit lyrics. In 1929, Sykes released what would become his signature song, “44 Blues.” It signaled the beginning of a more sophisticated period of his career. Sykes eventually settled in New Orleans where he passed away on July 17, 1983.

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Country Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (July 17, 1974) Don Rich / Played With Buck Owens

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Don Rich (Born Donald Ulrich)
August 15, 1941 – July 17, 1974

donrich Not many can say they opened for Elvis Presley, but then not many were as gifted as Don Rich. Just 17 and playing the clubs in and around Tacoma, Washington when Elvis came to town for a show. Young Rich, who had been playing the guitar and fiddle since he was a child, landed the gig and within a year he was one of the hottest draws in town. One of those admirers to catch a show was Buck Owens who hired Rich to play fiddle for him when he came to town. Rich put his music career on hold to go to college, but was soon reunited with Owens down in Central California where he became one of the architects of the “Bakersfield Sound.” For the better part of the next fifteen years, Rich recorded and toured with Owens, playing both fiddle or lead guitar. Rich even wrote some of Owens’ biggest hits and regularly performed on television with the Buckaroos. On July 17, 1974, hopped on his motorcycle after a Bakersfield recording session to meet his family for vacation along California’s central coast. Rich was killed when he lost control of his bike and crashed into highway guard rail. He was 32 at the time of his death.

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Manager Musician Producer Record Label Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (July 17, 1996) Chas Chandler / The Animals; Managed Jimi Hendrix

themusicsover July 17, 2010 1 Comment

Chas Chandler
December 18, 1938 – July 17, 1996

Chas Chandler wore many hats throughout his music career. During the early ’60s, he co-founded the Animals with Alan Price and Eric Burdon, playing bass for the band. After the group broke up, he got into artist management, his famous client being Jimi Hendrix. Later, he produced records for Slade and Nick Drake while running his own recording studio and eventually starting his own label, Barn Records. In his later years, Chandler helped develop the Newcastle Arena, which opened in 1995. Chandler died of a heart condition on July 17 of the following year.

Musician

DIed On This Date (July 17, 2010) Fred Carter Jr. / Country Music Legend

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Fred Carter, Jr.
December 31, 1933 – July 17, 2010

Fred Carter, Jr. was a highly respected studio musician, producer and composer who has played on some of the biggest hits from legends like Roy Orbison, Muddy Waters, the Band and Waylon Jennings. The list of songs on which he played include Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay,” Marty Robbins’ “El Paso,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.” As a songwriter, he’s been recorded by the likes of Chet Atkins and Dean Martin. He was also the father of country star, Deana Carter, with whom he also worked. Fred Carter, Jr. was 76 when he died from complications of a stroke.

Died On This Date (July 17, 2009) Gordon Waller / Peter & Gordon

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (July 17, 1983) Roosevelt Sykes / Blues Great

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (July 17, 1974) Don Rich / Played With Buck Owens

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (July 17, 1996) Chas Chandler / The Animals; Managed Jimi Hendrix

DIed On This Date (July 17, 2010) Fred Carter Jr. / Country Music Legend

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