Manohari Singh
March 8, 1931 – July 13, 2010
Manohari Singh was an award winning Indian saxophonist who was prominently featured on many Bollywood films over the past 50 years. Since 1958’s Sitaron se aage, Singh contributed his talents to such films as Chalte Chalte and Veer Zaara. Manohari Singh suffered a fatal heart attack on July 13, 2010. He was 79.
Minnie Riperton
November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979
Minnie Riperton was the five-octave voice behind one of soul music’s greatest ballads, “Loving You.” After studying music as a child, Riperton began her career while still in high school when she joined a Chicago group, the Gems, who then signed to Chess and released a few records. At around this time, Riperton was also singing back up on recordings by the likes of Etta James and Fontella Bass. After graduating, Riperton got a job as a receptionist at Chess who subsequently signed her to a solo contract, but under the name, Andrea Davis. Later fronting a soul band called the Rotary Connection, Riperton met her future husband, composer Richard Rudolph. They would later have a daughter, Maya Rudolph, a future actress and cast member of Saturday Night Live. After a few years fronting Rotary Connection, Riperton and Rudolph took some time off and later moved to Los Angeles where they hooked up with Stevie Wonder who co-produced Riperton’s breakthrough album, 1974’s Perfect Angel which included the world wide smash hit, “Loving You.” But within two years, Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy which couldn’t stop the spread of the disease. Even with her health failing, Riperton continued to work up until recording what would be her final album, 1979’s Minnie. She died of cancer later that year at the age of 31.
Harvey Pekar
October 8, 1939 – July 12, 2010
Harvey Pekar is best remembered as an underground comic book writer whose autobiographical American Splendor series inspired the critically acclaimed film of the same name. Paul Giamatti portrayed Pekar in the movie. But Pekar was also a jazz music lover and critic whose essays appeared in some of the most respected periodicals in North America and were often read on NPR radio. He primarily focused on jazz’s golden age, but also found room to highlight some of the music’s more experimental artists like Fred Frith and Joe Maneri. Harvey Pekar was 70 when he passed away on July 12, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Earl Lee Nelson
September 8, 1928 – July 12, 2008
Earl Nelson a member of the popular doo-wop group, the Hollywood Flames, and later, half Bob & Earl. With the Hollywood Flames, Nelson sang lead on what would become their biggest hit, “Buzz Buzz Buzz.” In 1963, Bob & Earl wrote and released, “Harlem Shuffle,” which was produced by Barry White. The song, now considered a soul classic was made into a hit by the Rolling Stones in 1986. Earl Nelson passed away at 79 on July 12, 2008. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Jonathan Melvoin
December 6, 1961 – July 12, 1996
Jonathan Melvoin was a keyboard player who worked with such artists as the Dickies, Prince, Wendy & Lisa, and the Smashing Pumpkins. The “Wendy” of Wendy & Lisa was in fact, his sister, Wendy Melvoin. In late 1995, Melvoin joined up with Smashing Pumpkins to lend his talent while on the road to support their brilliant Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album, but previous incidents with heroin cut his tenure short when the band fired him. It was while he was finishing up that leg of the tour that Melvoin overdosed on heroin in his hotel room. It has been reported that then-Pumpkins drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin was in the room with him and tried to revive him after calling 911. His efforts failed and Jonathan Melvoin died on July 12, 1996 at the age of 34. His death reportedly inspired a few songs, including Sarah McLachlan’s hit, “Angel.”
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