but the songs live on forever

2010

Composer Easy Listening Jazz Record Label Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 25, 1976) Johnny Mercer / Songwriter; Cofounder of Capitol Records

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Johnny Mercer
November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976

Johnny Mercer was a popular songwriter whose many songs made stars out of their singers during the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.  He gave us such standards as “Days Of Wine And Roses,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “Day In, Day Out,” and “Hooray For Hollywood” to name just a few.  Mercer moved to Hollywood in 1935 and became one if the most in-demand songwriters in film.  In 1942 he along with Buddy DeSylva and Glen Wallichs started Capitol Records where I used to work.  In 1975, Mercer learned he had an inoperable brain tumor which lead to his death on June 25, 1976.

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Capitol Collectors Series: Johnny Mercer - Johnny Mercer

 

Arranger Engineer Producer Record Label

Died On This Date (June 25, 2006) Arif Mardin / Notable Producer & Arranger

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Arif Mardin
March 15, 1932 – June 25, 2006

Born to a well-to-do family in Istanbul, Turkey, Arif Mardin, moved to the United States in 1958, having been awarded a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music.  After graduating, Mardin moved to New York City to break into the music business.  He took a job at Atlantic Records as assistant to fellow Turkish immigrant, Nesuhi Ertegun.  Within no time, Mardin became the label engineer and producer and eventually Sr. Vice President of the company.  Along with Tom Dowd and Jerry Wexler, he would be credited for creating the legendary “Atlantic Sound.”  Over his career he produced hits by a who’s who of popular music, and in doing so was awarded a dozen Grammys and over 40 gold and platinum records.  Artists that he produced include Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Queen, Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Dusty Springfield, and many more.  Arif Mardin died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 74.

Country Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 25, 2009) Tim Krekel / Played With Jimmy Buffett

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Tim Krekel
October 10, 1950 –  June 25, 2009

Tim_KrekelTim Krekel was perhaps best known as part of Jimmy Buffett’s band for nearly ten years.  Both on tour and on record, Krekel contributed to Buffett’s success, particularly on his Son Of A Son Of A Sailor.  Over the years, Krekel also toured with Bo Diddley, the Eagles, and Delbert McClinton.  As a songwriter, Krekel has been recorded by the  likes of Canned Heat, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Crystal Gayle and Martina McBride.  Tim Krekel died of cancer at the age of 58.

Record Label

Died On This Date (June 25, 2010) Tom Ruffino / Warner Bros. Records Executive

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Tom Ruffino
DOB Unknown – June 25, 2010

Tom Ruffino was a well-respected music industry executive who spent the better part of his long career within the Warner Music Group family.   After serving in the U.S. Army, Ruffino broke into the music industry, first with Columbia Records and then Liberty Records.  He was hired by Warner Bros.’ International department in 1969, and stayed with the company until his retirement 30 years later.  He was the Senior VP of the International when he retired.  Tom Ruffino was 70 when he died of complications from kidney disease.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.



Musician Rock

Died On This Date (June 24, 2010) Pete Quaife / Original Bassist For The Kinks

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Pete Quaife
December 31, 1943 – June 24, 2010

Pete Quaife is best remembered as the founding bassist for one of the most influential British Invasion bands, the Kinks.  Formed with Dave Davies in the early ’60s, the band, which soon included Davies’ brother, Ray Davies and drummer, Mick Avory, went on to become one of the biggest hit makers from the UK during the mid to late ’60s.  Quaife performed on such rock staples as “You Really Got Me,” “Stop Your Sobbing,” “Dedicated Follower of Fashion,” and “All Day and All of the Night.”  He also acted as the spokesman for the band during his time with them.  Following a serious car accident in 1966, Quaife left the group as a full-time member but played on a couple of albums until leaving permanently in 1969.  He quickly formed his own band, Mapleoak, but it failed to catch on commercially,  Quaife left the group and retired from the music business in 1971.  He later moved to Canada where he earned a good living as a graphic artist.  Quaife  reunited with the Kinks for an encore at one of their Toronto stops in 1981, and in 1990, he joined them for a live performance at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  In 1998, Quaife was diagnosed with renal failure for which he would undergo kidney dialysis up until his final days.   Pete Quaife was 66 when he passed away on June 24, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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The Kinks

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