2010

Died On This Date (June 12, 1960) Eli Oberstein / Successful Record Producer & Label Head

Eli Oberstein
December 13, 1901 – June 12, 1960

eliEli Oberstein was a successful record producer and label executive during the early part of the 20th century.  He went to work for Victor Records as a salesman during the ’20s and by the early 30s, he was running his own Crown Records.  He also helped for the legendary Bluebird Records.  As a producer, Oberstein helped create hits for the likes of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Ernest Tubb and Bill Monroe.  In 1936, he became head of A&R at Victor and Bluebird Records and was instrumental in bringing Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw to the label.  During the latter part of his life, Oberstein worked at numerous labels, including RCA and Columbia.  He passed away at the age of 58.  He may or may not be related to Joel Oberstein.



Died On This Date (June 12, 2008) Danny Davis / Grammy Winner Who Popularized Horns In Country Music

Danny Davis
April 29, 1925 – June 12, 2008

Danny Davis was a country musician, producer and band leader who many credit for introducing horns into country music.  With his Nashville Brass, Davis won a Grammy in 1970 for The Nashville Brass Featuring Danny Davis Play The Nashville Sound.  During the ’80s, Davis played as part of the band on the television hit program, Hee Haw.  He continued performing well into the ’90s, and played a final performance with the Nashville Brass in July of 2005 as part of his 80th birthday celebration.  Danny Davis suffered a heart attack on June 7th, 2008 and passed away five days later.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (June 12, 2009) Andy Hughes / Electronic Music Producer

Andy Hughes
November 11, 1965 – June 12, 2009

andyAndy Huhges was a respected UK music producer who is best remembered for his work with the Orb and Basement Jaxx.  His work on the Orb’s “Toxygene” single helped it reach #4 on the UK charts back in 1997.  He also did work on music by the Cranberries and Tangerine Dream.  He died of a short undisclosed illness at the age of 44.



Died On This Date (June 11, 2008) Mickey McMahan / Played Trumpet For Lawrence Welk

Clinton “Mickey” McMahan
August 23, 1930 – June 11, 2008

Mickey McMahan at center

Mickey McMahan was a trumpeter for both Lawrence Welk and Les Brown.  McMahan joined the Welk show in 1967, and stayed 15 years.  Prior to his years with Welk, McMahan played in Brown’s Band of Renown on The Steve Allen Show as well as at military bases around the world when they were Bob Hope’s USO band.  Mickey McMahan died of neuropathy and an unrelated blood disease on June 11, 2008.  He was 77.

Thanks to longtime Welk staffer Morgana Kennedy for the assist.

Died On This Date (June 10, 2004) Ray Charles / Pop Music Icon

Ray Charles (Born Ray Robinson)
September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004

With Ray Charles

Ray Charles was one of America’s greatest voices.  He was called “the only true genius in the business” by none other than Frank Sinatra.  The son of a share cropper, Charles lost his sight at the age of five.  While attending a school for the deaf and blind, Charles was taught classical piano, but after his mother died, he left the school and changed his focus to the music he loved and would forever be associated with.  By the time he was 17, he was making records for Swing Time Records, scoring his first R&B hit, “Confession Blues” in 1949.  In 1951, Ahmet Ertegun signed him to Atlantic Records, starting him down the road that would eventually lead him to the status of American icon.   Ray Charles died of liver cancer on June 10, 2004.

What You Should Own

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Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music, Vol. 1 & 2 - Ray Charles