Died On This Date (January 21, 2011) Lamar Fike / Member Of Elvis’ Memphis Mafia
themusicsover Lamar Fike
November 11, 1935 – January 21, 2011
Lamar Fike was one of Elvis Presley’s closest friends and confidants for many years. He met Presley in 1954, and went to work for him in 1957. As part of Presley’s storied “Memphis Mafia,” Fike had many responsibilities over the years, including concert lighting duties as well as arranging transportation for Elvis. When Presley was drafted by the U.S. Army, Fike reportedly enlisted in order to be close to his boss while overseas only to be denied due to his large weight. Fike also worked for Hill and Range music publishers and managed Brenda Lee for a short time. Lamar Fike died of Lymphoma on January 21, 2011. He was 75.
Brendan Majewski was an artist and musician who is perhaps best remembered as the bassist for Washington DC area art-punk band, Quix*o*tic. Playing with band from 1998 to 2001, Majewski helped the band break out of the DC underground scene thanks in part to their self-released album, Night For Day. Along the way, they made fans out of such alternative rock icons as Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. After he left Quix*o*tic, Majewski formed the critically acclaimed Orphan as an outlet for his music and visual art. Brendan Majewski took his own life on January 20, 2011. He was 37.
Jim Williamson was a respected Nashville recording engineer who worked on several of the most iconic recordings in pop music history. His behind-the-board talent can be heard on such records as 
James O’Gwynn, known to fans as “The Smiling Irishman,” was a country singer who made a name for himself during the late ’50s and early ’60s. Over the course of his career, O’Gwynn recorded for labels like United Artists and Mercury, charting no less than six times on the country singles chart. His most famous song was the #7 hit, “My Name Is Mud.” James O’Gwynn was 82 when he passed away on January 19, 2011.
Don Kirshner was a music publisher, producer, songwriter-manager, and television host who rightfully earned the nickname, The Man With The Golden Ear. His music career began during the ’50s when he and his partner, Al Nevins, launched Aldon Music, a publishing company that included such future superstar talent as Neil Diamond,