Died On This Date (March 31, 2011) Mel McDaniel / Country Music Star

Mel McDaniel
September 6, 1942 – March 31, 2011

Photo by Dean Dixon

Mel McDaniel was a successful country music artist who scored several hits during the 1980s.  Born and raised in Oklahoma, McDaniel was one of millions of kids who were inspired to make music after witnessing Elvis Presley on television.  Thankfully for us, he remained faithful to that dream.  McDaniel eventually landed in Nashville where, during the mid ’70s,  he landed a deal with Capitol Records.  By the late ’80s, McDaniel had released such hit records as “Louisiana Saturday Night,” “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” and the Bruce Springsteen-penned, “Stand On It.”  In 1996, he was seriously injured when he took a fall from a Lafayette, Louisiana stage and never fully recovered.  He then suffered a major heart attack in 2009.  But it was ultimately cancer that took Mel McDaniel’s life on March 31, 2011.  He was 62.

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Died On This Date (March 31, 2011) Don Hill / Iconic New York Nightclub Owner

Don Hill
DOB Unknown – March 31, 2011

Photo by Patrick McMullan

Don Hill was a popular New York City club manager and owner who helped make the Cat Club, and later his own Don Hill’s nightclub THE places to be seen for rock stars and celebrities of every stripe.  Born and raised in New Jersey, Hill was just 18 when landed his first Manhattan job at Kenny’s Castaways.   In 1985, he took over management of the Cat Club and began booking talent like G.G. Allin, Poison, Soundgarden and L.A. Guns – it was the first place most New Yorkers caught a glimpse of these acts.  The Cat Club stage also played host to David Bowie and Peter Frampton during the ’80s.  In 1993, he opened Don Hill’s which again, became and still is, the hangout of choice for many of rock’s elite.  Don Hill was 66 when he passed away on March 31, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.