Died On This Date (August 7, 2011) Joe Yamanaka / Lead Singer For Japanese Prog Rockers, Flower Travellin’ Band
themusicsover Akira “Joe” Yamanaka
September 2, 1946 – August 7, 2011
Joe Yamanaka was a singer who is perhaps best remembered as the lead vocalist for Japanese prog rock group, Flower Travellin’ Band. Formed as a cover band in 1968, their intent was to introduce Japanese audiences to the sounds of such western rock artists as Jefferson Airplane, Cream and Jimi Hendrix. Yamanaka joined the group the following year as they were beginning to record original music and after they relocated to Los Angeles, California. Flower Travellin’ Band broke up in 1973, but reunited for good in 2007 with Yamanaka on board as the front man. Outside of group, Yamanaka released several solo albums, one of which included his biggest hit, “Proof Of The Man,” which sold in excess of 500,000 copies and made him a household name throughout Asia. In early 1982, Yamanaka became the lead singer of the Wailers as replacement for the recently deceased Bob Marley with whom he was good friends. He fronted the Wailers for the better part of the next five years. Yamanaka was also an accomplished actor, appearing in several Japanese films and at least one American one – mostly in “tough guy” roles. During the spring of 2010, Joe Yamanaka was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 64 when he ultimately died from it on August 7, 2011.
What You Should Do
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Conrad Schnitzler was a German-born musician who became one of electronic music’s most influential pioneers. As an early member of the great Tangerine Dream, Schnitzler helped launch what would become known as “krautock,” and in doing so, influenced such electronic based acts as Brian Eno, Radiohead, and everyone in between. Following his short stint with Tangerine Dream, Schnitzel left to form Kluster, another experimental group that laid the foundation of what we now know as industrial music. In more recent years, Schnitzler self-produced and self-distributed numerous CD-Rs of his recordings while collaborating with others. He released over 100 recordings throughout his career, the latest being 00/830, just days before he passed away. Conrad Schnitzler died of stomach cancer on August 4, 2011.
Delois Barrett Campbell was a dynamic and beloved Gospel singer who, over the better part of the past five decades entertained the world as 1/3 of the Barrett Sisters. Singing together since childhood, Delois and her sisters, Billie Barrett and Rodessa Barrett cut their first records during the mid-’60s. Their early output included their popular takes on “Wonderful,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Carry Me Back.” Before long they were electrifying crowds from their church in Chicago, Illinois to venues all over the world. They toured the globe no fewer than seven times and were a popular site on such TV shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Away from her sisters, Barrett Campbell sang with the popular Roberta Martin Singers while still in high school. Although confined to a wheelchair for many years due to health issues, Barrett Campbell was on-hand at a special concert to celebrate her 85th birthday in March of 2011. Delois Barrett Campbell passed away on August 2, 2011.