Died On This Date (October 18, 2011) Bob Brunning / Fleetwood Mac

Bob Brunning
June 29, 1943 – October 18, 2011

Bob Brunning was an English musician who, in 1967 was hired by former John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers guitarist Peter Green to play bass in his new blues rock outfit, Fleetwood Mac.  While Brunning likely presumed he had a permanent slot in the band, Green actually had his sights set on John McVie who soon replaced him.  Brunning can however, be heard on “Long Grey Mare” on the band’s debut album, Fleetwood Mac.  Brunning went on to briefly play in Savoy Brown as well as a handful of other bands, but pretty much devoted the rest of his professional life to teaching and writing.  The subjects of his books included the British blues scene and the history of Fleetwood Mac.  As reported by Roy Bainton Writes, Bob Brunning was 68 when he died of a heart attack on October 18, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.




Died On This Date (October 17, 2011) Edgar Villchur / Revolutionized Hi-Fi Equipment

Edgar Villchur
May 28, 1917 – October 17, 2011

Photo by Rosemary Villchur

Edgar Villchur was an inventor whose 1954 development of an acoustic suspension loudspeaker provided a better bass response while dramatically reducing the size of the speaker than ever before.  His invention, the AR-3 speaker is on display at the Smithsonian Institute.  Besides high-end speakers, his company, Acoustic Research, Inc. manufactured turntables and other stereo components that he came up with.  At its peak, the company owned an impressive 32 % of the United States speaker market.   In 2006, Hi-Fi News put him at the top of their list of the 50 Most Important Audio Pioneers.  He was also largely credited for bringing the hi-fidelity experience into the home.   When he sold his company in 1967, Villchur signed a no-complete agreement, so ironically, he moved into the field of hearing aid research and development.  He ultimately created the multichannel compression hearing aid which has since become the industry standard.   Edgar Villchur was 94 when he passed away in his home on October 17, 2011.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 17, 2011) Keith Landers / Fronted Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88’s

Johnny Dee (Born Keith Landers)
DOB Unkown – October 17, 2011

As the front man of Johnny Dee & the Rocket 88’s, Keith Landers was a familiar face throughout central Texas.  As Abilene, Texas’ premier oldies party band, the Rocket 88’s have played for prominent political figures, foreign dignitaries, and numerous celebrities.  They have shared the stage with the Beach Boys, Charlie Daniels, James Brown, and Rick Nelson, to name a few.   Landers began making music as far back as anyone can remember and was forming bands while still in high school.  With names like Omaha and Cadillac, Landers was rocking clubs from Abilene to Austin by the early ’70s.  In 1974, he reinvented himself Johnny Dee and began his long career playing the rock ‘n roll sounds of the ’50s.  Even as music tastes changed over the years, Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88’s never seemed to fall out of fashion and continued to entertain crowds across America well into the 2000s.  Keith Landers was 60 when he died of a heart attack on October 17, 2011.

Thanks to Don Smith for the assist.

Died On This Date (October 26, 2011) Reese Palmer / The Marquees

Reese Palmer
DOB Unknown – October 26, 2011

Reese Palmer was an American soul singer who, during the mid 1950s, belonged to a singing group, the D.C. Tones which also counted among its members, Marvin Gaye and Sondra Lattisaw (mother of Stacy Lattisaw).  Gaye soon left the group to join the US Air Force, but upon his return in 1957, he reunited with Palmer to form the Marquees.  Shortly thereafter, the group was discovered by Bo Diddley while they were performing at a local club.  Diddley signed them to Okeh Records for whom they recorded the moderately successful “Wyatt Earp” and “Hey Little Schoolgirl.”  In 1958, the Marquees were hired by Harvey Fuqua to serve as his backing group in the New Moonglows after his original singers quit.  As part of the New Moonglows, Reese sang on records by the likes of Chuck Berry (“Almost Grown” and “Back In The U.S.A.”) and Etta James.  After leaving the New Moonglows in 1960, Reese went on to sing with the Revlons and the Orioles.  In 2001, he resurrected the Marquees with new members.  On October 26, 2011, Reese Palmer passed away following a battle with prostate cancer and bladder cancer.  He was 73.



Died On This Date (October 16, 2011) Pete Rugolo / Jazz Composer & Arranger

Pietro Rugolo
December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011

Pete Rugolo was an Italian born American jazz composer and arranger who, over a career that spanned over five decades worked on albums by the likes of June Christy, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, Mel Torme, and Stan Kenton.  Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Rugolo focused primarily on television, helping create music for such TV programs as Leave It To Beaver, The Fugitive, Run For Your Life, and many others.  He also arranged and composed music for several films up until his retirement in the late ’90s.  Pete Rugolo was 95 when he passed away on October 16, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.