Died On This Date (December 31, 2011) Jeff “Critter” Newell / Respected Studio Engineer
themusicsover Jeff Newell
March 26, 1966 – December 31, 2011
Jeff “Critter” Newell was a self-taught recording studio engineer who first built a name for himself when he was working at the influential Chicago Trax Studio which played a pivotal role in the growth of the city’s underground industrial scene. He eventually relocated to Studio City, California. Over the course of his career, Newell worked on releases by the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Angels & Airwaves, Guns N’ Roses, and Blink-182. Jeff Newell was 45 when he passed away on December 31, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Sandy Skeeter from Sound City Studios for the assist.
Crishun “Rapstar” Moore was an up-and-coming Memphis rapper. A protegé of Let It Be Known Records CEO P. Moses, Moore was on his way to achieving his goal of being one of genres biggest stars. Over the course of his relatively short career, Moore shared the stage with Bow Wow, Young Jeezy, and Yo Gatti. Chrishun “Rapstar” Moore was just 21 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on December 30, 2011.
Robert Dickey was an R&B singer who is perhaps best remembered as the original “Bobby” of James & Bobby Purify, who scored a huge hit with “I’m Your Puppet” in 1966. Formed by Dickey’s cousin, James Purify, in 1965, the duo released several charting singles while recording for Bell Records – that list “Shake A Tail Feather,” “Let Love Come Between Us,” and of course, “I’m Your Puppet” which ultimately reached #6 on the Billboard pop charts. In 1971, Dickey left the group due to health issues and was replaced by a second “Bobby,” Ben Moore. Dickey retired from the music business in 1972 and spent many years working for the City of Tallahassee, Florida while singing and playing guitar in his church group. Robert Dickey was 72 when he passed away on December 29, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Kaye Stevens was a popular entertainer who initially found her audience during the 1960s. Stevens’ big break came one night when Debbie Reynolds, who was headlining the Riviera in Las Vegas, fell ill. Stevens was called in at the last-minute, and club bookers quickly took notice. Before she knew it, Stevens was playing up and down the Las Vegas Strip and at clubs in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and beyond. She even secured an opening slot on dates with the Rat Pack, 