Died On This Date (November 26, 2011) Phyllis Campbell / aka Mama Jazz; Popular Radio Host

Phyllis Campbell
DOB Unknown – November 26, 2011

Known as “Mama Jazz” to fans throughout Southwest Ohio, Phyllis Campbell was a longtime on-air personality at WMUB-FM out of Miami University.  A lifelong fan of jazz, Campbell was working at the school as a secretary when she dropped by the station during a fund raiser to talk music.  Within a few hours, she was offered a job.  Since 1979, Campbell has built a legion of fans thanks in part to her eclectic playlists on such programs as “Traditional Jazz Night” and “The Gospel According to Mama.”  All the while, Campbell retained her “day job” at the University, often putting in over 60 hours a week between the two gigs.  She retired from her administrative job in 1994 but continued on air until health issues brought that to a close in 2006.   Phyllis Campbell was 89 when she passed away on November 26, 2011.



Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Don DeVito / Longtime Columbia Records Executive & Bob Dylan Producer

Don DeVito
September 6, 1939 – November 25, 2011

Getting a shave from Johnny Cash

Don DeVito was a respected producer and label executive who, over a career that spanned five decades, produced landmark albums by Bob Dylan and played a key role in the successes of Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Aerosmith, and Simon & Garfunkel, to name a few. After an early career as a musician – he played guitar for Al Kooper – DeVito went to work for CBS Records as part of their Executive Training Program.  The year was 1967, and by 1971, he was running the marketing department of what had recently been re-named Columbia Records.  He later moved over to A&R where he worked more closely with Columbia’s jaw-dropping stable of artists.  In the studio, DeVito produced Dylan’s Desire and Street Legal, among others.   He was nominated for five separate Grammys, winning in 1989 for Folkways: A Vision Shared – A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly.  After the 9/11 attacks on New York City, DeVito was instrumental to the success of The Concert For New York City which raised over $1 million dollars for the victims and their families.  On November 25, 2011, Don DeVito passed away following a long battle with prostate cancer.  He was 72.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Lee “Shot” Williams / Chicago Blues Singer

Lee Williams
May 21, 1938 – November 25, 2011

Lee “Shot” Williams was a Mississippi born blues singer who made a name for himself after landing in Chicago in 1956.  In 1960, he joined his cousin Little Smokey Smothers’ band, and a few years later he found himself singing for Magic Sam.  In 1962, Williams began making his own records. Over the next few decades, he scored moderate hits with “Meat Man,” “Drop Your Laundry Baby,” “Welcome To The Club,” and “I Like Your Style,” to name a few.  Throughout his career, Williams released numerous albums that were well received by both fans and blues critics alike, the most recent being 2010’s The First Rule Of Cheating.   Lee “Shot” Williams was 73 when he passed away on November 25, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Hot Shot - Lee Shot Williams

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Ross MacManus / English Musician & Singer; Father of Elvis Costello

Ronald “Ross” MacManus
October 20, 1927 – November 25, 2011

Ross MacManus was an English musician and singer who made his mark performing with the Joe Loss Orchestra beginning in 1955.  He had several children, including pop music icon, Elvis Costello.  For a decade beginning in 1973, MacManus could be heard on British television singing the jingle he penned for R. White’s Lemonade.  A young Costello is featured playing drums and singing back-up on the track.  MacManus also sang and penned several songs for the British film, Secrets of a Superstud (1975).   In 1997, he released the album Elvis’ Dad Sings Elvis, but in this case the Elvis he honored was Elvis Presley.  Of his son’s albums, MacManus played on Out Of Our Idiot and Mighty Like A Rose.  Ross MacManus passed away following a long illness on November 25, 2011.  He was 84.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Ross Mac Manus

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Coco Robicheaux / New Orleans Blues Great

Coco Robicheaux (Born Curtis Arceneaux)
October 25, 1947 – November 25, 2011

Coco Robicheaux was a popular New Orleans blues musician who built a loyal following for his Tom Waits-like gravelly voice, swampy guitar, and mystical subject matter.  A familiar face throughout the clubs that lined the streets of Crescent City, Robicheaux entertained both on and off the stage thanks to his colorful personality.  He often held court outside nightclubs for tourists and locals alike when he wasn’t performing.  Beloved by New Orleans music and blues fans around the world, Robicheaux was a popular draw at festivals far and wide – particularly the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival.  Over the years, he released several albums and appeared on recordings by the likes of Dr. John.  In 2010, he made a memorable appearance on HBO’s Treme, where he sacrificed a “live” chicken over the air of a local radio station.  He also played a musician on USA’s Big Easy series.   On November 25, 2011, Coco Robicheaux collapsed while in hanging out at a New Oleans club.  He died after being taken to a hospital.  Cause of death was not immediately released.  He was 64.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

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Louisiana Medicine Man - Coco Robicheaux