Died On This Date (January 15, 2012) Pee Wee Moultrie / Played In Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys

Cois E. “Pee Wee” Moultrie
1922 – January 15, 2012

Pee Wee Moultrie is perhaps best remembered as an original member of Hank Williams’ band, the Drifting Cowboys. Born in Alabama, Moultrie began playing the accordion at a young age, and in 1938, Williams hired him to do so in his band.  He stayed in the Drifting Cowboys until 1940.  In that short time he managed to play and sing on at least two Williams songs, “Fan It” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”  Moultrie continued to play at festivals as well as events that honored Williams up until the final years of his life.  Pee Wee Moultrie suffered a fatal heart attack on January 15, 2012.  He was 89.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

Died On This Date (January 14, 2012) Robbie France / Drummer For Diamond Head, UFO, Skunk Anansie

Robbie France
1959 – January 14, 2012

Robbie France was a respected rock drummer whose resume includes stints with Diamond Head, UFO, Wishbone Ash, and Skunk Anansie.  Born in England, France moved to Australia when he was around 10 years old, and by the time he was 15, he was teaching drums at the Australia Academy of Music.  He soon formed the jazz fusion group, Carnival, who built a respectable following throughout Australia.   As a session player, France worked with most major Australian acts and played on over 1000 pieces for television and film.  In 1982, France returned to England, and within a year, he was invited to play with Diamond Head, one of the premier bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.  He can be heard on their third album, Canterbury, as well as one of its biggest hits, “Makin’ Music.”  After leaving the group in 1985, France quickly found himself playing in UFO, but his tenure with the group was short-lived.   France went on to form One Nation who put out three releases on I.R.S Records.  He later played with Wishbone Ash,  Skunk Anansie and Alphaville.  In 2011, France released his first novel, Six Degrees South.  Robbie France was 52 when he passed away on January 14, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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Died On This Date (January 13, 2012) Phil Kraus / World Renonwed Percussionist

Phil Kraus
1918 – January 13, 2012

Living up to his motto, “Have Percussion, Will Travel,” Phil Kraus is one of the most recorded percussionists in history.  Kraus was just 8 years old when he began playing the xylophone, and upon graduation from high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Julliard School of Music.  After graduating, he was hired by WNEW to play in the studio band.  After serving during WWII, Kraus became one of the industry’s most in-demand session players, and he would continue to be as such through the 1970s.  He also played in the studio band for numerous television programs.  Over the years, he graced recordings by and/or shared the stage with such luminaries as Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Holly, Quincy Jones, Billie Holiday and Ray Charles.  On May 19, 1962, he was playing in the orchestra at Madison Square Garden when Marilyn Monroe famously sang, “Happy Birthday To You,” to President John F. Kennedy.   In later years, Kraus worked with the Houston Symphony and Houston Pops.  He also taught percussion at Rice University.  Phil Kraus was 93 when he passed away on January 13, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.



Died On This Date (January 12, 2012) Charlie Collins / Played With Roy Acuff

Charlie Collins
DOB Unknown – January 12, 2012

Charlie Collins was a legendary multi-instrumentalist who is best remembered for playing in Roy Acuff’s band for over 25 years.  It was 1966 when he joined Acuff’s Smokey Mountain Boys, and he remained until Acuff’s passing in 1992.  Collins next joined up with Bashful Brother Oswald with whom he played for many more years. After Oswald passed away in 2002, Collins joined the Grand Ole Opry Dance Band. In fact, until the week prior to his own death, Collins played the Grand Ole Opry nearly every weekend.    Over the years, he graced recordings by the likes of Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Norman Blake, and Mark O’Connor.  Charlie Collins was 78 when he passed away on January 12, 2012.

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



Died On This Date (January 11, 2012) David Whitaker / English Composer & Arranger

David Whitaker
1931 – January 11, 2012

David Whitaker was an English orchestral arranger and composer whose impact left on pop music as well. Over the course of his lengthy career, he worked with the likes of Lee Hazlewood, Simply Red, the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Page, and Serge Gainsbourg.  David Whitaker passed away on January 11, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.