Died On This Date (January 8, 2012) Dave Anderson aka Omar Sharriff / Boogie Woogie Blues Pianist & Singer

Omar Sharriff (Born Dave Alexander)
March 10, 1938 – January 8, 2012

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dave Alexander became one of the world’s premier players of Texas boogie woogie piano.  A self-taught pianist, Alexander began performing at his local church at a very young age.  After serving in the US Navy, he settled in San Francisco where he played with the likes of Big Mama Thornton, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Witherspoon.  In 1968, Anderson began making his own records, including the critically acclaimed The Rattler and The Raven.  He quickly became a popular draw at the biggest blues festivals around the United States and beyond.  On Thanksgiving Day, 1974, Anderson was the opening at the Band’s historic Last Waltz concert in San Francisco.  That same year, he changed his name to Omar Khayam so began performing as Omar Sharriff or Omar the Magnificent.  He released his last album (as Omar Sharriff) in 2000, but continued to perform well throughout the decade.   On January 8, 2012, Dave Anderson reportedly shot and killed himself in his home.  He was 73.

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


Died On This Date (January 8, 2012) Stefano Scodanibbio / Influential Double Bass Player

Stefano Scodanibbio
June 18, 1956 – January 8, 2012

Photo by Heidrun Havran

Stefano Scodanibbio was an Italian born contrabass, or double bass, player who was considered one of the instrument’s finest players in the world.  A composer as well, he wrote more than 50 works throughout his career.  In 1987, Scodanibbio performed a 4-hour non-stop concert of 28 pieces by 25 different composers.  Over the years, Scodanibbio collaborated with the likes of Terry RileyLuigi Nono and Luciano Berio.  Since the 90s, he taught master classes and seminaries at many of the world’s finest music schools.  Stefano Scodanibbio died of motor neurone disease on January 8, 2012.  He was 55.

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Voyage That Nevers Ends - Stefano Scodanibbio

Died On This Date (January 7, 1998) Owen Bradley / Country Hit Maker

Owen Bradley
October 21, 1915 – January 7, 1998

Owen Bradley was a prominent country music producer who was one of the architects of what would become known as the “Nashville Sound.”  Bradley began his career at storied radio station, WSM-AM, where he worked as a staff musician and engineer.  He quickly moved up the ranks while moonlighting as a songwriter.  Bradley’s earliest song of significance was “Night Train To Memphis,” first made famous by Roy Acuff.  He was soon hired by Decca Records as a musician and assistant producer, working on many country hits of the ’50s.  By 1958, Bradley was the vice president of the label’s Nashville division and was laying the foundation for the Nashville Sound.  Throughout his career, Bradley helped make stars out of the likes of Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee.   His recordings of Cline in particular, became the blueprint for those of countless female country singers to come.  Owen Bradly was 82 when he passed away on January 7, 1998.

Died On This Date (January 7, 1964) Cyril Davies / British Blues Musician

Cyril Davies
January 23, 1932 – January 7, 1964

Cyril Davies was one of the pioneers of the British blues movement of the 1960s.  He began his career during the ’50s when he actually played the banjo in an acoustic skiffle group.  He soon switched to the harmonica, eventually becoming Britain’s first Chicago blues style player.  In 1962, he and fellow musician, Alexis Korner, opened the popular Ealing Club.  It was there that they founded Blues Incorporated, a highly influential electric blues band that counted Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Charlie Watts as members over the years.   The club became hangout for up-and-coming musicians like Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Eric Burden who generally ended up jamming together by the end of the night.   Cyril Davies was 31 when he died on January 7, 1964.  Cause of death was either leukemia, lung cancer or pleurisy, depending upon your source.


Died On This Date (January 7, 2011) Phil Kennemore / Bassist For Y&T

Phil Kennemore
October 20, 1953 – January 7, 2011

Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Phil Kennemore is perhaps best remembered as the longtime and founding bassist for American heavy metal band, Y&T.  Formed in 1974 as Yesterday and Today, the band eventually shortened its name to Y&T and went on to sell millions of albums over the next two decades.  1984’s In Rock We Trust became their biggest selling album, while 1985’s “Summertime Girls,” became their signature song.  The group broke up in 1991 but then reformed briefly in 1995, and then permanently in 2001.  Kennemore has been part of every incarnation.  They are one of the few hard rock bands that survived disco, new wave, and grunge.  Phil Kennemore, age 56, died of lung cancer on January 7, 2011.

Thanks to David Plastik for the assist.

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 Earthshaker (Remastered) - Y&T