Died On This Date (February 4, 2012) Snuffy Smith / Respected Banjo Maker
themusicsover Thomas “Snuffy” Smith
DOB Unknown – February 4, 2012
Snuffy Smith was a notable luthier as well as a banjo picker himself who, over the course of his career, was entrusted by countless musicians for repairs and such. Working out of North Carolina, Smith developed the Snuffy Smith Bridge which is the preferred bridge of banjo pickers of all stripes and is sold all over the world. In fact, some Gibson banjos come already fitted with his bridge. Smith was reportedly suffering from different health issues in recent year and died of an apparent heart attack on February 4, 2012.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.
Phil Brown was the bassist for the English power pop band, the Records. After earlier being considered to play in Free and Mott the Hoople, Brown was hired by the Records. Formed during the late ’70s, the band went on to build a formidable cult following with some loyalists going as far as calling them the “British Big Star.” Drawing inspiration from the likes of Badfinger and the Raspberries, the Records began putting out records in 1979. That year’s Shades In Bed included the catchy single, “Starry Eyes,” which went on to become one of power pop’s most enduring songs. Although signed to Virgin Records, the band failed to catch on beyond cult status in the US, and split up in 1982. After the Records, Brown collaborated with 
Mike Kelley was a respected visual artist as well as a founding member of Detroit underground noise rock band, Destroy All Monsters. Formed while Kelley was an art student in 1973, the band built a sizable cult following even though they never released a proper album. Kelley left the group in order to attend California Institute of the Arts in 1976. Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth released a 3-CD anthology of the band in 1994. Perhaps Kelley’s most notable contribution to popular music however, came by way of the iconic cover art he created for Sonic Youth’s 1992 album, Dirty (see below). Mike Kelley was 57 when he apparently took his own life on February 1, 2012.
![Dirty (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered] - Sonic Youth](https://i0.wp.com/ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/web/linkmaker/badge_itunes-lrg.gif?w=640){kind=icon}
Born in St. Louis, MO, David Peaston grew up to be a successful Gospel and R&B singer during the ’90s. After starting out as a teacher, Peaston moved to New York City during the early ’80s in order to pursue a career in music. After winning several televised singing competitions, he was signed to Geffen Records who released his first single, “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make It Right,” which reached #3 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1989. Several charting singles and popular albums followed. His mother, Martha Bass, was part of the Clara Ward Singers, while his sister, Fontella Bass has enjoyed tremendous success as a singer as well. David Peaston died from complications of diabetes on February 1, 2012. He was 54.
Don Cornelius was the creator, writer, producer, and host of the extremely influential American dance program, Soul Train. Launched in October of 1961 after Cornelius noticed a void of nationally broadcast television shows that catered to the African-American audience, Soul Train ran until March of 2006. Cornelius hosted the program from its inception until 1993. Soul Train has been praised for influencing countless African-American kids while bringing black music into the white neighborhoods. Over the years, the show featured lip-synched performances by everyone from 