Died On This Date (May 16, 2012) Doug Dillard / Banjo Great; The Dillards

Doug Dillard
March 6, 1937 – May 16, 2012

Doug Dillard was a world-renowned banjo player and founding member of the Dillards.  Formed in 1962, the pickers eventually added electric guitars, drums and keyboards to the mix which in turn, laid the foundation for country rock to come in the early ’70s, and newgrass in the ’80s and ’90s.  Artists who have taken a cue for the Dillards include the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Eagles, New Grass Revival, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sam Bush, String Cheese Incident, Ricky Skaggs, and the Byrds.  The Dillards made their mark on television as well.  During the ’60s, they had a recurring role as the Darlings, a bluegrass band that performed on the Andy Griffith Show.  The group continued to release albums well into the ’90s.   Outside of the Dillards, Doug also performed alongside the ByrdsGene Clark as the Dillard and Clark Band.  Throughout his career, he either performed or recorded with the likes of Elton John, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, and Linda Ronstadt.  Doug Dillard was 75 when he passed away on May 16, 2012.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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The Dillards

Died On This Date (May 16, 2012) Chuck Brown / The Godfather Of Go-Go

Chuck Brown
August 22, 1936 – May 16, 2012

Chuck Brown was an influential American guitarist, singer and songwriter who is largely credited for creating go-go, an offshoot of funk that popped up in Washington DC during the mid ’70s.  What separates go-go from all the rest is its use of call-and-response, wild street percussion, and long jams.  Brown got his start playing with Jerry Butler during the early ’60s.  Before he knew it, he was working solo and putting out a string of hits that included “I Need Some Money” and “Bustin’ Loose,” which is used by MLB’s Washington Nationals to celebrate their home runs.  Brown went on to record the theme song for The Sinbad Show during the mid ’90s.  In recent years, much of his music has reached younger audiences by way of sampling – Nelly’s 2002 #1 hit, “Hot In Here” contains a portion of “Bustin’ Loose.”  In 2010, Brown was nominated for his first Grammy for the song, “Love.”  He has been cited as a direct influence on such go-go legends as Trouble Funk and EU and is so beloved by his hometown of Washington DC, that they named a street after him – Chuck Brown Way.  Chuck Brown was 75 when he passed away on May 16, 2012.

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Died On This Date (May 14, 2012) Belita Woods / R&B Singer

Belita Woods
 October 23, 1948 – May 14, 2012

Belita Woods was a Detroit, Michigan soul singer who first commanded attention while fronting Brainstorm during the ’70s.  Beginning as a solo act, Woods released her first single, “Magic Corner,” in 1967.  She later joined Brainstorm who, in 1977, released their debut album, Stormin’.  It included the disco hit, “Love Is Really My Game.”   The following year, Brainstorm released two more albums before Woods went off on her own again.  In 1992, she joined the P-Funk All-Stars, with whom she toured for many years. Through the course of her career, Woods sang on records by the likes of George Clinton, Prince, Bootsy Collins, and Betty Wright.  Belita Woods died of heart failure on May 14, 2012.  She was 63.

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

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Died On This Date (May 13, 2012) Donald “Duck” Dunn / Booker T. & The MG’s

Donald “Duck” Dunn
November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012

As the house bassist for Stax Records throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Donald “Duck” Dunn provided the unmistakable bottom-end for countless soul and R&B songs that have stood the test of time. He can also be heard on some of the greatest rock recordings from the ’70s and ’80s.  From Otis Redding’s “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming,” and Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’ “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,”  Dunn’s groove can not be missed.  And in between, there was Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and Rod Stewart, to name a few.  And as bassist for Booker T. & the MG’s, Dunn made his mark on such iconic songs as “Green Onions.”  In 1980, Dunn played himself alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as part of the Blues Brothers band both in the movie, and at live performances.  Although semi-retired by 2000, Dunn continued to play at occasional Booker T. gigs and other events well into the new decade.  Donald “Duck” Dunn died in his sleep following a performance in Tokyo, Japan on May 12, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (May 9, 2012) Celso Chavez / Possum Dixon

Celso Chavez
March 22, 1968 – May 9, 2012

Celso Chavez was the founding guitarist for ’90s pop/punk band, Possum Dixon.  Formed in Los Angeles in 1989, Possum Dixon built a sizable following amongst fans of the blossoming Silver Lake scene.  In 1993, the band signed to Interscope Records and went on to release such albums as Possum Dixon and Star Maps.  Their video for “Watch the Girl Destroy Me” from their debut album found a welcome home at MTV.  Their last album for Interscope, 1998’s New Sheets, was produced by Ric Ocasek.  Celso Chavez was 44 when he died of complications from a staph infection on May 9, 2012.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.