Died On This Date (October 3, 2012) Danny Sims / Music Executive; Managed Bob Marley
themusicsover Danny Sims
DOB Unknown – October 3, 2012
Danny Sims was a successful American music executive who is perhaps best remembered for being instrumental in the success of Bob Marley. Born in Mississippi, Sims eventually settled in New York City, where in 1965, he and business partner, Johnny Nash launched JAD Records. During that period, Sims traveled back and forth to Jamaica with several American soul singers to record. One of them was Nash who had a huge hit with “I Can See Clearly Now” in 1972. Nash was reportedly the first American to record in Jamaica. In 1967, Sims signed Bob Marley and the Wailers (the Wailers at the time being, Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh) to their first recording contract. Sims has been acknowledged for refining Marley and his band mates for the world stage and studio in those early years. Sims recorded hundreds of early tracks with the Wailers , many of which have still yet to be released. In 1972, Sims sold Marley’s contract to Chris Blackwell, and in doing so, unknowingly launched the modern age of reggae music. Blackwell, of course, helped turn Marley into a superstar by teaching him to think beyond reggae and present himself as a rock star. Meanwhile, Sims went on to find success with JAD Records (thanks in part to future Marley “rarity” collections) as well as with his Cayman Publishing company. Sims joined forces with Marley again as his manager, but the singer died of cancer shortly thereafter. Danny Sims as 72 when he died of colon cancer on October 3, 2012.
Raylene Rankin was the co-lead singer for influential Canadian Irish folk group, the Rankin Family. Formed in 1989, the group, which also included siblings, Jimmy, Cookie, Heather, John Morris, and David, won numerous awards, including six Juno Awards – Canada’s answer to the Grammys. Shortly after the Rankin Family formed, they began self-releasing their music on cassette. By the early ’90s, they were signed to EMI Records and touring all over Canada and beyond. The 1992 EMI re-release of their Fair Thee Well Love sold more than 500,000 in its initial years. The group released several more albums through the years including the quadruple platinum North Country, and their most recent, 2009’s These Are The Moments. Meanwhile, Raylene released a handful of solo albums as well. During the she early 2000s, Raylene was diagnosed with cancer, and on September 30, 2012 she died of breast cancer. She was 52 when he passed away.
