Died On This Date (January 17, 2012) Walter Gaines / Motown’s The Originals

Walter Gaines
DOB Unknown – January 17, 2012

Walter Gaines was the founder of, and baritone singer in the Motown vocal group, the Originals.  Formed in 1966, the outfit released several albums and hit singles including, “Baby I’m For Real,” “God Bless Whoever Sent You,” and “The Bells,” which sold over 1 million copies.  The group can also be heard handling back-up duties on early records by the likes of Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Edwin Starr, and David Ruffin.  It was during the late ’60s that the Originals found the bulk of their success, but they did well during the disco era as well.  They ultimately broke up in 1982 but reformed in a different configuration for the oldies circuit during the 2000s.  Walter Gaines passed away on January 17, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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

 

Died On This Date (January 16, 2012) Jimmy Castor / ’70s Funk Great; Had Hit With “Troglodyte (Cave Man)”

Jimmy Castor
January 23, 1947 – January 16, 2012

Jimmy Castor was one of the greats of funk. Period.  Born in New York City, Castor began his career as a doo wop singer during the mid ’50s.  He made his first record in 1956 – the self-penned “I Promise To Remember.”  The following year, he replaced Frankie Lymon in the Teenagers.   By the mid ’60s, he was playing saxophone on others’ records while making his few of his own that were starting to find an audience on the dance floors of New York City.  His first hit came in 1966 with “Hey Leroy, Your Mama’s Callin’ You.”  In 1972, he formed the Jimmy Castor Bunch who were quickly signed to RCA Records.  Later that year, they released It’s Just Begun, which contained the part novelty, but all funk classic, “Troglodyte (Cave Man).”  The song quickly lit up radio request lines across the US and is now a must-have for  any respectable funk collection.  The song hit #6 on the Billboard pop charts and sold over a million copies within weeks.  It has since become one of the most heavily sampled songs of the era.  The list of those who have borrowed from it include Kool Moe Dee, N.W.A., Neneh Cherry, Lil’ Kim, Ginuwine, the Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, and Christina Aguilera.    Castor followed with other hits like “The Bertha Butt Boogie (Part 1)” and “King Kong (Part 1).”   During the ’80s, Castor made several more records and ran his own record label.  Jimmy Castor was 64 when he passed away in a Nevada hospital on January 16, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Jimmy Castor Bunch

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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Diamond Head

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.