Died On This Date (March 23, 2013) Larry Robinson / Southern California Singer-Songwriter

Edward Lawrence Robinson
DOB Unknown – March 23, 2013

larry-robinsonLarry Robinson was a beloved San Diego-area singer-songwriter who, over the course of his career, released six albums, three of which as a member of the Dorados during the ’90s.   Americana in vein, Robinson’s songs spoke of a California that unfortunately, many are too young to have known.  During the ’60s, he played in the band, Things To Come who once shared the Whiskey A Go-Go stage with the Byrds.  On March 22, 3013, 64-year-old Larry Robinson was bound and severely beaten during a robbery of Pete’s Music Store where he worked part-time in Temecula, California.  He died of his injuries the next day .  His assailant or assailants remained unidentified in the weeks following his death.

For more on Larry Robinson, please visit Easy Ed’s blog at nodepression.com

 

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Died On This Date (March 22, 2013) Bebo Valdés / Cuban Pianist & Bandleader

Bebo Valdés (Born Ramon Amaro)
October 9, 1918 – March 22, 2013

bebo-valdesBebo Valdés was a highly regarded Latin jazz musician, composer and bandleader whose name is synonymous with the golden age of Cuban music.  Making his name in Havana during the ’40s, Valdés went on to become the pianist and house arranger at the city’s legendary Tropicana Club from 1948 to 1957.  It was there during the ’50s that he became a key figure in the development of mambo.  In 1960, Valdés defected to Mexico and then moved to the United States and later settled in Sweden.   In 2000, he was featured in the acclaimed Latin jazz documentary, Calle 54, which brought his career a well-deserved second chapter in which he was able to entertain a whole new generation of young fans.  Throughout his career, he was awarded with seven Grammys, his most recent two in 2010.  Bebo Valdés was 94 when he passed away on March 22, 2013.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (March 19, 2013) Buddy McRae / The Chords

Floyd “Buddy” McRae
DOB Unknown – March 19, 2013

buddy-mcraeBuddy McRae was a founding member of influential Bronx, New York, doo-wop group, the Chords. Formed from the ashes of a vocal group that McRae started while still in elementary group in 1951, the Chords were no street-corner vocal combo.  They were rehearsed and polished enough to get noticed by local record companies.  In 1954, Atlantic Records’ legendary A&R man, Jerry Wexler, brought them into the studio to record the Patti Page hit, “Cross Over The Bridge.”  But when it was released, it was the record’s b-side, “Sh-Boom” that resonated with DJ’s and music buyers.  “Sh-Boom,” which reached #3 on the R&B charts and#9 on the pop charts, is considered a prominent bridge between R&B and rock ‘n roll.  To this day, it remains one of the most familiar songs of the doo-wop era thanks in part to appearances in such TV shows and films as Happy Days, Cars, Road House, and Cry Baby.  The Chords continued on for several years, but failed to produce another hit so they disbanded in 1960.  In 2012, a street in their Bronx neighborhood was renamed Chords Way.

Thanks to Kevin Walsh for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (March 16, 2013) Bobby Smith / Lead Singer Of The Spinners

Bobby Smith / Bobbie Smith
April 10, 1936 – March 16, 2013

bobby-smithBobby Smith, or as he sometimes went by, Bobbie Smith,  was the lead singer of the Spinners since their inception in 1954.  Born and raised in Ferndale, Michigan, Smith joined the group while they were still known as the Domingoes.   They eventually changed their name to the Spinners based on a suggestion by Smith who, as a car buff, liked the use of the word for high-end hub caps.  By 1961, the group was signed to Harvey Fuqua‘s Tri-Phi Records who put out their first hit single, “That’s What Girls Are Made From,” which reached #27 on the pop charts.  What followed was a series of iconic hits with Motown and Atlantic records that included “I’ll Always Love You,” “I’ll Be Around,” “Games People Play,” and “Then Came You” with Dionne Warkwick.  These and many more featured Smith on lead vocals, while Philippe Wynne sang on others.   The Spinners were ultimately awarded with six Grammy’s as well as numerous gold records.  Bobby Smith died of complications of influenza and pneumonia on March 16, 2013.  He was 76.

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Died On This Date (March 16, 2013) Jason Molina / Singer For Magnolia Electric Co.

Jason Molina
DOB Unknown – March 16, 2013

jason-molinaJason Molina was a singer-songwriter from Northeast Ohio who is probably best remembered as the founder and front man of Magnolia Electric Co.  Launching his career as a bassist for various metal bands in and around Cleveland, Molina formed a musical collective he called Songs: Ohia in 1996.  The lineup changed regularly with Molina as its only constant.  For the next several years, Songs: Ohia released numerous albums culminating in the critically acclaimed, Magnolia Electric Co.  Musically, Songs: Ohia leaned indie rock/lo-fi, but when Molina took the name of Magnolia Electric Co. for his band in 2003, he moved more toward alt-country.  He released several more albums and EPs throughout the next decade.  In 2009, Jason Molina retired from music due to health issues, and on March 16, 2013, he reportedly died of organ failure.  He was 39.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com