Died On This Date (March 6, 2013) Stompin’ Tom Connors / Prolific Canadian Country Singer
themusicsover Charles “Stompin’ Tom” Connors
February 9, 1936 – March 6, 2013
Stompin’ Tom Connors was a Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter who reportedly penned over 300 songs and released some 50 albums totaling over 4 million copies sold. At the age of 15, Connors left home to hitchhike across Canada, writing songs on his guitar along the way. During his last stop, he was short on cash to buy himself a beer, so the hotel’s barkeep said he’d give him the beer if he’d sing a few songs. That turned into a 13-week run at the hotel, a weekly spot on the local radio station, and several recordings. Throughout his career, Connors wrote and recorded numerous popular songs. His “The Consumer” was used as the theme song for a popular CBC program, while his “The Hockey Song” became an arena favorite throughout the NHL. In 1978, Connors retired to his farm in protest over policies of the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission. He reactivated his career in 1988 and continued to perform and record up until his final years. Connors is ranked # 13 on The Greatest Canadian list and was pictured on a 2009 Canadian postage stamp. Stompin’ Tom Connors was 77 when he died of natural causes on March 6, 2013.
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As an original member of Motown’s legendary R&B group, the Miracles, Bobby Rogers sang on some of popular music’s most lasting songs. Born on the same day and in the very same hospital as Smokey Robinson, Rogers wouldn’t meet his future band mate until 15 years later. In 1959, the Miracles became the first group signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown/Tamla Records, and within a year, they had the label’s first million seller with “Shop Around.” The group went on to release countless hit singles with Rogers singing on “You Really Got A Hold Of Me,” “The Tracks Of My Tears,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “I Second That Emotion,” and many many more. He was also reportedly responsible for the group’s onstage choreography. Rogers remained in the Miracles until 1978, but participated in reunions in 1980 and 1993. He ultimately retired from the group in 2011. As a Motown songwriter, Rogers wrote or co-wrote such hits as “The Way You Do The Things You Do” (the Temptations), “What Love Has Joined Together” (
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