Died On This Date (April 16, 2013) George Beverly Shea / Gospel Singer & Composer
themusicsover George Beverly Shea
February 1, 1909 – April 16, 2013
George Beverly Shea was an American Gospel singer and composer who was widely refereed to as “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer.” Thanks in part to his numerous appearances at Billy Graham‘s many crusades along with subsequent recordings and radio appearances, Shea is considered one of Gospel music’s first true International stars. Born in Ontario, Canada, Shea became a naturalized American citizen in 1941. He was taught the violin, piano and organ as a youngster, but it was eventually his beautiful baritone voice that got noticed while singing at his father’s church. He eventually moved to New York and then Chicago where he became a featured soloist on Graham’s weekly radio program. Thanks to Shea’s singing, the show’s ratings skyrocketed almost overnight. He went on to sing on other programs but ultimately worked alongside Graham over the next seven decades. Throughout his career, Shea soloed on upwards of 500 recordings on over seventy albums. He recorded several of his own albums as well. His most famous recording is his rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” As a composer, Shea’s most popular songs are “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and “The Wonder Of It All.” He won a Grammy for Best Gospel Recording in 1966, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He’s also won countless awards from various Gospel and Christian music associations. George Beverly Shaw was 104 when he passed away on April 16, 2013.
What You Should Own
Scott Miller was the founder and lead singer for Northern Californian ’80s college rock band, Game Theory. Formed in 1981, the critically acclaimed group released several albums including their 1987 classic, Lolita Nation. Although the album received near universal praise, it failed to succeed at the cash registers so eventually went out of print. Due to its influence on more recent bands, original copies of the CD have since become highly collectible and valuable. The band released four proper albums before calling it quits in 1989. Miller went on to for the Loud Family in 1991, and again, the band released several critical faves but eluded much success beyond a cult following. He was reportedly planning to reunite with Game Theory and record a new album during the summer of 2013. Scott Miller was 53 when he passed away on April 15, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
George Jackson was an American southern soul singer and songwriter who penned a number of songs that became major hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, Jackson eventually settled in Memphis where he wrote songs for such studios and labels as FAME, Goldwax, Muscle Shoals, Malaco and Hi Records. Over the years, Jackson released numerous records but none achieved the popularity of song of his that were recorded by others. In 1970, the Osmonds recorded his “One Bad Apple,” which ultimately topped the pop charts. And Bob Seger had a huge hit with “Old Time Rock And Roll” thanks in part to Tom Cruise’s iconic dance scene to it in the 1983 film, Risky Business. The song, co-written with Thomas Jones III, has since become a Classic Rock staple. Jackson’s “The Only Way Is Up” as performed by Yazz and Coldcut topped the US dance charts and UK charts in 1988. Others who have recorded his include Otis Clay, 
Vincent Montana was an American percussionist and band leader who is best remembered as the founder of popular ’70s disco group, the Salsoul Orchestra. He was also a member of another disco standout band, MFSB. Both groups, which counted members of each within their folds, released some of the era’s most recognized hits. MFSB was assembled as the house band for Philadephia’s legendary Sigma Sounds Studios affording Montana the opportunity to play on hits by the O’Jays, the Stylistics, 
Chi Cheng was the founding bassist for California alt-metal band, Deftones. Formed in Sacramento in 1988, it didn’t take long for the band to build a loyal following and catch the ear of Madonna‘s label, Maverick Records. What followed was a series of albums that helped define the nu metal movement of the late ’90s/early 2000s. The band’s first trio of albums easily went platinum with Cheng playing on all three as well as their next two. In 2008, Cheng was in a serious automobile accident which left him in a coma. In 2010, he began showing signs of recovery after which he began undergoing additional operations and extensive rehabilitation. In early 2012, more signs of improvement surfaced and Cheng was allowed to go home from the hospital only to suffer a setback with pneumonia. On April 13, 2013, it was announced that Chi Cheng passed away earlier that day. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 42.