Died On This Date (December 29, 2013) Ben Curtis / Secret Machines, School Of Seven Bells

Ben Curtis
September 23, 1978 – December 29, 2013

ben-curtisBen Curtis was a founding member of  the two popular indie rock bands, Secret Machines and School Of Seven Bells.  Born in Layton, Oklahoma, Curtis moved to Dallas, Texas while still in junior high.  A gifted guitarist, drummer and songwriter, he and his brother, Brandon Curtis, formed Secret Machines in 2000 and moved the band to New York City.  The space rock group released several acclaimed singles, EPs and albums and even opened for u2 during a 2006 show in Mexico.  In 2007, Curtis and identical twins, Claudia Deheza and  Alejandra Deheza launched School Of Seven Bells, a popular shoegaze band who went on to release numerous records to critical acclaim as well. Their most recent LP, Ghostory, came out in 2013.  Curtis also played in UFOFU and Tripping Daisy during his career.  In early 2013, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma but initially, that it was treatable.  In August of 2013, several musicians held a benefit concert to raise money to help with his medical expenses.  Devendra Banhart along with members of Interpol and the Strokes took part.  Ben Curtis ultimately died from the cancer on December 29, 2013.  He was 35.

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The Music’s Over’s Favorite Albums Of 2013

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy checking out some NEW music here on The Music’s Over for a change. Here were our favorite albums of 2013.

1. David Bowie / The Next Day

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2. Dropkick Murphys / Signed And Sealed In Blood

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3. Jason Isbell / Southeastern

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4. Black Sabbath / 13

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5. Charles Bradley / Victim Of Love

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6. Johnny Marr / The Messenger

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7. Bobby Rush / Down In Louisiana

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8. Daniel Romano / Come Cry With Me

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9. Motorhead / Aftershock

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10. Will Hoge / Never Give In

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11. Sturgill Simpson / High Top Mountain

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12. Arctic Monkeys / AM

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13. The Thermals / Desperate Ground

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14. Paul McCartney / New

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15. Carrie Rodriguez / Give Me All You’ve Got

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16. Fates Warning / Darkness In A Different Light

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17. The Slide Brothers / Robert Randolph Presents The Slide Brothers

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18. Kylesa / Ultraviolet

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19. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Push The Sky Away

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20. Big Harp / Chain Letters

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21. Valerie June / Pushin’ Against A Stone

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22. Johnny Flynn / Country Mile

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Died On This Date (December 23, 2013) Yusef Lateef / Jazz Great

Yusef Lateef (Born William Huddleston)
October 9, 1920 – December 23, 2013

yusef-lateefYusef Lateef was a highly influential jazz multi-instrumentalist who, primarily through the flute and tenor saxophone, is best remembered for seamlessly integrating of jazz and Eastern music.  Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lateef was exposed to the playing of such local greats as Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell and Elvin Jones at a very young age.  By the time he finished high school he was already proficient enough on the saxophone to launch his professional career.  In 1949, he was hired by Benny Goodman to tour as part of his orchestra.  By the late ’50s, Lateef was making his own records for Savoy, and later Prestige Records.  In 1961, he released arguably his most influential album, Eastern Sounds.  His use of Eastern instruments on that album clearly influenced the likes of John Coltrane.  In 1987, he was awarded a Grammy for the album, Yusef Lateef’s Little Symphony.  He also acquired numerous other awards and accolades throughout his career – not just as a musician, but as an educator as well.  Yusef Lateef was 93 when he passed away on December 23, 2013.

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Died On This Date (December 20, 2013) Lord Infamous / Rapper For Three 6 Mafia

Lord Infamous (Born Ricky Dunigan)
November 17, 1973 – December 20, 2013

lord-infamousLord Infamous was an American rapper and co-founding member of the popular rap group, Three 6 Mafia who is credited with coining “crunk” to describe the style of southern hip hop they came to exemplify.  Formed in 1991, the group built a sizable underground following for their music that some have labeled “horrorcore” due to its darker elements.  Lord Infamous’ lyrics in particular, generally revolved around the occult, murder, suicide and Satanism.   Three 6 Mafia’s fourth album, 2000’s  When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1, reached #6 on the Billboard Top 200 on its way to selling well over a million copies.  In 2006, Lord Infamous and Three 6 Mafia parted ways due to a contractual breach with their record label.  Lord Infamous went on to form a label, Black Rain Entertainment, with longtime friend, II Tone.  The company released numerous albums by Lord Infamous and other hip hop acts from the Memphis area.  Earlier in 2013, Lord Infamous with original Three 6 Mafia members, DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca, and Gangsta Boo formed Da Mafia 6ix.  They released their first mix tape, 6ix Commandments in November of 2013 while working on a new studio album to be released in 2014.  On December 20, 2013, Lord Infamous died at the age of 40.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (December 16, 2013) Ray Price / Country Music Icon

Ray Price
January 12, 1926 – December 16, 2013

ray-priceRay Price was a legendary country singer, musician and songwriter whose smooth baritone was one of the finest that country music has ever known.  Born in eastern Texas, Price began singing for an Abilene radio station upon his return from WWII. He moved to Nashville during the early ’50s and even roomed with Hank Williams for a bit.  After managing Williams’ Drifting Cowboys, he formed the Cherokee Cowboys in 1953 – a group that at one point or another counted Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Bush as its own.  Over the years, Price scored iconic hits with “Release Me,” “For The Good Times,” and “Night Life,” to name just a few.  He was recognized with two Grammys – for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1971, and for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals with Nelson in 2008.  Price continued to record and perform well into his 80s and was even hoping to do upwards of 100 live dates after learning he had pancreatic cancer in November of 2012.  Ray Price ultimately died from the cancer on December 16, 2013.  He was 87.

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