Died On This Date (June 19, 2013) Slim Whitman / Country Music Legend
themusicsover Ottis “Slim” Whitman
January 20, 1923 or 1924 – June 19, 2013
Slim Whitman was an American country singer, songwriter and guitarist who is perhaps best remembered for his high voice and yodeling skills. Highly influential, even George Harrison and Michael Jackson have cited Whitman as an influence. Born in Tampa, Florida, Whitman served in the US Navy during World War II before launching his music career. While working in a shipyard, he was given the opportunity to sing on a local Tampa radio station only to be heard by Col. Tom Parker of Elvis Presley fame who helped secure Whitman his first recording contract with RCA Records in 1948. A series of country hits followed until 1955, when he scored his first #1 pop hit with “Rose Marie.” The record sat at the top of the UK charts for an unprecedented 11 weeks until Bryan Adams broke the record in 1991. In 1979, Whitman appeared in one of the earliest infomercials on television. The piece is considered THE most successful one ever, responsible for selling 1.5 million copies of his All My Best greatest hits album. Over the course of his career, Whitman sold over 120 million albums which include his most recent, 2010’s Twilight On The Trail, his first new studio album in 26 years. Slim Whitman died of heart failure on June 19, 2013. He was 90 years old.
What You Should Own
Alastair Donaldson is perhaps best remembered as the bassist – though under the moniker William Mysterious, for the Scottish punk/new wave band, the Rezillos. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Donaldson picked up the bass at an early age and in 1975, joined Silly Wizard, a folk band. He soon left the group to join the Rezillos, one of punk rock’s first generation bands. Initially working as the group’s saxophonist, Donaldson soon switched to bass. One Donaldson disciple, J Mascis once noted that his contributions to Can’t Stand The Rezillos could very well be the best bass playing ever from any recording from the storied Sire Records catalog. That album – the band’s first and only studio release – reached #16 on the UK charts and has been called one of the best 50 punk albums from the original era. The LP spawned three charting singles in England. Following its release, the Rezillos landed the opening slot for the Ramones UK tour after which, Donaldson left the group. The Rezillos broke up on 1978 but quickly regrouped with new members as the Revillos and released Rev Up in 1979. Donaldson played on that album put parted ways with the band for good in 1980. He went on to release one single under the name, William Mysterious with Alastair Donaldson, in 1982, but stayed semi-retired from music for the remainder of his life. Alastair Donaldson was 58 when he passed away on June 18, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Johnny Smith was a jazz guitarist who was considered one of the premiere cool jazz players of his day. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Smith and his family eventually settled in Maine where the boy began learning to play the guitar by practicing at local pawn shops. By the time he was 13, he was teaching other neighborhood kids to play. While still in high school, Smith joined a local hillbilly band, Uncle Lem and the Mountain Boys who took him on the road to play various fairs and dances throughout Maine. Since he was earning $4.00 a night, Smith promptly quit high school to pursue his career. By the time he turned 18, he picked up an interest in jazz so he quit the Mountain Boys and joined a jazz trio called the Airport Boys. After serving in the US Army as part of the Military Band, Smith put his music career in high gear. With a reputation for being one of the era’s most versatile guitarists – he could just as easily play classical as he could hillbilly and jazz – Smith found plenty of work as a session player. In 1952, he released what would become his most acclaimed album, Moonlight In Vermont, which also featured 
Darondo was a San Francisco funk and soul singer who found his career reignited during the late 2000s thanks to a few key film and TV song placements and reissues of his early recordings. Although not a household name, Darondo is considered one of the greats of ’70s soul by those in the know. With a flair for style and a somewhat unique and soulful voice, Darondo was a cult hero at best since he started making records during the ’60s. By the early ’70s, Darondo’s career seemed to be taking off. He opened for Sly Stone and somehow earned enough money to drive around in a lavish Rolls Royce complete with a bar, hot plate, phone, and table that slid out of the trunk. Some swore he was a pimp, which he has always denied, although he generally dressed the part. In 1973, he had a minor hit with “Didn’t I,” following which his career stalled thanks in part to legal disputes with his then-manager. But the song (and Darondo’s career) began picking up steam for a comeback when a London DJ started playing it in 2008. Fans of Breaking Bad might remember hearing it over the opening credits during the “Cancer Man” episode of the first season. Darondo’s songs have also been featured in such recent films and television programs as Saint John Of Las Vegas, Life On Mars, Night Catches Us, and Jack Goes Boating. Much of Darondo’s music has been lovingly compiled or re-released by Omnivore Recordings and Ubiquity/Luv N Haight Records. Darondo was 67 when he died of heart failure on June 9, 2013.
Arturo Vega was a graphic designer who is best remembered for his 20+ years of creative service for the Ramones. Originally from Mexico, Vega emigrated to the United States during the ’70s, and settled in New York City. He soon became friends with the band and even let 