Died On This Date (April 13, 2013) Vincent Montana Jr. / Founder Of The Salsoul Orchestra; Member OF MFSB
themusicsover Vincent Montana Jr.
February 12, 1928 – April 13, 2013
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, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and many more. With Salsoul Orchestra, he recorded such disco hits as “Tangerine,” “Salsoul Hustle,” and “Nice ‘N’ Naasty.” The vast list of others that Montana either played with or produced includes Frankie Avalon , Dusty Springfield, the Delfonics, Johnny Mathis, the Jackson 5, La Belle, and more recently, the Pet Shop Boys. Vincent Montana was 85 when he passed away on April 13, 2013.
What You Should Own
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.
Jimmy Dawkins was a Chicago blues great who earned the somewhat ironic nickname of “Fast Fingers” in that his performances were generally more deliberate and less flashy than that name might convey. Think Eric Clapton. Born about 75 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 1955 and began gigging around town while establishing himself as an in-demand session player. In 1969, he signed with Delmark Records who released his critically acclaimed debut album, Fast Fingers. His follow-up, All For Business, featured Otis Rush on second guitar. Over the course of his career, Dawkins released over 20 albums. He also wrote a column for Living Blues magazine. During the ’80s, Dawkins started his own label, Leric Records. As a sideman, he can be heard on recordings by the likes of Buddy Guy, 
Tim Carr was a songwriter, producer, and A&R executive who made perhaps his biggest mark on the music business while at Capitol, Dreamworks and Geffen Records. While at Capitol, Carr was instrumental in signing such bands as the Beastie Boys and Megadeth to the label. Throughout his career he also worked with such acts as Lush, Babes In Toyland, David Byrne, and Information Society. Prior to his record company work, Carr, who was living in Minneapolis, wrote music reviews for the local press and put on a local music festival. During the early 2000s, he moved to Thailand where he was worked with local rock singer, Sek Loso. He was also working on a music documentary. According to various sources, Carr’s body was discovered in his home by his landlord with at least one apparently fatal stab wound to the chest. Other circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately released. Tim Carr was 57 when he passed away.
Annette Funicello was an American child actress who parlayed her popularity as one of the Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club into a lifelong career in film, television and pop music. Trained in dance and music at an early age, Funicello was discovered by Walt Disney when she was 12 years old. She was one of a very few to have been selected by Disney himself. After the first show’s first season, she reportedly received over 6000 pieces of fan mail per month. After graduating from Disney, Funicello became a teen idol, starring with Frankie Avalon in popular beach movies like Beach Blanket Bingo, Beach Party, How To Stuff A Wild Bikini, and Muscle Beach Party. Throughout her career, she scored charting hits with “Tall Paul” (#7), “Pineapple Princess” (#11), “First Name Initial” (#20), and many more. In 1987, Funicello and Avalon reunited for Back To The Beach, a parody of their earlier beach movies. They also toured the U.S. singing their hits. In 1992, she revealed that she was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis to discount rumors that she was battling alcoholism. Annette Funicello ultimately died as a result of MS on April 8, 2013. She was 70.