Died On This Date (March 28, 2013) Robert Zildjian / Founder Of Sabian Cymbal Company

Robert Zildjian
July 14, 1923 – March 28, 2013

robert-zildjianRobert Zildjian was the founder of Sabian Cymbal Company, one of music’s most popular brands.  Born into the family that began making cymbals in Istanbul in 1633, Zildian went into the family business at a very young age.  At almost 400 years old, the Avedis Zildjian Company is one of the oldest companies in the world.  In 1929, the business moved to America, and in 1981 – after a family dispute – Robert broke away and formed the Sabian Cymbal Company.  The two cymbal makers have coexisted yet remained rivals ever since.  Sabian Cymbals have been used by many of the greatest drummers in rock history.  Robert Zildian died of cancer on March 28, 2013.  He was 89.

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Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Gordon Stoker / Member Of Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires

Gordon Stoker
DOB Unknown – March 27, 2013

With Elvis
With Elvis

Gordon Stoker is best remembered as a member of Elvis Presley‘s backing vocalists, the Jordanaires.  He also acted as their manager.  Just 15 when he became a professional musician, Stoker eventually played piano on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry  radio program.  In 1949, he was picked up by the Jordanaires Gospel group to play piano.  Within two years, he was singing tenor in the group.  In 1956, Presley invited them to be his back up singers both live and on record.  Stoker can be heard on such records as “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” “I Got A Woman,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”  The group continued on – with Stoker remaining until the time of his death – after Presley passed away in 1977.  The list of other artists that were backed by the Jordanaires on record includes Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Ween, and Kristen Chenoweth.  Gordon Stoker was 88 when he passed away on March 27, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Paul Williams / Founder Of Crawdaddy! Magazine

Paul Williams
May 19, 1948 – March 27, 2013

paul-williamsPaul Williams was the founder of Crawdaddy!, considered by many to be America’s first national magazine devoted to rock music.  Launched while he was in college in 1966, the magazine first consisted of mimeographed pages written entirely by Williams himself.   Landing before by Rolling Stone and Creem, Crawdaddy called itself, “the first magazine to take rock and roll seriously,” making Williams a pioneer of rock journalism.    He left the magazine in 1968, but took it back over in 1993.  It ultimately closed shop in 2003.  Through a time before the internet and MTV, the pages of a handful of magazines like Crawdaddy! was where music lovers went to learn the goings-on of their favorite rock bands and musicians.  Throughout his career, Williams also penned more than 25 books including the widely acclaimed Bob Dylan: Performing Artist, a three book series.  He was considered to be an expert on the works of Dylan, Neil Young, and Brian Wilson.  In 1995, Williams suffered a severe brain injury during a bicycle mishap.  It is believed that that injury lead to his dementia and ultimately his death on March 27, 2013.  Paul Williams was 64 when he passed away.

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Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Roosevelt Jamison / Memphis Soul Legend; Wrote “That’s How Strong My Love Is”

Roosevelt Jamison
July 15, 1936 – March 27, 2013

roosevelt-jamisonRoosevelt Jamison was songwriter, artist manager and publicist whose most notable contribution to popular music was the soulful gem he wrote, “That’s How Strong My Love Is.”  First recorded by O.V. Wright in 1964, the song had a remarkable life, which found its way on to records by Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, Candi Staton, Taj Mahal, the Hollies, Bryan Ferry, Humble Pie, Percy Sledge, Buddy Miller, and many more.  Besides managing Wright, Jamison also oversaw soul singer, James Carr‘s career for a bit.  Under Jamison’s watch, Carr had a major hit with “The Dark End Of The Street.”  In later years, Jamison conducted sickle-cell research and taught Anatomy and Physiology.  He was also worked at the hematology lab at the City of Memphis Hospital for many years.  Roosevelt James passed away at the age of 76 on March 27, 2013.

Thanks to Tom Ashburn of The Dark End Of The Street on KOOP 91.7FM for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (March 23, 2013) Larry Robinson / Southern California Singer-Songwriter

Edward Lawrence Robinson
DOB Unknown – March 23, 2013

larry-robinsonLarry Robinson was a beloved San Diego-area singer-songwriter who, over the course of his career, released six albums, three of which as a member of the Dorados during the ’90s.   Americana in vein, Robinson’s songs spoke of a California that unfortunately, many are too young to have known.  During the ’60s, he played in the band, Things To Come who once shared the Whiskey A Go-Go stage with the Byrds.  On March 22, 3013, 64-year-old Larry Robinson was bound and severely beaten during a robbery of Pete’s Music Store where he worked part-time in Temecula, California.  He died of his injuries the next day .  His assailant or assailants remained unidentified in the weeks following his death.

For more on Larry Robinson, please visit Easy Ed’s blog at nodepression.com

 

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