Died On This Date (March 19, 2013) Buddy McRae / The Chords
themusicsover Floyd “Buddy” McRae
DOB Unknown – March 19, 2013
Buddy McRae was a founding member of influential Bronx, New York, doo-wop group, the Chords. Formed from the ashes of a vocal group that McRae started while still in elementary group in 1951, the Chords were no street-corner vocal combo. They were rehearsed and polished enough to get noticed by local record companies. In 1954, Atlantic Records’ legendary A&R man, Jerry Wexler, brought them into the studio to record the Patti Page hit, “Cross Over The Bridge.” But when it was released, it was the record’s b-side, “Sh-Boom” that resonated with DJ’s and music buyers. “Sh-Boom,” which reached #3 on the R&B charts and#9 on the pop charts, is considered a prominent bridge between R&B and rock ‘n roll. To this day, it remains one of the most familiar songs of the doo-wop era thanks in part to appearances in such TV shows and films as Happy Days, Cars, Road House, and Cry Baby. The Chords continued on for several years, but failed to produce another hit so they disbanded in 1960. In 2012, a street in their Bronx neighborhood was renamed Chords Way.
Thanks to Kevin Walsh for the assist.
Bobby Smith, or as he sometimes went by, Bobbie Smith, was the lead singer of the Spinners since their inception in 1954. Born and raised in Ferndale, Michigan, Smith joined the group while they were still known as the Domingoes. They eventually changed their name to the Spinners based on a suggestion by Smith who, as a car buff, liked the use of the word for high-end hub caps. By 1961, the group was signed to 
Jason Molina was a singer-songwriter from Northeast Ohio who is probably best remembered as the founder and front man of Magnolia Electric Co. Launching his career as a bassist for various metal bands in and around Cleveland, Molina formed a musical collective he called Songs: Ohia in 1996. The lineup changed regularly with Molina as its only constant. For the next several years, Songs: Ohia released numerous albums culminating in the critically acclaimed, Magnolia Electric Co. Musically, Songs: Ohia leaned indie rock/lo-fi, but when Molina took the name of Magnolia Electric Co. for his band in 2003, he moved more toward alt-country. He released several more albums and EPs throughout the next decade. In 2009, Jason Molina retired from music due to health issues, and on March 16, 2013, he reportedly died of organ failure. He was 39.
Hardrock Gunter was an American country singer, songwriter and guitarist whose rave-ups are considered to be the earliest examples of rock ‘n roll and rockabilly. After playing in a few bands during his teens, Gunter took a shine to television and became a local TV personality for a bit. In 1950, he cut his self-penned “Birmingham Bounce” which came out a year before “Rocket 88,” the song that is generally credited as being the first rock ‘n roll song ever. More records followed, including “Sixty Minute Man” which was one of the first country songs to cross over to R&B. Gunter continued to record and perform until he retired from music during the ’60s to get into the insurance business. During the mid ’90s, he returned to the stage to perform at festivals and rockabilly events throughout Europe and the U.S. Hardrock Gunter was 88 when he died of pneumonia on March 15, 2013.
Clive Burr is best remembered as Iron Maiden‘s first drummer. After playing in another legendary British metal band Samson for a year or two, Burr joined Iron Maiden. Replacing Doug Sampson in 1979, Burr was on board for the band’s first three albums, Iron Maiden, Killers, and their international breakthrough, Number Of The Beast. As a songwriter, Burr contributed “Gangland” and “Total Eclipse” to the Iron Maiden discography. After leaving the band in 1982, Burr played with such outfits as Trust, Alcatrazz, Dee Snyder‘s Desperado, and his own band, Stratus. In 1994, Burr was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, prompting Iron Maiden to launch the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund and staged a series of benefit concerts to help offset his mounting medical bills. In 2005, his drum kit went on display in the London Hard Rock Cafe. Clive Burr passed away in his sleep on March 12, 2013. He was 56.
