Died On This Date (February 14, 2013) Shadow Morton / Successful Record Producer & Songwriter

George “Shadow” Morton
September 3, 1940 – February 14, 2013

shadow-mortonShadow Morton was a much-respected record producer whose contributions to popular music include producing and writing hits for the Shangri-Las.  He was particularly adept at composing  songs loaded with teen melodrama that became staples of the era.  His song-writing hits for the Shangri-Las include “Leader of the Pack,” “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” and “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” which happens to be the first song he ever wrote.  With just those four songs alone, it’s easy to argue that without Morton, the ’60s girl-group phenomenon might never have happened.  In 1967, he produced “Society’s Child,” a hit for Janis Ian.  He also is credited for discovering Vanilla Fudge and producing their first three albums, which included their hit, “You Keep Me Hanging On.”  The production of Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is also given to Morton.  During the ’70s, Morton worked with the New York Dolls, producing their second album, Too Much Too Soon.  Shadow Morton died of cancer on February 14, 2013.  He was 72.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

Died On This Date (February 12, 2013) Ben Todd / Bassist For D. Watusi; Founder Of Nashville’s Dead

Ben Todd
1988 – February 12, 2013

Photo by Lance Conzett
Photo by Lance Conzett

Ben Todd was a Nashville musician who played bass in local punk band, D. Watusi.  He was also the founder of Nashville’s Dead, a punk rock blog and record label.  Launched in 2009, Nashville’s Dead quickly build a legion of followers thanks to its focus on Nashville’s indie rock, punk, and garage scene.   Every year in March, the site puts on the popular Freakin’ Weekend music festival.  Ben Todd was 24 when he passed away on February 12, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

 

Died On This Date (February 11, 2013) Rick Huxley / The Dave Clark Five

Rick Huxley
August 5, 1942 – February 11, 2013

rick-huxleyThere was a moment during the ’60s when Rick Huxley was arguably the biggest bass player in popular music.  It was the British Invasion and the band in which he played, the Dave Clark Five, was comfortably seated right behind fellow invaders, the Beatles.  Formed in 1958, the band was the Fab Four’s biggest challengers during the early ’60s until the Rolling Stones roared in.  With the Dave Clark Five, Huxley played on such pop music staples as “Glad All Over,” “Bits and Pieces,” and “Catch Us If You Can.”  In March of 1964, the band became the second British Invasion band to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.  Their two-week run immediately followed the Beatles’ original three-week stint.  The group broke up in 1970 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Tom Hanks in 2008, with Huxley on hand to accept the honor.  Other groups he played with include the Riverside Blues Boys and the Spon Valley Stompers.  Rick Huxley was 72 when he passed away on February 11, 2013.   Cause of death was not immediately released, though he had been battling emphysema.



Died On This Date (February 9, 2013) Jon Cook / Basist For Post-Hardcore Band, Crain

Jon Cook
DOB Unknown – February 9, 2013

jon-cookJon Cook was a rock bassist who is best remembered for his tenure in ’90s post-hardcore band, Crain.  The Louisville, Kentucky band released three albums including the Steve Albini-produced Speed in 1992.  The band ultimately broke up in 1996 but reunited as their pre-Crain outfit, Cerebellum in 2010.  Outside of Crain, Cook played with Rodan, and Experimental Pollen, amongst others.  During Cook’s teenage years, he helped out-of-town bands get booked in local clubs and played a key role in the development of Louisville’s ’90s punk scene.  Jon Cook was 40 when, on February 9, 2013, he passed away following a long illness.

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Died On This Date (February 5, 2013) Paul Tanner / Glenn Miller Orchestra; Played On “Good Vibrations”

Paul Tanner
October 15, 1917 – February 5, 2013

paul-tannerUntil his passing, Paul Tanner was the last surviving member of the original Glenn Miller Orchestra.  Born into a musical family, Tanner was already touring the country by his late teens.  During one of those gigs, Tanner was approached by Miller who asked him to join his band.  He played trombone for Miller from 1938 to 1942.  After Miller went off to play in the Army Air Force Band, Tanner went on to do session work in Los Angeles, and teach music for 23 years at UCLA.  He also performed with the ABC Orchestra for 16 years, sharing the stage with Andre Previn and Leonard Bernstein to name just two.  During the ’50s, Tanner developed an spacey-sounding instrument called an electro-theremin and by doing so, became a pioneer of electronic music as we know it today.  With his electro-theremin, Tanner can be heard on music played during the  My Favorite Martian television series as well as other programs and films.  He also played the instrument on the Beach Boys‘ “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times,” “Wild Honey,” and most notably, “Good Vibrations.”  Paul Tanner was 95 when he passed away on February 5, 2013.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist