themusicsover

Died On This Date (February 11, 2009) Estelle Bennett / The Ronettes

themusicsover February 11, 2010 No Comments

Estelle Bennett
July 22, 1941 – February 11, 2009

L-R: Ronnie Spector, Nedra Talley, Estelle Bennett

Estelle Bennett was a member of famed girl-group, the Ronettes. She, her sister Veronica (later Ronnie Spector), and Nedra Talley formed the group while still teenagers back in 1959. Over the next several years, they released a string of singles that defined the era as well as the “girl group sound.” That list includes “Be My Baby,” “Baby I Love You,” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” And they were the only female group that ever toured with the Beatles. The group broke up in 1966 after which Bennett released just one record, “The Year 2000,” and retired from the music business. She resurfaced in 2007 for the group’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Estelle Bennett died of colon cancer on February 11, 2009. She was 67.

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the-ronettes-music — Click to find at amazon.com

Hip Hop Musician Producer Rap Singer

Died On This Date (February 10, 2006) J Dilla aka Jay Dee / Hip-Hop Producer

themusicsover February 10, 2010 No Comments

J Dilla aka Jay Dee (Born James Yancey)
February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006

jdilla

J Dilla was a respected hip hop producer who rose to prominence during the late ’90s. He began getting noticed thanks to mid ’90s remixes for the likes of the Pharcyde, Janet Jackson and A Tribe Called Quest. In 1997, Jackson’s “Got ’til It’s Gone” won a Grammy. Even though Dilla produced it, he wasn’t credited, therefore didn’t receive the Grammy. Dilla began releasing his own albums in 2000, each of which were moderately successful, particularly throughout hip hop’s underground community. In 2003, he began collaborating with Los Angeles based producer and MC, Madlib. Together they recorded as Jaylib. Around that time, Dilla learned he was suffering from a rare blood disease that made it increasingly more difficult for him to get around. His health continued to deteriorate over the next few years. On February 10, 2006, 32-year-old J Dilla died of cardiac arrest.

What You Should Own

27 Club Musician Rock

Died On This Date (February 10, 1975) Dave Alexander / The Stooges

themusicsover February 10, 2010 No Comments

Dave Alexander
June 3, 1947 – February 10, 1975

Member of the 27 Club

Dave Alexander was the founding bassist for the Stooges. Formed by Iggy Pop, Ron Ashton, and Scott Asheton in 1967, the Stooges strongly influenced punk, alternative and metal bands for generations to come. Their “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” is considered one of the most iconic rock songs of the era. Besides playing bass, Alexander helped out with composing music for, and arranging the band’s first couple of albums. Unfortunately, Alexander suffered from alcohol addiction which lead to the band firing him in 1970. On February 10, 1975, Dave Alexander died of pulmonary edema, of fluid accumulation in the lungs, which was likely a result of his drinking. He was 27 years old.

What You Should Own

the-stooges-raw-power — Click to find at amazon.com

Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (February 10, 2001) Buddy Tate / Jazz Sax Great

themusicsover February 10, 2010 No Comments

George “Buddy” Tate
February 22, 1913 – February 10, 2001

Buddy Tate was an influential tenor saxophonist. He played in Count Basie’s band from 1939 to 1948. In 1953, Tate formed his own band, and in later years worked with Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton. Buddy Tate was 87 when he passed away on February 10, 2001.

Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 9, 1997) Brian Connolly / The Sweet

themusicsover February 9, 2010 8 Comments

Brian Connolly (born Brian McManus)
October 5, 1945 – February 9, 1997

Born in Scotland, Brian Connolly grew up to become the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed ’70s glam rock band, Sweet (sometimes referred to as The Sweet). When Connolly was a teen, he moved with his family to England where he eventually joined a band that included Ian Gillan and Mick Tucker. After the 1968 break-up of the band, Connelly and Tucker recruited Steve Priest and Frank Torpey to form a group that would eventually be known as Sweet. Over the next decade, the band released a series of albums that made them international superstars by successfully marrying the best of bubblegum with that of glam rock. Albums like Desolation Boulevard, Give Us A Wink and Level Headed produced iconic hits like “Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox on the Run,” “Action,” and “Love is Like Oxygen.” Connelly left the Sweet in 1978 and tried without much success to launch a solo career. He suffered multiple heart attacks in 1982 but soldiered on through the mid ’90s, either on his own or in reformatted versions of Sweet. On February 9, 1997, Brian Connelly, age 51, died liver failure that was likely brought on by many years of heavy alcohol consumption.

themusicsover

Died On This Date (February 11, 2009) Estelle Bennett / The Ronettes

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (February 10, 2006) J Dilla aka Jay Dee / Hip-Hop Producer

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (February 10, 1975) Dave Alexander / The Stooges

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (February 10, 2001) Buddy Tate / Jazz Sax Great

Died On This Date (February 9, 1997) Brian Connolly / The Sweet

What You Should Own

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