but the songs live on forever

themusicsover

R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 15, 2001) Rufus Thomas

themusicsover No Comments

Rufus Thomas, Jr.
March 27, 1917 –  December 15, 2001

Rufus-ThomasRufus Thomas was an R&B and funk singer who scored several hit singles while signed to Sun Records during the ’50s and Stax Records during the ’60s and ’70s.  Known for his comical songs and colorful stage dress, Thomas became popular with songs like “Can Your Monkey do the Dog,” “Do the Funky Chicken,” and “Walking the Dog.”  He was backed on many of his recordings by either Booker T & the MGs or the Bar-Kays and continued to record and perform well into the ’90s.  Rufus Thomas was 84 when he died of heart failure in December 15, 2001.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Blues Early Rock Musician R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 15, 1979) Jackie Brenston / Had Hit With “Rocket 88”

themusicsover 1 Comment

Jackie Brenston
August 15, 1930 – December 15, 1979

jackie-brenston

Jackie Brenston was an R&B singer and musician whose biggest claim to fame was, as part of Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, wrote and sang lead on “Rocket 88,” considered by many to be the very first rock ‘n roll song.  The record, credited to Jackie Brenston & His Rhythm Cats was released on Chess Records and quickly reached the top of the R&B singles chart where it stayed for over a month.  In later years, Bernston worked with Lowell Fulson and Earl Hooker.  Jackie Bernston, 49, died of a heart attack on December 15, 1979.



Composer Jazz Musician Singer

Died On This Date (December 15, 1943) Fats Waller / Influential Jazz Pianist

themusicsover No Comments

Thomas “Fats” Waller
May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943

Photo by Alan Fisher

Fats Waller was a jazz pianist and songwriter who came to prominence during the mid ’20s.  Over the course of his short career, he penned more than 400 songs, most notably, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” and “Squeeze Me.”  According to legend, Waller was in such demand as a performer that in 1926, he was taken at gunpoint while leaving a gig in Chicago.  The next thing he knew, he was brought to building that was housing a big party and forced to take a sit at the piano and play.  He quickly realized he was the entertainment for Al Capone’s birtheday party.  He supposedly played for the better part of three days and was rewarded with thousands of dollars in tips.  Waller continued to compose, record and tour well into the ’30s.   In December of 1943, he came down with pneumonia and died as a result of it at the age of 39.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Fats Waller

Jazz Musician Producer R&B Singer

Died On This Date (December 14, 1963) Dinah Washington / Influential Jazz Vocalist

themusicsover No Comments

Dinah Washington (Born Ruth Jones)
August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963

dinah-washingtonDinah Washington was one of popular music’s most influential R&B, jazz and blues singers.  Over a career that spanned just 20 years, she charted over 30 records in the U.S. and U.K.  Washington learned to play the piano as a child, and by her teens, she was singing in local gospel groups.  By eighteen, she was singing with Lionel Hampton’s band, and within a year, she was making her own recordings.  Over the course of her career she charted with such songs as “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes),” (with Brook Benton), “Unforgettable,” and “What a Difference a Day Makes,” which won her a Grammy in 1959.  Dinah Washington reportedly struggled with weight issues and was taking diet pills when, on December 14, 1963,  she died of an accidental overdose when she mixed them with alcohol.  She was just 39 when she died.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Dinah Washington - Dinah Washington

Blues Jazz R&B Record Label Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 14, 2006) Ahmet Ertegun / Iconic Label Head

themusicsover No Comments

Ahmet Ertegun
July 31, 1923 – December 14, 2006

ahmet-ertegun

Ahmet Ertegun was arguably the most celebrated record label executives in the history of recorded music. In 1947, he and Herb Abramson formed Atlantic Records to focus on R&B, jazz and gospel music.  Over the next decade, they brought Ertegun’s brother, Nesuhi Ertegun, and Jerry Wexler on board, while building an artist roster that included Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and Big Joe Turner.  By putting more focus on the development of their artists’ talents and careers, Atlantic Records quickly established itself as one of popular music’s premier labels.  When the ’60s hit, Ertegun and other head’s of the label decided to broaden its focus to include soul and rock, signing such acts as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Led Zeppelin, and Crosby, Still, Nash & Young.  The Erteguns sold Atlantic to Warner Bros. in 1969, but Ahmet stayed involved for many years to come.  On October 29, 2006, Ertegun fell and hit his head on the concrete floor, while in the VIP backstage area of a Rolling Stones concert.  He sustained head injuries that eventually lead to a coma.  On December 14 of that same year, Ahmet Ertegun, 83, passed away.



« Previous Page — Next Page »

You Missed

Americana Folk Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Country Joe McDonald, Voice of the Vietnam Protest Era, Dies at 84

Blues Musician Singer Songwriter

John Hammond Jr., acclaimed blues musician, dies at 83

Musician Pop Singer Songwriter

Neil Sedaka, a songwriter’s songwriter dies at 86

Latin Latin Jazz Musician Salsa Singer Songwriter

Willie Colón, Architect of Modern Salsa, Dead at 73