Died On This Date (October 23, 1976) Lee Leonard / Shirley & Lee
themusicsover Lee Leonard
June 29, 1936 – October 23, 1976
Lee Leonard was an R&B singer who, with Shirley Goodman, performed as Shirley & Lee during the 1950s. Their first single, 1952’s “I’m Gone” reached #2 on the R&B charts and is considered by some scholars as an early influence on ska. In 1956, their recording of “Let the Good Times Roll” topped the R&B charts and made it into the top 20 of the pop charts. Shirley & Lee broke up in 1962 after which Leonard a handful of solo records. He died of a heart attack at the age of 40.
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Jimmy Miller was a musician, songwriter and producer who helped create some of rock’s most popular albums. As a songwriter, Miller co-wrote the classic Traffic song, “I’m a Man” with Steve Winwood. He produced Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed, Beggars Banquet and Exile on Main Street for the Rolling Stones. He also played percussion on a handful of Stones songs. That list includes drums on “Happy,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and the opening cowbell on “Honky Tonk Woman.” Miller also produced records for the likes of the Plasmatics, Blind Faith, Spencer Davis Group, Nirvana, the Move and Motorhead. Jimmy Miller died of liver failure on October 22, 1994.
Tommy Edwards was an R&B singer who had a #1 hit in 1958 with “It’s All In the Game.” The record went on to sell over 3.5 million records worldwide. His subsequent singles never achieved near the success of “It’s All In the Game.” Tommy Edwards died after suffering a brain aneuryrsm at the age of 47.
