Died On This Date (February 14, 2013) Shadow Morton / Successful Record Producer & Songwriter
themusicsover George “Shadow” Morton
September 3, 1940 – February 14, 2013
Shadow 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.
There 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 
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Until his passing, Paul Tanner was the last surviving member of the original