themusicsover

Died On This Date (February 25, 2012) Louisiana Red / Blues Great

Louisiana Red (Born Iverson Minter)
March 23, 1932 – February 25, 2012

Louisiana Red was an Alabama-born blues musician who counted over 50 albums to his credit.  Red began making records in 1949, with his first label being the legendary Chess Records.  What followed was a series of singles and albums, many of which are essential for any respectable blues collection.  A couple of his key albums were The Lowdown Back Porch Blues and Seventh Son, both released in 1963.  During the late ’50s, Red performed with the great John Lee Hooker in Detroit.  And in 1983, he was awarded a prestigious WC Handy Award.  Louisiana Red was 79 when he passed away on February 25, 2012.

What You Should Own

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The Lowdown Back Porch Blues - Louisiana Red

Died On This Date (February 23, 2012) Mike Melvoin / Jazz Pianist; Studio Session Legend

Mike Melvoin
May 10, 1937 – February 23, 2012

Mike Melvoin was a much-respected jazz pianist whose talent can be heard on countless records by some of the biggest names in music.  Since 1961, Melvoin graced recordings by such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Tom Waits, Peggy Lee, Michael Jackson, and Charlie Haden.  As one of L.A.’s leading session players, it was Melvoin who got the call to play on such landmark recordings as the Jackson 5’s “ABC,” the Beach Boy’s “Good Vibrations,” Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable,” Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen,” and John Lennon’s “Stand By Me.”   He released several albums of his own as well, on such respected labels as Verve, Dot, and Liberty.  Melvoin also found time to raise his own family of respected musicians – Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa, Jonathan Melvoin of Smashing Pumpkins fame, and Susannah Melvoin.   Mike Melvoin was 74 when he died of cancer on February 23, 2012.

Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.




Died On This Date (February 22, 2012) Billy Strange / Legendary Session Guitarist & Songwriter

Billy Strange
September 29, 1930 – February 22, 2012

Billy Strange was a much-respected guitarist, songwriter, and arranger who made an indelible mark on pop music as one of the top session players in Los Angeles during the 1960s.  And as a songwriter, he was no slouch either.  Born in Long Beach, California, Strange was just 5 years old when he performed on a local radio station – reportedly winning a yodel contest.  Roughly ten years later, he was given his first guitar, and within two years, he was on the road.  During the mid ’60s, Strange found himself as part of a collective of L.A. studio musicians known  as the Wrecking Crew, who would go down in history as the players on some of the most important pop, rock, and country records of the era.  Most famously, Strange played on landmark recordings by the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), Nat King Cole, Nancy Sinatra, Willie Nelson, and Elvis Presley (whose “A Little Less Conversation” was co-written by Strange.  Others who recorded Strange-penned songs include Chubby Checker, the Champs, Hank Snow, and Glen Campbell.  In the early ’70s, Strange moved to Nashville where he co-owned and ran the Sinatra’s publishing company.   Billy Strange was 81 when he passed away on February 22, 2012.

Thanks to Brett Ortone for the assist.



Died On This Date (February 21,2012) Christopher Reimer / Guitarist For Acclaimed Canadian Band, Women

Christopher Reimer
1986 – February 21, 2012

Christopher Reimer was the guitarist for critically acclaimed Canadian noise rock band, Women.  Formed in 2007, Women released two albums, Women and Public Strain, before going on hiatus in 2010.  In 2008, Pitchfork named their “Black Rice” as  the 18th best song of the year. Reimer went on to perform with the Dodos and Neko Case.  Christopher Reimer passed away in his sleep on February 21, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Mike Woodford for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Public Strain - Women

Died On This Date (February 20, 2012) Joe Thompson / Bluegrass Great

Joe Thompson
December 9, 1918 – February 20, 2012

Joe Thompson was a renowned bluegrass and old-time folk fiddle player who, for the past several decades, kept the tradition of black country fiddling alive around the world.  Thompson was just 6 or 7 years old when he first picked up the fiddle, learning to play by watching his father.  His first fiddle lacked strings so he fashioned them out of wire from a screen.  By the time Thompson was 8, he had already landed his first gig, playing with his brother at local dances and such.  He would continue to do so well into the 1930s.  As the years went on, Thompson found himself touring the world and playing every major bluegrass festival along the way.  He even graced the stage of Carnegie Hall.  In 2007, he was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.  And in 2009, he recorded and released an album with the popular African-American neo-trad trio, the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  The album, Carolina Chocolate Drops & Joe Thompson was released to cheers from fans and critics alike.  Joe Thompson was 93 when he passed away on February 20, 2012.

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

What You Should Own

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Family Tradition - Joe Thompson