Died On This Date (June 21, 1980) Bert Kaempfert / Successful Composer
themusicsover Bert Kaempfert
October 16, 1923 – June 21, 1980
Bert Kaempfert was a German born musician and composer who is best remembered for penning the music for such standards as “Spanish Eyes” (Al Martino), “L.O.V.E” (Nat King Cole), and “Strangers In The Night” (Frank Sinatra). But his biggest contribution to pop music was likely his hiring of the then unknown Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on “My Bonnie,” “Ain’t She Sweet,” “Cry For A Shadow,” and “When The Saints Go Marching In.” It was the first time they were put on record. In 1980, Bert Kaempfert died of a stroke at the age of 56.
What You Should Own
Esbjorn Svensson was a contemporary Swedish jazz pianist and leader of his own Esbjorn Svensson Trio, or E.S.T. Svensson was born into a musical family, to a classical pianist mother and a jazz loving father. A rock fan, Svensson first took a stab a playing in a couple of garage bands before settling into a life of jazz. By 16 he was taking lessons at a music college before studying at Stockholm University. He formed the E.S.T in 1993 and soon recorded their first album. Their fan base continued to grow, and by 1999 they were on the international stage thanks to their breakthrough album, From Gagarin’s Point Of View. In May of 2006, E.S.T. became the first European jazz combo to grace the cover of America’s DownBeat Magazine. Tragedy struck on June 14, 2008 when after vanishing during a scuba diving excursion outside of Stockholm, his friends found him unconscious on the seabed. He later died at a hospital from injuries he sustained during the mishap.
Henry Mancini was a Grammy and Academy Award winning pianist, composer and conductor who was best known for his iconic Pink Panther theme and “Moon River” from Breakfast At Tiffany’s. One of Mancini’s first gigs was as pianist and arranger for the 1946 version of the 
