but the songs live on forever

Country

Country Musician

Died On This Date (June 1, 1981) Jimmy Murphy / Country & Rockabilly Great

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Jimmy Murphy
October 11, 1925 – June 1, 1981

Jimmy Murphy was respected virtuoso guitarist, singer and songwriter who made his mark on country and rockabilly during the ’50s and early ’60s.  Working as a brick layer during the late ’40s, Murphy found time to make appearances on local radio programs which lead to a meeting with Chet Atkins whose help ultimately got him signed to RCA Records in 1951.  Over the next ten years or so, Murphy released a series of near-hits, but unfortunately, his old-timey themes never quite connected with the modern country listeners looking for their next Nashville hit.   Murphy all but retired from music when a re-issue of his music sparked new interest during the ’70s leading him to record Electricity for the Sugar Hill label.  The album is notable for being one of future great, Ricky Skaggs’ earliest recordings.  Jimmy Murphy was preparing for another album and a large-scale tour when he died unexpectedly on June 1, 1981.  He was 55.

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Electricity - Jimmy Murphy

Country Early Rock Musician Rock Singer Surf Music

Died On This Date (May 28, 2008) Jerry Cole / Surf Guitar Great, Played With The Beach Boys

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Jerry Cole
September 23, 1939 – May 28, 2008

Jerry Cole was one of surf music’s original guitar gods.  Besides being a much in demand session player, Cole had his own group, the Spacemen, with whom he released four classic albums of “space age surf music.”  As a sideman, Cole played on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and the Byrds‘ “Mr. Tamborine Man.  He was also part of Phil Spector’s “wrecking crew,” affording him the opportunity to play on countless other songs.  Cole could also be heard as part of the house band on TV’s “Shindig” and “Hullabaloo.”  He died of a heart attack on May 28, 2008.

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Power Surf! - Jerry Cole & His Spacemen

Country Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (May 26, 1933) Jimmie Rodgers / Folk Legend

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Jimmie Rodgers
September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933

rodgersKnown as “The Singing Brakeman,” Jimmie Rodgers was one of country music’s first superstars, best known for his yodeling.  A natural showman at an early age, Rodgers began arranging traveling road shows while still in his early teens.    To keep him an eye on him, Rodgers’ father got him a job as a waterboy at the rail yard at which he worked.  It was there that Rodgers began learning the guitar from hobos and rail workers.  When he was 27, Rodgers came down with  tuberculosis.  Although it eventually put an end to his career with the railroad, it didn’t stop him from performing and recording.  Rodgers recorded several records in the late ’20s, including “Blue Yodel” (or “T For Texas” as it was commonly known) which would make him a household name.    By the early ’30s, Rodgers was mostly retired from the road due to the health problems brought on by the tuberculosis.  In May of 1933, he traveled to New York for what would be his final recording sessions.  It has been said that he needed to lay down and rest between each song.  Rodgers died of a lung hemorrhage just two days after his final recording session.  He was just 35.

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Essential Jimmie Rodgers - Jimmie Rodgers

Country Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (May 15, 2003) June Carter Cash / Country Music Icon

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June Carter
June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003

juneJune Carter was born into country music’s iconic Carter Family on May 23, 1929.  By the time she was just ten, she was performing as part of the family group.  In 1961, the Carter Family went on the road with Johnny Cash where a romance blossomed between June and Johnny.  Two years later, Carter co-wrote “Ring Of Fire,” apparently inspired by Cash, who made it one of country music’s greatest recording’s ever.  In 1968, Carter and Cash married.  In later years, Cash would publicly credit Carter for saving his life by forcing him to kick his legendary drug habits.  Together Carter and Cash recorded several songs together, including the Grammy-winning “Jackson,” and “If I Were A Carpenter.”   Carter set her sites on writing and acting during the ’70s and ’80s, publishing two autobiographies and appearing in The Apostle, and on television’s Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.  She returned to recording in the late ’90s, releasing the Grammy-winning Press On in 1999.  June Carter Cash died unexpectedly on May 15, 2003 due to complications from heart surgery.

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Press On - June Carter Cash

 

Country Publishing Rock

Died On This Date (May 15, 2008) Al Gallico / Successful Music Publisher

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Al Gallico
1920 – May 15, 2008

Al Gallico (Center)
Al Gallico, center

Al Gallico was an immensely  successful music publisher who owned the copyrights on such classics as “Stand By Your Man,” “House Of The Rising Sun,” “Ring Of Fire,” ” “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” and “Time Of The Season.”  Over a career that stretched some 70 years, Gallico worked with such talent as the Zombies, Billy Sherrill, Joe Stampley, and Donna Fargo, whom he discovered.  He began his career in his late teens, working first as an errand boy for a publishing house, and later a song plugger for Leed’s Music.  Gallico died of cardiac arrest and pulmonary disease at the age of 88.

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