Country

Died On This Date (June 10, 2009) Barry Beckett / Produced Records By Bob Seger, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr.

Barry Beckett
February 4, 1943 – June 10, 2009

barryBarry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable who’s who of popular music.  Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, Etta James, Jerry Jeff Walker to name just a few.  As a musician, Beckett was part of both the storied Fame AND Muscle Shoals rhythm sections, working on such pop music milestones as “Land of 1000 Dances” (Wilson Pickett), “When A Man Loves A Woman” (Percy Sledge), and “Torn Between Two Lovers” (Mary MacGregor).   He passed away in his home at the age of 66.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Hits for the assist.

Died On This Date (June 9, 2008) Elmer Alley / Helped Create Opryland

Elmer Alley
DOB Unknown – June 9, 2008

elmerElmer Alley’s career spanned radio, television, cable television and the record industry, but he is probably best known as one of the creators of Nashville’s Fan Fair and Opryland. As a recording engineer, Alley worked on records by, among others, Hank Williams and Burl Ives.  He passed away on June 9, 2008 at the age of 87.

Died On This Date (June 5, 1993) Conway Twitty / Country Music Icon

Conway Twitty (Born Harold Jenkins)
September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993

During his time, Conway Twitty was one country music’s most successful artists, landing 45 singles at the #1 slot of the music charts.  Twitty was already singing on his local radio station by the time he hit his early teens, while also excelling at baseball.  The Philadelphia Phillies were interested in signing him when he got out of high school, but the US Army beat them to the punch.   After serving his country, Twitty took a cue from Elvis Presley headed down his musical path by way of Sun Studios in Memphis.  Twitty would eventually release of string of hits that spanned country, rock ‘n roll and R & B.   His first single, “It’s Only Make Believe” sold a staggering 8 million copies.  In 1982, Twitty opened an entertainment complex called Twitty City, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Tennessee at the time.  While on tour in 1993, Twitty became ill and passed away of an abdominal aneurysm.  He was 59 years old.

What You Should Own

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Conway Twitty: The #1 Hits Collection - Conway Twitty

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

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.

What You Should Own

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Electricity - Jimmy Murphy

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

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.

What You Should Own

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Power Surf! - Jerry Cole & His Spacemen