Died On This Date (May 7, 1998) Eddie Rabbitt / Country Superstar
themusicsover Eddie Rabbitt
November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998
Eddie Rabbit was a prolific country singer songwriter who achieved much of his success during the ’70s and ’80s. Thanks to his hits, Rabbitt helped define what was considered “crossover” at the time, meaning that they appealed to both a country AND pop music fans. Rabbitt’s first hit came as a songwriter in 1969 when Elvis Presley scored a gold record with his “Kentucky Rain.” In 1974, Rabbitt signed to Elektra Records and proceeded to release a series of hits over the next ten years or so. In all, Rabbitt had 25 #1 country hits and eight Top 40 pop hits. His biggest were “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” and “Drivin’ My Life Away.” Eddie Rabbitt died of lung cancer at the age of 56.
What You Should Own
Will Owsley was a respected singer-songwriter, producer and musician who is best remembered as Amy Grant’s touring guitarist for more than 15 years. Over the course of his career, he also worked with Shania Twain, the Neville Brothers, Faith Hill and Wynonna Judd. Owsley also released a handful of albums under his own name, including 1999’s Owsley, which earned him a Grammy nomination for its engineering. During the early ’90s, he formed the power pop band, the Semantics with Zak Starkey and Millard Powers. Will Owsley died on April 30, 2010 of an apparent suicide.
Vern Gosdin was nicknamed “The Voice” for a reason. He had one of the most beautifully soulful singing voices in all of country music, and if honky-tonk had a Mount Rushmore, Vern Gosdin would likely sit alongside George Jones, Merle Haggard, 
