Early Rock

Died On This Date (November 10, 2011) Andy Tielman / The Godfather Of Indorock

Andy Tielman
May 30, 1936 – November 10, 2011

Andy Tielman on guitar

Andy Tielman was a popular Indonesian singer and guitarist who, during the ’50s and ’60s, popularized a genre of music called indorock.  Known as the “Godfather of Indorock,” Tielman combined the best of ’50s American rock ‘n roll with Indonesian rhythms.  By doing so, he became one of the most popular acts throughout Europe during his peak years.  He was also praised for being an excellent showman on the stage.  By the late ’50s, Tielman had moved with his family from the Dutch East Indies where he was born, to the Netherlands.  And in 1958, he released what is referred to as the first Dutch rock ‘n roll single.  He and his band, the Tielman Brothers went on to become one of the most influential pop groups in Dutch history.  They continued to record and perform well into the 2000s in one form or another.  Tielman himself has been cited as a direct influence on the likes of Barry Hay of Golden Earring, and Jan Akkerman of Focus.  Andy Tileman, age 75, died of gastric cancer on November 10, 2011.

Thanks to Harry for the assist.

 

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Indo Memories - Andy Tielman

Died On This Date (August 22, 2011) Jerry Leiber / Songwriting Legend, Leiber & Stoller

Jerry Leiber
April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011

Jerry Leiber along with partner, Mike Stoller was arguably the greatest pop songwriting team of the second half of the 20th century if not all time.  Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Leiber moved to Los Angeles where he met Stoller in 1950 while the pair were still in high school.  Leiber, a record store clerk, and Stoller, a pianist quickly realized that they shared a love of the blues and rhythm & blues music and immediately began collaborating on songs.  Within the next few years, their creations were becoming hits for singers of jazz, blues, R&B and rock ‘n roll alike.  The list of their early hit songs includes “Hard Times” by Charles Brown, “Kansas City” by Little Willie Littlefield, and “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley by way of Big Mama Thornton.   They also penned “Jailhouse Rock,” “Yakety Yak,” “Stand By Me,” “Love Potion No. 9,” and “Searchin,'” to name just a few.  In 1953, Leiber and Stoller formed their own label, Spark Records where they produced numerous hits including “Riot in Cell Block #9” and “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.”  The label was eventually sold to Atlantic Records where they continued to produce for the label.  After leaving Atlantic during the ’60s, the pair continued to write and produce independently, but also worked for United Artists and later, A&M Records.   Leiber and Stoller are largely credited for taking rhythm and blues music out of the black clubs and spreading it to white America and beyond.  By doing so, they were essentially the first to have what we now call “crossover” hits.  And without a doubt, they were responsible – either directly or indirectly – for the pop music soundtrack of the past 60 years.  Jerry Leiber was 78 when he passed away on August 22, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number 1 Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (June 12, 2011) Carl Gardner / The Coasters

Carl Gardner
April 29, 1928 – June 12, 2011

Carl Gardner was the founder and front man of ’50s R&B group, the Coasters.  Formed with Bobby Nunn, Billy Guy, Leon Hughes, and Adolph Jacobs in 1955, the Coasters went on to have several iconic hits including “Yakety Yak,” “Poison Ivy,” and “Charlie Brown – all of which had Gardner singing lead.  The Coasters were one of the few vocal groups of their era that were considered as much rock ‘n roll as they were R&B.  In fact, when the inaugural group of inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were announced in 1987, the Coasters were included on that list.  Carl Gardner, the last surviving member of the original Coasters passed away from congestive heart failure on June 12, 2011.  He was 83.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist

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The Coasters

 

Died On This Date (May 9, 2011) Dolores Fuller / Wrote A Number Of Songs For Elvis

Dolores Fuller (Born Dolores Eble)
March 10, 1923 – May 9, 2011

Dolores Fuller is perhaps best remembered as the one-time girlfriend of notorious film maker, Ed Wood for whom she co-starred as the female lead in his cult classic, Glen or Glenda.  She also had minor roles in numerous other films during the ’50s and again in the ’90s.  Fuller made a more significant impact on pop music however, but oddly enough, as a songwriter.  When she was going after a role in Elvis Presley’s, Blue Hawaii, the film’s producer and Fuller’s friend, Hal Wallis – who knew of her songwriting talent – put her in touch with the publishing company that provided Presley with songs.  They brought her on, and it was there that she began writing such Presley classics like “Rock-A-Hula Baby,” “Spinout,” and “Do The Clam.”  In all, she wrote twelve songs for the King.  Fuller also penned tunes for Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Shelley Fabares, and Terry Stafford to name a few.  In 1994, Fuller was portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker in Tim Burton’s biopic, Ed Wood.   Dolores Fuller died on May 9, 2011 following a stroke.  She was 88.

Thanks to Benji Isabel for the assist.

Died On This Date (April 21, 2011) Joe Pennell / The Rivieras; Had Hit With “California Sun”

Joe Pennell
November 15, 1944 – April 21, 2011

Joe Pennell was the lead guitarist for the Rivieras, a rock ‘n roll band whose only hit, “California Sun,” helped define what became known as “frat rock.”  Formed in 1962 while its members where still in high school in South Bend, Indiana, the group was initially called the Playmates until they learned of another band using the same name.  In 1964, they released “California Sun,” which quickly rose to #1 on the U.S. singles chart thanks to its driving beat and instantly recognizable surf guitar riff.  Unfortunately, the record holds the dubious honor of being knocked from the top spot by “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” the first American hit for the Beatles It would be one of the last hits by an American rock ‘n roll band before the British Invasion tightened its grip around the U.S.  Shortly after he recorded the song, Pennell joined the Marines and didn’t learn of the record’s release until he heard it on the radio while serving.  By all accounts, he never went back to a career in music, but went on to work for many years as a painter at AM General, a heavy vehicle manufacturer and future assembly line for the civilian Hummer.  Joe Pennell was 66 when he passed away on April 21, 2011.

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The Rivieras