Died On This Date (December 27, 1981) Hoagy Carmichael / Influential Composer

Hoagy Carmichael
November 22, 1899 – December 27, 1981

Hoagy Carmichael was a highly influential composer and musician who, over the course of a career that spanned from 1918 to 1981 wrote three of the most recorded songs in history.  They are “Stardust,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “Heart and Soul.”  Over the years, he collaborated with the likes of Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Johnny Mercer to name just a few.  His songs have been recorded by the likes of George Harrison, Ray Charles, Bing Crosby, NOFX, Jan and Dean, and Jamie Foxx with Alicia Keyes.  Perhaps one of his biggest honors came in 1961, when he was immortalized as “Stoney Carmichael” in an episode of The Flintstones.  On December 27, 1981, Hoagy Carmichael died of heart failure at the age of 82.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Hoagy Carmichael

Died On This Date (December 25, 1995) Dean Martin

Dean Martin (Born Dino Crocetti)
June 7, 1917 –  December 25, 1995

Dean Martin was a pop music, television and film star who was one of the biggest names in entertainment during the ’60s and ’70s.  He and his pals, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis, Jr. were collectively known as the Rat Pack around Hollywood and beyond.  Besides hanging out together, they shared many legendary performances in Las Vegas.  Martin’s recording career was dotted with numerous hits throughout the years, including “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Volare.”  His charisma, rugged good looks, and (mostly fake) public drinking made him the “King of Cool” and a pop culture icon.  Following the tragic death of his son Dean Paul in 1987, Martin all but faded from the public eye.  He made occasional special appearances mostly in honor of his Rat Pack buddies.  In 1993, he was diagnosed with lung cancer along with kidney and liver problems.  Dean Martin was 78 when he died of respiratory failure on Christmas Day, 1995.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Died On This Date (December 25, 2008) Eartha Kitt / Star of Film, TV, & Music

Eartha Kitt
January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008

earthaEartha Kitt was a star of stage and screen but also scored a few pop hits over the course of her lengthy career.  Her exotic presence on film made her a pop culture icon who is beloved to this day.  She is perhaps best remembered for her campy role as Catwoman on the ’60s television series, Batman.  She also appeared in such films as St. Louis Blues and The Mark of the Hawk.  Kitt made several recordings throughout her career, but it is her 1953 version of “Santa Baby” that is her most famous.  She also had hits with “Where Is My Man” and “Under The Bridges of Paris.”  Kitt continued to work on stage and film up until the final years of her life.  On December 25, 2008, Eartha Kitt died of colon cancer at the age of 81.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Eartha Kitt

Died On This Date (December 13, 2009) Yvonne King Burch / The King Sisters

Yvonne King Burch
January 20, 1920 – December 13, 2009

Yvonne King Burch was a member of the popular singing group, the King Sisters, who came to prominence during the swing era, and then found a new audience during the ’60s, thanks to their popular television variety program, The King Family Show.  They also performed in several movies during the ’40s, working alongside the likes of Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and Buddy Ebsen.  On December 13, 2009, Yvonne King Burch, age 89, died following a fall.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The King Sisters

Died On This Date (December 9, 2006) Georgia Gibbs / Popular Torch Singer

Georgia Gibbs (Born Fredda Gibson)
August 26, 1926 – December 9, 2006

georgia_gibbsGeorgia Gibbs was a torch singer  with a powerful voice who came to prominence during the ’40s and was pretty much a household name by the ’50s.  She was just 13 when she began her career, and within a few years, she cut her first records.  By the mid ’40s, she had appeared on radio and had performed with the likes of Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey.  Over the course of her career, Gibbs charted over 40 songs, including “Kiss of Fire,”  “Autumn Leaves,” “Melancholy Baby,” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.”  She also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show numerous times.   Georgia Gibbs was 87 when she died of leukemia on December 9, 2006.