Died On This Date (September 20, 1984) Steve Goodman / Influential Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Steve Goodman
July 28, 1948 – September 20, 1984
Steve Goodman was a two-time Grammy winning singer songwriter who made his mark on popular music with “City of New Orleans” which has been widely covered, but most notably by Arlo Guthrie in 1972. Goodman learned he had leukemia in 1969, the dawn of his music career. He worked through it for the next 15 years of his life. Sadly, Goodman’s two Grammys came after his death; in 1984 thanks to Willie Nelson’s recording of “City Of New Orleans, and again in 1988 when his posthumous album, Unfinished Business won in the Best Contemporary Folk catagory. Chicago Cubs fans may recognize Goodman for another song, “Go Cubs Go” which is played at Cubs games. Steve Goodman was 36 when he finally succumbed to leukemia.
What You Should Own
Mary Travers is best remembered as one-third of the iconic folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary. Formed in 1961, the trio gained world-wide acclaim during the ’60s folk revival with such hits as “If I Had A Hammer,” “Puff The Magic Dragon,” and their cover of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind.” They were one of the premier folk groups for many years to come. The trio disbanded in 1970 after which Travers recorded five solo albums throughout the ’70s. Peter, Paul and Mary regrouped in 1978 and stayed active, both touring and recording, until recent years. Mary Travers died of leukemia at the age of 72.
Beau Jocque was a Zydeco singer and accordion player who came to prominence in Louisiana during the ’90s. With his band, the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, Jocque injected rock and funk into the Zydeco sound, endearing him to fans throughout the local clubs. A big man, standing 6′ 6″ and weighing in at nearly 275 pounds, Jocque died of a fatal heart attack at the age of 46.