Died On This Date (October 10, 2012) Nils Koppruch / Popular German Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Nils Koppruch
1965 – October 10, 2012
Nils Koppruch was a German singer-songwriter who also worked as a freelance artist. Strongly influenced by American folk, blues, Americana, and bluegrass, Koppruch built a dedicated following as the front man for Finch from 1996 to 2006. After Finch dissolved, Koppruch continued on as a solo artist performing in a style he called “city folk.” He toured throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland, gaining loyal fans along the way. Koppruch released two solo albums, The Hell Do (V2 Records) in 2007 and Caruso in 2010. In 2012, he collaborated with Gisbert zu Knyphausen on an album entitled simply, I. Nils Koppruch was 46 when he passed away on October 10, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.
Raylene Rankin was the co-lead singer for influential Canadian Irish folk group, the Rankin Family. Formed in 1989, the group, which also included siblings, Jimmy, Cookie, Heather, John Morris, and David, won numerous awards, including six Juno Awards – Canada’s answer to the Grammys. Shortly after the Rankin Family formed, they began self-releasing their music on cassette. By the early ’90s, they were signed to EMI Records and touring all over Canada and beyond. The 1992 EMI re-release of their Fair Thee Well Love sold more than 500,000 in its initial years. The group released several more albums through the years including the quadruple platinum North Country, and their most recent, 2009’s These Are The Moments. Meanwhile, Raylene released a handful of solo albums as well. During the she early 2000s, Raylene was diagnosed with cancer, and on September 30, 2012 she died of breast cancer. She was 52 when he passed away.
Although known the world over for his portrayal of two iconic television characters, Andy Griffith was also a Grammy-winning singer. Regularly exposed to music from a young age, Griffith gravitated toward the arts while in school. While growing up, he performed in many local productions while learning to sing and play the trombone. After graduating from college with a degree in music, Griffith headed to Broadway. But by the late ’50s he was earning rave reviews for his performances in films like A Face In The Crowd and No Time For Sergeants. In 1960, Griffith began starring as Sheriff Andy Taylor, the non-gun toting lawman in the television comedy series, The Andy Griffith Show. The program, which ran until 1968, went on to become one of the most beloved television series of all time. Another of Griffith’s iconic characters came in the form of Ben Matlock in the legal drama series, Matlock. The popular show, which began in 1986, ran until 1995, after which Griffith went on to appear in countless films and television programs. Being a trained singer and musician afforded Griffith the opportunity to perform in some of his acting roles, most notably, The Andy Griffith Show and A Face In The Crowd. Over the years, he released over a dozen albums which were generally Southern Gospel. His 1996 album, I Love To Tell The Story: 25 Timeless Hymns, sold over a million copies and earned him two Grammys. Griffith stayed active well into the 2000s with numerous cameos and such. On July 3, 2012, it was reported that Andy Griffith passed away of natural causes. He was 86.
John Koko was a stand-up bassist who is best remembered for his many years playing in the popular Hawaiian trio, Makaha Sons. Raised in Oahu, Koko began performing live as far back as the age of 12. Koko started with the Makaha Sons (then, the Makaha Sons of Niihau) during the mid ’70s. They eventually shortened their name and went on to help popularize Hawaiian music throughout the world while picking up several prestigious awards along the way. With the group, Koko had the opportunity to play Carnegie Hall twice and perform for President Bill Clinton. Suffering from heart related issues, John Koko passed away on June 25, 2012. He was 51.
Doc Watson was an influential American singer, guitarist, and songwriter whose vast catalog of songs influenced several generations of folk, country, and bluegrass musicians. Born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, Watson lost his eyesight before his first birthday due to an infection. But that by no means stopped him from picking up whatever instrument was handed to him. First it was the harmonica around age five, then the banjo at age 11, and ultimately, the guitar on which he mastered a style of flat-picking that the world had yet to hear and would seldom be matched since. Although Watson was a popular draw wherever he played throughout the ’40s and ’50s, it wasn’t until the storied folk revival of the ’60s – when college kids took to the music like never before or since, that his popularity reached new heights. Throughout his career, Watson received countless awards which included seven Grammys, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a National Medal Of Arts from President Bill Clinton. In 1988, he launched Merlefest to honor his son and music partner, Merle Watson, who was killed in a tractor accident in 1985. The Wilkesboro, North Carolina festival has grown to be one of the premier music gatherings in the United States with Watson playing host and sharing the stage with the likes of Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, 