Died On This Date (September 4, 2012) Hilde Heltberg / Norwegian Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Hilde Heltberg
September 30, 1959 – September 4, 2011
Hilde Heltberg was a popular singer-songwriter from Oslo, Norway. She launched her career during the late ’70s, finding inspiration from the likes of Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. By the early ’80s, Heltberg had played in such local groups as Uncle John’s Band and X-tra. She released her first solo album in 1982, and went on to release a total of 12. She competed in the esteemed Eurovision Song Contest on four separate occasions. Hilde Heltberg was 51 when she died of cancer on September 4, 2011.
What You Should Own
Liz Meyer was an American born guitarist, singer, and songwriter who ultimately settled in the Netherlands and became one of the Europe’s most respected bluegrass artists. Born and raised in Washington DC, Meyer moved to the Netherlands in 1985. Over the course of her career, she released numerous albums and had her songs recorded by the likes of Del McCoury, Emmylou Harris, and Laurie Lewis. She was a tireless champion of the European bluegrass scene and produced upwards of 30 albums for others over the years. Her most recent album, The Storm features some of bluegrass and folk’s biggest names – Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, and Stuart Duncan to name a few. Liz Meyer was 59 when she died on August 26, 2011, after a long battle with cancer.
Bill Morrissey was a respected folk singer-songwriter who, since the release of his 1984 self-titled debut, built a sizable following thanks to his thought-provoking narratives that typically dealt with the ups and downs of life in small town America. Morrissey released ten albums throughout his career, with two earning him Grammy nominations. Bill Morrissey was 59 when he died of heart disease on July 23, 2011.
Facundo Cabral was a beloved Argentine folk singer who was recognized for his politically charged songs that dealt with protest, spirituality, and social commitment. Born into poverty in La Plata, Argentina, Cabral is said to have once walked over 1800 miles at the age of 9 to find work in order to support his six siblings and mother after his father abandoned them. After spending time in reform school, Cabral claimed to have met a vagabond who set him straight and encouraged him to follow a path of music. He went on to write countless songs and poems that inspired millions. His signature song, “No soy de aqui, ni soy de alla,” was just one of many that have since been covered by other major Latin singers. In 1978, Cabral lost his wife and son in a plane crash, and it took no less than Mother Teresa herself to challenge him to rise from the depression that followed and travel to India to work with lepers. He eventually re-found his muse, and although he was eventually crippled, nearly blind, and battled cancer, he continued to tour much of the world to entertain his devoted fans. He also found time to write 66 books. In 1996, Cabral was named Messenger Of Peace by UNESCO, and was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. On July 9, 2011, while on tour in Guatemala City, the 74-year-old Facundo Cabral died as his body was riddled by no fewer than 8 bullets from gunmen who had pulled alongside his SUV in three separate vehicles. While some initial reports indicated that Cabral was the target, others speculated that his driver, a concert promoter named Henry Farinas, was the intended victim. Farinas, along with Cabral’s agent, David Llanos received non-life threatening injuries in the attack. Upon hearing the news, Guatemala’s president Alvaro Colom immediately called for three days of national mourning while messages of condolence and grief poured in from other Latin American leaders.
Mike Waterson was an English musician and singer-songwriter who, along with his siblings and brother-in-law performed as the popular folk group, the Watersons. Formed as a skiffle band in the early ’60s, the group moved into a more traditional folk sound as the decade moved on. In 1965, they released Frost and Fire which was named Album of the Year by Melody Maker. They soon became one of the most influential bands of the British folk revival. The Watersons went on to release several more critically acclaimed albums over the next two decades (they broke up in 1968 and reformed in 1972). Away from the group, Waterson worked solo and performed or recorded with his sister, Lal Waterson, Blue Murder, Peter Bellamy, and James Yorkston to name a few. He continued to perform as recently as September 2010. Mike Waterson died of cancer on June 22, 2011. He was 70.