Died On This Date (October 28, 2011) Beryl Davis / Popular Big Band Singer
themusicsover Beryl Davis
March 16, 1924 – October 28, 2011
Beryl Davis was a popular British big band singer who got her start fronting her father’s (Harry Davis) band during the 1940s. During WWII, Davis entertained the Allied troops, and it was around this time she was discovered by Glenn Miller who hired her to sing in the Army Air Force Orchestra. She also toured Europe with Stephane Grappelli and George Shearing during that period. She eventually moved to Los Angeles where she sang with Frank Sinatra for about a year on Your Hit Parade. In 1954, Davis formed the Gospel quartet, the Four Girls, with Rhonda Fleming, Jane Russell, and Connie Haines. They released several hit albums and singles including perhaps their most popular, “Do Lord.” Beryl Davis died from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease on October 28, 2011. She was 87.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
Jessy Dixon was highly influential Gospel singer, musician, and songwriter who earned seven Grammy nominations while endearing himself to audiences world wide thanks to his passionately soulful live performances. While deeply committed to his Ministry, Dixon occasionally flirted with pop music, earning accolades from the likes of Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Dixon was able to find an equal audience in both young and old, and black and white. Nothing spoke to that more than his longtime association with Bill Gaither and his Gospel Hour program. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Dixon began singing when he was just five. He and his family soon moved to Chicago, where he was reportedly discovered by the great James Cleveland who went on to record a few of his songs. After meeting him at his 1972 Newport Jazz Festival performance at Radio City Music Hall, Paul Simon took Dixon on tour with him, launching a collaborative relationship that would last eight years. As reported in the 
Delois Barrett Campbell was a dynamic and beloved Gospel singer who, over the better part of the past five decades entertained the world as 1/3 of the Barrett Sisters. Singing together since childhood, Delois and her sisters, Billie Barrett and Rodessa Barrett cut their first records during the mid-’60s. Their early output included their popular takes on “Wonderful,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Carry Me Back.” Before long they were electrifying crowds from their church in Chicago, Illinois to venues all over the world. They toured the globe no fewer than seven times and were a popular site on such TV shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Away from her sisters, Barrett Campbell sang with the popular Roberta Martin Singers while still in high school. Although confined to a wheelchair for many years due to health issues, Barrett Campbell was on-hand at a special concert to celebrate her 85th birthday in March of 2011. Delois Barrett Campbell passed away on August 2, 2011.
Shaun Nielsen was a singer, songwriter, producer, and pianist who is perhaps best remembered for his time singing with