Died On This Date (October 10, 1963) Edith Piaf / Iconic French Singer

Edith Piaf (Born Edith Gassion)
December 19, 1915 – October 10, 1963

Edith Piaf was a French singer who rose from poverty to become one of her country’s most popular performers of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s.  Because of her petite frame, she was called “The Little Sparrow” around the world, and has since become a cultural icon thanks to numerous recordings, biographies and at least one major motion picture about her life.   After conquering France, Piaf began touring the rest of Europe and the United States in the years following World War Two.  While in the U.S., she graced the stage of Carnegie Hall twice and The Ed Sullivan Show eight times.  Piaf was seriously injured in a car accident in 1951, the pain from which lead to her addiction to morphine and alcohol.  She died of liver cancer on October 10, 1963 at the age of 47.

What You Should Own

The Voice of the Sparrow - The Very Best of Édith Piaf - Edith Piaf

Died On This Date (October 9, 1978) Jacques Brel / Belgian Singer-Songwriter

Jacques Brel
April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978

brelJacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who came to prominence in Europe during the 1950s.  And although he wrote and sang exclusively in French, many of his songs have been covered in English by such notable performers as Ray Charles, David Bowie and Dusty Springfield.  He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.  His career started modestly in the cabarets of Paris, but by the mid ’50s, his talent could not be denied, so he began touring Europe and beyond.  He also made a name for himself in film.  A longtime smoker, Brel was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1973 and died from it five years later at the age of 49.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Jacques Brel

Died On This Date (October 8, 1997) Jo Bruce / Afro Celt Sound System

Jonas Asher Bruce
February 9, 1968 – October 8, 1997

Jo Bruce was a founding member, songwriter and keyboardist for the Afro Celt Sound System.  Signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, the band accrued countless fans around the world with their unique blend of West African and Irish music. The son of Cream’s Jack Bruce, Jo Bruce helped form the group in 1992.  Thanks in part to a heavy touring schedule that included high profile festivals such as WOMAD, the groups debut album sold in the neighborhood of 250,000 units, making them the best selling artist on the label, besides Gabriel.  But just as the band released its much anticipated second album, Bruce died suddenly of a massive asthma attack at the age of 29.



Died On This Date (September 19, 1994) Frankie Kennedy / Altan

Frankie Kennedy
September 30, 1955 – September 19, 1994

With Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh
With Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh

Frankie Kennedy was a founding member of popular Irish  traditional folk band, Altan with whom he played the flute.  Formed with his wife, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, in the early ’80s, the band became widely popular during the ’90s, selling millions of albums worldwide and touring for adoring fans the world over.  They even performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day, 1994.  In 1992, Frankie Kennedy discovered he had Ewing’s sarcoma, an aggressive cancer.  He died of the disease at the age of 38.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Horse With a Heart - Altan