Died On This Date (January 23, 2010) Earl Wild / Jazz & Classical Piano Virtuoso

Earl Wild
November 26, 1915 – January 23, 2010

Earl Wild was arguably the greatest jazz and classical pianists of his generation. Wild was just a child when he began learning from masters of the instrument, and by 1939, he was working at NBC.  It was that year, that he became the first pianist to play on live television.  He has also been credited for being the first to play live over the internet – the year was 1997.  Following his time in the US Navy Band during WWII, Wild went to work for ABC Television as the staff pianist and composer.  He also conducted master glasses all over the world.  On January 23, 2010, Earl Wild died of congestive heart failure.  He was 94.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Earl Wild

Died On This Date (January 20, 2009) David “Fathead” Newman

David “Fathead” Newman
January 24, 1933 – January 20, 2009

Photo by Tom Fougerousse
Photo by Tom Fougerousse

David “Fathead” Newman was an influential saxophonist who began his career in 1954 as part of Ray Charles’ band.  In later years he collaborated with many of popular music’s most respected musicians.  That list includes Herbie Mann, B.B. King, Stanley Turrentine, Aretha Franklin, and Eric Clapton.  Over the course of his career, Newman recorded 38 of his own albums.  On January 20, 2009, David “Fathead” Newman died of pancreatic cancer.  He was 75 years old.

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Davey Blue - David

Died On This Date (January 16, 2010) Jimmy Wyble / Guitarist; Played With Bob Wills & Benny Goodman

Jimmy Wyble
January 25, 1922 – January 16, 2010

Jimmy Wyble is best remembered as a guitarist who made significant contributions to worlds of jazz and Western swing.  During the early days of his career, Wyble played country-western, most notably in Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys.  After serving a few years in WWII, Wyble set his sites on jazz and formed his own combo.  He released his first album, The Jimmy Wyble Quintet in 1953.  In the coming years, he played in both Benny Goodman’s and Red Norvo’s bands.  While playing for the latter, he toured with Frank Sinatra.  Wyble was a session player throughout most of the ’60s and ’70s, playing on such television shows as The Flip Wilson Show, and on such film soundtracks as Ocean’s Eleven and The Wild Bunch.  He was also a respected guitar teacher who taught the likes of Steve Lukather.  Jimmy Wyble passed away from heart failure just days before his 88th birthday.



Died On This Date (January 15, 2009) Leroy Cooper / Jazz Sax Great

Leroy Cooper
August 31, 1928 – January 15, 2009

Leroy Cooper was a jazz saxophonist who is perhaps best remembered for his nearly two decades playing with Ray Charles.  During his time with Charles, at times as bandleader, Cooper played on such classic recordings as “Crying Time,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and his iconic version of “America the Beautiful.”  Cooper also played with the likes of Joe Cocker, Lowell Fulson, Dr. John, Lightnin’ Hopkins and the Righteous Brothers.  Leroy Cooper was 80 when he died of heart failure on January 15, 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (January 15, 1993) Sammy Cahn / Renowned Lyricist

Sammy Cahn
June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993

Sammy Cahn was a prolific lyricist who achieved fame and success due to several popular songs he penned for motion pictures and Broadway shows.  Over the course of Cahn’s career, 30 of his songs were nominated for Academy Awards, four of which took home the Oscar.  His songs have been made into hits by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Mario Lanza and Dean Martin.  Tunes like “Come Fly With Me,” “High Hopes,” and “Three Coins in the Fountain” have become standards.  Sammy Cahn was 79 when he passed away on January 15, 1993.