Died On This Date (August 10, 2007) Tony Wilson / Co-founded Factory Records

Tony Wilson
February 20, 1950 – August 10, 2007

tony_wilsonA man of many hats, Tony Wilson is best remembered as co-owner of Factory Records, home the one-time home of Joy Division, New Order and OMD.  He also owned The Hacienda, which became  the epicenter of the Manchester music scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s.   Before his foray into music, Wilson was a journalist and BBC television peronaility, most notably hosting So It Goes and After Dark.  Suffering from advance stages of renal cancer, Wilson, age 57,  died of a heart attack in a Manchester hospital.


Died On This Date (July 17, 1996) Chas Chandler / The Animals; Managed Jimi Hendrix

Chas Chandler
December 18, 1938 – July 17, 1996

Chas Chandler wore many hats throughout his music career. During the early ’60s, he co-founded the Animals with Alan Price and Eric Burdon, playing bass for the band.  After the group broke up, he got into artist management, his famous client being Jimi Hendrix.  Later, he produced records for Slade and Nick Drake while running his own recording studio and eventually starting his own label, Barn Records.  In his later years, Chandler helped develop the Newcastle Arena, which opened in 1995.  Chandler died of a heart condition on July 17 of the following year.



Died On This Date (July 10, 2008) Stu Sobol / Artist Manager

Stu Sobol

May 25, 1958 – July 10, 2008

Stu Sobol began his career at retail, working for Wherehouse Records in Van Nuys, California. In later years, Sobol went into artist management, establishing his solid with Spivak Sobol Entertainment and later, The Firm after the two companies merged. Over his twenty year career in management, Sobol oversaw the careers of Seether, A Perfect Circle, Yellowcard, Vanessa Carlton, and Zach de la Rocha. Sobol also served on the City of Calabasas Traffic And Transportation Commission. He died of complications from pneumonia on July 10, 2008. He was 50.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (2009) Allen Klein / Managed the Beatles, Rolling Stones

Allen Klein
December 18, 1931 – July 4, 2009

allan_kleinAllen Klein was a record company executive and powerful artist manager during the 1960s.  Known as a ruthless businessman, many artists benefited from his abilities to get them better record deals and higher royalties.  His client list included Bobby Darin, Herman’s Hermits, Sam Cooke, and most famously, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.   His relationships with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles would eventually sour, ending in lawsuits. Some Beatles fans reportedly blamed tensions caused by Allen for driving the band apart.  Allen Klein died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 77.


Died On This Date (July 2, 2009) Tom Keylock / Rolling Stones Confidant

Tom Keylock
August 9, 1926 – July 2, 2009

With Brian Jones

Tom Keylock was initially the Rolling Stones’ driver during the early years of their career.  Due to his strong loyalty to the band, he quickly moved up through the ranks to more care-taker and confidant of the group.   His duties over the years included acting as body guard, road manager, escort, cook and “fixer.”  He established a personal relationship with the guys, who oftentimes sought his counsel on relationships and such.  When Brian Jones drowned in 1969, it was Keylock that was one of the first on the scene, resulting in unfounded rumors about his possible involvement in the mysterious death.  After leaving the Stones, Keylock started his own chauffeur company, and in the ’80s, he worked as a driver for England’s football team.  He passed away at the age of 82.