Musician

Died On This Date (September 24, 2010) John Hanson / The Slickee Boys

John Hanson
DOB Unknown – September 24, 2010

John Hanson was the sound man, roadie and sometime rhythm guitarist for Washington DC new wave band, the Slickee Boys.  Formed in the mid ’70s, the Slickee Boys soon became heroes of the local underground scene.  Hanson was just 16 years old when he went to work for the band as the decade was drawing to a close.  Besides acting as the band’s roadie and sound man while on the road, Hanson filled in on rhythm guitar, taking over the slot officially in 1988.  The band broke up, for the most part, in 1991 after which Hanson played in such groups as the Septic Twins, the Zones, and the Upsetters.   He also worked the soundboard at the legendary DC venue, the 9:30 Club.  John Hanson reportedly committed suicide on September 24, 2010.  He was 47.

What You Should Own

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Live at Last / Fashionably Late - The Slickee Boys

Died On This Date (September 21, 2010) Rual Yarbrough / Bluegrass Pioneer

Rual Yarbrough
January 13, 1930 – September 21, 2010

Rual Yarbrough was a respected banjoist who performed and recorded with some of biggest names in bluegrass.  Proficient on the banjo, Yarbrough formed his first band, the Dixie Gentlemen, during the mid 50s.  After the group broke up in 1966, Yarbrough went on to play in Jimmy Martin’s band.  From there he played with Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Bobby Smith, and the great Bill Monroe, for whom he played on over twenty records.  Rual Yarbrough was 80 when he died of pulmonary fibrosis on September 21, 2010.


Died On This Date (September 21, 2010) Geoffrey Burgon / British TV & Film Composer

Geoffrey Burgon
July 15, 1941 – September 21, 2010

Geoffrey Burgon was a British composer who is best remembered for his television and film scores.  Burgon learned to play the trumpet in grade school and until the age of 30, he played professionally as part of various jazz bands.  Growing tired of it, he turned to his other love, composing.   His first piece of note was 1976’s Requiem.  He found his most success on British television, composing award winning music for the likes of Brideshead Revisted and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  He also created music for Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, Doctor Who, and The Chronicles Of Narnia.  His music could be heard on the BBC and ITV over the past four decades.  Geoffrey Burgon was 69 when he passed away on September 21, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately release.

What You Should Own

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Brideshead Revisited - Geoffrey Burgon

Died On This Date (September 19, 2010) Buddy Collette / Respected West Coast Jazz Musician

William “Buddy” Collette
August 6, 1921 – September 19, 2010

Buddy Collette was an influential jazz musician who was equally adept at the clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone.  Born and raised in Los Angeles, Collette was a respected figure of the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s and a regular performer throughout the storied Central Avenue clubs.  His most celebrated works were his collaborations with Chico Hamilton, Dexter Gordon, and Charles Mingus.  During the early ’50s, Collette could be heard as part of the house band on Groucho Marx’s popular television program, You Bet Your Life, and in 1963, he became one of the first group of African-American players to perform in the Academy Awards show band.  He also taught college level music throughout Los Angeles for many years and was largely responsible for the desegregation of the local musicians’ union, leading to more equitable wages for Black musicians.  In later years, Collette worked tirelessly to preserve Los Angeles’ jazz legacy.  Buddy Collette was 89 when he passed away on September 19, 2010.

Click here to watch the NAMM Oral History interview of Buddy Collette.  Courtesy of Dan Del Fiorentino

Died On This Date (September 10, 2010) Foster Wiley aka Mr. Tater / Clarksdale, MS Street Musician

Foster “Mr. Tater” Wiley
DOB Unknown – September 10,2010

Photo by Tim Burge

Affectionately known as Mr. Tater, Foster Wiley was a beloved street musician in the legendary blues city of Clarksdale, Mississippi.  Besides entertaining blues fans and tourists throughout the city, Wiley was a familiar face at local clubs and blues festivals.  He reportedly never sang the same song twice.  As one of the last remaining original Delta blues musicians, Wiley has been featured in such documentaries as M is for Mississippi, and news outlets like CNN, BBC, The New York Times, and NPR.   He also released numerous albums over the course of his career.  In ailing health in recent weeks, Foster Wiley passed away on September 10, 2010.  He is believed to have been 63.