Died On This Date (September 1, 2005) R.L. Burnside / Blues Great
themusicsover Robert “R.L.” Burnside
November 23, 1926 – September 1, 2005
R.L. Burnside was a Mississippi back country blues musician who remained in relative obscurity until he was championed by alternative blues rocker, Jon Spencer in the mid ’90s. Born in Mississippi, Burnside spent his early adult life as a sharecropper and fisherman, playing at parties on the weekends. After a stint living in Chicago, Burnside moved back to Mississippi and was soon convicted of murder for shooting a man in the head. He was sentenced to six months at the notorious Parchman prison. Upon release, Burnside began making records for roots label, Arhoolie. During the ’90s, Burnside began recording for Fat Possum Records, a label that specialized in “rediscovering” aging and relative obscure blues artists from the southern region. He then hooked up with Spencer to record and tour, exposing him to a whole new generation of underground “punk blues” fans. Burnside had heart surgery in 1999 and a heart attack in 2001. He passed away at the age of 78 in a Memphis hospital.
What You Should Own
Keyboardist Jake Brockman was a longtime touring member of Echo & the Bunnymen, when he joined the band in 1989. Prior to his official tenure in in the band, Brockman was affectionately known as the “Fifth Bunnyman.” He played with the band during their “golden” years, but his first album as a full time member was 1990’s Reverberation. The band broke up following its release. 53-year-old Jake Brockman was killed on September 1, 2009 when his motorcycle collided with an ambulance on the Isle Of Man. Original Echo & The Bunnymen drummer 
Steely Johnson was a keyboardist and noted Jamaican reggae producer who worked with Cleveland Browne as Steely & Clevie. Formed in the late ’80s while playing on 
Eddie Higgins was a respected jazz pianist who came to prominence while entertaining crowds in jazz clubs throughout Chicago during the ’50s and ’60s. It has been said that many headlining acts did not want to take the stage after Higgins brilliantly warmed up the crowd. Although known primarily as a soloist, Higgins has played with such jazz giants as 
Although he started his career as a drummer in the late ’20s, Lionel Hampton went on to become one of jazz’s premier vibraphonists, playing with 