Tony Schepkens
April 19, 1973 – August 1, 2008
Tony Schepkens was the bassist Belgian grindcore band, Agathocles. The political band formed in 1985 and released numerous split singles and EPs as well. They were a popular touring band, having shared the stage with such bands as Napalm Death. Sadly, Tony Schepkens took his own life on August 1st, 2008. He was 35.
Andy Parle
DOB Unknown – August 1, 2009
Andy Parle is best remembered as the founding drummer for British pop band, Space. Formed in 1993, Space had several UK hits including their biggest, “Female Of The Species.” Thanks to college radio and MTV, the band stirred some interest in the US, but a 1997 tour failed to capitalize upon it. Parle left the band the following year. Published reports indicate that Parle collapsed for no apparent reason while crossing a Liverpool street after leaving a local pub near midnight. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 42.
Mitch Miller
July 4, 1911 – July 31, 2010
Mitch Miller was many things – musician, record company executive, A&R man, singer, conductor, band leader and producer, but to millions of Americans he was the host of the popular television series and number one albums entitled Sing Along With Mitch. Although his music was far from rock ‘n roll, he is considered one of the most influential people in popular music. He is also often credited for inventing what would later be called karaoke because of the “bouncing ball” he used over the songs’ lyrics as the music was broadcast into homes during the ’50s and ’60s. As an A&R man and producer for Columbia Records, Miller helped create stars out of the likes of Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, and Rosemary Clooney. Many songs he produced have since become pop standards. He also discovered Aretha Franklin and signed her to her very first record deal until she was courted away by Atlantic Records. Mitch Miller was 99 when he passed away on July 31, 2010.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist
Jim Reeves
August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964
When Jim Reeves graduated from college, he played semi-pro baseball until he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944. An ankle injury put the brakes on his baseball career while still in the farm system. Reeves soon turned his sights on music and by the late ’40s was making records and was part of Moon Mulican’s band. Reeves later made his solo radio debut on the highly influential program, Louisiana Hayride, reportedly as a last-minute replacement for Hank Williams. He eventually signed with RCA Records where, with the help of producer, Chet Atkins he released a string of hits including “Four Walls” and “He’ll Have To Go.” His smooth voice and style came to exemplify the “Nashville Sound.” Jim Reeves died when the small plane he was piloting crashed in bad weather over Tennessee. He was 40 years old.
Teddy Wilson
November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986
Teddy Wilson was a much respected jazz pianist who came from the great music city of Austin, TX. His smooth-as-silk style could be heard on recordings by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday. One of Wilson’s first professional gigs was playing alongside Bennny Goodman and Gene Krupa in the Benny Goodman Trio, later a quartet with the addition of Lionel Hampton. When he joined the trio, Wilson became the first known African-American to perform professionally in public with a previously all-white group. With the help of legendary producer, John Hammond, Wilson recorded some 50 hit records throughout the late ’30s. By the ’40s, he was leading his own sextet, and by the ’50s, he was teaching at Julliard. Wilson spent the last couple of decades of his life quietly enjoying his life close to home until his passing of natural causes on 1986.
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