Died On This Date (March 17, 2011) Charlie Gillett / Renowned British Radio DJ and Music Historian
themusicsover Charlie Gillett
February 20, 1942 – March 17, 2010
Charlie Gillett was an influential British radio disc jockey, music historian and writer. During the mid ’60s, Gillett was working as a college professor when he began contributing weekly music-related articles to the Record Mirror. In 1970, he released his first book, The Sound Of The City: The Rise of Rock and Roll, a comprehensive history of popular music that is still considered one of the best. He was soon contributing to Rolling Stone and New Musical Express magazines. In 1972, Gillett moved over to radio where he hosted a popular weekly program on Radio London. It was through that medium that he was the first to play early demos by the likes of Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Graham Parker and Dire Straits, oftentimes leading to record deals for the artists. During this period, Gillett released his second book, and helped bring Cajun music to the U.K. through his newly formed Oval Records. Throughout his career Gillett also managed Dury, co-produced Lene Lovich’s popular debut album, and owned the publishing for such hit songs as Paul Hardcastle’s “19.” Charlie Gillett was 68 when he died of multiple health related problems on March 17, 2010.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums and Ed Hardy for the assist.
Samuel George was the lead singer and drummer for early ’60s soul vocal trio, the Capitols. They were initially signed to Detroit’s Karen Records, and in 1963, they released their first single, “Dog and Cat.” After the record failed to catch on, the group split up. But in 1966, the group re-formed to record a song called “Cool Jerk” which was written to capitalize on a current Detroit dance craze. Backed by Motown’s legendary house band, the Funk Brothers, the Capitols delivered a single that shot to #7 on the pop charts and #2 on the R&B charts. The song remains a staple at oldies radio and has been covered by the likes of the Go-Go’s, Todd Rundgren and the Creation. On March 17, 1982, Samuel George died of stab wounds suffered during a domestic dispute.
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Jakson Spires was the founding drummer for Southern rock’s Blackfoot. Formed in 1970, the band had a handful of hit albums during the late ’70s and early ’80s. Blackfoot went from being the house band at a Gainesville, Florida topless bar in 1970 to opening for the Who in 1979. Spires either wrote or co-wrote almost every song in the band’s catalog, including hits, “Highway Song” and “Fly Away.” As a session player, he recorded with the likes of 