Died On This Date (February 1, 1986) Dick James / Established The Beatles’ Publishing Company
themusicsover Dick James (Born Reginald Vapnick)
December 12, 1920 – February 1, 1986
Dick James was a London-born aspiring singer and musician who eventually owned his own record label and publishing company. Partnering with John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1963, James formed Northern Songs to publish Lennon and McCartney’s music. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were signed on for a shot period as well. Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer were also published by Northern Songs during the ’60s. In 1968, James sold the publishing company without offering the Beatles a chance to purchase their own catalog. This apparently drove a deep wedge between James and the group since they never again owned the rights to their own songs. During the ’70s, James established DJM Records, where he released the first recordings of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Dick James was 65 when he died of a heart attack on February 1, 1986.
Dewey Martin is best remembered as the drummer of Buffalo Springfield. Martin first began playing in a group while still in high school and soon was playing in combos around the Ottawa area. He later moved to Nashville where he played on tracks by such greats as 
Slim Harpo was one of the benchmark artists of “post-war rural blues” of the 1940s. Beginning his career as Harmonica Slim in the clubs of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, his moniker was changed when he began recording for Excello Records in the late ’50s. Harpo was considered one of the best harmonica players in blues and he proved it on such blues staples as “I Got Love If You Want It,” “Rainin’ In My Heart,” and “I’m A King Bee,” later recorded by the Rolling Stones. He died of a heart attack at the age of 46.
Pauley Fuemana was the lead singer for OMC, or Otara Millioniares Club, a New Zealand duo who had an international hit with “How Bizarre.” Formed with Alan Jansson in 1995, the group scored an instant smash with “How Bizarre.” Even though the song received massive airplay, it was never released as a single in the U.S. , so never appeared on the singles charts. The album from which it came sold over one million in the U.S. and in excess of four million worldwide. The song has been cited as the biggest selling record of all times from a New Zealand act. OMC broke up in 2000, but then reunited in 2007 and released “4 All of Us” which featured television actress, Lucy Lawless on vocals. On January 31, 2010, Pauly Fuemana died after a short illness which has been reported to be neurological in nature. He was 40 years old.
Warren Smith was a rockabilly pioneer who, in 1956, had a hit with his first record, “Rock & Roll Ruby.” It was recorded by 