Died On This Date (December 10, 1996) Faron Young
themusicsover Faron Young
February 25, 1932 – December 10, 1996
Faron Young was a country singer and songwriter who came to prominence during the 1950s. Signed to Capitol Records in 1952, Young released a series of honky-tonkers like “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Hello Walls,” which would prove to be his biggest hit. During the mid ’50s, Young was such a big star that he was cast in a handful of western b-movies. Young continued recording into the late ’80s, but had faded from the public eye by the early ’90s, apparently bitter over what he felt was an industry that had turned it’s back on him. On December 10, 1996, Faron Young shot and killed himself at the age of 64.
What You Should Own
Mary Hansen was a singer and guitarist for popular London-based alternative rock band, Stereolab. Born in Queensland, Australia, Hansen was living in London by the early ’90s, and it was there that she first joined the Wolfhounds, and was soon invited to join Stereolab. Besides the guitar, Hansen played keyboards and percussion while singing an occasional lead for the group. She remained a member of Stereolab until the time of her passing and sang on recordings by the likes of Hovercraft and the High Llamas. On December 9, 2002, Mary Hansen, who was 36, was accidentally struck and killed by a truck while riding her bicycle in London.
Will Shatter played bass and sang lead for San Fransisco post-hardcore band, Flipper. Though they never achieved much fame outside their core fan base, they are considered a strong influence on many of today’s punk bands. They were also critics’ darlings based in part on their signature song, “Sex Bomb.” Sadly, Shatter died of a heroin overdose on December 9, 1987, destroying any chance the band had to achieve the acclaim they deserved.
