Died On This Date (September 14, 1981) Furry Lewis / Country Blues Pioneer

Walter “Furry” Lewis
March 6, 1893 – September 14, 1981

Furry Lewis is one of country blues’ pioneers, making his name as a songwriter and guitarist in the early decades of the 20th century.  He started performing at local parties while still in his teens, and by the late ’20s, he was recording sides for Vocalion Records in Chicago.  Lewis had minor successes during his early years, but still needed to rely on his job as a city street sweeper until his retirement in 1966.  His career rebounded during the folk revival of the ’60s, even being the topic of the Joni Mitchell song, “Furry Sings The Blues” (aparrently he was not a fan).  The ’70s found Lewis touring the country along with Sleepy John Estes and Bukka White as part of a caravan tour.  He also opened for the Rolling Stones a couple of times and performed on the Tonight Show during the ’70s.  Furry Lewis died at the age of 88 as a result of pneumonia.

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Furry Lewis



Died On This Date (September 12, 2003) Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash
February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003

Technically considered a country music artist, Johnny Cash actually transcended the genre to be one of the most important singer-songwriters of any music, period.  With an authoritative deep voice, a cannon of songs that sounded like a freight train coming your way, and lyrics that made you feel as if he lived them, Cash exemplified all that is American music.  To many, he and his wife and musical partner, June Carter Cash are considered country music’s first couple.  During a career that spanned almost 5o years, Cash was equally at home performing rockabilly, folk, gospel, country, rock ‘n roll and blues.  His stable of songs included some of the greatest of any genre, “Walk The Line,” “Hey Porter,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “A Boy Named Sue.”   Cash regularly covered songs by some of the world’s greatest artists, such as Bruce Springsteen, Trent Reznor, Depeche Mode, Bob Dylan, U2 and Tom Petty.  In many cases, his interpretations eclipsed the originals, and most of the original artists would agree to that.  Cash’s final years were bittersweet.  Although he was experiencing a true renaissance thanks to a series of haunting albums produced by Rick Rubin,  he was living through both physical and emotional pain.  In the late ’90s he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease associated with diabetes and was hospitalized with a serious case of pneumonia that damaged his lungs.  And in May of 2003, he lost his wife June due to unexpected complications of heart surgery.  The 71 year old Johnny Cash passed away less than four months later.

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At Folsom Prison (Live) - Johnny Cash

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Died On This Date (September 12, 2000) Stanley Turrentine

Stanley Turrentine
April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000

Stanley Turrentine was one of contemporary jazz’s greatest saxophonists.  Born into a musical family, Turrentine began playing in early R&B groups but soon switched to jazz where he became one of it’s stars during the ’50s and ’60s.  He shifted to jazz fusion during the ’70s and then to a more soul sound during the ’80s.  Over the course of his career, Turrentine played with such greats as Lowell Fulson, Bob James, Jimmy Smith and Max Roach.  On September 12, 2000, Stanley Turrentine, age 66, died of a stroke.

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Let It Go - Stanley Turrentine

Died On This Date (September 12, 2007) Bobby Byrd / Discovered and Performed With James Brown

Bobby Byrd
August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007

Bobby Byrd was a young gospel and soul singer when, in 1952 while playing in a baseball game against the prisoners of a Georgia prison, he met inmate, James Brown.  Brown was reportedly singing for the other inmates.  Byrd was so impressed that he helped arrange for Brown’s parole.  Over the next 20 years, Byrd helped guide Brown’s career while singing and writing songs with him.  He was the leader of Brown’s back-up group, the Blue Flames.  Byrd released his own records in the ’70s.  His music has been sampled by the likes of Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and LL Cool J.  Bobby Byrd died of cancer at the age of 73.



Died On This Date (September 12, 2008) Charlie Walker / Grand Ole Opry Legend

Charlie Walker
November 26, 1926 – September 12, 2008

Charlie Walker was not only a hit-making country singer, he was also one of the genre’s most respected disc jockeys.  He began his career at a San Antonio radio station in 1951, and by the mid ’50s, he was recording for Decca Records, and later, Columbia Records.  His 1958 recording of Harlan Howard’s “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” is a staple of country music.  Walker became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1967.  He passed away while sufferering from colon cancer at the age of 81.

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Charlie Walker - Greatest Honky Tonk Hits - Charlie Walker