Musician

Died On This Date (April 2, 2013) Roy Cox / Founding Bassist Of Bubble Puppy

Roy Cox
1948 – April 2, 2013

roy coxRoy Cox was the co-founder and bassist for Texas psychedelic rock band, Bubble Puppy.  Formed by Cox and Rod Prince in San Antonio in 1967, the band had a #14 hit with “Hot Smoke And Sassafras.”  The band’s lived debut came later that year when they opened for the Who in San Antonio.  Signed to International Artists, the band released “Hot Smoke And Sassafras” in 1969 which was followed by their album debut, A Gathering Of Promises.  The band parted ways with International Artists and moved to Los Angeles in 1970.  Contractually, they could no longer use the name Bubble Puppy, so they rechristened themselves Damian and released a self-titled album the following year.  The band split up in 1972 due to financial problems.  Bubble Puppy reunited and recorded their long-awaited second album in 1987 and continued on and off for the next two decades.  All original members reformed to play at the Austin Music Awards in 2011 as well as for a handful of later special dates.  During his gaps with Bubble Puppy, Cox found time to form the Blues Knights, who released two CDs in 1999 and 2001.  He later formed the NYC Outlaws while living in New York.  Roy Cox was 64 when he passed away on April 2, 2013.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com

 

 

Died On This Date (March 30, 2013) Phil Ramone / Legendary Record Producer

Phil Ramone
January 5, 1941 – March 30, 2013

phil-ramonePhil Ramone was a successful record producer who, over a career that spanned some five decades, was awarded 15 Grammys, one Emmy, and countless other accolades.  A child prodigy born in South Africa, Ramone, was playing the violin at age three, and performing for Queen Elizabeth II before he hit his teens.   During the ’40s, he moved to the United States where he attended The Julliard School before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1953.  In 1959, Ramone opened his own studio, A & R Recording and quickly built a name for himself due to his use of the latest technologies.  Artists he went to produce landmark albums with include Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Aretha FranklinFrank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Chicago and Barbra Streisand.  And albums he produced for Ray Charles, Billy Joel, and Paul Simon each went on to earn Album Of The Year awards at the Grammys.  Ramone also recorded Marilyn Monroe‘s notorious rendition of “Happy Birthday To You” to President John F. Kennedy.  He was also considered one of the industry’s top innovators.  In 1982, his digitally recorded version of Billy Joel’s 52nd Street became the first album to be released on compact disc in Japan.  He was also largely responsible for Surround Sound for movies.  Phil Ramone was 72 when he passed away on March 30, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Gordon Stoker / Member Of Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires

Gordon Stoker
DOB Unknown – March 27, 2013

With Elvis
With Elvis

Gordon Stoker is best remembered as a member of Elvis Presley‘s backing vocalists, the Jordanaires.  He also acted as their manager.  Just 15 when he became a professional musician, Stoker eventually played piano on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry  radio program.  In 1949, he was picked up by the Jordanaires Gospel group to play piano.  Within two years, he was singing tenor in the group.  In 1956, Presley invited them to be his back up singers both live and on record.  Stoker can be heard on such records as “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” “I Got A Woman,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”  The group continued on – with Stoker remaining until the time of his death – after Presley passed away in 1977.  The list of other artists that were backed by the Jordanaires on record includes Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Ween, and Kristen Chenoweth.  Gordon Stoker was 88 when he passed away on March 27, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (March 23, 2013) Larry Robinson / Southern California Singer-Songwriter

Edward Lawrence Robinson
DOB Unknown – March 23, 2013

larry-robinsonLarry Robinson was a beloved San Diego-area singer-songwriter who, over the course of his career, released six albums, three of which as a member of the Dorados during the ’90s.   Americana in vein, Robinson’s songs spoke of a California that unfortunately, many are too young to have known.  During the ’60s, he played in the band, Things To Come who once shared the Whiskey A Go-Go stage with the Byrds.  On March 22, 3013, 64-year-old Larry Robinson was bound and severely beaten during a robbery of Pete’s Music Store where he worked part-time in Temecula, California.  He died of his injuries the next day .  His assailant or assailants remained unidentified in the weeks following his death.

For more on Larry Robinson, please visit Easy Ed’s blog at nodepression.com

 

What You Should Own

larry-robinson-music

Died On This Date (March 22, 2013) Bebo Valdés / Cuban Pianist & Bandleader

Bebo Valdés (Born Ramon Amaro)
October 9, 1918 – March 22, 2013

bebo-valdesBebo Valdés was a highly regarded Latin jazz musician, composer and bandleader whose name is synonymous with the golden age of Cuban music.  Making his name in Havana during the ’40s, Valdés went on to become the pianist and house arranger at the city’s legendary Tropicana Club from 1948 to 1957.  It was there during the ’50s that he became a key figure in the development of mambo.  In 1960, Valdés defected to Mexico and then moved to the United States and later settled in Sweden.   In 2000, he was featured in the acclaimed Latin jazz documentary, Calle 54, which brought his career a well-deserved second chapter in which he was able to entertain a whole new generation of young fans.  Throughout his career, he was awarded with seven Grammys, his most recent two in 2010.  Bebo Valdés was 94 when he passed away on March 22, 2013.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com