Died On This Date (April 13, 2013) Vincent Montana Jr. / Founder Of The Salsoul Orchestra; Member OF MFSB
themusicsover Vincent Montana Jr.
February 12, 1928 – April 13, 2013
Vincent Montana was an American percussionist and band leader who is best remembered as the founder of popular ’70s disco group, the Salsoul Orchestra. He was also a member of another disco standout band, MFSB. Both groups, which counted members of each within their folds, released some of the era’s most recognized hits. MFSB was assembled as the house band for Philadephia’s legendary Sigma Sounds Studios affording Montana the opportunity to play on hits by the O’Jays, the Stylistics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and many more. With Salsoul Orchestra, he recorded such disco hits as “Tangerine,” “Salsoul Hustle,” and “Nice ‘N’ Naasty.” The vast list of others that Montana either played with or produced includes Frankie Avalon , Dusty Springfield, the Delfonics, Johnny Mathis, the Jackson 5, La Belle, and more recently, the Pet Shop Boys. Vincent Montana was 85 when he passed away on April 13, 2013.
What You Should Own
Chi Cheng was the founding bassist for California alt-metal band, Deftones. Formed in Sacramento in 1988, it didn’t take long for the band to build a loyal following and catch the ear of Madonna‘s label, Maverick Records. What followed was a series of albums that helped define the nu metal movement of the late ’90s/early 2000s. The band’s first trio of albums easily went platinum with Cheng playing on all three as well as their next two. In 2008, Cheng was in a serious automobile accident which left him in a coma. In 2010, he began showing signs of recovery after which he began undergoing additional operations and extensive rehabilitation. In early 2012, more signs of improvement surfaced and Cheng was allowed to go home from the hospital only to suffer a setback with pneumonia. On April 13, 2013, it was announced that Chi Cheng passed away earlier that day. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 42.
Jimmy Dawkins was a Chicago blues great who earned the somewhat ironic nickname of “Fast Fingers” in that his performances were generally more deliberate and less flashy than that name might convey. Think Eric Clapton. Born about 75 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 1955 and began gigging around town while establishing himself as an in-demand session player. In 1969, he signed with Delmark Records who released his critically acclaimed debut album, Fast Fingers. His follow-up, All For Business, featured Otis Rush on second guitar. Over the course of his career, Dawkins released over 20 albums. He also wrote a column for Living Blues magazine. During the ’80s, Dawkins started his own label, Leric Records. As a sideman, he can be heard on recordings by the likes of Buddy Guy, 
Neil Smith was an early bassist for legendary Australian rock band, AC/DC. As the replacement for original bassist, Larry Van Kriedt in 1974, Smith was in the band for less than a year before being replaced by Rob Bailey. In 1979, Smith joined Rose Tattoo, another popular Australian hard rock band of the day, for a brief period. Neil Smith lost his battle with cancer on April 7, 2013.
Roy 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.