Musician

Died On This Date (October 18, 2012) David S. Ware / American Jazz Saxophonist

David S. Ware
November 7, 1949 – October 18, 2012

David S. Ware was a respected American free jazz saxophonist who began making records in 1971.   Likened to such sax greats as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Ware was educated at the Berklee College of Music.  During the late ’90s, he formed the David S. Ware Quartet who went on to release many critic and fan-approved albums well into the 2000s.  His catalog of albums includes two for Columbia Records thanks to being signed to the label by Branford Marsalis.  After ending the band in 2007, Ware recorded a handful of solo albums while playing with others.  David S. Ware was 62 when he died of complications from a kidney transplant back in 2009.

Thanks to Kelly Samojlik at New Releases Now for the assist.

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David S. Ware

Died on This Date (October 14, 2012) B.B. Cunningham / Gave Us “Let It All Hang Out,” Played With Jerry Lee Lewis

Blake Baker Cunningham, Jr.
DOB Unknown – October 14, 2012

B.B. Cunningham was a legendary Memphis musician who, over a career that spanned some 50 years, played in Jerry Lee Lewis‘ band, played in a high school group that included pre-Booker T & The MG’s Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn, scored a Top 20 hit as leader of the ’60s garage band, the Hombres, and engineered records by the likes of Elton John.  Born into a musical family that included his father who, performing under the name Buddy Blake, recorded for Sam Phillips‘ Sun Records during the ’50s.  B.B.’s brother, Bill Cunningham, was a founding member of Alex Chilton’s legendary band, the Box Tops.  While in high school, Cunningham played alongside Cropper and Dunn in a band called the Six O’Clock Boys who had a regional hit with “Ivory Marbles.”  Meanwhile, Cunningham’s father was working at Sun Studios which lead to a night in 1954 when Phillips invited B.B. to play percussion on Elvis Presley’s earliest Sun sessions.  The Six O’Clock Boys soon became the Mar-Keys who had another moderate hit with “Last Night.”  The other members of the Mar-Keys eventually evolved into Booker T & the MG’s while Cunningham dabbled in production and session work.  In 1963, he joined Jerry Lee Lewis’ band on bass and keyboards. He played with the Killer on-and-off for decades.  In 1965, he co-founded the Hombres who had a Top 15 hit with “Let It All Hang Out,” a garage rock staple.  During the early ’70s, Cunningham moved to Los Angeles where engineered recordings by the likes of Elton John, Lou Rawls, and Billy Joel.  He eventually settled back in Memphis where he opened his own recording studio.  In recent years, Cunningham was working as a security guard.  In the early morning hours of October 14, 2012, Cunningham, who was working security at an Southeast Memphis apartment complex, reportedly heard a gunshot from a neighboring complex.  Initial reports were sparse, but indicate that when police arrived on scene, they found both Cunningham and a 16-year-old boy dead from gunshot wounds.  B.B. Cunningham Jr. was 70 when he passed away.

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

Died On This Date (October 10, 2012) Nils Koppruch / Popular German Singer-Songwriter

Nils Koppruch
1965 – October 10, 2012

Nils Koppruch was a German singer-songwriter who also worked as a freelance artist.  Strongly influenced by American folk, blues, Americana, and bluegrass, Koppruch built a dedicated following as the front man for Finch from 1996 to 2006.  After Finch dissolved, Koppruch continued on as a solo artist performing in a style he called “city folk.”  He toured throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland, gaining loyal fans along the way.  Koppruch released two solo albums, The Hell Do (V2 Records) in 2007 and Caruso in 2010.  In 2012, he collaborated with Gisbert zu Knyphausen on an album entitled simply, I.  Nils Koppruch was 46 when he passed away on October 10, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (October 2, 2012) Big Jim Sullivan / Legendary UK Session Guitarist; Played On Over 1000 Charting Singles

Jim Sullivan
February 14, 1941 – October 2, 2012

Big Jim Sullivan was one of the most requested and prolific session guitarists that England ever produced.  Over a career that spanned over 50 years, he played on around 1000 records that charted in the UK, more than 50 reached number one.  Legend has it that he played on upwards of 3000 records a year during the height of his career.  Sullivan was just 14 when he started learning to play the guitar, and in just two years, he was playing professionally.  In 1959, he joined a band called the Wildcats who were backing Marty Wilde at the time.  The following year, the Wildcats backed Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent on the infamous UK tour that ultimately took Cochran’s life.  Over the next two decades, Sullivan became one of the most in-demand guitarists in the business.  He also gave a young Ritchie Blackmore guitar lessons and helped convince Jim Marshall to make his now famous amps.  During this time, Sullivan was one of the earliest to make use of feedback, the fuzzbox and talkbox, which was made into more or less a household name by Peter Frampton on his classic Frampton Comes Alive album of 1976. The short list who employed Sullivan to play on their records is made up of the Kinks, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Dusty Springfield, Marianne Faithfull, David Bowie, Donovan, and Frank Zappa.  He was also a familiar face playing alongside Tom Jones on his American variety show.  Sullivan also found time to record several albums of his own as well. Big Jim Sullivan was 71 when he passed away on October 2, 2012.  He was reportedly suffering from diabetes and heart disease at the time of his death.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

Died On This Date (September 25, 2012) Andy Williams / Iconic American Crooner

Howard “Andy” Williams
December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012

With 18 gold and three platinum albums, and a three-time Emmy winning primetime variety show, Andy Williams was a force to be reckoned with during the ’60s and ’70s.  Williams launched his career with six recordings for an X Records, and RCA Victor label, in 1953.  A year later he made his first of many appearances on Tonight Starring Steve Allen which led to his signing to Cadence Records and his first hits. By the mid ’60s, Williams was recording for Columbia and had purchased the Cadence master tape catalog which also included recordings by the Everly Brothers and the Chordettes.  He soon launched Barnaby Records which had hits with Ray Stevens’ “Everything Is Beautiful” and “The Streak.”  He also signed a young Jimmy Buffett to his first record deal at Barnaby. Meanwhile, Williams was quickly becoming the most popular pop vocalist of his era.  At one point during the ’60s, he was awarded the most expensive recording contract in history.  As a solo performer with 18 gold records, his award count was eclipsed by only Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, and Frank Sinatra at the time. Williams’ many hits over the years included “Born Free,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story,” “Butterfly,” and “Can’t Get Used To Losing You.” The Andy Williams Show, which ran between 1962 and 1971, was one of the most popular variety shows of all time.  It played host to most of the biggest names in show business, and it’s semi-annual Christmas specials set the standard. And with eight Christmas albums and a huge hit with “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” Williams became known around the world as Mr. Christmas.  And although he was considered a “square” by the counter culture, Williams was one of the few major stars who was very vocal against the Nixon Administration’s attempts to deport John Lennon during the early ’70s.  In May of 1992, Williams opened the Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri.  Hosting performers like Glen Campbell, Ann-MargretRich Little and David Copperfield, the theater became one of the most popular venues in the city.  Andy Williams was 84 when he passed away on September 25, 2012. He had been suffering from bladder cancer.

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Moon River: The Very Best of Andy Williams - Andy Williams