Musician

Died On This Date (July 17, 2012) Danny American / West End Crooks

Danny American (Born Danny Abromovitz)
DOB Unknown – July 17, 2012

Danny American was the bassist for up-and-coming Arizona punk band, West End Crooks.  Formed on the west side of Phoenix, the band was reportedly working on new material at the time of American’s passing.  American was a well-liked member of the local music scene and was also in his third year at the Phoenix College of Law where he excelled in his classes.  He was the recipient of two legal scholarships.  Danny American was 32 when he died unexpectedly in his sleep.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (July 16, 2012) Bob Babbitt / Legendary Motown Funk Brothers Bassist

Bob Babbitt
DOB Unknown – July 16, 2012

Bob Babbitt was a Pittsburgh-born journeyman bassist who can rightfully claim to have played on more than 25 gold and platinum albums along with over 200 top 10 hits.  As part of the legendary Motown house band known as the Funk Brothers from 1966 to 1972, Babbitt can be heard playing on such timeless classics as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” the Temptations‘ “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” Edwin Starr’s “War,” and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles‘ “The Tears Of A Clown” to name just a few. Prior to his stint at Motown, Babbitt played on several Del Shannon records, including “Little Town Flirt” and “I Go To Pieces.”  Following his run at Motown, Babbitt continued his hit-record contributions as part of Philadelphia International Records’ answer to the Funk Brothers, MFSB. Within that capacity, for instance, he played on several hits by the Spinners.  Babbitt also recorded or performed live with such superstars as Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, Jim Croce, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, and Bonnie Raitt.  During the ’80s, he played on several prominent commercial jingles and even dabbled in jazz with Herbie Mann and Stanley Turrentine. In 2002, he was profiled in the award-winning Funk Brothers documentary, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.  In March of 2011, Babbitt made his last television appearance with Jacob Lusk during American Idol’s Motown Week.  Bob Babbitt died of brain cancer on July 16, 2012.  He was 74.

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Died On This Date (July 16, 2012) Jon Lord / Deep Purple; Whitesnake

Jon Lord
June 9, 1941 – July 16, 2012

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Jon Lord was an influential English keyboardist who, as co-founder of Deep Purple, has been recognized for pioneering the use of baroque and classical elements in rock music.  Lord was just 5 years old when he began studying classical piano. As he  grew older, he started gravitating toward the raw organ sounds coming from American blues artists like Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. After settling in London during the late ’50s, Lord did session work (he can be heard on the Kinks‘ “You Really Got Me”) and played in various jazz and blues groups.  In 1968, he and drummer, Ian Paice formed Deep Purple.  Lord went on to play in all variations of the group through 2002.  With worldwide hits like “Hush,” “Smoke On The Water,” and “Highway Star,” – all prominently featuring Lord’s iconic organ sounds – Deep Purple, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, are considered the flash point of heavy metal.  They would go on to sell over 100 million albums are were even recognized as the “Globe’s Loudest Band” by Guinness Book Of World Records.  In 1978, Lord joined up with one-time Deep Purple band mate, David Coverdale in his new group, Whitesnake.  Although more a hired-gun than a full-time member, Lord’s tenure with Whitesnake lasted until 1984.   The collaborators with whom he worked throughout his career seems endless.  He also made several albums of his own.  During the early months of 2012, Lord was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which ultimately contributed to his death by pulmonary embolism on July 16, 2012.  John Lord was 71 when he passed away.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour at Slipped Disc Entertainment for the assist.

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Died On This Date (July 13, 2013) Maurice D. Davis / Motown’s Funk Brothers

Maurice D. Davis
June 9, 1941 – July 13, 2012

Maurice D. Davis was a respected trumpet player who, over the course of his long career, graced over 1500 recordings.  After graduating from Tennessee State University and teaching for two years at Rust College, Davis found himself in Detroit, Michigan.  The year was 1965, and Davis soon found himself playing in the legendary Motown session band, the Funk Brothers.  During his term that lasted until 1980, Davis played on recordings by or toured with the likes of the Supremes, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, and the Temptations on whose “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” he particularly shined.  Beyond Motown, Davis played with Tony Bennett, Whitney Houston, Sammy Davis Jr., Dizzy Gillespie, and many more.  Through all this, Davis still found time to continue his teaching.  In 1997, he retired from the Detroit Public Schools after 32 years.  He also taught at Wayne State University from 1980 to 1995.  An ordained minister as well, Davis founded the Trumpeting High Praises Community Resources Center in Detroit in 1998.  In 2002, he was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary about the Funk Brothers, Standing In The Shadows of Motown.  Maurice D. Davis was 71 when he passed away on July 13, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (July 13, 2012) Bucky Adams / Canadian Jazz Legend

Charles “Bucky” Adams
1937 – July 13, 2012

Born into a musical family in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bucky Adams was just a child when he at first picked up the trumpet.  And when he was just 11, he played for the Queen of England during a visit to Canada.  In those early years, Adams played the trumpet alongside his father, but when the trumpet could no longer keep him, he switched to the sax.  By the 1950s, Adams began fronting his own bands, and over the next three decades entertained audiences far and wide with the Rockin’ Rebels, Club Unusual, Generations, and Basin St. Trio, with whom he made his first recordings.  Throughout his long career, Adams played with or for such luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie,  and Lionel Hampton.  Adams remained a vital part of the eastern Canadian jazz scene up until the time of his passing.  In later years, he was a headliner at prominent jazz festivals. He also found time to entertain children at numerous elementary schools throughout Nova Scotia.  Bucky Adams was 75 when he died of cancer on July 13, 2012.