Died On This Date (November 16, 2012) Bernard Lansky / Clothier To Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison And More

Bernard Lansky
1927 – November 16, 2012

Bernard Lansky was a longtime Memphis clothing retailer who, along with his brother, Guy Lansky owned Lansky Brothers on Beale Street.  Since the early ’50s, the Lansky brothers helped create a visual image for celebrities who appreciated their store’s simple yet classic suits.  The long list of their musical clientele over the years included Rob Orbison, Isaac Hayes, Robert Plant, Dr. John, Johhny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Steven Tyler, and most famously, Elvis Presley.  One day back in 1952, Bernard invited a 17-year-old Presley into the store after seeing him continually window-shop outside his store.   Presley, who was working at a local movie theater at the time, remarked to Bernard that he was going to buy him out if he ever made enough money.  To that Bernard replied, “Don’t buy me, buy from me!”, and that is exactly what Presley did when he ultimately made it big. It was Lansky who put Presley in the suit he wore for that first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.   And from then on, Presley was one of Lansky Broters’ most loyal customers, and in return, the Lanskys opened the shop for him late at night so he could shop in peace and even hand-delivered suits to Graceland to try on.  When Presley died in 1977, it was Bernard who selected the suit and tie that he was buried in.  Bernard Lansky was 85 when he passed away on November 16, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the asssist.

 

Died On This Date (July 30, 2012) Jay Parker / Designed Iconic Sun Records Logo

Jay Parker
February 1, 1925 – July 30, 2012

Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht

Jay Parker made one major contribution to pop music history, and it came by way of his Sun Records logo design.  Parker was just starting his career as the art director at the Memphis Engraving Company when his old high school friend, Sam Phillips, asked him he would create a logo for his new record company.  The design he ultimately created cost Phillips just $50 and has become one of the most recognized images in pop culture history.  Besides sitting in the center of countless landmark records by the likes of Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, the image continues to live on t-shirts, totes, ash trays and shot glasses.  Parker went on to win numerous advertising awards throughout a career which spawned lasting images for such brands as the Cincinnati Bengals, Super Bubble Gum, and Alka Seltzer.  Jay Parker was 87 when he passed away on July 30, 2012.



Died On This Date (August 13, 2012) Brent Grulke / Creative Director For South By Southwest

Brent Grulke
DOB Unknown – August 13, 2012

Brent Grulke was the creative director for the South By Southwest (SXSW) music conference for the past 30 years, and by all accounts was the driving force in making it the world-renowned annual event it is today.  In charge of booking acts, Grulke’s passion for music brought the conference from a regional event that launched with around 200 performers vying for the attention of record companies, to a must-attend gathering that now draws 2000 performers from around the world.  To the delight of music fans (disgust of some traditionalists), SXSW has become an event that also includes popular artists who have new music to pitch.  In recent years, it has played host to Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, and Lil’ Wayne, to name just a few superstar acts. Prior to his tenure at SXSW, Grulke worked as a tour manager, producer, and label executive, as well as an editor for the Austin Chronicle.   Brent Grulke was 52 when he died of a heart attack on August 13, 2012.

Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (June 18, 2012) Victor Spinetti / Actor In Three Beatles Films

Victor Spinetti
September 2, 1929 – June 18, 2012

With John Lennon

Victor Spinetti was a Welsh comedic actor who made his mark on popular music by appearing in three Beatles movies – the only person outside of the band to do so.  A respected actor of stage and screen (both big and small), Spinetti also worked as a session drummer and author throughout his life.  Over the course of his movie career, Spinetti appeared in over 30 films including the Beatles classics, A Hard Day’s Night (1964), Help! (1965), and Magical Mystery Tour (1967).  He can also be heard on one of the Beatles’ beloved Christmas recordings to fans.  Victor Spinetti died of pancreatic cancer on June 18, 2012.  He was 82.

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

 

Died On This Date (April 29, 2012) Jim McCrary / Rock Photographer

Jim McCrary
August 31, 1939 – April 29, 2012

© Jim McCrary / From jimmccrary.com

Jim McCrary was an award-winning photographer whose portfolio includes some of the most iconic rock album covers in history.  Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, McCrary was mostly self-taught by the time he enrolled in a college photography program.  In 1967, McCrary was hired by A&M Records where he was their chief photographer.  Over the next seven years, he took photographs that ended up on the covers of over 300 albums, many of which are some of the famous in rock history.  They include Carole King’s Tapestry, the Carpenters’ Now and Then, and Joe Cocker‘s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, to name just a few.  The list of other artists he captured lasting images of  includes Gram Parsons, Cat Stevens, Lee Michaels, Styx, and Billy Preston.  In 1974, McCrary opened his own studio in Hollywood where he worked for the better part of the next 20 years.  That was followed by a photography supply store.  Jim McCrary was 72 when he died of complications from a chronic nervous system disorder on April 29, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.