Producer

Died On This Date (August 6, 2009) Otha Young / Collaborated With Juice Newton

Otha Young (Born Robert O. Young)
DOB Unknown – August 6, 2009

othaOtha Young was a guitarist and songwriter who worked with Juice Newton for many years.  Over the course of his career, Young wrote such Newton hits as 1981’s “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” The two began playing together as Dixie Peach, but by the time Newton released her first album on RCA Records in 1975, she was using her own name.  As a gifted guitarist, Young played alongside Newton through most of their careers. He can be heard on most of her hit records.  Otha Young died as a result of cancer at the age of 66.

Thanks to Stephen Brower for the assist



Died On This Date (August 4, 2007) Lee Hazlewood / Country Music Great

Barton Lee Hazlewood
July 9, 1929 – August 4, 2007

Lee Hazlewood was a country singer, songwriter, musician and producer whose work with Nancy Sinatra during the ’60s are essential records of the era.  Hazlewood settled in Arizona as a disc jockey after being leaving the military in the early ’50s.  He soon partnered with Duane Eddy as a songwriter and producer on such hits as “Peter Gunn.”  During the mid ’60s, he began working with Nancy Sinatra, writing and producing “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” and many more.  Hazelwood all but retired from music during the ’70s, but his songs lived on having been covered by such unlikely artists as Megadeth, Beck, Nick Cave, Lydia Lunch and the Tubes.  He died of renal cancer at the age of 78.

What You Should Own

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Click to find at amazon.com

Died On This Date (August 2, 1997) Fela Kuti / Afro-Beat Pioneer

Fela Kuti
October 15, 1938 – August 2, 1997

An afro-beat pioneer, the Nigerian born Fela Kuti was considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.  Born to politically active parents in 1938, Kuti later went to London to study medicine, but switched to music.  While in college he formed his first band which introduced a sound that married jazz, funk and the West African traditional music, later to be called afro-beat.  While visiting the United States in 1969, Kuti was introduced to the Black Power movement, which would strongly influence his beliefs and music moving forward.  He soon became a target of the Nigerian government due to the confrontational lyrics in his songs.  His house was burned down and he was beaten by soldiers on multiple occasions.  But he kept doing what he did best, make great music with a strong message of the people.  To many, his voice and words were as important as Bob Marley’s were.  Fela Kuti died from complications of AIDS  on August 2, 1997.

What You  Should Own

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Best of the Black President - Fela Kuti

Died On This Date (July 31, 2010) Mitch Miller / Successful Band Leader & TV Personality

Mitch Miller
July 4, 1911 – July 31, 2010

Mitch Miller was many things – musician, record company executive, A&R man, singer, conductor, band leader and producer, but to millions of Americans he was the host of the popular television series and number one albums entitled Sing Along With Mitch.  Although his music was far from rock ‘n roll, he is considered one of the most influential people in popular music.  He is also often credited for inventing what would later be called karaoke because of the “bouncing ball” he used over the songs’ lyrics as the music was broadcast into homes during the ’50s and ’60s.  As an A&R man and producer for Columbia Records, Miller helped create stars out of the likes of Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, and Rosemary Clooney.   Many songs he produced have since become pop standards.   He also discovered Aretha Franklin and signed her to her very first record deal until she was courted away by Atlantic Records.     Mitch Miller was 99 when he passed away on July 31, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist

What You Should Own

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Sing Along With Mitch - Mitch Miller

Died On This Date (July 31, 2008) Lee Young / Jazz Drummer

Lee Young
March 7, 1914 – July 31, 2008

Lee Young was a respected jazz drummer, record producer, and A&R man who is credited for discovering Steely Dan.  He was also the younger brother of famed jazz saxophonist, Lester Young.  Throughout his career, he’s played with Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Lionel Hampton, and Benny Goodman.  He was the drummer in the Nat King Cole Trio during the ’50s.  Lee Young passed away in his home at the age of 94.