Producer

Died On This Date (June 21, 1980) Bert Kaempfert / Successful Composer

Bert Kaempfert
October 16, 1923 – June 21, 1980

Bert Kaempfert was a German born musician and composer who is best remembered for penning the music for such standards as “Spanish Eyes” (Al Martino), “L.O.V.E” (Nat King Cole), and “Strangers In The Night” (Frank Sinatra).   But his biggest contribution to pop music was likely his hiring of the then unknown Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on “My Bonnie,” “Ain’t She Sweet,” “Cry For A Shadow,” and “When The Saints Go Marching In.”  It was the first time they were put on record.  In 1980, Bert Kaempfert died of a stroke at the age of 56.

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Bert Kaempfert

Died On This Date (June 18, 2007) Hank Medress / The Tokens

Hank Medress
November 19, 1938 – June 18, 2007

Hank Medress will always be remembered as the singer of American pop classic, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” but his contributions to popular music go much deeper. As a singer or producer, he’s worked directly with such artists as Neil Sedaka, the Chiffons, the Happenings and Tony Orlando.  He was also instrumental in the creation of New York Dolls singer, David Johanson’s popular 80’s alter ego, Buster Poindexter. Medress died of lung cancer on June 18, 2007 at the age of 68.

 

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The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens

 

Died On This Date (June 17, 2009) Ian Loveday aka Eon / British Rave Producer

Ian Loveday (aka Eon)
September 22, 1954 – June 17, 2009

EonEon was a pioneer in the genres of techno and house music.  His 1992 Void Dweller album is considered one of the best.  He is also known for the rave hit, “Spice” from 1990.  He found his early audiences thanks to airplay on London’s pirate radio stations.  Eon died of complications from pneumonia on June 17, 2009.

Eon

Died On This Date (June 15, 2010) Busi Mhlongo / South African Pop Star

Victoria “Busi” Mhlongo
October 28, 1947 – June 15, 2010

Known as the “Reigning Queen of Zulu music,” Busi Mhlongo was a respected South African singer-songwriter and producer whose music included elements of West African, jazz, reggae, rock, funk, soul and gospel.  Over a career that spanned the better part of four decades, Mhlongo built an international fan base while working with the likes of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela.  Busi Mhlongo was 62 when she died of breast cancer on June 15, 2010.

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African Classics: Busi Mhlongo - Bushi Mhlongo

Died On This Date (June 14, 1989) Pete de Freitas / Echo and the Bunnymen

Pete de Freitas
August 2, 1961 – June 14, 1989

Member of the 27 Club

Besides being a respected producer, Pete de Freitas was best known as the drummer for the popular ’80s band, Echo & the Bunnymen. It was with Echo & the Bunnymen that de Freitas reached an international audience, thanks to such post-punk hits as “The Cutter” “Lips Like Sugar,” and “The Killing Moon.” They took the US by storm in 1984 with the release of Ocean Rain thanks in part to heavy video rotation on MTV. Sadly, de Freitas passed away on June 14, 1989 of injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident while on his way home from filming Julian Cope’s “China Doll” video.

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Echo & The Bunnymen