Producer

Died On This Date (May 17, 1996) Kevin Gilbert / Respected Songwriter & Musician

Kevin Gilbert
November 20, 1966 – May 17, 1996

Kevin Gilbert was a much respected songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who, over the course of his career, collaborated with the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Eddie Money.  He was also a member of the moderately successful early ’90s prog rock band, Toy Matinee.   Around that time, Gilbert and Toy Matinee band mate, Bill Bottrell would get together with a group of songwriters for weekly sessions they called “The Tuesday Music Club.”   To one such session he brought then-girlfriend, Sheryl Crow, which eventually lead to Crow’s debut album of the same name.  Gilbert co-wrote several of he multi-million seller’s songs.  In later years, he recorded several albums, both solo and as part of other groups.  He also found plenty of work creating music for television.  Kevin Gilbert was 29 when he died of what some believe was autoerotic asphyxiation.

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Died On This Date (May 17, 1999) Bruce Fairbairn / Producer

Bruce Fairbairn
December 30, 1949 – May 17, 1999

Bruce Fairbairn was a Canadian trumpet player, but made a huge mark on popular music as a rock producer. Fairbairn hit his stride in the ’80s producing such albums as Loverboy’s Get Lucky, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation,   and later, Bon Jovi’s New Jersey, Aerosmith’s Pump, Poison’s Flesh and Blood, Van Halen’s Balance, AC/DC’s The Razor’s Edge Kiss’ Psycho Circus, and many more.  It was while working on Yes’ Ladder, in May of 1999 that Jon Anderson discovered Bruce Fairbairn’s body in his home.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Died On This Date (May 9, 2009) Stephen Bruton / Austin Music Great

Stephen Bruton
November 7, 1948 – May 9, 2009

Stephen Bruton was a beloved Texas songwriter, guitarist, and producer.   Born in Fort Worth, Bruton’s first big break came at age 22, when he was asked to play in Kris Kristofferson’s band.   Since then, Bruton has been an entertainment jack of all trade.  After many years as a sideman, Bruton stepped out to the front of the stage and became a headliner himself.  As a respected songwriter, he’s written songs for Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffett, Martina McBride and many more.  As a producer, he worked the board for such greats as Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo, Hal Ketchum and others.  Bruton also engineered albums by the likes of Ziggy Marley, John Mellencamp and R.E.M. He even had some acting credits, appearing in such films as A Star Is Born, Miss Congeniality, and Heaven’s Gate.  But it was his outstanding guitar work that might end up being his strongest legacy.  Over the years, he’s been heartily invited to play on projects by Elvis Costello, Delbert McClinton, Carly Simon, Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge, and many more.  Bruton was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007 and succumbed to it in Los Angeles where he was working on the soundtrack to the Jeff Bridges film, Crazy Heart.

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Died On This Date (May 7, 2008) LonPaul Ellrich / Respected Indianapolis Musician

LonPaul Ellrich
1970 – May 7, 2008

LonPaul Ellrich was a much respected multi-instrumentalist and producer who added his skills to such notable Indianapolis acts as Sardina, the Mysteries of Life, June Panic, Some Girls, and the United States of Three. He was also part of Marmoset, one of the first acts to sign to the Secretly Canadian label. Cause of death was not immediately released.

Died On This Date (May 5, 2004) Coxsone Dodd / Legendary Reggae Producer

Clement “Coxsone” Dodd
January 26, 1932 – May 5, 2004

coxsoneCoxsone Dodd was the pioneering Jamaican DJ and producer that many credit for early development of reggae and ska.  Dodd’s career in music began at an early age when he would spin records at this parents’ store.   He grew that into a popular sound system business, employing the likes of Lee “Scratch” Perry an U-Roy to run the sound systems.  Having spent some time in the United States, Dodd featured early American R&B records, first introducing many Jamaicans to the music.   Realizing that he couldn’t keep up with the local demand for new music with imports from the States, Dodd decided to start his own record label and shortly thereafter, open his Studio One recording studio.  Over the next two decades, Dodd would produce and release some of reggae’s greatest songs and albums from such artists as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Sugar Minott, Ras Michael and Horace Andy.  To many, he was to reggae what Berry Gordy was to R&B, and his “studio one sound” would become the blueprint for ska and rocksteady.  Dodd died of a heart attack at the age of 74.