Producer

Died On This Date (October 20, 2007) Paul Raven / Killing Joke

Paul Raven
January 16, 1961 – October 20, 2007

Paul Raven was and English musician best remembered for his work as bassist for Killing Joke, the pioneering electronic band.  After playing in a couple of rock bands, Raven was asked to replace original Killing Joke bassist, Youth in 1980.  He played on the groups popular ’80s period albums, departing in 1988.  He returned to the band in 1990 and stayed until they disbanded in 1991.  Throughout the rest of his career, Raven played with Pigface, Prong, Zilch, Society 1, and Ministry for their final album.  Paul Raven died in his sleep of what was believed to be a heart attack at the age of 46.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Died On This Date (October 17, 2009) Kazuhiko Kato / Japanese Producer; Founder Of Sadistic Mika Band

Kazuhiko Kato
March 21, 1947 – October 17, 2009

katoKazuhiko Kato was a singer, songwriter and producer whose career began in the mid ’60s as the member of the Folk Crusaders, a Japanese psychedelic folk rock band.  The band’s 1967 debut single, “Kaettekita Yopparai (I Only Live Twice)” which was written by Kato, sold over a million copies and is considered one of Japan’s most successful records of the era.  Following the break up of the Folk Crusaders, Kato began working as a producer, contributing to hit albums by several Japanese rock artists, his most significant being Sadistic Mika Band, a ’70s rock band formed by he and his wife.  The band found moderate success outside of Japan, even appearing on BBC’s popular Old Grey Whistle Test television program in 1975.  Kato spent his later life writing and composing for other artists, video games and film soundtracks.  His body was found hanging in a Japan hotel room on October 17, 2009, dead at 62.  Police discovered a suicide note nearby.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

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Died On This Date (October 7, 2009) Shelby Singleton / Record Producer; Owned Sun Records

Shelby Singleton
December 16, 1931 – October 7, 2009

shelbyShelby Singleton’s music career began during the ’50s working at Mercury Records as a producer.  While moving up in the ranks, he became instrumental in numerous hits and was eventually rewarded with his own imprint, Smash Records where he signed Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Miller and Faron Young among others.   During the early part of his career, he produced such hits as Brook Benton’s “The Boll Weevil Song,” Ray Stevens‘ “Ahab The Arab,” and Leroy Van Dyke’s “Walk On By.”   But his biggest hit came in 1968 with Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of Tom T. Hall’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.”  A shrewd businessman as well, Singleton went on to purchase Sam Phillips’ Sun Records including it’s stellar catalog of recordings.  Shelby Singleton died of cancer on October 1, 2009.  He was 77.



Died On This Date (October 3, 2008) Johnny J. / Produced Tupac Shakur

Johnny J (Born Johnny Jackson)
August 28, 1969 – October 3, 2008

“Johnny J” Jackson was a hip hop producer and rapper who, over the course of his career, produced albums and records that sold in the millions.  Born in Mexico and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Jackson’s career kicked into high gear in 1990 when he produced a “one-hit-wonder” for his friend Candall Mason, better known as Candyman.  That song was “Knockin’ Boots,” which helped Candyman’s Shame In The Game album go platinum.  The success of “Knockin’ Boots” opened the door for Jackson to meet Tupac Shakur, giving him the opportunity to produce tracks on Shakur’s All Eyez On Me and Me Against The World abums.  In all, Jackson produced approximately 100 songs for Shakur.  In later years, he collaborated with Bizzy Bone and Tatyana Ali.  “Johnny J” Jackson was 39 years old when he allegedly commited suicide by leaping from an upper tier of L.A.’s Twin Towers Jail where he was serving time for DUI.



Died On This Date (October 1, 1975) Al Jackson Jr. / Booker T & The MGs

Al Jackson Jr.
November 27, 1934 – October 1, 1975

Al Jackson, Jr. was a much respected drummer, producer and songwriter who is best remembered for his work as a member of the house band for Stax Records, Booker T. & the M.G.s. Jackson started drumming as a child and is even reported to have played on stage with his father’s jazz band as early as the age of five.  He eventually joined up with Booker T. Jones, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Steve Cropper to form the equally integrated R&B band, Booker T. and the M.G.s (Cropper and Dunn are both white).  Together (and separately)  they played on countless R&B hits, including those by Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett.  In 1962, the group released the instrumental, “Green Onions” which became an iconic hit that has been heard in countless movies, television shows and commercials over the years.   In the early hours of October 1, 1975, Jackson returned home from watching the Joe Frazier – Muhammad Ali fight on a local movie theater screen.  He was met by an intruder or intruders who shot and killed him execution style.  Details of the incident have remained fuzzy, but some believe that his wife was in on it.  A suspect who apparently knew Jackson’s wife, was shot and killed in a gun battle with police nine months later.  It is not clear if it was related to the Jackson killing.

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The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's - Booker T. & The MG's