Died On This Date (October 3, 2008) Johnny J. / Produced Tupac Shakur
themusicsover 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.
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 & 
Greg Ladanyi was an engineer and producer who worked with some of the biggest acts of the ’70s and ’80s. His talents can be heard on landmark albums by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Don Henley, Jackson Browne, the Church, the Cruzados, David Lindley, and Toto. In 1983, he won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album for Toto IV. In recent years he was working with Greek singer and actress, Anna Vissi. On Friday, September 25, 2009, Ladanyi was injured in an accident while on stage with Vissi. He suffered head injuries that lead to his death on September 29, 2009. He was 57 years old.
Rob Tyner was the lead singer of Detroit garage rock band, the MC5 who were a heavy influence on the punk movement to soon follow. More than just another loud blues-rock band, the MC5 were endeared by fans for their anti-establishment lyrics. The band’s use of itself as a political voice inspired future generations to do the same. Later bands like the Clash and Rage Against the Machine have cited them as an influence for doing just that. The MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” is one of the era’s most covered songs by countless young garage bands to follow. Even Tyner’s spirited “Kick out the jams motherfucker!” intro that he spontaneously shouted on a live recording is often repeated on cover versions. The MC5 broke up in 1972 and Tyner formed another band or two but was never able to get much going commercial. He did however, build himself a nice reputation as a manager, producer and concert promoter in the Detroit area. On September 17, 1991, Rob Tyner, according to his New York Times obituary, died in a Royal Oak, Michigan hospital after suffering a heart attack while driving near his home. He was 46. MC5 band mates 