Died On This Date (January 15, 2015) Kim Fowley / American Musician, Producer & Manager

Kim Fowley
July 21, 1939 – January 15, 2015

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer
Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Kim Fowley was an American producer, musician, singer, songwriter, manager, disc jockey, music publisher, and film maker who is perhaps best remembered for forming and managing the Runaways.  And legend has it that he was the one who created the phenomenon of lighting one’s match/lighter at a concert.  Born in Los Angeles, Fowley got into the music business during the ’60s, initially producing and publishing novelty hits like “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles (which was basically just Fowley with mostly anonymous studio musicians) and  “Popsicles and Icicles” by the Murmaids.  The list of artists he either produce or write/co-write songs reads like a who’s who of ’70s rock and pop. That list includes Gene VincentKISS, Warren Zevon, Cat Stevens, Helen Reddy, Alice Cooper, the Byrds, and Kris Kristofferson.  In 1975, he met Joan Jett who was looking to put an all-girl band together. A couple of weeks later, he met Sandy West outside of The Rainbow Bar and Grill on Sunset Blvd.  Fowley gave Jett’s phone number to West, and the Ruaways were born.  In 2010, Fowley was portrayed by Michael Shannon in the film, The Runaways.  During his final years, he could be heard sharing his vast knowledge of pop music and pop culture via his regular program on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM.  Kim Fowley was 75 when he died of bladder cancer on January 15, 2015.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Died On This Date (November 11, 2013) Bob Beckham / Country Music Publisher

Bob Beckham
July 8, 1927 – November 11, 2013

bob-beckhamBob Beckham was a successful Nashville music publisher who, over a career that began in the late 50s, helped guide the early careers of Tony Joe White, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson and many more.  Born in Oklahoma, Beckham got the show business bug early on so began performing in a traveling when he was just eight years old.  He later spent time in Hollywood where he did a bit of acting.  After a stint in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during World War II, Beckham signed to Decca Records and charted twice with 1959’s “Just As Much As Ever,” and “Crazy Arms,” which reached #2 on the pop charts the following year.  He moved to Nashville in 1959 and landed jobs plugging songs, eventually co-owning Combine Music where he stayed until it sold in 1986.  In 1990, he formed HoriPro Music as a U.S. division of Taiyo Music publishing company in Japan.  He retired in 2006.  Bob Beckham was 86 when he passed away on November 11, 2013.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus of Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.



Died On This Date (December 12, 2011) John Atterberry / Music Exec Killed In Hollywood Shooting Rampage

John Atterberry
DOB Unknown – December 12, 2011

John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R.  After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop DogTupac Shakur and Doctor Dre.  He later formed Margela Records & Consulting, and then, Infusion Music Group, a publishing company that counted the Spice Girls and Jessica Simpson among its artists.  In 2007, Atterberry went to work for GridLock, an event promotions company while also acting as CFO of the VIP Group, a real estate brokerage firm.  On Friday, December 9, 2011 Atterberry was on Sunset Boulevard at Vine Street when he was shot in the face and upper body by Tyler Brehm who was firing random shots into passing cars as he walked down the middle of  Sunset.  Police say that Brehm shot nearly 20 bullets into the air and at cars while he screamed that he wanted to die.  A brave witness in a nearby building held his attention long enough for police to arrive on the scene and order him to drop his weapon.  When Brehm reportedly aimed at the officers, they shot and killed him.   Charles Atterberry, who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries on Monday, December 12, 2011.  He was 40 years old.



Died On This Date (December 6, 2011) Barbara Orbison / Widow Of Roy Orbison

Barbara Orbison (Born Barbara Jakobs)
1951 – December 6, 2011

Barbara Orbison is best remembered as the longtime wife of rock ‘n roll pioneer, Roy Orbison.  She was also a successful entrepreneur, producer and music publisher.  Born in Germany, Barbara Jakobs was just 17 when on July 21, 1968, she met her future husband when he was on tour in Leeds, England.  Although Roy was nearly twice her age, the pair married the following year.  The couple raised three sons and stayed together until Roy passed away in 1988.   During the ’80s, Barbara managed Roy’s career and was instrumental in the revival of his career, serving as Executive Producer for the popular television concert special, Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night, which featured among others,  Bruce Springsteen, k.d. lang, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and Jackson Browne performing alongside Roy.  After Roy died, Barbara took over his business dealings and successfully kept his music and image alive for generations to come.   Barbara also owned Still Working Music, a publishing company in Nashville, and was very active in philanthropic causes.  Barbara Orbison was 60 when she passed away on December 6, 2011 – 23 years to the day after Roy passed away.  Cause of death was attributed to cancer.



Died On This Date (January 17, 2011) Don Kirshner / Influential Producer, Publisher & Television Host

Don Kirshner
April 17, 1934 -January 17, 2011

Don Kirshner was a music publisher, producer, songwriter-manager, and television host who rightfully earned the nickname, The Man With The Golden Ear.  His music career began during the ’50s when he and his partner, Al Nevins, launched Aldon Music, a publishing company that included such future superstar talent as Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Neil Sedaka.   Kirshner also owned three successful record labels during the early part of his career.  In the early ’60s, the creators of a new NBC television program enlisted Kirshner to provide songs for that show.  The influential sit-com followed the fictional adventures of an up-and-coming band as it bounced from one loony situation to another while performing catchy pop songs along the way.  The show was called The Monkees, and Kirshner brought songs like “I’m A Believer,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” and several others that would become hits that help define the era.  He later helped create an animated version of that same concept with The Archies. Then in 1973, Kirshner became a television star in his own right with the launch of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.  The late night show offered full live performances of songs by current rock stars, making it unique in a time where lip syncing on television was the norm.  For many rock music fans in a pre-MTV, pre-youtube era, it was THE only way to enjoy your favorite bands live.  Along with being executive producer, Kirshner introduced each act in a monotone manner that was later popularly parodied by Paul Shaffer on Saturday Night Live. The show’s premiere episode included the Rolling Stones and and the series continued at that pace hosting the likes of Alice Cooper, the Allman Brothers Band, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Rush, the Eagles, the Ramones, KISS, and Kansas.  It quickly became serious competition for other late night programs like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.  The show ran until 1981.  Don Kirshner was 76 when he died of heart failure on January 17, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the help