Radio

Died On This Date (March 14, 2011) Sherman Washington Jr. / New Orleans Gospel Great

Sherman Washington Jr.
DOB Unknown – March 14, 2011

Photo by David Grunfeld

Sherman Washington Jr. was a beloved New Orleans Gospel singer, radio host and promoter.   As a member of Zion Harmonizers for the better part of 60 years, Washington was there for the birth of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, playing at its first gathering in 1970.  Two years later, he took over the Gospel Tent and turned it into one of the most popular venues at the festival ever since.  In the early years of Jazz Fest, the Gospel Tent was the place many white visitors experienced Gospel for the first time.  Washington was also the host of the popular Sunday morning Gospel program on New Orleans radio station, WYLD-AM.  The show became much more than a jukebox of the latest Gospel hits, but rather a community of sorts with Washington serving as its beloved “mayor.”   In ailing health in recent years, Sherman Washington Jr. passed away in his home on March 14, 2011.  He was 86.

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Zion Harmonizers

Died On This Date (December 18, 2010) Clay Cole / Popular American Rock & Roll TV Host

Clay Cole
January 1, 1938 – December 18, 2010

Clay Cole was a pioneering ’60s New York City rock ‘n roll television show host who, outside of perhaps Ed Sullivan, showcased more rising rock stars than anyone of his era.  At its peak, The Clay Cole Show aired six nights a week and played host to a who’s who of rock and R&B stars.  What was particularly unique about the show, which aired from 1959 to 1968, was that Cole, who was just 21 years old, was as much of the fun as the show’s teenage dancers.  It was on The Clay Cole Show that American teens first caught a glimpse of the likes of Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, Chubby Checker (who debuted “The Twist” – both song AND dance on the program), Dionne Warwick, and the Rolling Stones.  Of special note, that particular episode featured both the Stones AND the Bealtes, making it the first and only time that has ever happened.  The show also featured many future legends of comedy for their television debut.  That list includes George Carlin and Richard Pryor.  When tastes in popular music began to gravitate toward psychedelic rock in the late ’60s, Cole ended the show, even though it was just peaking in popularity. After the program ended, Cole went on to be a successful producer, writer and director for television.  He won two Emmys as a producer.  Clay Cole died of a heart attack on December 18, 2010.  He was 72.



Died On This Date (October 27, 2010) Stella Salamone / Popular Cleveland Disc Jockey

Stella Salamone (Born Stella Cultrona)
September 20, 1966 – October 27, 2010

Stella Salamone was a popular Cleveland, Ohio metal disc jockey who, for over 20 years was known as the “Thrash Queen” at non-commercial station, WRUW-FM.  She was most recently, the co-host of the station’s popular, Domestic Decay program.  For many years, Salamone was an integral part of Cleveland’s punk, metal and thrash scenes.  She was even credited for being the first area DJ to play grindcore.  While still in her teens, Salamone first appeared as a guest DJ on WUJC’s Metal on Metal, and never looked back.  Stella Salamone was 44 when she passed away after being taken off life support at an area hospital.  Reports indicated that she had been found unconscious in her home a few days prior and that she had suffered a bad reaction to pain medications.


Died On This Date (September 23, 2005) Sam Fields / Los Angeles Radio DJ

Sam Fields
1950 – September 23, 2005

Sam Fields was a popular and longtime Los Angeles area radio disc jockey.  For over three decades, he spun records at such influential stations as KMET, KROQ, KLAC, KKGO and KKJZ. But it was his love and knowledge of jazz that made him stand out above all the rest.  He hit the L.A. airwaves in 1972 and was most recently heard at Long Beach’s respected KKJZ where he was recognized for bringing blues to the jazz station’s playlist.  Sam Fields was 55 when he passed away in his home on September 23, 2005.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Micaela Pierce for the assist.


Died On This Date (September 19, 2010) Earland Edwards aka The Doug Of Edwards / Popular San Francisco Jazz Radio Host

Earland Edwards
1930 – September 19, 2010

Photo From SFbayview.com

Earland Edwards was a San Francisco area radio personality who, as The Doug Of Edwards, hosted a popular jazz program, Ear Tyme,  on Pacifica Radio KPFA-FM.  It has been reported that Edwards never missed, and was never late for, his Sunday afternoon show since it began back thirty years earlier.  Prior to that, Edwards spent ten years on KPOO, another popular San Francisco station, where he played jazz records and hosted live on-air performances.  He also set up and broadcasted live from local shows at times.  He was also socially active throughout the Bay area, supporting many worthwhile causes.  Earland Edwards was 80 when he passed away on September 19, 2010.