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