Died On This Date (November 27, 2011) Jovan Coleman aka J-1 / Drummer For Dam-Funk’s Master Blazter
themusicsover J-1 (Born Jovan Coleman)
DOB Unknown – November 27, 2011
Know professionally as J-1 and The Dear, Los Angeles based musician and producer Jovan Coleman was the drummer in Dam Funk’s trio, Master Blazter which also counted Computer Jay as a member. Coleman also played in Animal Kingdom as well as Shafiq Husayn’s En’AFreeKa Ensemble. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Coleman ultimately settled in L.A. where he quickly became part of the city’s vibrant funk/soul/boogie scene. He released The Yellow (EP) in June of 2011. Jovan Coleman passed away in Sweden on November 27, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Known to millions around the world as “Smokin’ Joe” inside the boxing ring, Joe Frazier also flirted with a career in music by fronting his own R&B group, the Knockouts. As a fighter, Frazier’s well-documented career included a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics as well as numerous professional victories over the likes of Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, and of course, Muhammad Ali, in a 1971 fight that has been dubbed the “Fight Of The Century.” His trio of battles with Ali (including the legendary 1975 “Thilla In Manilla”) made up one the greatest rivalries in sports history. Throughout the course of his professional career, Frazier had an impressive record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. What many didn’t know however, was that Frazier could very well have been a champ of the music charts as well. He loved to sing – both inside the ring and out, and he recorded several decent records over the years. That list includes “If You Go, Stay Gone,” “Little Dog Heaven,” “The Bigger They Come,” and “You Got The Love.” He also formed his own soul revue outfit, Joe Frazier & the Knockouts, who performed regularly in Las Vegas
George Rountree is perhaps best remembered as the long time music director for legendary Motown group, the Four Tops. For over 30 years, Rountree helped the quartet deliver its best possible sound to adoring fans around the world. He also served as their arranger, composer, and keyboardist from time to time. Throughout the years, Rountree also performed with the likes of Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, and Frankie Valli, to name a few. George Rountree was 61 when he passed away on October 30, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Reese Palmer was an American soul singer who, during the mid 1950s, belonged to a singing group, the D.C. Tones which also counted among its members, 
Marv Tarplin was a guitarist and songwriter who is perhaps best remembered as a founding member of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Tarplin was playing guitar for Detroit girl group, the Primettes, when they auditioned for Robinson, who was doing A&R at Motown at the time. Robinson was so taken by Tarplin’s playing that he offered him a gig in his own group. The year was 1958, and Tarplin was suddenly the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the Miracles, who would eventually become one of Motown’s most popular acts. Meanwhile, the Primettes would soon make history themselves after morphing into the Supremes. Tarplin went on to play on and co-write numerous hits for the band. That list includes “My Girl Has Gone,” “Going To A Go-Go,” and most famously, “Tracks Of My Tears.” After both he and Robinson left the Miracles in 1973, Tarplin continued to write and perform with Robinson. He also co-wrote the 
