Died On This Date (August 21, 2009) Johnny Carter / The Dells

Johnny Carter
June 2, 1934 – August 21, 2009

dells05Johnny Carter was a tenor vocalist in the doo wop groups, the Flamingos and later, the Dells.  He joined the Dells in 1960, and stayed with them for the better part of 50 years.   Elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of both the Flamingos and the Dells, Carter is one of a select few that have been inducted twice.  He passed away on August 21, 2009 at the age of 75.  Co-founder, Marvin Junior passed away in 2013.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Albums for the assist

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The Dells: Ultimate Collection - The Dells

Died On This Date (August 18, 2008) Pervis Jackson / The Spinners

Pervis Jackson
May 17, 1938 – August 18, 2008

Pervis Jackson was an original member of ’60s R&B vocal group, the Spinners.  He was known for his rich baritone voice on such hits as “They Just Can’t Stop It (Games People Play)” and “One Of A Kind (Love Affair).”  He continued to sing with the group until just one month prior to his death from cancer.  He was 70 years old.

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The Very Best of the Spinners - The Spinners

Died On This Date (August 17, 1973) Paul Williams / The Temptations

Paul Williams
July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973

Paul Williams was a founding member of the great ’60s R&B act, the Temptations.  Forming the group in 1960 with David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin, Williams was part of what would later be called “The Classic Five,” the unit that was responsible for some of modern music’s greatest songs ever.   Although the group was achieving tremendous fame and success, Williams was apparently quite miserable, suffering from sickle-cell disease as well as other personal and financial problems.  He had also developed alcohol dependency.  Tragically, Williams was found dead by his car in a deserted parking lot on August 17, 1973 by what was ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  Although he was battling depression at the time, there are many friends and family who have valid reasons to believe that the fatal gunshot was anything but self-inflicted.

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The Definitive Collection: The Temptations - The Temptations

Died On This Date (August 15, 2008) Jerry Wexler / Legendary Producer & Label Head

Jerry Wexler
January 10, 1917 – August 15, 2008

In the studio with Aretha Franklin

Jerry Wexler was best known as a music producer who was responsible for some of the greatest music from the 1950s through the 1980s.  He also coined the phrase “rhythm and blues” while he was editor of Billboard magazine before he became a partner of Atlantic Records in 1953.  While at Atlantic he either produced or signed some of the all time greats of popular music.  That list includes Wilson Pickett, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers.  He retired from the music business in the late ’90s, and passed away of congestive heart failure in 2008.

Thanks to the Jeff Ballenberg for the assist.


Died On This Date (August 15, 2010) Robert Wilson / Bassist For The Gap Band

Robert Wilson
DOB Unknown – August 15, 2010

Known as the “Godfather Of The Bass Guitar,” Robert Wilson was the founding bassist for influential funk group, the Gap Band.  Formed in 1967 by brothers Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson, and Ronnie Wilson, the Gap Band went on to have several R&B hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s and helped define what we now call funk.  Their hits include  “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me),” and “Early In The Morning.”  In recent years, their music could be heard as samples in songs by the likes of Nas, Snoop Dog, Notorious B.I.G., and Mary J. Blige.  Robert Wilson, age 53, died of a massive heart attack on August 15, 2010.

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Gap Band