Died On This Date (July 6, 1979) Van McCoy / Had Hit With “The Hustle”
themusicsover Van McCoy
January 6, 1940 – July 6, 1979
Van McCoy was a musician, producer, arranger and prolific songwriter who has penned upwards of 700 songs during his career. But, he is perhaps best remembered for just one, “The Hustle,” which was massive disco hit of 1975 and to this day, arguably defines the era. McCoy began singing in the church choir as a child and by his early teens, he and his brother were performing as a doo wop duo. While in college, McCoy started his own record label to release his first single, “Hey Mr. DJ.” He was soon hired by Scepter Records as an A&R rep and songwriter. Over the years, he penned hits for Gladys Knight & The Pips (“Giving Up”), Barbara Lewis (“Baby, I’m Yours”), the Shirelles (“Stop The Music”) and Jackie Wilson (“I Get The Sweetest Feeling”) to name just a few. Van McCoy died of a heart attack at the age of 39.
What You Should Own
New Orleans born, Ernie K-Doe was best known for his huge #1 hit, “Mother-In-Law,” released in 1961. A colorful performer, K-Doe was a popular draw in and around Louisiana for many years. During the ’80s, K-Doe hosted a popular New Orleans radio program. Ernie K-Doe passed away in 2001 at the age of 65.
Shirley Goodman was an R&B singer who, with 
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Bill Pinkney is best remembered as a longtime member of the Drifters, one of the premier vocal groups of the doo wop idiom. He was and on-and-off member of the group between 1954 and 1958 and can be heard on such early recordings as “Money Honey,” “Honey Love,” “Maybe Baby,” and “White Christmas.” Unfortunately, Pinkney had left the group by the time they recorded their biggest hits, “Under the Boardwalk” and “Up On The Roof.” In 1958, the group’s manager replaced all the members of the group with new singers after which Pinkney formed the Original Drifters that included members of the early formation of the group. They remained a popular touring act for the better part of the next four decades. In 1988, Pinkney as the Drifters were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bill Pinkney was 81 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on July 4, 2007. He and the Drifters were scheduled to perform later that day.