R&B

Died On This Date (Decemeber 31, 2009) Earl Gaines / Nashville Soul Star

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Earl Gaines
August 19, 1935 – December 31, 2009

Earl Gaines was a Nashville soul singing legend who is best remembered for his lead vocals on the 1955 hit, “It’s Love Baby (24 Hours a Day)” for Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers. In later years, Gaines scored R&B hits of his own with “Hymn Number 5” and “The Best of Luck to You.” He retired from the business in 1975 but made a welcome comeback in the early ’90s. Earl Gaines was 74 when he passed away on December 31, 2009.

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Musician Pop Producer R&B Record Label Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 30, 1967) Bert Berns / Legendary Songwriter and Label Head

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Bert Berns
November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967

Bert Berns was a prolific songwriter and record producer whose impact on popular music cannot be denied. His most celebrated songs as a songwriter include “Hang on Sloopy” (the McCoys), “Twist and Shout” (the Isley Brothers, the Beatles), “Tell Him” (the Exciters), “I Want Candy” (the Strangeloves, Bow Wow Wow), “Piece of My Heart” (Emma Franklin, Janis Joplin), and “Here Comes the Night” (Lulu, Them, David Bowie). He also produced such hits as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Them’s “Gloria,” and “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters. Berns also ran his own Atlantic affiliated label, Bang Records who was the one-time home to Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, the McCoys and many more. Bert Berns was just 38 when he died of heart failure on December 30, 1967.

R&B Singer

Died On This Date (December 30, 1998) Johnny Moore / The Drifters

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Johnny Moore
December 14, 1934 – December 30, 1998

Johnny Moore is best remembered as the lead singer for famed doo-wop vocal group, the Drifters. He was asked to join the group in 1951 but was soon drafted and had to leave the group. In 1964, he rejoined after the group’s singer, Rudy Lewis had recently died. Moore recorded the lead vocal of what would become the Drifters’ biggest hit, “Under the Boardwalk.” He also sang on such records as “Come on Over to My Place” and “Saturday Night at the Movies.” Johnny Moore stayed with the group until he passed away in 1998.

Blues Musician R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 28, 1976) Freddie King / Texas Blues Great

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Freddie King
September 3, 1934 – December 28, 1976

Freddie King was a Texas blues guitarist who directly inspired no less than Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. He, B.B. King, and Albert King were known as the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar.” Over a career that spanned almost 30 years, King released over a dozen albums that included such classic blues recordings as “Hide Away,” “Have You Ever Loved a Woman,” and “I Love the Woman.” Rolling Stone magazine listed King at #25 on their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In 1973, Grand Funk Railroad honored King by namechecking him in their classic song, “We’re an American Band,” an homage to life on the road for a rock ‘n roll band. The lyric, “Up all night with Freddie King / I got to tell you poker’s his thing / Booze and ladies keep me right / as long as we can make it to the show tonight.” Freddie King was just 42 when he died of heart failure on December 28, 1976.

What You Should Own

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Musician Producer R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 26, 1999) Curtis Mayfield / Soul Music Pioneer

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Curtis Mayfield
June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999

curtis-mayfield Curtis Mayfield was a pioneering soul and funk musician who became a voice for Civil Rights during the ’60s. Mayfield was still in high school when he began playing in local bands. After dropping out, he joined the Impressions, a band he would soon front and become the main songwriter for. The band would become popular during the late ’60s thanks to Mayfield-penned songs like “People Get Ready,” “Keep On Pushing,” and “We’re a Winner.” Anthemic songs like these came at a time when African-Americans were looking for a voice, and artists like Mayfield, James Brown and Sly Stone provided it. After going solo, Mayfield released his most popular album, the soundtrack to Superfly. With hit songs like “Pusherman,” “Freddie’s Dead,” and “Superfly,” the album is considered one of the most influential in African-American history. It was also one of the earliest soul concept albums. Mayfield stayed active throughout the ’80s, but in August of 1990, he was struck by falling lighting gear while backstage at a concert. The accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Amazingly, he was able to create one last album – writing the songs, directing the musicians and crew from a bed, and painfully recording the vocals while flat on his back. The album was 1997’s New World Order. On December 26, 1999, Curtis Mayfield, age 57, passed away following a decade of poor health and complications from the accident.

Died On This Date (Decemeber 31, 2009) Earl Gaines / Nashville Soul Star

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (December 30, 1967) Bert Berns / Legendary Songwriter and Label Head

Died On This Date (December 30, 1998) Johnny Moore / The Drifters

Died On This Date (December 28, 1976) Freddie King / Texas Blues Great

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (December 26, 1999) Curtis Mayfield / Soul Music Pioneer

What You Should Own

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