Died On This Date (July 29, 1988) Pete Drake / Pedal Steel Legend & Successful Producer

Roddis “Pete” Drake
October 8, 1932 – July 29, 1988

L-R: Pete Drake, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Billy Preston

Pete Drake was an in-demand Nashville producer and pedal steel guitarist during the ’60s and ’70s.  In 1950, Drake formed an Atlanta-based  band that included Joe South, Doug Kershaw, Jerry Reed and Roger Miller.  He later moved to Nashville where he played on hits by the likes of Bob Dylan, Lynn AndersonTammy Wynette, Joan Baez, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.  While in Nashville he developed a unique device to play his guitar through – it was called a “talk box” and it would reach the masses in later recordings  by Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh.  Drake died of lung cancer on July 29, 1988.

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For Pete's Sake - Pete Drake

Died On This Date (July 25, 2008) Michael Berniker / Produced Barbra Streisand

Michael Berniker
June 30, 1935 – July 25, 2008

Michael Berniker was a nine-time Grammy Award winning record producer who worked with such superstars as Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, and Perry Como.  After studying music in college, Berniker came out swinging by producing Streisand’s first three albums, considered her best by many.  And this was all before he even turned 30.  In later years, as an executive for RCA Records, Berniker signed such acts as Juice Newton and Hall & Oates.  He died of kidney disease at 73.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at  Number1Albums for the lead.



Died On This Date (July 18, 2011) Richard “Big Stiff” Konwinski / Florida Punk Pioneer; Founder Of Stiff Pole Records

Richard “Big Stiff” Konwinski
January 17, 1961 – July 18, 2010

Richard Konwinski was a longtime champion of the Tampa, Florida area punk scene.  After growing up in Michigan, Konwinski uprooted in 1981 and moved to Florida.  He quickly became entrenched in the local punk scene, which actually stretched down to the southern tip of the state.  After spending much of his time at concerts by local acts as well as by the bigger acts who toured through the area, Konwinski decided to start his own label, Stiff Pole Records with childhood friend, Tim Hubbard.  Over the next decade the label built a following by releasing records by such acts as Pink Lincolns, GoToHells, and No Fraud.  Konwinski all but shuttered the label by the end of the ’90s, only to revive it during the latter part of the 2000s.  Bands recently signed to the label include Last Great Hope and the Doll Parts.  Richard Konsinski’s health was reportedly ailing during his final years.  He was 49 when he ultimately passed away on July 18, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.


Died On This Date (July 17, 1996) Chas Chandler / The Animals; Managed Jimi Hendrix

Chas Chandler
December 18, 1938 – July 17, 1996

Chas Chandler wore many hats throughout his music career. During the early ’60s, he co-founded the Animals with Alan Price and Eric Burdon, playing bass for the band.  After the group broke up, he got into artist management, his famous client being Jimi Hendrix.  Later, he produced records for Slade and Nick Drake while running his own recording studio and eventually starting his own label, Barn Records.  In his later years, Chandler helped develop the Newcastle Arena, which opened in 1995.  Chandler died of a heart condition on July 17 of the following year.



Died On This Date (July 16, 2008) Jo Stafford / American Vocalist

Jo Stafford
November 12, 1917 – July 16, 2008

Jo Stafford was one of America’s greatest voices over a career that spanned some forty years.  Stafford’s first job of note was singing back-up on Fred Astaire’s soundtrack to A Damsel In Distress.  Stafford soon joined the vocal group, the Pied Pipers whose popularity grew thanks in part, to their regular appearances on Tommy Dorsey’s radio program.   Besides backing Frank Sinatra on several of his early records, the Pied Pipers were one of the first acts signed to Capitol Records.  Over the course of her long career, Stafford recorded numerous hits including “You Belong To Me,” “The Trolley Song” and “Say Something Sweet To Your Sweetheart” (with Gordon MacRae).  Jo Stafford died of congestive heart failure at the age of 90.

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Capitol Collectors Series: Jo Stafford - Jo Stafford