Died On This Date (July 6, 2008) Ann Spencer Gates / Boston Disc Jockey; Matador Records

Ann Spencer Gates
March 25, 1959 – July 6, 2008

spencerAnn Spencer Gates was a Boston area disc jockey and later, publicist for Matador Records.  Moving from Buffalo to Boston for college in the late  ’70s, Gates soon had a radio program on MIT’s hip WMBR radio station.  She, along with friend Lisa “Sheena” Bucholz hosted “The Mystery Girls” where they were one of the first to champion such local bands as Lemonheads and Mission Of Burma.  By the late ’80s, Gates was living in New York City where she went to work for Matador Records as a publicist, working with such acts as Liz Phair, Pavement, Cat Power and Bettie Serveert.  Ann Spencer Gates died on July 6, 2008 after a long struggle with breast cancer.

Died On This Date (July 6, 2010) Harvey Fuqua / R&B Legend

Harvey Fuqua
July 27, 1929 – July 6, 2010

Harvey Fuqua was a much respected R&B performer, songwriter and producer who is mostly remembered for his longtime association with Motown Records. In 1951, Fuqua formed the Moonglows, a popular doo wop group who recorded such hits as “Sincerely,” “Don’t Be Afraid of Love,” and “Ten Commandments of Love.”  In 1958, Fuqua recruited a young singer, Marvin Gaye, whom he helped build his early career.  The Moonglows were eventually elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  After leaving the group, Fuqua formed his own label, the one-time home to the likes of the Spinners, Shorty Long, and Junior Walker.   By the end of the ’60s, he was working as an A&R man and producer at Motown, where he made significant contributions to the success of the label.  In later years, he produced hits for the like os Sylvester, the Weather Girls and again, Marvin Gaye.  Harvey Fuqua was 80 when he died of a heart attack on July 6, 2010.

What You Should Own

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Moonglows - The Moonglows

Died On This Date (July 6, 1979) Van McCoy / Had Hit With “The Hustle”

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

The Hustle and the Best of Van McCoy - Van McCoy

Died On This Date (2009) Allen Klein / Managed the Beatles, Rolling Stones

Allen Klein
December 18, 1931 – July 4, 2009

allan_kleinAllen Klein was a record company executive and powerful artist manager during the 1960s.  Known as a ruthless businessman, many artists benefited from his abilities to get them better record deals and higher royalties.  His client list included Bobby Darin, Herman’s Hermits, Sam Cooke, and most famously, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.   His relationships with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles would eventually sour, ending in lawsuits. Some Beatles fans reportedly blamed tensions caused by Allen for driving the band apart.  Allen Klein died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 77.


Died On This Date (June 30, 2001) Chet Atkins / Country Music Icon

Chet Atkins
June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001

Chet Atkins was one of the most influential musicians to come out of Nashville. And yet, he was much more than that. Atkins worked on the business side as well, spending some time as an artist manager as well as Vice President of RCA Records‘ country division where he remarkably signed Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Bobby Bare, Connie Smith and Jerry Reed to name just a few. As a producer, Atkins made hits for Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Eddy Arnold, Waylon Jennings and many more. The sounds he created on record are credited as being one of the foundations of what would become known as the Nashville Sound. Atkins’ style of playing was itself influenced by the great Merle Travis and is one of the most difficult sounds to imitate, earning him the nickname, “Mister Guitar.” Over the course of his career, Atkins won fourteen Grammys, nine Country Music Association awards, and the Billboard Century award. He was also inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, invited to the White House to play for every president from Kennedy to Bush Sr., and had a stretch of highway in Georgia named after him. Atkins died of cancer on June 30, 2001.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Essential: Chet Atkins - Chet Atkins