Died On This Date (June 7, 2009) Kenny Rankin / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Kenny Rankin
February 10, 1942 – June 7, 2009
Kenny Rankin was one of America’s most popular soft rock singer-songwriters during the 1970s. Frequently appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Rankin released his debut album in 1967. That album, Mind Dusters, included the hit, “Peaceful” which not only became his signature song, but was also hits for Helen Reddy and Georgie Fame. His “On And On” would later become a huge hit for Stephen Bishop. Rankin had such fans in Paul McCartney and John Lennon, that in 1987, they asked him to represent them when they were elected into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. Kenny Rankin died of lung cancer on June 7, 2009.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
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Stuart Cable was a Welsh TV talk show host who is perhaps best remembered as the original drummer for the British alternative rock band, Stereophonics. Formed in the early ’90s, the band were the first to be singed to Richard Branson’s post-Virgin record label, V2. Stereophonics went on to release several internationally popular albums, with five of them topping the British charts. Outside of Stereophonics, Cable also played in such bands as Nail Bombs, Stone Gods, and most recently, Killing For Company. Cable was also a familiar presence on British television and radio. He hosted the Kerrang! Awards and had a couple of programs on the BBC. He also had his own BBC radio program, Saturday Night Cable on which he interviewed popular rock musicians. In 2009, Cable released his autobiography, Demons and Cocktails: My Life With The Stereophonics. On June 7, 2010, Stuart Cable, age 40, was found dead in his home. No foul play was initially suspected.
Besides winning a Grammy for his own work, keyboardist Billy Preston made major contributions to some of the greatest names in pop music history. He can be heard playing alongside the Rolling Stones, Little Richard, 
Dana Key was a prominent Christian rock musician who is perhaps best remembered as one half of DeGarmo & Key, a duo he had with Eddie DeGarmo. Formed in 1978, DeGarmo & Key released several popular Christian based albums throughout the the ’80s and ’90s, many of which nominated for Grammy and Dove awards. In 1985, their “Six Six Six” became the first video by a Christian music act to air on MTV. Key was also a direct descendant of Francis Scott Key who wrote the “Star Spangled Banner.” After he retired from performing, Key ran the popular Memphis independent label, Ardent Records. On June 6, 2010, Dana Key died unexpectedly of a ruptured blood clot. He was 56 years old.