Died On This Date (January 26, 2012) Clare Fischer / Legendary Arranger, Composer & Jazz Musician
themusicsover Clare Fischer
October 22, 1928 – January 26, 2012
Clare Fischer was a pianist, composer and arranger who, besides having his own respectable career as a musician, arranged music for some of pop music’s biggest stars. Fischer was still a child when he first started making music, and after graduating from college and serving in the Army, he pursued a career in music. During the late ’50s, he took on his first gig of note as the pianist and arranger for popular vocal quartet, the Hi-Los. It was his work with the group that helped establish them as a major influence on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones. It was around that time that he also arranged music for jazz greats Cal Tjader, Donald Byrd, and George Shearing among others. Fischer began recording his own albums in 1962. His output includes First Time Out, Surging Ahead, and Clare Fischer & Salsa Picante Present 2+2 , for which he won a Grammy. Throughout his career, he was recognized with 11 Grammy nominations and two wins. In 1985, Fischer began writing arrangements for Prince. Albums on which they collaborated include Under A Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge. Other artists he arranged for include Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Robert Palmer. On January 26, 2012, Clare Fischer died as a result of a heart attack he suffered some three weeks prior. He was 83.
Thanks to Ken McCullagh for the assist.
What You Should Own
Dick Kniss was a talented bassist who is best remembered for his tenure with both singer-songwriter, 
Referred to as the “Godfather Of Rhythm and Blues,” Johnny Otis was a man of many aspirations and musical talents. Born and raised in the San Francisco area, Otis went on to become a successful bandleader, producer, songwriter, journalist, talent scout, arranger, disc jockey, vibraphonist, drummer, club owner, merchant, and even politician. His most popular contribution to popular music came by way of “Willie and the Hand Jive,” which sold over 1.5 million copies, rose to #9 on the pop charts, and has since been recorded by the likes of George Thorogood, 
Robbie France was a respected rock drummer whose resume includes stints with Diamond Head, UFO, Wishbone Ash, and Skunk Anansie. Born in England, France moved to Australia when he was around 10 years old, and by the time he was 15, he was teaching drums at the Australia Academy of Music. He soon formed the jazz fusion group, Carnival, who built a respectable following throughout Australia. As a session player, France worked with most major Australian acts and played on over 1000 pieces for television and film. In 1982, France returned to England, and within a year, he was invited to play with Diamond Head, one of the premier bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. He can be heard on their third album, Canterbury, as well as one of its biggest hits, “Makin’ Music.” After leaving the group in 1985, France quickly found himself playing in UFO, but his tenure with the group was short-lived. France went on to form One Nation who put out three releases on I.R.S Records. He later played with Wishbone Ash, Skunk Anansie and Alphaville. In 2011, France released his first novel, Six Degrees South. Robbie France was 52 when he passed away on January 14, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.