Died On This Date (August 8, 2009) Michael Viner / ’70s Producer & Label Head
themusicsover Michael Viner
1944 – August 8, 2009
Although Michael Viner is likely best remembered as a pioneer in the audio books industry, he did make a significant mark on music as well. Viner was a record producer and label executive during the ’70s. While at MGM Records, Viner signed the likes of Debby Boone. As a producer, he worked with Sammy Davis Jr. on his biggest hit, “Candy Man,” and produced the Incredible Bongo Band’s minor hit, “Apache.” That song would become one of the foundations of rap and hip-hop, being sampled by the likes of Moby and LL Cool J. Viner passed away of cancer at the age of 65.
Willie DeVille was a much respected American singer, songwriter and musician who came to prominence fronting his own band, Mink DeVille, the one-time house band for legendary NYC club, CBGB’s. Although it’s difficult to label DeVille’s music, he had no problem fitting with the punk and new wave artists of the era with his musical stew of R&B, rock, cabaret, roots, blues, New Orleans, and country. Mink DeVille as a band was over by the mid ’80s, but DeVille continued to have a successful career (at least at the cultish level) well into the 2000s. Throughout his career, he worked with the likes of Brenda Lee, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler and 
John Hughes is best remembered as a writer or director of some of the most popular coming-of-age films of the ’80s. He was also responsible for introducing many new bands to American audiences thanks to their prominent placement in his films and soundtracks. Too most, John Hughes films were the first place they heard what would now be called “alternative” rock when it was still in it’s infancy. Movies like The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, Sixteen Candles, and Ferris Beuller’s Day Off featured future hits like Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” Yello’s “Oh Yeah,” Spandau Ballet’s “True,” and OMD’s “If You Leave.” And so golden was his touch, that MCA Records gave him his own boutique record label at the time. John Hughes died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 59.
Born into a musical family, Jeff Porcaro began playing the drums at an early age. His father was well-known session drummer, Joe Porcaro, and his brothers, Steve and Mike Porcaro are active studio musicians as well. Drum lessons began for Jeff at age seven, leading to a career as one of the most respected drummers of his time. At seventeen, Porcaro landed his first job, playing in Sonny & Cher’s touring band. By his twenties, he was playing with the likes of Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs. In 1977, Porcaro, Steve Lukather, and David Paich co-founded Grammy-winning rock band, Toto. Having sold some 30 million albums to date, they are considered to be one of the most successful mainstream rock bands of all time. Even with all that success, Porcaro had time to play on recordings by a who’s who of popular music, including Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Paul McCartney, 