Rock

Died On This Date (July 29, 1974) Mama Cass Elliot / The Mamas & The Papas

Cass Elliot (Born Ellen Cohen)
September 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974

casselliottMama Cass, as she was known, is best remembered as one of the singing women of ’60s folk rock band, The Mamas & The Papas.  She, along with Michelle Philips, John Phillips and Denny Doherty made records that are considered to be staples of the psychedelic pop scene of the late ’60s and early ’70s.  Such hits included “California Dreamin'” and “Monday Monday.”   Born in Baltimore, Elliot moved to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway.  After appearing in a few musicals, Elliot set her sights on the local folk music scene, eventually falling in with Doherty who would later recruit the Phillips’ to form The Mamas & The Papas.  The group worked together until 1971, after which Elliot released solo records, including the hit, “Dream A Little Dream of Me.”  She was also a popular personality on television, appearing regularly on such programs as Hollywood Squares, The Mike Douglas Show and Match Game.    Contrary to the popular myth that she choked to death on a sandwich, Mama Cass died of a heart attack in her sleep following a London performance.  She was just 32.  The Who’s Keith Moon died in the same room four years later.

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Dream a Little Dream: The Cass Elliott Collection - Cass Elliot

Died On This Date (July 28, 1996) Marge Ganser / The Shangri-Las

Marge Ganser
1947 – July 28, 1996

Marge Ganser was one of the four singers in the ’60s girl group, the Shangri-Las.  She, along with identical twin, Mary Ann Ganser,  and another set of sisters, Mary Weiss and Betty Weiss, recorded such hits as “Leader Of The Pack” and “Remember (Walking In The Sand).”  Even though Mary Weiss was the lead singer, the outspoken Marge was seen as the leader of the group.  After record label problems and a downturn in their popularity, the Shangri-Las called it quits in 1968.  Marge Ganser later went to work for the telephone company and died of breast cancer on July 28, 1996.

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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Shangri-Las - The Shangri-Las


Died On This Date (July 28, 1995) Eddie Hinton / Muscle Shoals Guitarist

Eddie Hinton
June 15, 1944 – July 28, 1995

Eddie Hinton was one of those great unknowns. As a session guitarist within the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, his brilliance can be heard on hits by the likes of Wilson Pickett, Arthur Conley, Aretha Franklin, Joe Tex, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, The Staple Singers, The Dells, Johnnie Taylor, Elvis Presley, the Box Tops, Boz Scaggs, and Otis Redding. And as a songwriter, he penned a few hits as well, including “Breakfast In Bed” which has been recorded by the Pretenders, Dusty Springfield and UB40. During the early ’80s however, Hinton’s career and personal life took a drastic turn for the worse, at one point, leading him to a life on the streets. But with the help of friends, he was able to rebound and get back to doing what he did best – writing, recording and touring. Things were going pretty smooth for Hinton until July of 1995. He had just come of the road and was finishing up a new album when he suffered a fatal heart attack on July 28. He was 51.

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Eddie Hinton

Died On This Date (July 27, 2008) Graeme Crallan / White Spirit; Tank

Graeme Crallan
1958 – July 27, 2008

Grame Crallan on left

Graeme Crallan was a British heavy metal drummer who first came to prominence during the New Wave of British Metal of the mid ’70s. In 1975, he and future Iron Maiden guitarist, Janick Gers formed White Spirit who released one Deep Purple influenced album in 1980.  They parted ways about a year later.  A few years later, Crallan joined another metal band, the more aggressive Tank who’s fate was not much different from that of White Spirit’s.  Graeme Crallan died of head injuries he sustained when he collapsed and fell while walking along a London street.  The cause of his collapse is unknown.

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Tank

Died On This Date (July 27, 2001) Leon Wilkeson / Lynyrd Skynyrd

Leon Wilkeson
April 2, 1952 – July 27, 2001

Leon Wilkeson was an up-and-coming bassist in and around Jacksonville, Florida when he was asked to join Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972.  Although he didn’t play on the band’s debut album due to his own apprehension, he played with them for the better part of the next 30 years.  With his help, Lynyrd Skynyrd became one of the biggest rock bands of the ’70s.  In 1977, tragedy struck when the band’s plane crashed killing band members, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and road manager Dean Kilpatrick.  Wilkeson was one of the few passangers who survived.  The band undertandably dissolved by reformed with the surviving members in 1987.  Leon Wilkeson died of emphysema and liver disease on July 27, 2001.

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Second Helping (Remastered) - Lynyrd Skynyrd