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International Musician Pop Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 11, 2024) Françoise Hardy / Popular 1960s French Singer

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Françoise Hardy
January 7, 1944 – June 11, 2024

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As reported by Joe Taysom in Far Out Magazine, renowned French singer-songwriter Françoise Hardy has passed away at the age of 80, following a prolonged illness.

Hardy stands as one of France’s most celebrated cultural icons. Born in Paris in 1944, near the end of World War II, she emerged as a key figure in the 1960s yé-yé movement. Her distinctive voice left an indelible mark on music, seamlessly transitioning from poignant adolescent ballads to sophisticated pop classics. Even in her later years, her work, such as the 2018 album Personne d’Autre, remained emotionally resonant and captivating.

Hardy burst onto the scene at 18 with her debut single, “Tous les garçons et les filles,” in 1962, followed by her self-titled debut album. Her musical prowess garnered admiration from contemporaries like Bob Dylan and established her as a French icon. Her influence extended beyond music, as she appeared in films such as Roger Vadim’s Château en Suède and Jean-Luc Godard’s Masculin féminin, though music always remained her true passion.

Beyond her artistic achievements, Hardy also became a muse for influential fashion designers, including Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne, further cementing her status as a cultural icon. In recognition of her contributions to French culture, Hardy was awarded the Grande Médaille De La Chanson Française in 2006, a prestigious honor given to a select few.

Hardy married fellow musician Jacques Dutronc in 1981, and the couple remained together until her death. In her later years, Hardy was candid about her health struggles. Diagnosed with MALT lymphoma in 2005, she faced significant health challenges and a gradual decline. In 2018, she was further diagnosed with a tumor in her ear.

In a 2021 interview with Femme Actuelle, Hardy revealed that she could no longer sing due to her health issues, stating, “My physical suffering has already been so terrible that I am afraid that death will force me to go through even more physical suffering.” Françoise Hardy’s legacy as a multifaceted artist and cultural icon will endure, remembered for her contributions to music, film, and fashion, and for her courageous openness about her personal battles.

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Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (May 18, 2024) Spider John Koerner / Influential Folk Singer

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John Koerner
August 31, 1938 – May 18, 2024

Photo credit: Dktrfz via wikimedia

As reported by Chris Riemenschneider in the Minneapolis Start Tribune, Spider John Koerner, a revered American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, passed away at the age of 85 after a battle with cancer. Known primarily for his work with the influential blues trio Koerner, Ray & Glover, alongside Dave Ray and Tony Glover, Koerner also enjoyed a prolific solo career and collaborated with Willie Murphy.

Koerner’s impact on music was profound with no less than Bob Dylan citing him as an early influence in his autobiography, Chronicles. Koerner was known for his distinctive style, playing a big-body 12-string acoustic guitar and performing a repertoire that spanned traditional folk and blues songs, as well as his own originals.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Koerner became a cornerstone of Minneapolis’ West Bank folk and blues scene in the early 1960s. He mentored a young Bob Dylan and recorded albums that left a lasting impression on artists like John Lennon, David Bowie, Bonnie Raitt, and Beck.

Koerner’s life in Minnesota began in 1956 when he moved to study aeronautical engineering. Despite his fascination with engineering, his path veered towards music after a stint in the Marine Corps. The formation of Koerner, Ray & Glover in 1963 marked the beginning of his musical career, with their debut album Blues, Rags & Hollers released on Elektra Records, followed by Lots More Blues, Rags & Hollers in1964. Although their records didn’t achieve commercial success, they were treasured by musicians of the time. Lennon praised their first album in a 1964 Melody Maker profile, and Bowie later lauded it in a 2016 Vanity Fair story. The trio also gained recognition through their performances at the Newport Folk Festival, sharing the stage with blues legends like Muddy Waters and Son House.

After the trio disbanded in the late ’60s, Koerner continued to make his mark with the 1969 album Running, Jumping, Standing Still, a collaboration with Willie Murphy. The album featured the track “I Ain’t Blue,” which Bonnie Raitt covered on her debut album.

Koerner’s legacy was celebrated in 2012 when he returned to the Newport Folk Festival after a 43-year hiatus, receiving a warm welcome from younger fans and musicians like Conor Oberst and Trampled by Turtles.

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Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (April 21, 2024) Alex Hassilev / The Limeliters

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Alex Hassilev
July 11, 1932 – April 21, 2024

Photo credit: Jack de Nijs via wikimedia

As reported by Clay Risen at The New York Times, the last original member of the Limeliters, Alex Hassilev, passed away on April 21 at the age of 91.

During the early ’60s, American audiences couldn’t get enough of the harmonies and traditional sounds of folk music. Among the most beloved acts of that era were the Limeliters – a trio comprised of Alex Hassilev, Glenn Yarbrough, and Lou Gottlieb. Hassilev, a skilled musician fluent in multiple languages, played banjo, guitar, and sang baritone for the group.

The Limeliters’ performances were marked by a unique blend of seriousness and humor, mixing traditional folk tunes like “The Hammer Song” with playful compositions such as “Have Some Madeira, M’Dear,” “The Ballad of Sigmund Freud,” and “Charlie the Midnight Marauder.” Before the Beatles came ashore, the trio were a powerhouse, playing an astonishing 300 shows a year and releasing multiple Billboard Top 10 albums, including Tonight in Person (1960) and The Slightly Fabulous Limeliters (1961).

Born in Paris to Russian Jewish immigrants Leonide and Tamara Hassilev, Alex Hassilev showed early promise as a student, attending Harvard after his military service. Disillusioned by what he perceived as elitism, he transferred to the University of Chicago and eventually found his way into acting and music, gravitating towards New York’s burgeoning folk scene in Greenwich Village.

The fateful meeting with Glenn Yarbrough at a party led to the formation of the Limeliters, who quickly gained popularity along the West Coast. Their official debut occurred after establishing a loyal following in San Francisco, leading to a recording contract with Elektra Records.

Despite their on-stage success, the Limeliters were famously known for their off-stage conflicts, earning them the nickname the Bicker Brothers. After Yarbrough’s departure following a plane crash in 1962, the group disbanded in 1965, with Hassilev pursuing solo projects in acting and record producing. His musical career continued with sporadic Limeliters reunions, solidifying in 1981 with a new lineup. Following the deaths of Lou Gottlieb in 1996 and Glenn Yarbrough in 2016, Alex eventually retired from the Limeliters in 2006.

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Christian Gospel Musician Singer

Died On This Date (April 18, 2024) Mandisa / Grammy-Winning Christian Singer

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Mandisa Lynn Hundley
October 2, 1976 – April 18, 2024

Photo by By Jyle Dupuis via wikimedia

As reported by Lisa Respers France at CNN, soulful Christian artist Mandisa, known for her Grammy-winning vocals and initial rise to fame as a contestant on “American Idol” in 2006, has passed away at the age of 47. Born Mandisa Lynn Hundley, she hailed from Citrus Heights, California, where her journey in music began within the walls of her local church.

Her roots in music deepened as she pursued studies in vocal jazz at American River College in Sacramento, California. Later, she became a member of the renowned Fisk University Jubilee Singers during her time at Fisk University in Nashville.

In 2005, Mandisa auditioned for “American Idol” and subsequently became a contestant on the fifth season of the popular singing competition in 2006. Although she didn’t advance beyond the top 10, her passion for music persevered.

Undeterred by her “American Idol” journey, Mandisa released her debut album, True Beauty, in 2007. The album soared to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart, marking the beginning of a successful career that included numerous Grammy nominations.

Throughout the years, Mandisa continued to release impactful albums, with highlights including Overcomer in 2013, which clinched her the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2014. Her contributions to the gospel music scene will be remembered and cherished by fans worldwide.

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Musician R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (August 16, 2018) Aretha Franklin / The Queen of Soul

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Aretha Franklin
March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018

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Known around the world as “The Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, 76, passed away in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan on August 16, 2018. She had been battling pancreatic cancer. Over the course of an astonishing career that spanned six decades, Franklin sold over 75 million records and was awarded 18 Grammys. She’s been honored countless times, including her 1987 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the very first time for a female.  Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin was living in Detroit her family by the time she was five. As a child, she famously began singing at the New Bethel Baptist Church where her father had taken over the pastorship. When she turned 18, Franklin launched her professional career, first signing with Columbia Records and then, in 1967, with Atlantic Records with whom she recorded over the next two decades.  During that time, she achieved her most success, cranking out hits like “I Never Loved A Man (Like I Love You),” “Rock Steady,” “Do Right Woman, Do Right Woman,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and her stunning cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect.” The single shot to the top of the charts and became an empowerment anthem for women around the world. It is considered a flash point of the Civil Rights Movement.  The song is often included in discussions about the greatest pop songs of all time.  Moving over to Arista Records in the early ’80s, Franklin revisited the charts again with hits like “Freeway of Love,” “Who’s Zoomin’ Who,” and “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with George Michael. Franklin continued to record and perform until her health sidelined her in late 2017. Her final performance was at Elton John’s 25th anniversary event for his AIDS Foundation on November 7, 2017.

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