Died On This Date (August 16, 2008) Ronnie Drew / The Dubliners
themusicsover Ronnie Drew
September 16, 1934 – August 16, 2008
Best remembered as the front man of the Dubliners, Ronnie Drew was a world renowned Irish folk musician and singer. He formed the group in the early ’60s and soon they were one of Ireland’s most popular folk bands thanks to many shows throughout the pubs and hotels in Dublin and beyond. Drew left the group in the mid ’90s and found a new audience thanks to collaborations with the likes of Dropkick Murphys, U2’s The Edge, the Pogues and Christy Moore. He died after a long struggle with cancer on August 16, 2008. He was 73.
What You Should Own
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a popular Punjabi singer and musician who played a form of Islamic music. In 2006, Time magazine included him of a list of Asian heroes, while Spin called him one of 1998’s most influential musicians. Khan found an audience in the West thanks to his work with Peter Gabriel which began in the mid ’80s, and later with Eddie Vedder and Massive Attack. His 1997 Intoxicated Spirit received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk album. Over the course of his 30+ year career, he recorded an astonishing 125 albums. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died of cardiac arrest while awaiting a kidney transplant. He was 48 years old.
Ola Belle Reed was a respected folk and old-timey singer-songwriter and banjo player. She got her start playing with the North Carolina Ridge Runners in 1936. In 1945, Reed was offered a slot in 
Jim Dickinson was a much respected Memphis musician and producer who is best remembered for his production work with the Replacements, Big Star, Alex Chilton, and Willy DeVille among others. As a musician, he played piano on such landmark songs as the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” and the Flamin’ Groovies “Teenage Head.” He’s also worked with the likes of Bob Dylan and Ry Cooder. Dickinson also released several acclaimed albums throughout his career. Talent runs in the Dickinson family, his sons Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson have a popular band, the North Mississippi Allstars. Jim Dickinson died in his sleep following heart surgery. He was 67.
Lew DeWitt is best remembered as a singer and guitarist in the Statler Brothers. He also penned a handful of their songs, including “Since Then,” and “Flowers On The Wall” which made it to #4 on the Billboard singles chart in 1965. The song found a new audience thanks to its prominent placement in Pulp Fiction in 1994. In 1982, DeWitt left the group for health reasons. In 1990, DeWitt passed away after years of struggle with Chron’s disease.