Died On This Date (August 6, 2009) Eddie Daye / Washington DC Blues Fixture
themusicsover Eddie Daye
DOB Unknown – August 6, 2009
Eddie Daye was a long time fixture of the Washington DC blues scene. He and his family moved to the area when he was just a teenager but he was already a veteran of gospel choirs. He soon graduated to a local doo wop group, the 4 Bars who began playing along the local chitlin circuit. The group was put on hold in 1951 when Daye and another member were sent overseas during the Korean War. After returning home, the 4 Bars reformed and signed with regional boutique label, Josie Records. Their first single sold in the neighborhood of 150,000 units. The group continued to record and perform for many years to come. Daye was still a regional favorite through recent years. Eddie Daye died of undisclosed causes at the age of 78.
Otha Young was a guitarist and songwriter who worked with Juice Newton for many years. Over the course of his career, Young wrote such Newton hits as 1981’s “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” The two began playing together as Dixie Peach, but by the time Newton released her first album on RCA Records in 1975, she was using her own name. As a gifted guitarist, Young played alongside Newton through most of their careers. He can be heard on most of her hit records. Otha Young died as a result of cancer at the age of 66.
Although better known for her other iconic attributes, Marilyn Monroe definitely earned herself a spot in pop music history. After a less-than-spectacular childhood and early adult life, Monroe signed a contract with 20th Century Fox who began her with acting, singing and dancing lessons. Fox quickly dropped her. She was quickly picked up by Columbia Pictures who gave her first significant part in the 1949 musical, Ladies Of The Chorus, in which she sang two numbers. Four years later, she was well on her way to becoming a superstar, co-starring in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where she performed the scene-stealing “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.” in 1954, Monroe signed to RCA Victor Records and co-starred in the hit musical, There’s No Business Like Show Business. Throughout her career, she added her distinctive voice to songs written by the likes of 
Born in Louisiana but raised in Los Angeles, Willie Egan began playing the piano while still a pre-teen, and by the time he turned 15, he had a record deal and was cutting his first sides. Over the next decade, Egan would release such early R&B gems as “Wow Wow” and “Wear Your Black Dress.” Unfortunately, Egan never broke out as he should have – some blame poor management and sub par distribution of his records. By the late ’60s he was all but forgotten, working as a hospital orderly. In the early ’80s, Egan presumed dead, was located down-and-out in Los Angeles by a British record label head who arranged for him to perform in the UK, sparking a minor comeback. A live album of that event as well as another studio album followed shortly thereafter. On August 5, 2004 Walter Egan passed away after years suffering with cancer.
