Died On This Date (July 31, 1964) Jim Reeves / Country Music Icon
themusicsover Jim Reeves
August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964
When Jim Reeves graduated from college, he played semi-pro baseball until he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944. An ankle injury put the brakes on his baseball career while still in the farm system. Reeves soon turned his sights on music and by the late ’40s was making records and was part of Moon Mulican’s band. Reeves later made his solo radio debut on the highly influential program, Louisiana Hayride, reportedly as a last-minute replacement for Hank Williams. He eventually signed with RCA Records where, with the help of producer, Chet Atkins he released a string of hits including “Four Walls” and “He’ll Have To Go.” His smooth voice and style came to exemplify the “Nashville Sound.” Jim Reeves died when the small plane he was piloting crashed in bad weather over Tennessee. He was 40 years old.
What You Should Own
Coming to prominence in the Detroit’s underground rap scene of the ’90s, Baatin was part of the popular rap group, Slum Village. The group released several albums throughout its career, including a couple for Capitol Records. Baatin left the group in 2002 due to undisclosed health reasons. He passed away at the age of 35 on July 31, 2009. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Lee Young was a respected jazz drummer, record producer, and A&R man who is credited for discovering Steely Dan. He was also the younger brother of famed jazz saxophonist, 
Biggie Tembo was the charismatic lead singer and primary songwriter for the Zimbabwe band, Bhundu Boys. Formed in 1981, the Bhundu Boys were very popular thanks to their unique style that married the local “chimurenga” music with elements of American rock, disco and country. During the mid ’80s, their music began turning on new fans beyond Africa. Both Elvis Costello and Eric Clapton raved about them, and Madonna invited them to open her Wembley Stadium. Due to internal politics, Tembo left the band in 1990. He committed suicide five years later.