Singer

Died On This Date (July 14, 1980) Malcolm Owen / The Ruts

Malcolm Owen
DOB Unknown – July 14, 1980

Malcolm Owen was the lead singer for British band, the Ruts, who scored a UK Top 10 hit with “Babylon’s Burning.” The reggae influenced punk band was part of an organization called the People Unite Collective and therefore very active in anti-racist causes. And although several of their songs had an anti-drug message, Owen died of a heroin overdose on July 14, 1980 at the age of 26.

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The Ruts


Died On This Date (July 13, 1984) Philippe Wynne / The Spinners

Philippe Wynne
April 3, 1941 – July 13, 1984

wynnePhilippe Wynne is best remembered as a one-time lead singer for the Spinners during the band’s hit-making years of the ’70s.  Prior to the Spinners, Wynne briefly sang in Bootsy Collins’ Pacesetters and James Brown’s JBs.  With the Spinners, Wynne sang lead on such hits as “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “One Of A Kind Love Affair,” and “The Rubberband Man.”  Wynne left the group in 1977 and briefly sang in George Clinton’s Parliament.  Phillipe Wynne died the day after he suffered a heart attack while performing on stage in Oakland, California.  He was 43.

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The Very Best of the Spinners - The Spinners

 

Died On This Date (July 12, 1979) Minnie Riperton / R&B Great

Minnie Riperton
November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979

Minnie Riperton was the five-octave voice behind one of soul music’s greatest ballads, “Loving You.”   After studying music as a child, Riperton began her career while still in high school when she joined a Chicago group, the Gems, who then signed to Chess and released a few records.  At around this time, Riperton was also singing back up on recordings by the likes of Etta James and Fontella Bass.  After graduating, Riperton got a job as a receptionist at Chess who subsequently signed her to a solo contract, but under the name, Andrea Davis.   Later fronting a soul band called the Rotary Connection, Riperton met her future husband, composer Richard Rudolph.  They would later have a daughter, Maya Rudolph, a future actress and cast member of Saturday Night Live.  After a few years fronting Rotary Connection, Riperton and Rudolph took some time off and later moved to Los Angeles where they hooked up with Stevie Wonder who co-produced Riperton’s breakthrough album, 1974’s Perfect Angel which included the world wide smash hit, “Loving You.”   But within two years, Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy which couldn’t stop the spread of the disease.  Even with her health failing, Riperton continued to work up until recording what would be her final album, 1979’s Minnie.  She died of cancer later that year at the age of 31.

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Perfect Angel - Minnie Riperton



On This Date (July 12, 2008) Earl Nelson / Bob & Earl

Earl Lee Nelson
September 8, 1928 – July 12, 2008

With Barry White

Earl Nelson a member of the popular doo-wop group, the Hollywood Flames, and later, half Bob & Earl. With the Hollywood Flames, Nelson sang lead on what would become their biggest hit, “Buzz Buzz Buzz.”  In 1963, Bob & Earl wrote and released, “Harlem Shuffle,” which was produced by Barry White.  The song, now considered a soul classic was made into a hit by  the Rolling Stones in 1986.  Earl Nelson passed away at 79 on July 12, 2008.  He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

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Bob & Earl  - The Class Years (feat. Bobby Day & Earl Palmer) - Bob & Earl feat. Bobby Day & Earl



Died On This Date (July 12, 1983) Chris Wood / Founding Member Of Traffic

Chris Wood
June 24, 1944 – July 12, 1983

Chris Wood was not only a founding member of English rock band, Traffic, he was good enough to play alongside the great Jimi Hendrix, appearing on 1968’s Electric Ladyland.  A multi-instrumentalist, Wood was known for his skills on the flute, keyboards and saxophone.  He also co-wrote several of Traffic’s songs and sang back up for them.  Throughout the late ’60s and ’70s, Wood lent his talents to such artists as Dr. John, Ginger Baker, Free, the Faces and John Martyn.  Wood suffered from drug and alcohol abuse throughout his career but would die of pneumonia on July 12, 1983 while working on a solo album.

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The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Bonus Tracks) - Traffic