Died On This Date (May 24, 2008) Sonny Okosun / Nigerian Pop Star
themusicsover Sonny Okosun
January 1, 1947 – May 24, 2008
Sonny Okosun was one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians through most of the ’70s and ’80s. His most popular song was 1977’s “Fire In Soweto,” which was featured on Little Steven’s anti-apartheid album, Sun City. Another of his songs, “High Life” was later featured on the soundtrack for 1986 film, Something Wild. By the mid 80s, Okosun had moved out of the pop arena and transitioned into gospel music. He died of colon cancer on May 24, 2008 at the age of 61.
Jay Bennett was an exceptional, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer most famously known for his years in Wilco. Prior to Wilco, Bennett helped found Titanic Love Affair in the early ’90s. He joined Wilco in 1994 and stayed with the group until a less-than-amicable split in 2001. After Wilco, Bennett released a handful of studio albums while appearing on several as an in-demand studio musician. He also produced albums by the likes of Blues Traveler. In May of 2009, Bennett filed a lawsuit against Jeff Tweedy of Wilco claiming, according to Paste Magazine, “Tweedy owes Bennett ‘damages of at least $50,000’ for his time in the band, including his less-than-favorable depiction in the 2002 Wilco documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.” Jay Bennett passed away of an accidental overdose from a prescription painkiller on May 23, 2009 . He was just 45.
Utah Phillips was a great folk singer, poet and much respected labor organizer. Phillips first picked up a ukulele when he was a child but soon switched to guitar after he moved to Yellowstone Park to work on a road crew. It was there that he was exposed to the music of 
Ashton Savoy was a talented blues guitarist and singer who eventually made the Houston area his home. Born in Louisiana, Savoy took his homegrown Creole sound and moved south in 1960. He settled in the heart of the Texas blues scene of Houston. Though diffiicult to find these days, Savoy made several recordings in the ’50 and ’60s. He also toured, both regionally and throughout Europe well into the 1990s. Ashton Savoy passed away after a long illness at the age of 80.
After a run singing with the Clara Ward Singers, Rudy Lewis joined the Drifters as part of the group’s second generation that followed 