Singer

Died On This Date (May 8, 1967) LaVerne Andrews / The Andrews Sisters

LaVerne Andrews
July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967

LaVerne Andrews, along with her two younger sisters, Maxene and Patty  were better known as the Andrews Sisters, the best-selling female vocal group in pop music history. Over their career, the Andrews’ recorded over 600 sides that sold over 75 million copies in all. They had 113 charted hits, 46 of which landing in the top 10, a feat that surpassed even Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The original group’s run can to an end when LaVerne died of cancer on May 8, 1967 at the age of 56.

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Died On This Date (May 7, 1998) Eddie Rabbitt / Country Superstar

Eddie Rabbitt
November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998

rabbittEddie Rabbit was a prolific country singer songwriter who achieved much of his success during the ’70s and ’80s.  Thanks to his hits, Rabbitt helped define what was considered “crossover” at the time, meaning that they appealed to both a country AND pop music fans.   Rabbitt’s first hit came as a songwriter in 1969 when Elvis Presley scored a gold record with his “Kentucky Rain.”  In 1974, Rabbitt signed to Elektra Records and proceeded to release a series of hits over the next ten  years or so.  In all, Rabbitt had 25 #1 country hits and eight Top 40 pop hits.  His biggest were “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” and “Drivin’ My Life Away.”  Eddie Rabbitt died of lung cancer at the age of 56.

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Died On This Date (May 7, 2009) Matt Mugridge / Cleveland Music Impresario

Matt Mugridge
1966 – May 7, 2009

mugridgeCleveland’s Matt Mugridge was a constant in the city’s changing music scene.  A passionate music fan and punk musician himself, Mugridge co-founded the legendary Grog Shop on Cleveland’s east side in 1992.    Thanks to Mugridge, future stars like Flaming Lips, Oasis and the Offspring played early gigs at the Grog Shop.  In later years, Mugridge opened a couple of other clubs and started his own film company where he shot live concert films for acts such as the Black Keys and Neko Case.  Mugridge passed away in his home on May 7, 2009.

Died On This Date (May 7, 2010) Dave Fisher / Lead Singer of the Highwaymen

Dave Fisher
DOB Unknown – May 7, 2010

Photo by Ken Greengrass

Dave Fisher is best remembered as the founding lead singer of ’60s folk group, the Highwaymen.  Formed in 1958, the group, along with the Kingston Trio, became popular along the college circuit while popularizing traditional American music with a whole new generation.  In 1961, the group scored their biggest hit with “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore,” which reached #1 on the singles chart and sold over a million copies.  That was followed by the nearly as successful, “Cottonfields.”  The Highwaymen broke up in 1964, but reunited a handful of times in later years.  At one point, Fisher moved to Hollywood where he composed music for film and television and worked as a studio singer and musician.  He was 69 when he died of a rare blood disease on May 7, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (May 6, 2006) Grant McClennan / The Go-Betweens

Grant McClennan
February 12, 1958 – May 6, 2006

Grant McClennan was an Australian singer-songwriter who is best remembered for co-founding the critically acclaimed alternative rock back, the Go-Betweens.  Formed with Robert Forster in 1977, the band released six albums until disbanding in 1989.  During their time together, McClennan and Forster were celebrated as their time’s greatest songwriting team by no less than the Village Voice.  As is often the case, despite such accolades and a rabid core fan base, the Go-Betweens never found the success they deserved.  Following the band’s break-up, McClennan released a handful of albums as both a solo artist and under collaboration with others.   In 2000, he reunited with the Go-Betweens for three more albums.  On May 6, 2006, Grant McClennan died of a fatal heart attack in his home.  He was 48.

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