but the songs live on forever

Singer

Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 23, 1978) Terry Kath / Chicago

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Terry Kath
January 31, 1946 – January 23, 1978

Terry Kath was the founding lead guitarist for the massively popular jazz/rock fusion band, Chicago.  Formed while most of the members were in college, the group went on to sell over 120 million albums while charting the most singles of any act during the ’70s.  What separated Chicago from other rock groups of the era was their use of a horn section as a lead instrument.  And it could only take a guitarist as talented as Kath to shine through.  He was such a guitar wizard, that many of his parts, some of which are instantly recognizable, were recorded in one take.  Kath can also be heard singing lead on several Chicago songs, most notably, “Colour My World” and “Make Me Smile.”  On January 23, 1978, Kath was with one of the crew members after a party.  While at the roadie’s home, Kath grabbed an unloaded pistol and jokingly put it to his head and fired several empty shots.  He then grabbed a second pistol, thinking it was also unloaded, and fired a bullet into his head, killing him instantly.  He was 31 years old.

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Chicago IX - Chicago's Greatest Hits - Chicago

Early Rock R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 23, 1997) Richard Berry / Gave Us “Louie Louie”

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Richard Berry
April 11, 1935 – January 23, 1997

Richard Berry could rightfully be called a “one-hit wonder,” but oh, what a hit it was!  After a few years working with a few different doo-wop acts, Berry sat down in 1955, and wrote “Louie Louie,”  a song that would later be recorded by the Kingsmen and become synonymous with drunken frat parties.   It was also a foundation upon which garage rock was built.  The song has been recorded over 1000 times, but unfortunately, Berry sold away his rights to it in 1959.  He was, however, able to collect a significant amount in royalties during the mid ’80s and again in the early ’90s.  Berry’s health began to decline in later years, and on January 23, 1997, he died of heart failure at the age of 61.

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Have

Folk Singer

Died On This Date (January 23, 1976) Paul Robeson / Folk Great

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Paul Robeson
April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976

Paul Robeson was an amazing renaissance man.  He was an internationally famous stage and screen actor, multi-lingual orator, scholar, professional athlete, social justice activist, lawyer, and a singer who possessed a booming baritone voice.  With all that came controversy.  Due to his vocal social justice beliefs and worldwide fame, he found himself to be a direct target by the government and media during the McCarthy era.  Robeson is perhaps best known as the first African-American actor to portray Othello on Broadway.  He was also played the iconic character, “Joe” (which was written for him) in the London, Broadway, and film versions of Show Boat.  His version of the show’s “Ol’ Man River,” is considered to be definitive one.  Other recordings, like 1939’s Ballad For Americans, made him a hero to the ’60s folk movement.  There is far too much about this remarkable man to be included here, so do yourself a favor and read more about him elsewhere.  Paul Robeson was 77 when he died of a stroke on January 23, 1976.

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Ballad For Americans - Paul Robeson

Blues Gospel Jazz Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 23, 1993) Thomas A. Dorsey / The Father Of Gospel Music

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Thomas A. Dorsey
July 1, 1899 – January 23, 1993

Thomas A. Dorsey was a ’20s era singer, musician and composer who has been called the “Father of Gospel.”  Dorsey’s career began in jazz during the early ’20s, a time when he formed the backing band for Ma Rainey.  In 1928, and going by the name, Georgia Tom, Dorsey teamed up with Tampa Red to record “Tight Like That” which went on to sell seven million copies.  Over the course of his career, he is said to have written over 400 songs.  During the mid ’20s, Dorsey set his focus creating a music that would become known as Gospel.  He took standard Christian praise and married it with jazz and blues.  Many of his gospel songs have become standards and have been recorded by greats of future generations of rock ‘n roll and R&B.  Thomas A. Dorsey was 93 when he passed away on January 23, 1993.

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Precious Lord Recordings of the Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey - Thomas A. Dorsey

Easy Listening Jazz Musician Singer

Died On This Date (January 23, 1936) John Mills, Jr. / The Mills Brothers

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John Mills, Jr.
October 19, 1910 – January 23, 1936

John Mills, Jr. with guitar
John Mills, Jr. with guitar

John Mills, Jr. along with his three brothers made up the Mills Brothers, a popular jazz vocal quartet throughout most of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.  John Jr. sang bass in the group and played guitar.  Their songbook included such hits as “Tiger Rag,” “Dinah,” and “St. Louis Blues.”  As the boys were just starting to establish themselves on the world stage, tragedy struck while on their first European tour as John Jr. came down with pneumonia with which he struggled for several months.  After they assumed he was well, the group headed back to England where John Jr. once again became sick, only this time resulting in his sudden death on January 24, 1936.   The guys eventually regrouped and struck out again with their father, John Sr. filling the vacant slot.



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