Singer

Died On This Date (January 15, 1994) Harry Nilsson / Iconic Singer-Songwriter

Harry Nilsson
June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994

Harry Nilsson was a critically and commercially successful singer-songwriter who came to prominence during the 1970s.  He is best remembered for his hits, “Without You” (actually written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger)  and “Everybody’s Talkin'” from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack.  Nilsson began his career as a songwriter in the early ’60s and by 1964, he was working for Phil Spector.  During those early years, his songs were being recorded by the likes of the Monkees, Glen Campbell, the Shangri-Las and the Yardbirds.  He began releasing records under his own name in 1966.  Nilsson’s profile was significantly raised when he was embraced and touted by Paul McCartney and John Lennon as their favorite American artist.  During the ’70s, Nilsson had a flat in London where he’d stay from time to time.  It is notorious for being the location where both Cass Elliot and Keith Moon died four years apart.  Nilsson began to slow his career down by the ’80s.  After Lennon was murdered in 1980, he devoted much of his time and effort to raising money for gun control organizations.  Harry Nilsson suffered a massive heart attack in 1993 and died of heart failure on January 15, 1994.  He was 52.

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Nilsson Schmilsson - Harry Nilsson

Died On This Date (January 15, 1998) Junior Wells / Chicago Blues Legend

Junior Wells (Born Amos Blakemore)
December 9, 1934 – January 15, 1998

Junior Wells was one of the premiere bluesmen of the Chicago scene during the ’50s and ’60s.  After moving from Arkansas to Chicago in 1948, Wells landed his first significant gig when he was hired to replace Little Walter on harmonica in Muddy Waters’ band.  In 1953, Wells began cutting his own records for the States label and later, Chief and Profile.  Over the course of his career he released such great recordings as “Messin’ With the Kid,” “It Hurts Me Too,” and “Little By Little.”  During the ’60s, Wells began collaborating with Buddy Guy, appearing on several of each others’ records. And it was during this time that a handful of his recordings were included on Vanguard Records’ Chicago/The Blues/Today! series, which is credited for introducing Chicago blues to white America.  In 1997, Wells was diagnosed with cancer.  While receiving treatment, he suffered a heart attack, and went into a coma, from which he never recovered.  Junior Wells was 65 when he passed away on January 15, 1998.

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Chicago / The Blues / Today!, Vol. 1 - Junior Wells, J.B. Hutto And His Hawks & Otis Spann's South Side Piano

Died On This Date (January 15, 1964) Jack Teagarden / Jazz Great

Waldo “Jack” Teagarden
August 20, 1905 – January 15, 1964

Jack Teagarden was an influential jazz trombonist who achieved acclaim during the pre-bebop era.  He was also an accomplished composer and, unlike most other jazz greats, had a beautiful singing voice.  Teagarden had already learned to play the trombone by the time he was ten, and by his twenties, he was playing professionally in and around San Antonio, Texas.  Over the course of his career, Teagarden played with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller, Bix Beiderbecke, and Paul Whiteman.  Jack Teagarden was 58 when he died of a heart attack on January 15, 1964.

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Jack Teagarden

Died On This Date (January 14, 1965) Jeanette MacDonald / Popular Singer & Actress During the ’30s & ’40s

Jeanette MacDonald
June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965

Jeanette MacDonald was one of the most popular musical actresses and singers of the ’30s and ’40s.  She appeared in nearly 30 films and released numerous albums over the course of her career, her most popular being with Nelson Eddy.  Three of her albums sold in excess of 500,000 each.  MacDonald was a popular concert draw as well, generally touring between her film projects.  She suffered from heart troubles during the later years of her life, and on January 14, 1965, Jeanette MacDonald passed away due to her heart condition at the age of 61.

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Jeanette MacDonald

Died On This Date (January 14, 2010) Bobby Charles / New Orleans Hit Songwriter

Bobby Charles (Born Robert Guidry)
February 21, 1938 – January 14, 2010

Bobby Charles is best remembered as the gifted Cajun songwriter who penned “Walking to New Orleans,” a hit for Fats Domino, and “See You Later, Alligator,” a hit for Bill Haley & the Comets.   He also wrote “(I Don’t Know Why I Love You) But I Do” which was recorded by Clarance “Gatemouth” Brown and received prominent placement in the Forrest Gump.  Bobby Charles was 71 when he collapsed and died in his home on January 14, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Bobby Charles