Bob Luman was a rockabilly star who began releasing records in the late ’50s. Over the course of his career he scored several pop and country hits including “All Night Long,” “Let’s Think About Living,” and his biggest, “Lonely Women Make Good Lovers” which was made into a hit again by Steve Wariner in 1984. He also performed on the popular Louisiana Hayride radio program and in the film, Carnival Rock. Luman was a member of the Rockabilly and Texas Country Music Halls of Fame. Bob Luman was 41 when he died of pneumonia on December 27, 1978.
Curtis Mayfield was a pioneering soul and funk musician who became a voice for Civil Rights during the ’60s. Mayfield was still in high school when he began playing in local bands. After dropping out, he joined the Impressions, a band he would soon front and become the main songwriter for. The band would become popular during the late ’60s thanks to Mayfield-penned songs like “People Get Ready,” “Keep On Pushing,” and “We’re a Winner.” Anthemic songs like these came at a time when African-Americans were looking for a voice, and artists like Mayfield, James Brown and Sly Stone provided it. After going solo, Mayfield released his most popular album, the soundtrack to Superfly. With hit songs like “Pusherman,” “Freddie’s Dead,” and “Superfly,” the album is considered one of the most influential in African-American history. It was also one of the earliest soul concept albums. Mayfield stayed active throughout the ’80s, but in August of 1990, he was struck by falling lighting gear while backstage at a concert. The accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Amazingly, he was able to create one last album – writing the songs, directing the musicians and crew from a bed, and painfully recording the vocals while flat on his back. The album was 1997’s New World Order. On December 26, 1999, Curtis Mayfield, age 57, passed away following a decade of poor health and complications from the accident.
James Brown was an R&B performer like no other. So much so, that he earned the honor of having three equally fitting nicknames over the course of his career: The Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother Number One, Mr. Dynamite, and The Hardest Working Man In Show Business. Brown had a childhood that most either wouldn’t survive, would live on the streets or end up in prison. Brown ended up doing the two latter. At 16, he ended up imprisoned for armed robbery. While incarcerated, he sang and danced to entertain the guards and fellow inmates. In 1952, a young R&B performer by the name of Bobby Byrd happened upon Brown’s “act” while playing in a softball game against the inmates. Byrd was so impressed by Brown, that he helped arrange for his early parole and guided his career over the next twenty years. Over the course of his career, Brown not only released a staggering amount of hit records – the most R&B charting than anyone else in history – but also delivered one of popular music’s most dynamic concert experiences. His influence is undeniable…Prince, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and M.C. Hammer are but a few that learned a thing or two from Brown. Records like “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “Cold Sweat,” “I Got You, (I Feel Good),” and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine” are still played regularly on radio and at parties and generally never fail to fill up the dance floor. On December 25, 2006, James Brown died of congestive heart failure brought on by pneumonia. Not one to ever complain if he was ill – and oftentimes performed when he was – Brown’s death came as a shock to those who knew him. Even at 73, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business had concerts lined up in the following weeks.
Dean Martin (Born Dino Crocetti)
June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995
Dean Martin was a pop music, television and film star who was one of the biggest names in entertainment during the ’60s and ’70s. He and his pals, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis, Jr. were collectively known as the Rat Pack around Hollywood and beyond. Besides hanging out together, they shared many legendary performances in Las Vegas. Martin’s recording career was dotted with numerous hits throughout the years, including “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Volare.” His charisma, rugged good looks, and (mostly fake) public drinking made him the “King of Cool” and a pop culture icon. Following the tragic death of his son Dean Paul in 1987, Martin all but faded from the public eye. He made occasional special appearances mostly in honor of his Rat Pack buddies. In 1993, he was diagnosed with lung cancer along with kidney and liver problems. Dean Martin was 78 when he died of respiratory failure on Christmas Day, 1995.
Vic Chesnutt
November 12, 1964 – December 25, 2009
Vic Chesnutt was a respected singer-songwriter from the Athens, Georgia area. Chesnutt began writing songs when he was just five years old. He’s one of those rare talents that was rightfully called a songwriter’s songwriter. When he was 18, Chesnutt was involved in a car accident that left him confined to a wheelchair and in need of medical care through the rest of his life. His big break came in the late ’80s when R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe discovered his talent and produced his first two albums. Over the course of his career, he released over a dozen studio albums. In 1996, artists like Madonna, R.E.M., and the Smashing Pumpkins came together to record his songs for an album that was to help him with his skyrocketing medical bills. Ironically, he wasn’t eligible to collect the funds since he had medical insurance. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to cover the expenses. On December 24, 2009, Vic Chesnutt was reported to have been in a coma following an overdose of muscle relaxants. He died on Christmas Day at the age of 45.