Singer

Died On This Date (November 6, 2009) Marie Gianini / The Avon Sisters

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Marie Gianini
DOB Unknown – November 6, 2009

Marie Gianini was part of the comedy, dance and vocal duo, the Avon Sisters, who spent many years performing through the Midwest and entertaining troops with the USO. Forming the duo with her sister, Theresa Frisby, perhaps her biggest thrill came when President Franklin Roosevelt called her to thank them for their hard work. Marie Gianini was 85 when she passed away at a care center on November 6, 2009.

Pop Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (November 6, 1989) Dickie Goodman / Novelty Hit Maker

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Dickie Goodman
April 19, 1934 – November 6, 1989

dickie-goodman No matter who you’ve been told was the earliest to use sampling in there songs, it’s likely that Dickie Goodman isn’t on that list even though he was doing it as far back as 1956. It was that year that he released his first big hit, “The Flying Saucer” that was basically a “man on the streets” interview that included snippets of songs by Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry as the answers to his questions about an alien invasion. The song was a huge hit that continues to get airplay on Dr. Demento type programs. Goodman continued to release such novelty, or as they were called “break-in” records well into the ’70s. In 1975, he released his biggest hit, another break-in record, “Mr. Jaws,” parodying the blockbuster film of that summer, Jaws. The record shot to #4 on the Billboard singles chart. Dickie Goodman shot and killed himself on November 6, 1989.

What You Should Own

dickie-goodman-music — Click to find at amazon.com

Early Rock Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (November 5, 2003) Bobby Hatfield / The Righteous Brothers

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Bobby Hatfield
August 10, 1940 – November 5, 2003

Bobby Hatfield was an American singer who gained fame as one half of the popular singing duo, the Righteous Brothers. He met fellow singer, Bill Medley while in college and together they began performing in the early ’60s. Their brand of “blue-eyed” soul was an immediate hit, landing them on the charts with such records as “Little Latin Lupe Lu,” “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” and of course, “Unchained Melody” which would enjoy a second life on the charts when it was featured in the 1990 film, Ghost. The duo broke up in 1968, but reformed to release one more hit single, 1974’s “Rock and Roll Heaven.” The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2003, and that was as good a reason as any to hit the road again. Six months later, while in Michigan for a show, Bobby Hatfield, 63, was found dead in his hotel room just prior to showtime. He had died of a heart attack brought on my the use of cocaine.

What You Should Own

Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (November 5, 1997) Epic Soundtracks / The Swell Maps

themusicsover November 5, 2009 No Comments

Epic Soundtracks (Born Kevin Godfrey)
March 23, 1959 – November 5, 1997

epic

Epic Soundtracks is best remembered as a founding member of UK experimental noise band, the Swell Maps. Formed by Soundtracks and his brother, Nikki Sudden (real name, Adrian Godfrey), in 1972, the Swell Maps gained popularity only after the rise of punk, even though they weren’t a punk band. They had more in common with T. Rex and Can and laid the foundation for such future noise merchants as Husker Du and Sonic Youth. After the Swell Maps disbanded in 1980, Soundtracks went on to enjoy a modest solo career. During the ’90s, he collaborated with the likes of Evan Dando, J Mascis, Kim Gordon, and Lee Renaldo. On November 5, 1997, Epic Soundtracks, 37, was found dead in his bed. Cause of death was never determined.

What You Should Own

swell-maps-music — Click to find at amazon.com

Rock Singer

Died On This Date (November 5, 1972) Miss Christine Frka / The GTOs, Frank Zappa

themusicsover November 5, 2009 2 Comments

Miss Christine (Born Christine Frka)
1950 – November 5, 1972

Miss Christine was one of the infamous, GTO’s, a small collection of groupies that provided companionship for many of the world’s most famous rock stars while visiting Los Angeles during the ’60s and’70s. They were so named by Frank Zappa who also bankrolled their short lived music career that consisted of a performance or two and one album, 1969’s Permanent Damage, that was produced by Zappa and Lowell George. It is Frka who appears on the cover of Zappa’s Hot Rats album seen here. Some of Frka’s more famous love interests were Alice Cooper and Todd Rundgren. Christine Frka was 22 when she died of a drug overdose on November 5, 1972.

Died On This Date (November 6, 2009) Marie Gianini / The Avon Sisters

Died On This Date (November 6, 1989) Dickie Goodman / Novelty Hit Maker

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (November 5, 2003) Bobby Hatfield / The Righteous Brothers

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (November 5, 1997) Epic Soundtracks / The Swell Maps

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (November 5, 1972) Miss Christine Frka / The GTOs, Frank Zappa

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