Died On This Date (October 10, 2009) Luis Aguile / Beloved Argentine Singer

Luis Aguile (Born Luis Picca)
February 24, 1936 – October 10, 2009

luisaguile4Luis Aguile was an Argentine singer and songwriter who is best remembered for his international hit, “Cuando Seli de Cuba.”  With some 400 songs to his credit, Aguile established himself as one of the premier performers in Latin America.  In 1990, he wrote and recorded the team anthem for Monterrey’s national soccer team.  It is one of the most popular sports anthems in the world.  Luis Aguile died of stomach cancer at the age of 73.

Died On This Date (October 10, 2009) Stephen Gately / Boyzone

Stephen Gately
March 17, 1976 – October 10, 2009

gatelyStephen Gately was a founding member and co-lead singer of the immensely popular Irish boy band, Boyzone.  Formed in 1993, the group had six #1 singles in the UK and four #1 albums, with sales in the neighborhood of 20 million albums overall.  The group broke up in 2000, so Gately released a solo album, which was just as popular with fans throughout the UK.  He also spent his time acting in theater productions as well as on British television.  Boyzone reformed in 2008 for a series of successful concerts and recordings.  In the months leading up to his death, Gately was working on a book.  Stephen Gately was found dead in his apartment in Spain on October 10, 2009.  Initial reports indicate that no foul play, drugs or alcohol are suspected, with some believing that he died of natural causes at the age of 33.

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Died On This Date (October 9, 1978) Jacques Brel / Belgian Singer-Songwriter

Jacques Brel
April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978

brelJacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who came to prominence in Europe during the 1950s.  And although he wrote and sang exclusively in French, many of his songs have been covered in English by such notable performers as Ray Charles, David Bowie and Dusty Springfield.  He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.  His career started modestly in the cabarets of Paris, but by the mid ’50s, his talent could not be denied, so he began touring Europe and beyond.  He also made a name for himself in film.  A longtime smoker, Brel was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1973 and died from it five years later at the age of 49.

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Jacques Brel

Died On This Date (October 8, 2007) Nicky James / ’60s British Rocker

Nicky James (Born Michael Nicholls)
April, 1943 – October 8, 2007

NickyjamesNicky James was a British singer-songwriter whose career began in the early ’60s when he formed the Lawmen.  In 1963, he joined forces with Denny Laine in a band they called Nicky James with Denny and the Diplomats.   He was in and out of the band over the next few years, and was gone for good just before they changed their name to the Moody Blues and got signed to Decca Records.  James soon signed to Columbia Records with his Nicky James Movement, a band that would be the early home to such  pre-fame musicians as John Bonham, and Bev Bevans.   In 1966, James worked as a talent scout for Dick James Music where he signed the young songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.  As a songwriter, James collaborated with Allan Clarke and Graham Nash.  On October 8, 2007, Nicky James died of a brain tumor at the age of 64.



Died On This Date (October 8, 2009) Abu Talib / Bluesman; Played With Ray Charles

Abu Talib (Born Freddy Robinson)
February 24, 1939 – October 8, 2009

Photo by Tony Berg

Freddy Robinson, who changed his name to Abu Talib when he converted to Islam during the ’70s, was a blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player.  Very diverse in his playing, Talib was comfortable in both blues and jazz combos.  During the ’50s and ’60s, he worked with Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Jimmy Rogers.  In the ’70s and ’80s, he played with the likes of Stanley Turrentine, Bobby “Blue” Bland, John Mayall and Blue Mitchell.  He also played with Ray Charles.  Abu Talib died of cancer at the age of 70.