Died On This Date (April 22, 2013) Richie Havens / Iconic American Folk Singer
themusicsover Richie Havens
January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013
Richie Havens was a world-renowned folk singer whose intense guitar-playing and renditions of others’ works endeared him to a legion of fans since the mid ’60s. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Havens was still a child when he started out singing in corner doo-wop groups. At 16, he became a member of the McCrea Gospel Singers. In his early 20s, Havens threw himself into the Greenwich Village folk scene where he began building his reputation as a premier solo act. He made two albums with Douglas Records before signing on with Bob Dylan‘s manager, Albert Grossman who brought him to Verve Forecast Records and thus taking his career to the next level. Over the next several years, Havens released such classic albums as Mixed Bag, Something Else Again, and Richard P. Havens. His recordings of “Here Comes The Sun,” “Just Like A Woman,” and “Freedom” helped define the era. On August 15, 1969, Havens kicked off the Woodstock Festival with a remarkable three-hour set – partly due to instructions to stretch as many of the performers were late in getting to the grounds, and partly because of being called back to the stage for multiple encores. After he was showcased in the festival’s subsequent documentary film, Havens found devoted fans the world over. Havens also dabbled in acting, winning small roles in such films as Catch My Soul, Greased Lightning, Hearts Of Fire, and I’m Not There. Havens continued to record and perform as recently as 2009. In March of 2012, it was announced that Havens was retiring from the road after 45 years due to health concerns. Richie Havens died of a heart attack on April 22, 2013. He was 72.
What You Should Own
Rita MacNeil was a popular Canadian folk and country singer who had the honor of outselling both Garth Brooks and Clint Black in Canada during 1990, at the height of their careers. Born and raised on the eastern tip of Nova Scotia, the incredibly shy MacNeil was 27 when she first performed on stage – relatively late by pop music standards. The year was 1971, and within just a few years, she recorded her first album and was becoming a popular draw along the Canadian folk festival circuit. Based on her growing popularity and work on behalf of women’s rights, MacNeil was secretly spied upon by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Security Service on the unwarranted suspicion that she had communist ties. Her first single of note was 1986’s “Flying On Your Own” which reached #42 on the Canadian charts and was covered by Anne Murray the following year. MacNeil went on to have numerous hits throughout the ’80s and ’90s, both in Canada and the UK. In all, she released 24 albums which sold in the millions. During the mid ’90s, MacNeil hosted her own CBC variety show, Rita And Friends. Over the course of her career, she was recognized with a Juno, five honorary doctorates, and was a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia. On April 16, 2013, Rita MacNeil died unexpectedly from complications of a surgery. She was 68.
George Beverly Shea was an American Gospel singer and composer who was widely refereed to as “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer.” Thanks in part to his numerous appearances at Billy Graham‘s many crusades along with subsequent recordings and radio appearances, Shea is considered one of Gospel music’s first true International stars. Born in Ontario, Canada, Shea became a naturalized American citizen in 1941. He was taught the violin, piano and organ as a youngster, but it was eventually his beautiful baritone voice that got noticed while singing at his father’s church. He eventually moved to New York and then Chicago where he became a featured soloist on Graham’s weekly radio program. Thanks to Shea’s singing, the show’s ratings skyrocketed almost overnight. He went on to sing on other programs but ultimately worked alongside Graham over the next seven decades. Throughout his career, Shea soloed on upwards of 500 recordings on over seventy albums. He recorded several of his own albums as well. His most famous recording is his rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” As a composer, Shea’s most popular songs are “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and “The Wonder Of It All.” He won a Grammy for Best Gospel Recording in 1966, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He’s also won countless awards from various Gospel and Christian music associations. George Beverly Shaw was 104 when he passed away on April 16, 2013.
Scott Miller was the founder and lead singer for Northern Californian ’80s college rock band, Game Theory. Formed in 1981, the critically acclaimed group released several albums including their 1987 classic, Lolita Nation. Although the album received near universal praise, it failed to succeed at the cash registers so eventually went out of print. Due to its influence on more recent bands, original copies of the CD have since become highly collectible and valuable. The band released four proper albums before calling it quits in 1989. Miller went on to for the Loud Family in 1991, and again, the band released several critical faves but eluded much success beyond a cult following. He was reportedly planning to reunite with Game Theory and record a new album during the summer of 2013. Scott Miller was 53 when he passed away on April 15, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.