Singer

Died On This Date (January 5, 2009) Sam “Bluzman” Taylor / Blues Great

themusicsover January 5, 2012 No Comments

Sam “Bluzman” Taylor
October 25, 1924 – January 5, 2009

Sam “Bluzman” Taylor was a blues musician, singer and oft-covered songwriter who came to prominence during the 1960s. As a guitarist or bandleader, Taylor worked with the likes of Maxine Brown, Big Joe Turner, Otis Redding. and Sam and Dave. Over the years, his songs have been recorded by Freddie King, Son Seals, Jay and the Americans, the Isley Brothers, and BT Express who scored a huge hit with his “Do it ’til Your Satisfied.” That song was later embraced by the hip hop community, appearing in songs by Epmd, Beanie Sigel, Ma$e, and DMX. Sam Taylor was 74 when he died of heart disease on January 5, 2009.

Gospel Singer

Died On This Date (January 5, 2009) Willa Mae Dorsey / Gospel Great

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Willa Mae Dorsey
DOB Unknown – January 5, 2009

Willa Mae Dorsey was a Grammy-nominated Gospel singer whose career spanned nearly 60 years. She began singing while still in her teens, often songs written by her cousin Thomas A. Dorsey, the “Father of Gospel Music.” Over the years, she sang for princes and presidents and reportedly was one of the first black singers to sing in white churches. In 1969, she released her first album, The World’s Most Exciting Gospel Singer, for which she was nominated for a Grammy. The following year, she released what would become her best-selling album, Stand Tall. Willa Mae Dorsey, age 75, died on January 5, 2009 after a series of strokes.

Musician Producer R&B Record Label Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 5, 2010) Willie Mitchell / Legendary Memphis Producer

themusicsover January 5, 2012 1 Comment

Willie Mitchell
March 23, 1928 – January 5, 2010

Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond. Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands. He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at Elvis Presley’s home. He later went to work at Hi Records, first as a musician, then a producer, and ultimately running the company. It was under his watch that the label achieved its most success with releases by such legends as Bill Black, Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Mitchell himself. Willie Mitchell, age 81, died on January 5, 2010 as a result of cardiac arrest he suffered in December of 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

Musician Pop Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 5, 1998) Sonny Bono / Sonny & Cher

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Salvatore “Sonny” Bono
February 16, 1935 – January 5, 1998

Sonny Bono was a successful singer, songwriter, producer and actor who came to the world’s attention in the mid ’60s when he partnered with his wife, Cher to form the singing and comic duo, Sonny & Cher. One of Bono’s first jobs in the music business was assisting producer, Phil Spector. He was also writing songs, penning such pop classics as “Things You Do To Me” (Sam Cooke), “Needle and Pins” (the Searchers, Jackie DeShannon, Tom Petty), and of course, “I Got You Babe,” “The Beat Goes On” and many more made famous by Sonny & Cher. In 1971, CBS debuted The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour which was a top 20 hit for its four-season run. Sonny and Cher split both professionally and personally in the mid ’70s, afterwhich Bono periodically made television guest star appearances into the ’90s. In 1988, Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, an office he held until 1992. By all accounts he did a great job and was very popular in the position. On January 5, 1998, Sonny Bono died of injuries he sustained from accidentally skiing into a tree at near Lake Tahoe.

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Latin Singer

Died On This Date (January 4, 2010) Sandro / The Argentine Elvis

themusicsover January 4, 2012 4 Comments

Sandro de America (Born Roberto Sanchez)
August 19, 1945 – January 4, 2010

Sandro de America was an Argentine singer and actor who rose to prominence during the ’60s. He began his career imitating Elvis Presley, but soon evolved into a style that raised him above the pack and garnered him millions of fans worldwide. By doing so, he became known as the “father of Spanish rock.” As an actor, Sandro appeared in popular telenovelas (Spanish soap operas), and approximately two dozen films. In the early ’70s, he became the first Latino performer to sell-out Madison Square Garden, and he did so four other time. One such concert in April of 1970 was broadcast worldwide via satellite, marking it the first time any singer had ever done so. On January 4, 2010 Sandro de America died of complications from a heart and lung transplant he received on November 20, 2009. He was 64 years old.

Died On This Date (January 5, 2009) Sam “Bluzman” Taylor / Blues Great

Died On This Date (January 5, 2009) Willa Mae Dorsey / Gospel Great

Died On This Date (January 5, 2010) Willie Mitchell / Legendary Memphis Producer

Died On This Date (January 5, 1998) Sonny Bono / Sonny & Cher

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (January 4, 2010) Sandro / The Argentine Elvis

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