Singer

Died On This Date (January 1, 2012) Fred Milano / Dion & The Belmonts

Fred Milano
August 22, 1939 – January 1, 2012

Fred Milano is best remembered as part of the influential doo-wop singing outfit, Dion & The Belmonts.  Formed by Dion DiMucci during the late ’50s, the vocal group perfected their harmonies while singing on street corners in the Bronx section of New York City.  They went on to world-wide fame with such hits as “I Wonder Why,” “A Teenager In Love,” and “Where Or When.”  Dion left the group for a solo career in 1960, so the Belmonts continued on as a trio.  They reunited with DiMucci a couple over the next ten years or so.  Milano went on to work for the New York City Department of Correction.  Fred Milano died as a result of lung cancer on January 1, 2012.  He was 72.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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Dion & The Belmonts

Died On This Date (December 30, 2011) Chrishun “Rapstar” Moore / Memphis Rapper

Chrishun Moore
June 4, 1990 – December 30, 2011

Crishun “Rapstar” Moore was an up-and-coming Memphis rapper.  A protegé of Let It Be Known Records CEO P. Moses, Moore was on his way to achieving his goal of being one of genres biggest stars.  Over the course of his relatively short career, Moore shared the stage with Bow Wow, Young Jeezy, and Yo Gatti.  Chrishun “Rapstar” Moore was just 21 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on December 30, 2011.



Died On This Date (December 29, 2011) Robert Dickey / James & Bobby Purify; Had Hit With “I’m Your Puppet”

Robert Dickey
September 2, 1939 – December 29, 2011

Robert Dickey was an R&B singer who is perhaps best remembered as the original “Bobby” of James & Bobby Purify, who scored a huge hit with “I’m Your Puppet” in 1966. Formed by Dickey’s cousin, James Purify, in 1965, the duo released several charting singles while recording for Bell Records – that list “Shake A Tail Feather,” “Let Love Come Between Us,” and of course, “I’m Your Puppet” which ultimately reached #6 on the Billboard pop charts.  In 1971, Dickey left the group due to health issues and was replaced by a second “Bobby,” Ben Moore.  Dickey retired from the music business in 1972 and spent many years working for the City of Tallahassee, Florida while singing and playing guitar in his church group.  Robert Dickey was 72 when he passed away on December 29, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (December 28, 2011) Kaye Stevens / Popular Singer & Actress During The ’60s

Kaye Stevens
July 21, 1933 – December 28, 2011

Kaye Stevens was a popular entertainer who initially found her audience during the 1960s.  Stevens’ big break came one night when Debbie Reynolds, who was headlining the Riviera in Las Vegas, fell ill.  Stevens was called in at the last-minute, and club bookers quickly took notice.  Before she knew it, Stevens was playing up and down the Las Vegas Strip and at clubs in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and beyond.  She even secured an opening slot on dates with the Rat Pack,  Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr. During the mid ’60s, Stevens visited Vietnam as part of one of Bob Hope’s popular USO Tours.  She released a handful of albums during her career as well.  Stevens was also a familiar face on television throughout the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, appearing on numerous game shows and guest starring on several series programs.  Kaye Stevens was 79 when she passed away on December 28, 2011.  She had reportedly been suffering from breast cancer.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (December 28, 2011) Danny DeGennaro aka Dan Rio / Kingfish

Daniel DeGennaro
DOB Unknown – December 28, 2011

Photo by William Johnson

Danny DeGennaro, who also performed as Dan Rio, was Philadelphia-area singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is perhaps best remembered as a former member of Kingfish, a band which also counted Bob Weir and New Riders of the Purple Sage bassist, Dave Torbert, as members.  Joining the outfit post-Weir in 1979, Rio played guitar and shared vocals until they disbanded following the death of Torbert in 1982.  Rio also performed or recorded with Billy Squier, Bo Diddley and Jorma Kaukonen, Clarence Clemons throughout his career.   In recent years, DeGennaro fronted his own 5-piece blues band, the Danny DeGennaro Band.  On December 28, 2011, Danny DeGennaro, age 56, was shot and killed in his yard in what appeared to have been a robbery.  Police had no suspects in the early weeks following the murder but indicated it likely was not a random attack.