Singer

Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Howard Tate / Soul Music Legend

Howard Tate
August 14, 1939 – December 2, 2011

Howard Tate was an American soul and gospel singer and songwriter who first found his audience during the ’60s and early ’70s.  With bluesy soul records like “Ain’t Nobody Home,” “Granny,” and “Stop,” Tate built a sizable following which included no less than Janis Joplin, who recorded his “Get It While You Can” on her Pearl album.  After retiring from the music business during the late ’70s, Tate fell into some hard times, and eventually found work as a drug and mental illness counselor and preacher.  In 2003, he mounted a much welcomed comeback with the release of the Grammy nominated Rediscovered which was produced by Jerry Ragavoy who died the same for Tate’s hits back in the 1960s.  Tate back in  A live album followed the following year, and in 2006 he released A Portrait Of Howard, produced by Steve Weisberg and featuring songs by Carla Bley, Lou Reed, and Nick Lowe.  Howard Tate died from complications of Multiple Myeloma and Leukemia on December 2, 2011.  He was 72.

Thanks to Steve Weisberg for the assist.

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A Portrait of Howard - Howard Tate & The Steve Weisberg Orchestra

Died On This Date (November 30, 2011) J. Blackfoot / The Soul Children; Had R&B Hit With “Taxi”

J. Blackfoot (Born John Colbert)
November 20, 1946 – November 30, 2011

J. Blackfoot was an American R&B singer who first found some success as lead singer of the Soul Children and later had a solo hit with “Taxi.” Born in Mississippi but raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Blackfoot caught the ear of Stax Records’ David Porter who invited him to be lead singer of the Bar-Kays after several group members were killed in the plane crash that took Otis Redding’s life. He performed but never recorded with the group.  In 1968, Porter invited Blackfoot to sing in the Soul Children, a new co-ed R&B vocal group.  Over the next decade, the group released seven albums that included 15 R&B hits.  After the group split up in 1978, Blackfoot launched his solo career which included the 1983 soul hit, “Taxi.”  He continued to release albums as score moderate R&B hits well into the 200s.  On November 30, 2011, J. Blackfoot died of cancer.  He was 65.

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

What You Should Own

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City Slicker - J. Blackfoot

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Lee “Shot” Williams / Chicago Blues Singer

Lee Williams
May 21, 1938 – November 25, 2011

Lee “Shot” Williams was a Mississippi born blues singer who made a name for himself after landing in Chicago in 1956.  In 1960, he joined his cousin Little Smokey Smothers’ band, and a few years later he found himself singing for Magic Sam.  In 1962, Williams began making his own records. Over the next few decades, he scored moderate hits with “Meat Man,” “Drop Your Laundry Baby,” “Welcome To The Club,” and “I Like Your Style,” to name a few.  Throughout his career, Williams released numerous albums that were well received by both fans and blues critics alike, the most recent being 2010’s The First Rule Of Cheating.   Lee “Shot” Williams was 73 when he passed away on November 25, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Hot Shot - Lee Shot Williams

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Ross MacManus / English Musician & Singer; Father of Elvis Costello

Ronald “Ross” MacManus
October 20, 1927 – November 25, 2011

Ross MacManus was an English musician and singer who made his mark performing with the Joe Loss Orchestra beginning in 1955.  He had several children, including pop music icon, Elvis Costello.  For a decade beginning in 1973, MacManus could be heard on British television singing the jingle he penned for R. White’s Lemonade.  A young Costello is featured playing drums and singing back-up on the track.  MacManus also sang and penned several songs for the British film, Secrets of a Superstud (1975).   In 1997, he released the album Elvis’ Dad Sings Elvis, but in this case the Elvis he honored was Elvis Presley.  Of his son’s albums, MacManus played on Out Of Our Idiot and Mighty Like A Rose.  Ross MacManus passed away following a long illness on November 25, 2011.  He was 84.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Ross Mac Manus

Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Coco Robicheaux / New Orleans Blues Great

Coco Robicheaux (Born Curtis Arceneaux)
October 25, 1947 – November 25, 2011

Coco Robicheaux was a popular New Orleans blues musician who built a loyal following for his Tom Waits-like gravelly voice, swampy guitar, and mystical subject matter.  A familiar face throughout the clubs that lined the streets of Crescent City, Robicheaux entertained both on and off the stage thanks to his colorful personality.  He often held court outside nightclubs for tourists and locals alike when he wasn’t performing.  Beloved by New Orleans music and blues fans around the world, Robicheaux was a popular draw at festivals far and wide – particularly the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival.  Over the years, he released several albums and appeared on recordings by the likes of Dr. John.  In 2010, he made a memorable appearance on HBO’s Treme, where he sacrificed a “live” chicken over the air of a local radio station.  He also played a musician on USA’s Big Easy series.   On November 25, 2011, Coco Robicheaux collapsed while in hanging out at a New Oleans club.  He died after being taken to a hospital.  Cause of death was not immediately released.  He was 64.

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

What You Should Own

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Louisiana Medicine Man - Coco Robicheaux