but the songs live on forever

Singer

Easy Listening Gospel Jazz Singer

Died On This Date (October 28, 2011) Beryl Davis / Popular Big Band Singer

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Beryl Davis
March 16, 1924 – October 28, 2011

Beryl Davis was a popular British big band singer who got her start fronting her father’s (Harry Davis) band during the 1940s.  During WWII, Davis entertained the Allied troops, and it was around this time she was discovered by Glenn Miller who hired her to sing in the Army Air Force Orchestra.  She also toured Europe with Stephane Grappelli and George Shearing during that period.  She eventually moved to Los Angeles where she sang with Frank Sinatra for about a year on Your Hit Parade.  In 1954, Davis formed the Gospel quartet, the Four Girls, with Rhonda Fleming, Jane Russell, and Connie Haines.  They released several hit albums and singles including perhaps their most popular, “Do Lord.”  Beryl Davis died from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease on October 28, 2011. She was 87.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

 

Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 27, 2011) David Rea / Influential Folk Singer-Songwriter

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David Rea
October 26, 1946 – October 27, 2011

Photo by Jack Bawden

David Rea was folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist who, although he was born in Ohio, became a longtime fixture of the Canadian folk scene.  Over a career that spanned four decades, Rea collaborated with the likes of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Judy Collins, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Tom Rush, and perhaps most famously,  Ian & Sylvia, and Gordon Lightfoot. He can be heard on Lightfoot’s debut album as well as tapes from his early shows.  For Ian & Sylvia, Rea played on So Much For Dreaming, Nashville, and Full Circle.  The duo recorded a handful of Rea’s songs as well.  As a songwriter, Rea’s biggest hit came with Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” which he co-wrote with Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, and Corky Laing.  He recorded several respectable albums of his own over the years as well.  As reported by Spinner, 66-year-old David Rea passed away on October 27, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.



Americana Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (October 23, 2011) Gene Kurtz / Respected Texas Musician; Wrote “Treat Her Right”

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Gene Kurtz
DOB Unknown – October 23, 2011

Photo by Winker

Gene Kurtz was a beloved Texas bassist and singer-songwriter who can be heard playing and/or singing on classic recordings by the likes of Edgar Winter, B.J. Thomas, Bo Diddley, and Roy Head, with whom he co-wrote the #2 pop and R&B hit, “Treat Her Right.”  It took the Beatles’ “Yesterday” incidentally, to keep it from hitting the top of the charts.  Born in San Antonio, Texas, Kurtz eventually settled in Austin where he played with Augie Meyers of Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados fame before hooking up with Head.  The two soon wrote and recorded (with Head singing lead), “Treat Her Right” which went on to become one of the most famous Texas rock/R&B songs ever.  Its bass line by Kurtz is one of pop music’s best.  The song has since been covered by such luminaries as Otis Redding, George Thorogood, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant, to name a few.  It has also become a staple in film and television – it was featured prominently in The Commitments, as well as numerous other films and television shows.  After his tenure with Head, Kurtz went on to play on Winter’s 1970 debut, Entrance.  During the 2000s, Kurtz played in Dale Watson’s band for whom he wrote “Way Down Texas Way,” which the band can be seen performing on an episode of the television hit, Friday Night Lights.  According to the Houston Press, Gene Kurtz was 68 when he passed away on October 23, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Club Owner Jazz Musician Record Label Singer

Died On This Date (October 21, 2011) Edmundo Ros / Famous Trinidadian Bandleader

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Edmundo Ros
December 7, 1910 – October 21, 2011

Edmundo Ros was a Trinidad born but England based Latin jazz singer, musician and bandleader who came to prominence during the 1940s.  Ros’ first instrument of choice was the euphonium, a wind brass instrument, which he played in the Venezuelan Military Band from the late ’20s to late ’30s.  Soon after, he received a proper music education from London’s Royal Academy of Music.  It was during that time that he played a handful of recordings by Fats Waller.    In 1940, Ros formed a rumba band which eventually swelled to 16 musicians and was renamed Edmundo Ros and his Orchestra.  The band became very popular throughout Europe, playing for royalty and celebrities alike.  His 1949 78 record, “The Wedding Samba,” sold over 3 million copies, while his Rhythms Of The South LP of 1958 sold well over a million.  In all, Ros made more than 800 recordings throughout his career.  He also ran his own record label and one of London’s most popular nightclubs of its era.  Edmund Ross made his farewell performance in 1994, and passed away at 100 years old on October 21, 2011.

Thanks to Dan Del Fiorentino at NAMM for the assist.

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Edmundo Ros

Rock Singer

Died On This Date (October 17, 2011) Keith Landers / Fronted Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88’s

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Johnny Dee (Born Keith Landers)
DOB Unkown – October 17, 2011

As the front man of Johnny Dee & the Rocket 88’s, Keith Landers was a familiar face throughout central Texas.  As Abilene, Texas’ premier oldies party band, the Rocket 88’s have played for prominent political figures, foreign dignitaries, and numerous celebrities.  They have shared the stage with the Beach Boys, Charlie Daniels, James Brown, and Rick Nelson, to name a few.   Landers began making music as far back as anyone can remember and was forming bands while still in high school.  With names like Omaha and Cadillac, Landers was rocking clubs from Abilene to Austin by the early ’70s.  In 1974, he reinvented himself Johnny Dee and began his long career playing the rock ‘n roll sounds of the ’50s.  Even as music tastes changed over the years, Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88’s never seemed to fall out of fashion and continued to entertain crowds across America well into the 2000s.  Keith Landers was 60 when he died of a heart attack on October 17, 2011.

Thanks to Don Smith for the assist.

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