Singer

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

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

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

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.

Died On This Date (October 26, 2011) Reese Palmer / The Marquees

Reese Palmer
DOB Unknown – October 26, 2011

Reese Palmer was an American soul singer who, during the mid 1950s, belonged to a singing group, the D.C. Tones which also counted among its members, Marvin Gaye and Sondra Lattisaw (mother of Stacy Lattisaw).  Gaye soon left the group to join the US Air Force, but upon his return in 1957, he reunited with Palmer to form the Marquees.  Shortly thereafter, the group was discovered by Bo Diddley while they were performing at a local club.  Diddley signed them to Okeh Records for whom they recorded the moderately successful “Wyatt Earp” and “Hey Little Schoolgirl.”  In 1958, the Marquees were hired by Harvey Fuqua to serve as his backing group in the New Moonglows after his original singers quit.  As part of the New Moonglows, Reese sang on records by the likes of Chuck Berry (“Almost Grown” and “Back In The U.S.A.”) and Etta James.  After leaving the New Moonglows in 1960, Reese went on to sing with the Revlons and the Orioles.  In 2001, he resurrected the Marquees with new members.  On October 26, 2011, Reese Palmer passed away following a battle with prostate cancer and bladder cancer.  He was 73.



Died On This Date (October 15, 2011) Betty Driver / Noted English Singer & Actress

Betty Driver
May 20, 1920 – October 15, 2011

Betty Driver was an English singer, author, and actress who is best known for her  2800+ appearances on the popular British soap opera, Coronation Street.  Prior to that, Driver starred in numerous musicals where she was able to show off her skills as a singer, mostly of ballads.  She also entertained millions via the radio for many years.  During the ’40s, Driver fronted big bands with whom she traveled around Europe entertaining WWII soldiers.    Betty Driver was 91 when she passed away on October 15, 2011.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 14, 2011) Kevin Mahoney / Singer For Siege

Kevin Mahoney
September 6, 1965 – October 14, 2011

Photo by Cindy Mendes

Kevin Mahoney was the lead singer for Boston, Massachusetts area thrashcore band, Siege.  Formed in the early ’80s, the band built a sizable local following before they broke up in 1985.  Although short lived, the band was later cited as a direct influence on the likes of Napalm Death and Dropdead due in part to their fiercely fast tempos and Mahoney’s wild screeching.  Siege’s earliest recordings were in 1984 for a demo produced by Lou Giardano (Husker Du, Goo Goo Dolls).  The oft-bootlegged record took on a life of its own throughout the thrash underground until it found its proper release by Relapse Records in 1994.  After the group split in 1985, Mahoney went on to do local live theater among other things.  In later years, he worked in IT at various local hospitals.  During the early ’90s, Siege briefly reunited, but with Seth Putnam of Anal Cunt fame on lead vocals.  As reported by Maximum Rock N Roll, 46-year-old Kevin Mahoney passed away on October 14, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.