Hilde Heltberg September 30, 1959 – September 4, 2011
Hilde Heltberg was a popular singer-songwriter from Oslo, Norway. She launched her career during the late ’70s, finding inspiration from the likes of Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. By the early ’80s, Heltberg had played in such local groups as Uncle John’s Band and X-tra. She released her first solo album in 1982, and went on to release a total of 12. She competed in the esteemed Eurovision Song Contest on four separate occasions. Hilde Heltberg was 51 when she died of cancer on September 4, 2011.
McKinley “Bug” Williams was a singer and percussionist who, along with Frankie Beverly, formed the influential R&B band Maze in 1976. Born in Philadelphia, it was Williams who stayed at Beverly’s side through several versions of the band. Formed out of the ashes of the Butlers as Raw Soul, the group was introduced to Marvin Gayewho suggested they change their name to Maze and took them on the road with him. Maze quickly signed to Capitol Records and went on to release a numerous albums and singles that found homes on both the R&B and Pop charts over the next three decades. In all, Maze scored ten gold albums and charted over two dozen singles. McKinley “Bug” Williams died of a heart attack on September 2, 2011.
David “Honeyboy” Edwards June 28, 1915 – August 29, 2011
David “Honeyboy” Edwards was one of the last surviving Delta blues greats from the ’30s. Edwards was just 14 when he left his Mississippi home to go on the tour with Big Joe Williams, and it was on that road he stayed for the better part of the next two decades. During those early years, he also shared the stage and a close friendship with the great Robert Johnson, making him one of the last living links to the legend. In fact, he was the ONLY link to the legend of Johnson’s sudden demise. On that hot August night in 1938, Edwards was with Johnson when he drank the poisoned whiskey that killed him. It was Edwards’ version of the lore that has long been considered the most accurate account. Edwards also performed with the likes of Charley Patton, Johnny Shines, and Tommy Johnson. Edwards made relatively few recordings through the late ’80s – mostly for folklorists Alan Lomax and Peter B. Lowery. Thankfully he became more active in the studio during his later years. He released his autobiography, The World Don’t Owe Me Nothin’ in 1997 and continued to tour well into his 90s. On July 17, 2011, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, the “Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen,” passed away at the age of 96.
Liz Meyer was an American born guitarist, singer, and songwriter who ultimately settled in the Netherlands and became one of the Europe’s most respected bluegrass artists. Born and raised in Washington DC, Meyer moved to the Netherlands in 1985. Over the course of her career, she released numerous albums and had her songs recorded by the likes of Del McCoury, Emmylou Harris, and Laurie Lewis. She was a tireless champion of the European bluegrass scene and produced upwards of 30 albums for others over the years. Her most recent album, The Storm features some of bluegrass and folk’s biggest names – Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, and Stuart Duncan to name a few. Liz Meyer was 59 when she died on August 26, 2011, after a long battle with cancer.
Nick Ashford was a respected songwriter, singer and producer, who with his wife Valerie Simpson made up one of popular music’s most successful hit-making teams. The pair got their start as songwriters during the mid ’60s when they penned such R&B staples as the 5th Dimension’s “California Soul,” Aretha Franklin’s “Cry Like A Baby,” and Ray Charles’ “Let’s Go Get Stoned” and “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” They quickly caught the eye of Motown’s Berry Gordy who hired them on to write songs for and produce many of the label’s acts. For Motown, Ashford and Simpson wrote such hits as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing,” and “Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” to name just a few. Beyond Motown, the list of artists who scored hits with their songs includes Teddy Pendergrass, Chaka Khan, and the Brothers Johnson. As performers, Ashford and Simpson were a formidable force as well. They began making records together during the mid ’60s, but it was the late ’70s and early ’80s that saw their biggest hits like “Solid,” “Street Corner, and “Don’t Cost You Nothin’.” In 1992, Whitney Houston had a huge hit with their “I’m Every Woman” from The Bodyguard soundtrack. The song had originally been recorded by Chaka Khan. 1985 saw Ashford and Simpson become one of Live-Aid’s most memorable if not emotional moments when the brought Teddy Pendergrass on stage for his first public performance since an automobile accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Their performance of “Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” that day struck a chord with viewers from the Philadelphia crowd to those watching on TV from around the world. The pair continued to perform and produce together and separately for many years to come while their songs continued to find new audiences, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” which was prominently sampled for Amy Winehouse’s single, “Tears Dry On Their Own.” Nick Ashford passed away on August 22, 2011 following a courageous battle with throat cancer. He was 70.