Died On This Date (August 20, 2012) Ross Barbour / The Four Freshmen
themusicsover Ross Barbour
December 31, 1928 – August 20, 2011
Ross Barbour is perhaps best remembered as a founding member of American vocal group, the Four Freshmen. Formed in 1948 while they actually were freshmen at Butler University, the group went on to release numerous hit records and perform in front of sold-out audiences the world over. They would be cited as direct influences on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, the Lettermen, and most notably, Brian Wilson who often gave credit to the group’s vocal harmonies for guiding his vision of the Beach Boys sound. Barbour retired from the Four Freshmen in 1979 and passed away from lung cancer on August 20, 2011. He was 82. Fellow co-founder Bob Flanigan died just three months earlier.
Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.
What You Should Own
Jani Lane is perhaps best remembered as the front man and main lyricist for the wildly successful late ’80s / early ’90s hair metal band, Warrant who went on to sell over four million albums. Lane was just barely out of diapers when he first learned to play the drums in Akron, Ohio, and by the time he was 11, he was performing at local clubs. After graduating from high school, he joined his first proper band, Cyren, and by the mid ’80s, he was in the thick of L.A.’s exploding pop-metal scene with his own band, Plain Jane. In 1986, Lane and band mate Steven Sweet joined forces with guitarist, Erik Turner in the latter’s up-and-coming glam metal band, Warrant. The group quickly built a following throughout West Hollywood’s storied Sunset Strip clubs thanks in part to Lane’s commanding stage presence and talent as a songwriter. It wasn’t long before they were signed to Columbia Records, who went on to release a string of hit albums that included the double-platinum sellers, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich and Cherry Pie. The colorful band fast became darlings of MTV with such videos “Down Boys” and “Cherry Pie,” and found themselves playing in front of countless screaming fans around the world. Following the release of Warrant’s third album, Dog Eat Dog, Lane decided to leave the group, but returned the following year and continued on until 2004, only to leave again and return for one last time in 2008. By the end of that year however, he was gone for good due to conflicts within the band. Throughout the 2000s, Lane lent his vocal talents to several other projects, released a solo album, and was part of the hard rock supergroup of sorts, Saints of the Underground, which included members of Ratt and Alice Cooper’s band. Lane also dabbled in acting, appearing such early ’90s films as Caged Fear and High Strung. In 2005, he competed in VH1’s reality fitness program, Celebrity Fit Club where he lost 23 pounds. On August 11, 2011, Jani Lane, age 47, was found dead in a Woodland Hills, California hotel room. The Los Angeles Coroner’s office ultimately ruled that he died of acute ethanol poisoning.
Billy Grammer (born Billie) was a country music singer and guitarist who scored several hits during the 1960s, including the million-selling “Gotta Travel On,” which ultimately reached the top 5 on both the country and pop charts. After serving in the Army during WWII, Grammer settled in the Nashville area where he was signed to Monument Records. He went on to record such hits as “Gotta Travel On,” “The Real Thing,” and “I Wanna Go Home,” which became a hit again for Mel Tillis, but as “Detroit City.” In 1965, Grammer co-founded RG&G Guitar Company where he launched his Grammer Guitar. The company was later named Grammer Guitar, Inc. and continued to sell the popular model until 1970. An original Grammer resides at the Country Music Hall of Fame. On May 15, 1972, Grammer became an American politics footnote when he and his band performed at the political rally at which then Alabama Governor and Presidential candidate George Wallace was shot and paralyzed by an assailant. Two years later, Grammer delivered the invocation at the opening of the Grand Ole Opry. Billy Grammer was two weeks shy of his 86th birthday when he passed away on August 10, 2011.
Joe Yamanaka was a singer who is perhaps best remembered as the lead vocalist for Japanese prog rock group, Flower Travellin’ Band. Formed as a cover band in 1968, their intent was to introduce Japanese audiences to the sounds of such western rock artists as Jefferson Airplane, Cream and 
Delois Barrett Campbell was a dynamic and beloved Gospel singer who, over the better part of the past five decades entertained the world as 1/3 of the Barrett Sisters. Singing together since childhood, Delois and her sisters, Billie Barrett and Rodessa Barrett cut their first records during the mid-’60s. Their early output included their popular takes on “Wonderful,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Carry Me Back.” Before long they were electrifying crowds from their church in Chicago, Illinois to venues all over the world. They toured the globe no fewer than seven times and were a popular site on such TV shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Away from her sisters, Barrett Campbell sang with the popular Roberta Martin Singers while still in high school. Although confined to a wheelchair for many years due to health issues, Barrett Campbell was on-hand at a special concert to celebrate her 85th birthday in March of 2011. Delois Barrett Campbell passed away on August 2, 2011.