Singer

Died On This Date (December 31, 2002) Kevin MacMichael / The Cutting Crew

Kevin MacMichael
November 7, 1951 – December 31, 2002

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Kevin MacMichael was a Canadian born songwriter, musician, and producer who is perhaps best remembered as the co-founder of, and lead guitarist for ’80s rock band, the Cutting Crew.  Formed in England in 1985, the band scored a huge MTV-powered hit with “(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight” in 1986.  The worldwide hit from the album, Broadcast, helped the band secure a Best New Artist Grammy nomination in 1987.   After the band broke up in 1993, MacMichael went on to play guitar on and compose songs for Robert Plant’s Fate Of Nations of that same year.  He also toured behind the album with Plant. MacMichael eventually moved from England back to Nova Scotia where he worked with such acts as the Rankin Family and Sons Of Maxwell.  Kevin MacMichael died of lung cancer on December 31, 2002. He was 51.

Thanks to Roch Parisien for the assist.

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Broadcast - Cutting Crew

Died On This Date (December 31, 2010) Rudy Guess / Guitarist For Carole King

Michael “Rudy” Guess
February 27, 1953 – December 31, 2010

Rudy Guess was a talented guitarist, producer, and composer who is perhaps best known as the longtime touring guitarist for Carole King. He also helped produce many of King’s studio recordings.  As a composer, Guess’ music has been featured on such television shows as Extreme Makeover, Law & Order, and The Practice.  Rudy Guess was 57 when he passed away on December 31, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks To Marc Luzzatto for the help



Died On This Date (December 30, 2010) Bobby Farrell / Boney M

Bobby Farrell
October 6, 1949 – December 30, 2010

Bobby Farrell was a Dutch vocalist in German Euro-disco group, Boney M.  Formed in 1975 by music producer, Frank Farian, Boney M became a dance music phenomenon across Europe throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, but failed to find much of an audience in the United States.  During their run, they released eight studio albums and numerous hit singles which included, “Rasputin,” “Ma Baker,” and “Rivers Of Babylon.”  It was later revealed that Farrell rarely, if at all, sang on the group’s studio records, but in fact did so during their live performances.  On December 30, 2010, Bobby Farrell, age 61, was found dead in his hotel room while on tour in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Cause of death was not immediately released, although he had apparently complained of breathing problems during the previous evening’s performance.

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Boney M.

Died On This Date (December 26, 2010) Teena Marie / Had Several R&B Hits

Teena Marie
March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010

Teena Marie was a singer, songwriter, and producer who had a string of R&B hits throughout the ’80s and ’90s.  By all accounts, she was one of the most successful white female R&B performers in history.  Born and raised in Los Angeles, Marie landed a job at Motown Records in the late ’70s.  It was there that she met Rick James who took her under his wing and helped her sculpt an image and sound that would take her to the top of the R&B and pop charts.  Her hits included “I’m a Sucker For Your Love,” I Need Your Lovin’,” and of course, 1984’s “Lovergirl,” which hit #4 on the US singles charts.   Marie was still making great music through 2009 and was headlining in Las Vegas up until the time of her passing.  Teena Marie was 54 when she died on December 26, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Jill Wheeler for the assist.

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Ultimate Collection: Teena Marie - Teena Marie

Died On This Date (December 26, 2010) Bernie Wilson / Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

Bernie Wilson
DOB Unknown – December 26, 2010

Bernie Wilson was a member of the great R&B singing group, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes for many years, including those that gave us such soul staples as “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Bad Luck,” and “The Love I Lost.”  It was the Blue Notes that helped define a popular style of R&B known as The Sound Of Philadelphia or Philly Soul, which soon begat disco and later, smooth jazz and quiet storm.  Other notables of the genre are/were The O’Jays, The Spinners, and McFadden & Whitehead.  After signing their first record deal in 1972, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes enjoyed several years of hits, television appearances, and sold-out concerts thanks in part to the instantly recognizable hefty lead vocals of Teddy Pendergrass.  But when Pendergrass left for a solo career in 1976, the group’s reign at the top of the heap came to an end.  They DID enjoy a handful of hits throughout the rest of the ’70s and continued performing in one form or another through the ’90s – the later years were without Melvin, who passed away in 1997.  It was Wilson who was a constant throughout the group’s various incarnations.  Bernie Wilson was 64 when he died of undisclosed illness on December 26, 2010.

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The Essential Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - Bernard Wilson, Harold Melvin, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Jerry  Cummings, Jerry Cummings, Laurence  Brown, Laurence Brown, Lloyd  Parks, Lloyd Parks, Theodore  Pendergrass & Theodore Pendergrass, Jr.