Died On This Date (December 10, 2010) Sherrill “Shaun” Nielsen / Sang With Elvis
themusicsover Sherrill “Shaun” Nielsen
DOB Unknown – December 10, 2010
Shaun Nielsen was a singer, songwriter, producer, and pianist who is perhaps best remembered for his time singing with Elvis Presley. Besides performing on stage with Presley, Nielsen dueted with him on “Softly As I Leave You,” which was nominated for a Grammy in 1978. It was during those years that he sang with Voice, the Gospel group who opened for Presley. Nielsen was also part of such Gospel groups as the Singing Speers, the Imperials, and the Statesmen. All were inducted into the Gospel Hall Of Fame, making Nielsen the only person to be done so three different times. Sherrill “Shaun” Nielsen died of cancer on December 10, 2010. He was 68.
Kari Tapio was an extremely popular Finnish singer who launched his career some forty years ago. He performed a style of music called “schlager” which is basically pop balladry. Mounting his career during the ’60s, Tapio first performed with Jami & The Noisemakers and ER Quartet. He released his first solo record in 1972. In 1976, he scored his first hit single, “Laula Kanssain” (Sing With Me). He continued releasing hit records as recently as 2008 when his “Valaise Yo” finished 2nd in the Eurovision Song Contest. Much of his music was heavily influenced by American country & western. In fact, he even made Finnish language recordings of songs by 
Jimy Rogers was the lead singer of Chicago-area rock unit, the Mauds. Formed in 1965, the band built a sizable regional following thanks to their rockin’ R&B sound and the charisma of Rogers. While other local bands were mimicking the British Invasion of the time, the Mauds stuck by their soul roots. By some accounts, they were the first all-white band to play at the legendary Chess Studios. On stage, it was Rogers who wowed the audiences with his all-out sweat drenched performances. During the late ’60s, the band scored a handful of regional hits which included “Hold On,” “Soul Drippin,” and “Knock On Wood.” Over the course of an on-and-off run that spanned over 40 yars, they recorded for such labels as Mercury, Philips, and RCA. Jimy Rogers died of cancer on December 4, 2010. He was 63.
Albert Collins was an electric blues guitarist so great, that he was awarded not one, but three nicknames – the Iceman, the Master of the Telecaster, and the Razor Blade. Born in a small Texas town mid-way between Dallas and Houston, Collins took an early shine to the music he heard around him. When he was 7, he and his family moved to Houston, and it was there that he eventually began making a name for himself by playing a style that was equal parts Texas, Mississippi, and Chicago blues. In 1952, Collins formed his first band and within two years, he was headlining clubs in and around Houston. He began making records in 1958, and went on to record for such respected labels as Imperial, Alligator, and Point Blank. Collins was also an in-demand side man and be heard playing on records by the likes of David Bowie, B.B. King, 
Little Smokey Smothers was a popular Chicago-area blues singer and guitarist. Smothers was playing the guitar by the time he turned 15, and within two years, he had moved from his home in Mississippi to Chicago to make his mark. In those early years, he played with the likes of 