Died On This Date (October 25, 2010) Gregory Isaacs / Influential Reggae Singer
themusicsover Gregory Isaacs
July 15, 1951 – October 25, 2010
Gregory Isaacs was a Jamaican reggae singer who the New York Times once called, “the most exquisite voice in reggae.” After competing in a slew of talent contests while in his teens, Isaacs began making his first recordings during the late ’60s. In 1973, he released “My Only Lover” which became a huge hit and has been cited as the birth of the lovers rock sub-genre of reggae. He went on to work the biggest reggae producers and musicians, releasing several more hit records. By the end of the decade, Isaacs was one of reggae’s most important figures. During the ’80s, he released Night Nurse – the album and single of the same name are essential to any legitimate reggae collection. Sadly however, Isaacs developed a severe drug addiction that took a toll on his voice and lead to a short term in jail. Upon his release, he continued to make many more albums, leading to 2008’s Brand New Me, which some critics were calling a return to form. Over the course of his 40-year career, he released upwards of 500 albums. On October 25, 2010, Gregory Isaacs died of lung cancer. He was 59.
What You Should Own
Ari Up was the lead singer for the British punk band, the Slits. Born in Germany, Up was exposed to the rock music world at a very young age by her mother, Nora Forster, who was friends with 
Norman Johnson, known professionally as General Johnson, was as Grammy-winning songwriter, as well as a producer and the lead singer of popular late ’60s/early ’70s soul group, Chairmen of the Board. Johnson was just 16 when he made his first recordings for the storied Atlantic Records. In those early days he fronted his own group, the Humdingers, and shortly thereafter, the Showmen. It was with the latter that Johnson first started cracking the R&B singles chart with such records as “39-21-40 Shape.” After a short and less fruitful run as a solo artist, Johnson formed the Chairmen of the Board. The year was 1967, and it was with that group that he went on to release such hits as “(You’ve Got Me) Dangling On a String,” “Pay the Piper,” and “Give Me Just a Little More Time,” which sold in excess of one million copies. In 1970, Johnson won a Grammy as the songwriter of the mega hit “Patches” as recorded by Clarence Carter. 
Huddy Combs, also known professionally as Huddy 6 was a respected hip hop performer and promoter based out of Harlem, New York. Combs’ entry into the music business came via Ma$e’s rap group, Harlem World. He can be heard on their 1999 release, The Movement. Combs was childhood friend of fellow rapper Cam’ron, and reportedly once saved his life after the latter was shot outside a party. Huddy Combs was involved in and automobile accident on New York City’s George Washington Bridge in the early hours of October 13, 2010. He died at the scene.
