Died On This Date (January 29, 2009) Hank Crawford / Memphis Jazz Great
themusicsover Hank Crawford
December 21, 1934 – January 29, 2009
Hank Crawford was an alto saxophonist who, besides making several of his own acclaimed jazz recordings, was a sideman to some of the biggest names in popular music. Over the years he’s recorded with such greats as Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and Ray Charles for whom he was musical director in the early ’60s. As an arranger, Crawford has worked with the likes of Etta James and Lou Rawls. Hank Crawford passed away at the age of 74. He had been suffering from the results of a stroke for many years.
Special thanks to Susan Cross for the assist.
What You Should Own
Billy Fury was an early British rock ‘n roll star who rivaled the Beatles with his 24 UK hit singles throughout the ’60s. During the mid ’50s. Fury fronted a popular skiffle band, playing a popular form of music that would heavily influence the Beatles. After scoring several hits fronting the Blue Flames (which included Georgie Fame), Fury fired the band and began auditioning for a new band. It was the early ’60s. When 
Terry Kath was the founding lead guitarist for the massively popular jazz/rock fusion band, Chicago. Formed while most of the members were in college, the group went on to sell over 120 million albums while charting the most singles of any act during the ’70s. What separated Chicago from other rock groups of the era was their use of a horn section as a lead instrument. And it could only take a guitarist as talented as Kath to shine through. He was such a guitar wizard, that many of his parts, some of which are instantly recognizable, were recorded in one take. Kath can also be heard singing lead on several Chicago songs, most notably, “Colour My World” and “Make Me Smile.” On January 23, 1978, Kath was with one of the crew members after a party. While at the roadie’s home, Kath grabbed an unloaded pistol and jokingly put it to his head and fired several empty shots. He then grabbed a second pistol, thinking it was also unloaded, and fired a bullet into his head, killing him instantly. He was 31 years old.
