Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 29, 1992) Willie Dixon / Blues Giant

Willie Dixon
July 1, 1915 – January 29, 1992

willie-dixonWillie Dixon is best remembered as one of the few main architects of the Chicago blues sound.  As a singer, bassist and prolific songwriter, Dixon was one of themost influential figures of the era.  He was also considered one of the key bridges between blues and rock ‘n roll.  Dixon wrote such blues staples as “Little Red Rooster,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” and “I Ain’t Superstitious” and has been covered by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Cream, the Faces, Bob Dylan, Queen, the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones.    In later years, Dixon worked to secure royalties and copyrights for blues artists who had been exploited int the past.  He suffered from diabetes for many years and succumbed to heart failure at the age of 76.

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The Chess Box: Willie Dixon - Willie Dixon

Died On This Date (January 29, 2009) John Martyn / Respected Scottish Folk Singer

John Martyn (Born Iain McGeachy)
September 11, 1948 – January 29, 2009

John Martyn was a Scottish folk singer-songwriter and guitarist whose career spanned the better part of four decades.  With a sound that was equal parts folk, blues, jazz and rock played acoustically through a fuzzbox, Martyn was without peer in the British folk and blues scene of the ’60s and ’70s.  Over the course of his career, he has played with the likes of Phil Collins, David Gilmour and Eric Clapton.  John Martyn died of double pneumonia in an Ireland hospital.  He was 60 years old.

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Bless the Weather - John Martyn

Died On This Date (January 29, 2009) Hank Crawford / Memphis Jazz Great

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.

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Hank Crawford

Died On This Date (January 28, 1983) Billy Fury / Early British Rock ‘n Roller

Billy Fury (Born Ronald Wycherley)
April 17, 1940 – January 28, 1983

billy-furyBilly 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 John Lennon and his Silver Beatles tried out, they were offered the gig, but only if Lennon fired Stu Sutcliffe.  He declined, but only after securing an autograph of Fury.   Fury went on to have many British hits and perform in front of countless adoring fans throughout the UK over the next several years.  He also took a shot at acting, appearing in a handful of British films.  In 1971, Fury underwent the first of three heart surgeries he’d have over the next several years.  With his career all but over due to his health problems, Fury filed bankruptcy in 1980.   In early days of 1983, Fury had a new album and tour in the works, but died of a heart attack on January 27, 1983.  He was 42.

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Billy Fury

Died On This Date (January 24, 1970) James Sheppard / Shep & The Limelites

James Sheppard
DOB Unknown – January 24, 1970

At left with The Heartbeats
At left with The Heartbeats

James Sheppard was a doo wop singer best remembered as the lead singer of The Heartbeats and later,  Shep and the Limelites.  Formed in Queens, New York in 1960, Shep and the Limelites scored a big #2 pop hit with “Daddy’s Home” a year later.  The instantly recognizable song was covered by many in years to come, most notably by Jermaine Jackson in 1972.  The group disbanded in 1966 but was reformed by Sheppard a couple of years later.  On January 24, 1970. James Sheppard was found beaten, robbed and shot to death in his car on the Long Island Expressway.