Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 19, 2000) Josh Clayton-Felt / School Of Fish

Josh Clayton-Felt
1967 – January 19, 2000

Josh Clayton-Felt is best remembered as the lead singer for Boston-area psychedelic pop band, School of Fish.  Formed in 1989, the band signed with Capitol Records just as “alternative rock” was beginning to fuel a feeding frenzy at the major labels.  The band’s debut self-titled album included the swirling “3 Strange Days,” a modern rock radio hit at the time.  The band’s follow-up album failed to click, so School of Fish called it quits, sending Clayton-Felt off on a solo career.  In 1996, he signed with A&M Records and had another moderate hit which lead to a tour with Tori Amos.  In late 1999, Josh Clayton-Felt was diagnosed with testicular cancer which lead to his death on January 19, 2000.

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School of Fish - School of Fish

Died On This Date (January 19, 2007) Denny Doherty / The Mamas & The Papas

Denny Doherty
November 29, 1940 – January 19, 2007

Denny Doherty was a founding member of ’60s rock band, the Mamas and the Papas.  The group, that also included  John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot, formed in 1965 and found worldwide fame and success with songs like “California Dreamin,” and “Monday Monday.”  Following the group’s breakup in 1968, Doherty released a handful of solo albums and singles, but nothing came close to matching the success he had with the Mamas and the Papas.  He reunited with Phillips in a 1982 version of the group that included MacKenzie Phillips and Spanky MacFarlane, but that was short-lived.  In later years, he produced an off-Broadway show, Dream a Little Dream that was based on the Mamas and the Papas.  He also did voice over work for Canadian broadcast television.  Denny Doherty was 66 when he died of an abdominal aneurysm on January 19, 2007.

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If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (The Mamas and The Papas) - The Mamas & The Papas

Died On This Date (January 18, 2010) Kate McGarrigle / Popular Folk Singer

Kate McGarrigle
February 6, 1946 – January 18, 2010

Kate McGarrigle, along with her sister Anna McGarrigle, made up the popular Canadian folk duo, Kate and Anna McGarrigle.  They began singing and playing in folk groups during the ’60s, but went off on their own during the early ’70s, releasing their debut album in 1975.  Over the course of their career together, they released ten albums, two of which won Juno Awards (Canada’s answer to the Grammys).  Their songs have been recorded by the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg, and Emmylou Harris.  They have also collaborated with Nick Cave.  Having been married once to Loudon Wainwright III, Kate is the mother of popular contemporary singer-songwriters, Martha Wainwright and Rufus Wainwright, with whom she made her final television appearance on a 2008 episode of Spectacle:  Elvis Costello with….  Diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Kate McGarrigle died of clear cell sarcoma on January 18, 2010.  She was 63.

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Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Died On This Date (January 17, 1998) Junior Kimbrough / Blues Great

David “Junior” Kimbrough
July 28, 1930 – January 17, 1998

Like Fat Possum label mate, R.L. Burnside, Mississippi bluesman, Junior Kimbrough found a career spike during the twilight of his life. Kimbrough picked up the guitar as a youngster and by the late ’50s, he came into his own as a performer and songwriter.  He made his first recordings in 1966 but all but disappeared during the ’70s and ’80s, resurfacing occasionally to make a record or two.  In the early ’90s, he opened his own juke joint, Junior’s Place.  The Chulahoma, Mississippi venue became a favorite diversion for members of U2 and the Rolling Stones during its heyday.  It wasn’t until 1992, that Kimbrough released his debut album, All Night Long, on Fat Possum.  The record was a critical smash and a hit with young blues and indie-rockers alike.  The Black Keys were such fans that they recorded an entire album, Culahoma, of songs written by Kimbrough.  He released two more albums before he passed away.  Junior Kimbrough suffered a fatal heart attack on January 17, 1998.  He was 67 when he died.

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You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough - Junior Kimbrough

Died On This Date (January 17, 1998) Cliffie Stone / Country Singer

Cliffie Stone (Born Clifford Snyder)
March 1, 1917 – January 17, 1998

Cliffie Stone was a country singer, musician and songwriter as well as a producer and A&R man for Capitol Records during the label’s early years.  As a bassist, he played in big bands that became popular throughout Southern California thanks to appearances on local radio shows.  In 1946, he was hired by Capitol where he signed Tennessee Ernie Ford and Hank Thompson, among others.  He released a handful of his own albums during the 1950s.  During the ’60s, Stone found more success with his own publishing company, Central Songs.  On January 17, 1998, Cliffie Stone died of a heart attack at the age of 81.

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Cliffie Stone