Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 16, 1972) Ross Bagdasarian Sr. (David Seville) / The Chipmunks

Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
January 27, 1919 – January 16, 1972

Ross Bagdasarian was perhaps better known by his alter ego, David Seville of Alvin & the Chipmunks fame.  Bagdasarian was an accomplished actor, songwriter, singer, musician and producer who appeared in such films as Rear Window and Stalag 17.  During the mid-’50s, he began releasing novelty records like “The Trouble With Harry,” and the #1 hit, “Witch Doctor,” under the name of David Seville.  In 1958, he/Seville released “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” which became a smash hit and earned him two Grammys.   The success of the record spawned several more Chipmunk releases, an animated television show and movies.  On January 16, 1972, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. suffered a fatal heart attack.  He was 52 years old.  A decade later, his son, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., picked up where his father left off, re-introducing the Chipmunks to new generations.

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Alvin & The Chipmunks

Died On This Date (January 16, 2010) Carl Smith / Country Music Legend

Carl Smith
March 15, 1927 – January 16, 2010

Carl Smith was a country music singer who was so respected that he was nicknamed, “Mr. Country.”  A musician since grade school, Smith formed his first band at 15, and by the time he returned home from a term in the Navy, he was well on his way to a storied music career.  Smith made his mark on country music during the ’50s, when he began releasing hits like, “Hey Joe,” “Ten Thousand Drums,” and “Wicked Lies.”  During that decade, he scored over 30 Top-10 hits, five of which went to #1.  In 1951, he married June Carter with whom he had a daughter that would grow up to perform under the name, Carlene Carter.  During the late ’50s, he divorced Carter, moved to California, appeared on television and films, and married another country hit maker, Goldie Hill.  Smith stayed active in the music industry until his retirement in 1983.  Carl Smith was 82 when he passed away on January 16, 2010.

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Carl Smith

Died On This Date (January 15, 1994) Harry Nilsson / Iconic Singer-Songwriter

Harry Nilsson
June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994

Harry Nilsson was a critically and commercially successful singer-songwriter who came to prominence during the 1970s.  He is best remembered for his hits, “Without You” (actually written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger)  and “Everybody’s Talkin'” from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack.  Nilsson began his career as a songwriter in the early ’60s and by 1964, he was working for Phil Spector.  During those early years, his songs were being recorded by the likes of the Monkees, Glen Campbell, the Shangri-Las and the Yardbirds.  He began releasing records under his own name in 1966.  Nilsson’s profile was significantly raised when he was embraced and touted by Paul McCartney and John Lennon as their favorite American artist.  During the ’70s, Nilsson had a flat in London where he’d stay from time to time.  It is notorious for being the location where both Cass Elliot and Keith Moon died four years apart.  Nilsson began to slow his career down by the ’80s.  After Lennon was murdered in 1980, he devoted much of his time and effort to raising money for gun control organizations.  Harry Nilsson suffered a massive heart attack in 1993 and died of heart failure on January 15, 1994.  He was 52.

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Nilsson Schmilsson - Harry Nilsson

Died On This Date (January 15, 1993) Sammy Cahn / Renowned Lyricist

Sammy Cahn
June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993

Sammy Cahn was a prolific lyricist who achieved fame and success due to several popular songs he penned for motion pictures and Broadway shows.  Over the course of Cahn’s career, 30 of his songs were nominated for Academy Awards, four of which took home the Oscar.  His songs have been made into hits by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Mario Lanza and Dean Martin.  Tunes like “Come Fly With Me,” “High Hopes,” and “Three Coins in the Fountain” have become standards.  Sammy Cahn was 79 when he passed away on January 15, 1993.



Died On This Date (January 14, 2010) Bobby Charles / New Orleans Hit Songwriter

Bobby Charles (Born Robert Guidry)
February 21, 1938 – January 14, 2010

Bobby Charles is best remembered as the gifted Cajun songwriter who penned “Walking to New Orleans,” a hit for Fats Domino, and “See You Later, Alligator,” a hit for Bill Haley & the Comets.   He also wrote “(I Don’t Know Why I Love You) But I Do” which was recorded by Clarance “Gatemouth” Brown and received prominent placement in the Forrest Gump.  Bobby Charles was 71 when he collapsed and died in his home on January 14, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Bobby Charles