Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 25, 2008) Robert Ward / Bluesman; Played For Motown

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Robert Ward
October 15, 1938 – December 25, 2008

robert-ward Robert Ward was a respected blues and R&B guitarist who came to prominence during the ’60s. After moving to Dayton, Ohio from his home in Georgia, Ward formed a group called the Ohio Untouchables which eventually morphed into the popular funk group, the Ohio Players. He later moved to Detroit where he collaborated with many of R&B’s greatest acts, including Wilson Pickett and the Temptations. Ward released several albums of his own as well. They include Fear No Evil, Hot Stuff, and New Role Soul. Robert Ward was 70 when he passed away in his home on December 25, 2008. He had been suffering from a variety of ailments.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Folk Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 24, 2009) Tim Hart / Steeleye Span

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Tim Hart
January 9, 1948 – December 24, 2009

Tim Hart is best remembered as a founding member of British electric folk band, Steeleye Span, who released a handful of moderately successful albums while Hart was in the group between 1970 and 1982. He played guitar and sang for the band while writing some of their more traditional sounding songs. In later years, Hart released a handful of solo releases included two children’s albums. In late 2008, he was diagnosed with lung cancer which caused his death on December 24, 2009. Tim Hart was 61 years old when he died.

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Musician Pop Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 23, 1994) Dan Hamilton / Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

themusicsover December 23, 2009 94 Comments

Dan Hamilton
June 1, 1946 – December 23, 1994

Dan Hamilton was the founding lead singer and guitarist of Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, a soft-rock band who came to prominence thanks to a string of hits during the ’70s. Before the formation of the band however, Hamilton found some success as a songwriter, penning “Diamond Head,” which was a minor hit for the Ventures. Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds formed in 1965 as the T-Bones, the backing band for Hamilton’s brother, actor Judd Hamilton who had just been signed to Liberty Records. In 1970, they signed their own deal and changed their name to Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds. It was then they began releasing such hits as “Don’t Pull Your Love,” and “Fallin’ In Love.” In 1993, Hamilton suddenly developed an illness that baffled his doctors. He went from a physically active man to one who had difficulty walking and doing most other physical activities. It was eventually determined that he was suffering from a rare hormone disorder called Cushing’s Syndrome. Dan Hamilton was 48 when he died as a result of the condition on December 23, 1994.

Pop Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 23, 2008) Clint Ballard Jr. / Successful Pop Songwriter; Wrote “You’re No Good” For Linda Ronstadt

themusicsover December 23, 2009 No Comments

Clint Ballard Jr.
May 24, 1931 – December 23, 2008

Clint Ballard Jr. was a successful American songwriter who, over the course of his career wrote numerous charting singles. Some of his most recognized songs are “You’re No Good” (Linda Ronstadt), “Game of Love” (Wayne Fontana), and “I’m Alive” (the Hollies). Two of his songs landed at the top of the Billboard singles chart while two others made it into the UK top ten. His songs have also been recorded by the likes of Ricky Nelson, Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis, and Jan and Dean. Clint Ballard Jr. was 77 when he passed away on December 23, 2008.

Musician Punk Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 22, 2002) Joe Strummer / The Clash

themusicsover December 22, 2009 1 Comment

Joe Strummer (Born John Mellor)
August 21, 1952 – December 22, 2002

Joe Strummer was the co-founding lead singer of the Clash, arguably the most influential band on modern rock. The Clash made their professional debut on America’s bicentennial, July 4, 1976, in support of the Sex Pistols at a Sheffield, England club. They soon signed with CBS Records and began releasing some of rock music’s most important albums. It was the band’s seamless marriage of punk, reggae and rockabilly along with their politically charged lyrics that endeared them to both critics and fans alike. Their ambitious by punk standards double-album, London Calling, was selected by Rolling Stone magazine as the best album of the ’80s even though it was released in 1979. Much like the Beatles in their time, the Clash made many a young kid around the world pick up a guitar and start a band. Along with the Sex Pistols, they laid the foundation of what would eventually be called alternative rock. Following the break up of the Clash in 1986, Strummer contributed to the Sid and Nancy soundtrack and gave a hand to former Clash mate, Mick Jones’ new band, Big Audio Dynamite, as well as the Pogues. Strummer also made a go at acting, appearing in such films as Walker, Straight To Hell, and Mystery Train. By 1999, Strummer had formed a new group called the Mescaleros, a band that carried on in the spirit of the Clash. They made three albums together before Strummer’s untimely death. On December 22, 2002, Joe Strummer, 50, died suddenly of a congenital heart defect.

Died On This Date (December 25, 2008) Robert Ward / Bluesman; Played For Motown

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Died On This Date (December 24, 2009) Tim Hart / Steeleye Span

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Died On This Date (December 23, 1994) Dan Hamilton / Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

Died On This Date (December 23, 2008) Clint Ballard Jr. / Successful Pop Songwriter; Wrote “You’re No Good” For Linda Ronstadt

Died On This Date (December 22, 2002) Joe Strummer / The Clash

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