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.

What You Should Own

the-clash-london-calling — Click to find at amazon.com

Musician Punk Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 22, 1985) D. Boon / The Minutemen

themusicsover December 22, 2009 No Comments

Dennes “D.” Boon
April 1, 1958 – December 22, 1985

d-boon

Member of the 27 Club

D. Boon was the founder, lead singer, guitarist and primary lyricist for Southern California punk band, the Minutemen. Formed in 1980, the trio included bassist Mike Watt and George Hurley on drums. Though mostly underground, their influence on alternative rock can not be denied, particularly on bands like Sublime. The band recorded four albums and eight EPs for SST Records, helping bring the label international acclaim. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine selected Boon as the 89th greatest guitarist of all time and included the Minutemen’s Double Nickels on The Dime on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. On December 22, 1985, Boon was laying in the back of the band’s tour van when they got in an accident along an Arizona highway. Because he wasn’t wearing a seat belt, Boon was thrown from the van and was killed instantly at the age of 27.

What You Should Own

the-minutemen-music — Click to find at amazon.com

Musician Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 21, 1988) Paul Jeffreys / Cockney Rebel; Died On Pan Am Flight 103

themusicsover December 21, 2009 1 Comment

Paul Avron Jeffreys
February 13, 1952 – December 21, 1988

Paul Jeffreys is best remembered as the bassist for British rock band, Cockney Rebel. Formed by Steve Harley in 1972, the band hired Jeffreys once they heard him audition the following year. The band soon signed to EMI Records and released two influential albums with Jeffreys. After leaving Cockney Rebel, Jeffreys played with such bands as Be Bop Deluxe and the Electric Eels. On December 21, 1988, Paul Jeffreys and his new bride, Rachel Jones, died along with 270 others on Pan Am flight 103. The ill-fated plane exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, due to a bomb placed on board. Jeffreys was 36 when he died.

Country Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 20, 1999) Hank Snow / Country Great

themusicsover December 20, 2009 No Comments

Clarence “Hank” Snow
May 9, 1914 – December 20, 1999

hank-snow Hank Snow was a prolific country star who, during a 30-year stretch of his career, logged in more than 70 country-charting singles, including at least seven that reached number one. Over the course of a career that spanned six decades, he sold more than 80 million albums. His songs have been covered by such greats as Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, and the Rolling Stones. After running away from an abusive home at 12, Snow went to work as a cabin boy on a fishing boat, learned to play the guitar he ordered from a department store catalog, and by 16, he was playing his first his first gigs. He signed with RCA Records in 1936 and released records for them for the next 45 years. After moving to Nashville, it was Snow who convinced the Grand Ole Opry to let a young Elvis Presley grace their stage for the first time in 1954. He continued to use Presley as his opening act and later introduced him to Col. Tom Parker. Hank Snow was 85 when he passed away at his home on December 20, 1999.

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

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (December 22, 1985) D. Boon / The Minutemen

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (December 21, 1988) Paul Jeffreys / Cockney Rebel; Died On Pan Am Flight 103

Died On This Date (December 20, 1999) Hank Snow / Country Great

What You Should Own

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