Died On This Date (October 8, 2007) Nicky James / ’60s British Rocker
themusicsover Nicky James (Born Michael Nicholls)
April, 1943 – October 8, 2007
Nicky James was a British singer-songwriter whose career began in the early ’60s when he formed the Lawmen. In 1963, he joined forces with Denny Laine in a band they called Nicky James with Denny and the Diplomats. He was in and out of the band over the next few years, and was gone for good just before they changed their name to the Moody Blues and got signed to Decca Records. James soon signed to Columbia Records with his Nicky James Movement, a band that would be the early home to such pre-fame musicians as John Bonham, and Bev Bevans. In 1966, James worked as a talent scout for Dick James Music where he signed the young songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. As a songwriter, James collaborated with Allan Clarke and Graham Nash. On October 8, 2007, Nicky James died of a brain tumor at the age of 64.
Steve Ferguson is best remembered as a founding guitarist of the New Rhythm and Blues Quintet (later Quartet), or NRBQ. Formed in 1967 in Miami, Florida, the group has amassed a fanatical cult following for its musical gumbo of R&B, jazz, rockabilly, blues, country, and bar-band rock ‘n roll. After playing on just two albums, including a collaboration with 
Smiley Lewis was a New Orleans R&B artist who got his start in the clubs throughout the French Quarter during the late ’30s. He released his first album, Here Comes Smiley Lewis on DeLuxe Records in 1947. In 1950, producer Dave Bartholomew recorded Lewis for Imperial Records. The sessions resulted in his biggest hits, “Tee Nah Nah,” “The Bells Are Ringing,” and the first recorded version of the R&B standard, “I Hear You Knocking” which would later be recorded by the likes of Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dave Edmunds, and Canned Heat. His “Blue Monday” became a hit for Domino while his “One Nigh,t” as covered by 