Died On This Date (July 10, 2013) Peppie Marchello / The Good Rats

Peppie Marchello
1948 – July 10, 2013

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Peppie Marchello was the front man of the group Rolling Stone once called “the world’s most famous unknown band,” Long Island, New York’s the Good Rats.  Formed while Marchello was in college during 1964, the group, originally called U-Men, achieved moderate success but remained largely a cult band throughout their run.  In 1969, now going by the Good Rats, they released their self-titled debut which was followed by their most popular album, 1974’s Tasty.  Meanwhile, the band built a sizable following thanks to their live performances fronted by the charismatic Marchello.  More solid albums followed throughout the ’70s and ’80s along with key opening slots for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Rush, and KISS, but none of that was quite enough to push the band beyond cult status – to the amazement of many.  Since then, Marchello continued on with one variation of the band or another right up until the time of his passing.  He also spent some years performing, writing and producing with his son, Gene Marchello under the band name, Popzarocca.  On July 10, 2013, Peppie Marchello suffered a fatal heart attack.  He was 68.

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Died On This Date (June 19, 2013) Slim Whitman / Country Music Legend

Ottis “Slim” Whitman
January 20, 1923 or 1924 – June 19, 2013

slim-whitmanSlim Whitman was an American country singer, songwriter and guitarist who is perhaps best remembered for his high voice and yodeling skills.  Highly influential, even George Harrison and Michael Jackson have cited Whitman as an influence.  Born in Tampa, Florida, Whitman served in the US Navy during World War II before launching his music career.  While working in a shipyard, he was given the opportunity to sing on a local Tampa radio station only to be heard by Col. Tom Parker of Elvis Presley fame who helped secure Whitman his first recording contract with RCA Records in 1948.  A series of country hits followed until 1955, when he scored his first #1 pop hit with “Rose Marie.”  The record sat at the top of the UK charts for an unprecedented 11 weeks until Bryan Adams broke the record in 1991.  In 1979, Whitman appeared in one of the earliest infomercials on television.  The piece is considered THE most successful one ever, responsible for selling 1.5 million copies of his All My Best greatest hits album.   Over the course of his career, Whitman sold over 120 million albums which include his most recent, 2010’s Twilight On The Trail, his first new studio album in 26 years.  Slim Whitman died of heart failure on June 19, 2013.  He was 90 years old.

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Died On This Date (May 26, 2013) Clarence Burke, Jr / The Five Stairsteps; Had Hit With “O-o-h Child”

Clarence Burke, Jr.
May 25, 1949 – May 26, 2013

clarence-burke-jrClarence Burke, Jr. was the front man for the legendary soul group, the Five Stairsteps.  Formed by five siblings in 1965, the “First Family of Soul,” as they were known, is perhaps best remembered for their Top 10 single, “O-o-h Child,” which was released in 1970.  Throughout the years, the song has been covered, sampled and used in films and television countless times.  Burke was not only the lead singer of the group, but was also their guitar player, choreographer and primary songwriter.  During the mid ’70s, the Stairsteps, as they were then known, were introduced to the George Harrison by Billy Preston.   Harrison soon signed them to his Dark Horse Records who released their final hit, “From Us To You,” in 1976.  The group soon broke up so Burke formed the Invisible Man’s Band who had a minor disco hit with “All Night Thing” in 1980.  That band split up the following year after which Burke continued on as a solo artist for the remainder of his life.  Clarence Burke Jr. was 64 when he passed away on May 26, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (May 20, 2013) Ray Manzarek / Keyboardist For The Doors

Ray Manzarek
February 12, 1939 – May 20, 2013

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Ray Manzarek was the co-founder and keyboardist for legendary rock band, the Doors.  Born in Chicago, Manzarek moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA film school during the early ’60s.  It was there that he met Jim Morrison who told him he had written some songs and sang him a rough version of  “Moonlight Drive,” and the Doors was born.  In January of 1966, John Densmore and Robby Krieger were added to the mix, and the group soon became the house band at The London Fog in Hollywood.  Unfortunately, the group did very little to bring new patrons into the dingy bar so they were eventually fired only to be picked up by the Whiskey a Go Go the very same day.  Their first gig at the Whiskey was opening for Them which got them some notice, and lead to a contract with Columbia Records. After languishing there for a few months they asked to be released from their contract and were soon signed by Jac Holzman to Elektra Records.  The band’s first album, simply titled The Doors debuted in January of 1967 and soared to  #2 on the Billboard charts on its way to selling over 12 million copies.  The album  included the band’s biggest single, “Light My Fire.”  The Doors went on to become one of the most important rock bands all time thanks to their brilliant compositions and Morrison’s dynamic stage presence.  After Morrison’s untimely death in 1971, the band forged on as a trio until calling it quits in 1973.  In later years, the Doors occasionally reformed for special engagements.  Outside of the band, Manzerek released several solo albums and formed a group he called Nite City.  He also collaborated with the likes of X, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Iggy Pop.   On May 20, 2013, Ray Manzarek died from bile duct cancer.  He was 74.

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Died On This Date (April 26, 2013) George Jones / Country Music Legend

George Jones
September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013

george-jonesGeorge Jones was country music, period. Born in Saratoga, Texas, Jones took to country music as early as 7 years old.  He was given his first guitar at nine, and when he turned 16, he left home to pursue his career in music.  After serving in California during the Korean War, Jones’ career sped into overdrive.  His first hit, “White Lightning” came in 1959, and for the next fifty years, he had at least one every year.  His wild days are legendary, in fact, he was so often late for his own concerts due in part to his indiscretions, one of a handful of his nicknames was No Show Jones.  Another was The Possum, but the name that has been tagged to him for over two decades prior to his death is the most fitting, The Greatest Living Country Singer.  Such a great singer in fact, that the late great Waylon Jennings included the line, “If we all could sound like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones” in his hit, “It’s Alright.”  The list of Jones’ achievements and awards is staggering.  The first one came in 1956 when Billboard named him the years Most Promising Artist.  Several Grammys followed,  as did Academy of Country Music  and Country Music Association awards. In 2002, he was recognized with a U.S. National Medal Of Arts, and in 2008, he was a Kennedy Center Honoree.  On April 18, 2013, George Jones was admitted to the hospital suffering from a fever and irregular blood pressure.  On April 26, 2013, he passed away at the age of 81.  He stopped loving her today.

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