Songwriter

Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Roosevelt Jamison / Memphis Soul Legend; Wrote “That’s How Strong My Love Is”

Roosevelt Jamison
July 15, 1936 – March 27, 2013

roosevelt-jamisonRoosevelt Jamison was songwriter, artist manager and publicist whose most notable contribution to popular music was the soulful gem he wrote, “That’s How Strong My Love Is.”  First recorded by O.V. Wright in 1964, the song had a remarkable life, which found its way on to records by Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, Candi Staton, Taj Mahal, the Hollies, Bryan Ferry, Humble Pie, Percy Sledge, Buddy Miller, and many more.  Besides managing Wright, Jamison also oversaw soul singer, James Carr‘s career for a bit.  Under Jamison’s watch, Carr had a major hit with “The Dark End Of The Street.”  In later years, Jamison conducted sickle-cell research and taught Anatomy and Physiology.  He was also worked at the hematology lab at the City of Memphis Hospital for many years.  Roosevelt James passed away at the age of 76 on March 27, 2013.

Thanks to Tom Ashburn of The Dark End Of The Street on KOOP 91.7FM for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (March 23, 2013) Larry Robinson / Southern California Singer-Songwriter

Edward Lawrence Robinson
DOB Unknown – March 23, 2013

larry-robinsonLarry Robinson was a beloved San Diego-area singer-songwriter who, over the course of his career, released six albums, three of which as a member of the Dorados during the ’90s.   Americana in vein, Robinson’s songs spoke of a California that unfortunately, many are too young to have known.  During the ’60s, he played in the band, Things To Come who once shared the Whiskey A Go-Go stage with the Byrds.  On March 22, 3013, 64-year-old Larry Robinson was bound and severely beaten during a robbery of Pete’s Music Store where he worked part-time in Temecula, California.  He died of his injuries the next day .  His assailant or assailants remained unidentified in the weeks following his death.

For more on Larry Robinson, please visit Easy Ed’s blog at nodepression.com

 

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (March 16, 2013) Jason Molina / Singer For Magnolia Electric Co.

Jason Molina
DOB Unknown – March 16, 2013

jason-molinaJason Molina was a singer-songwriter from Northeast Ohio who is probably best remembered as the founder and front man of Magnolia Electric Co.  Launching his career as a bassist for various metal bands in and around Cleveland, Molina formed a musical collective he called Songs: Ohia in 1996.  The lineup changed regularly with Molina as its only constant.  For the next several years, Songs: Ohia released numerous albums culminating in the critically acclaimed, Magnolia Electric Co.  Musically, Songs: Ohia leaned indie rock/lo-fi, but when Molina took the name of Magnolia Electric Co. for his band in 2003, he moved more toward alt-country.  He released several more albums and EPs throughout the next decade.  In 2009, Jason Molina retired from music due to health issues, and on March 16, 2013, he reportedly died of organ failure.  He was 39.

What You Should Own

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Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (March 15, 2013) Hardrock Gunter / Rockabilly Pioneer

Sidney “Hardrock” Gunter Jr.
February 27, 1925 – March 15, 2013

Hardrock-GunterHardrock Gunter was an American country singer, songwriter and guitarist whose rave-ups are considered to be the earliest examples of rock ‘n roll and rockabilly.  After playing in a few bands during his teens, Gunter took a shine to television and became a local TV personality for a bit.  In 1950, he cut his self-penned “Birmingham Bounce” which came out a year before “Rocket 88,” the song that is generally credited as being the first rock ‘n roll song ever.  More records followed, including “Sixty Minute Man” which was one of the first country songs to cross over to R&B.  Gunter continued to record and perform until he retired from music during the ’60s to get into the insurance business.  During the mid ’90s, he returned to the stage to perform at festivals and rockabilly events throughout Europe and the U.S.  Hardrock Gunter was 88 when he died of pneumonia on March 15, 2013.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (March 7, 2013) Claude King / Country Music Great

Claude King
February 5, 1923 – March 7, 2013

claude-kingClaude King was a popular country singer throughout the ’60s and ’70s.  Born near Shreveport, Louisiana, King was just 12 years old when he picked up the guitar.  During the ’50s, he became a regular on the widely popular radio program, Louisiana Hayride, often sharing the bill with the likes of Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams.  In 1961, King signed with Columbia Records’ Nashville label and commenced to release a series of country hits that started with 1661’s “Big River Big Man.”  Later that year, he scored another hit with “The Comancheros.”  His biggest success came in the Spring of 1962.  “Wolverton Mountain” sat at the top of the Country charts for nine of the 26 weeks it resided there.  The record also cracked the Top 10 of the pop charts and went on to sell over a million copies.  The hits continued for the next ten years, with 29 in all finding their way to the charts.   King continued to record and perform well into the 2000s and even found time to act in several movies along the way.  Claude King passed away on March 7, 2013, but not before celebrating his 67th wedding anniversary a few weeks earlier.  He was 90.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com