Died On This Date (March 9, 2012) Terry Teene / ’60s Rockabilly Singer

Terry Teene (Born Terence Knutson)
1942 – March 9, 2012

Terry Teene was an American singer, musician, and prolific songwriter who reportedly penned over 300 songs during his career. He personally claimed to have played on over 100 additional records and wrote songs under more than 70 different pen names.  Noteworthy records of his include “Pussy Galore” (written for, but unused in the James Bond film Goldfinger), “Just Wait Til I Get You Home,” and his biggest hit, 1960’s “Curse Of The Hearse.”  The latter went on to become a yearly staple on Dr. Demento’s annual Halloween radio programs.  Over the years, Teene shared the stage with Alice Cooper, the Kinks, and Cheap Trick, to name a few.  Away from music, Teene enjoyed a successful career as a clown – even writing books and teaching courses on the subject.  He also appeared in such films as Man On The Moon and Raging Bull.  On March 7, 2012, Terry Teene was seriously injured when he was hit by a tow truck while riding a bicycle.  He succumbed to his injuries on March 9, 2012.  He was 70.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (March 8, 2012) Bugs Henderson / Texas Blues Great

Buddy “Bugs” Henderson
1943 – March 8, 2012

Bugs Henderson was a Dallas, Texas area blues great who, for the better part of the past 50 years has been playing the kind of electric blues that keeps the crowds on their collective feet.  Henderson was just a teenager working in a local record store when he would sneak out of his house to check out the latest bands performing in nearby roadhouses.  By 1966 he was playing in a band, Mouse and the Traps, who scored a regional hit with “Public Execution.”  By the early ’70s, Henderson was an in-demand studio player while establishing himself as a local draw on the stage.  Over the years, he either opened for, or shared the stage with the likes of the Allman Brothers, Leon Russell, Freddie King, Ted Nugent, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King.   Bugs Henderson died from complications of liver cancer on March 8, 2012.  He was 69.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

 

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Bugs Henderson

Died On This Date (March 5, 2012) Robert Sherman / Wrote Several Iconic Disney Songs

Robert Sherman
December 19, 1925 – March 5, 2012

Photo Credit: Howard352 via wikimedia

Robert Sherman was a songwriter who, along with his brother, Richard Sherman, was responsible for numerous Disney film and attraction songs that live on in the souls of countless children of all ages.  Over the years, the Shermans have written songs that have appeared in such classic films as The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  “Chim-Chim Cher-ee,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song),” and “Trust In Me (The Python’s Song)” are just a few of the Sherman Brothers songs that many of us grew up with.  Other credits include several of the jingles heard throughout the Disneyland, most notably, “It’s A Small World (After All).”  They also wrote “You’re Sixteen” which topped the singles charts twice, first by Johnny Burnette, and then again by Ringo Starr.  Over the years, the Sherman brothers shared several nominations for Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Grammys, and Golden Globes.  They won two Oscars for their Mary Poppins contributions.  Robert Sherman was 86 when he passed away on March 5, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (March 3, 2012) Ronnie Montrose / Rock Guitar Great

Ronnie Montrose
November 29, 1947 – March 3, 2012

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Ronnie Montrose was an American guitarist who, since the early 1970’s, has built a reputation as one of hard rock’s leading players.  Montrose was playing in a band called Sawbuck in when he was offered the chance to play with Van Morrison.  He can be heard on Morrison’s Tupelo Honey and Saint Dominic’s Preview.  Within a year or two, he was in the Edgar Winter Group before starting his own band, Montrose, in 1973.  The group, which included then-unknown Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, went on to release such hard rock staples as “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Rock Candy.”  Their self-titled debut sold over a million copies and has been called the first American heavy metal album.  Montrose later formed Gamma who is perhaps best known for “Fight To The Finish” and “Meanstreak.”  As an in-demand session player, Montrose played on records by the likes of Gary Wright, Boz Scaggs, the Beau Brummels, Nicolette Larson, Herbie Hancock, and the Neville Brothers.  Montrose continued to record, tour , and produce well into the 2000s.  Initial reports indicated that Ronnie Montrose died of prostate cancer on March 3, 2012. It was later revealed, however, that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He was 64.

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Died On This Date (February 25, 2012) Louisiana Red / Blues Great

Louisiana Red (Born Iverson Minter)
March 23, 1932 – February 25, 2012

Louisiana Red was an Alabama-born blues musician who counted over 50 albums to his credit.  Red began making records in 1949, with his first label being the legendary Chess Records.  What followed was a series of singles and albums, many of which are essential for any respectable blues collection.  A couple of his key albums were The Lowdown Back Porch Blues and Seventh Son, both released in 1963.  During the late ’50s, Red performed with the great John Lee Hooker in Detroit.  And in 1983, he was awarded a prestigious WC Handy Award.  Louisiana Red was 79 when he passed away on February 25, 2012.

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The Lowdown Back Porch Blues - Louisiana Red