Died On This Date (July 23, 2011) Bill Morrissey / Acclaimed American Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Bill Morrissey
November 25, 1951 – July 23, 2011
Bill Morrissey was a respected folk singer-songwriter who, since the release of his 1984 self-titled debut, built a sizable following thanks to his thought-provoking narratives that typically dealt with the ups and downs of life in small town America. Morrissey released ten albums throughout his career, with two earning him Grammy nominations. Bill Morrissey was 59 when he died of heart disease on July 23, 2011.
What You Should Own
Fran Landesman was an American poet and lyricist who achieved international acclaim for penning the words to such songs as “The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men” and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most.” Born in New York City, Landesman eventually settled with her husband in St. Louis, Missouri where they owned and operated the Crystal Palace, a world-renowned night club that hosted the likes of Barbra Streisand, Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen. It was while sitting at the bar listening to the singers that Landesman was inspired to take a stab at writing song lyrics herself. The year was 1952, and it was then and there that she began collaborating with the club’s house pianist on a string of songs, some of which became hits as recorded by others. That list of singers includes R0berta Flack, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler, 
Rob Grill is likely best remembered as the singer, bassist and songwriter for iconic American rock band, the Grass Roots. He fronted the band during its most celebrated years of 1967 to 1971. Born and raised in Hollywood, California, Grill jumped into the music business shortly after high school by going to work at American Recording Studios. It wasn’t long before he joined forces with P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri in the Grass Roots, who went on to chart nearly 30 singles and earn two gold and two platinum albums. In all, Grill played or sang on 16 of their albums and 32 singles. Their hits with Grill included “Let’s Live For Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” and “Sooner Or Later.” After parting ways with the band in the late ’70s, Grill launched a solo career that included a 1979 album with that included members of Fleetwood Mac. During the ’80s, he formed The Grass Roots, Featuring Rob Grill and toured the US and beyond for the better part of the next three decades. Reportedly in ailing health in recent weeks, Rob Grill passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms on July 11, 2011 as they listened to “Let’s Live For Today.” He was 67. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Facundo Cabral was a beloved Argentine folk singer who was recognized for his politically charged songs that dealt with protest, spirituality, and social commitment. Born into poverty in La Plata, Argentina, Cabral is said to have once walked over 1800 miles at the age of 9 to find work in order to support his six siblings and mother after his father abandoned them. After spending time in reform school, Cabral claimed to have met a vagabond who set him straight and encouraged him to follow a path of music. He went on to write countless songs and poems that inspired millions. His signature song, “No soy de aqui, ni soy de alla,” was just one of many that have since been covered by other major Latin singers. In 1978, Cabral lost his wife and son in a plane crash, and it took no less than Mother Teresa herself to challenge him to rise from the depression that followed and travel to India to work with lepers. He eventually re-found his muse, and although he was eventually crippled, nearly blind, and battled cancer, he continued to tour much of the world to entertain his devoted fans. He also found time to write 66 books. In 1996, Cabral was named Messenger Of Peace by UNESCO, and was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. On July 9, 2011, while on tour in Guatemala City, the 74-year-old Facundo Cabral died as his body was riddled by no fewer than 8 bullets from gunmen who had pulled alongside his SUV in three separate vehicles. While some initial reports indicated that Cabral was the target, others speculated that his driver, a concert promoter named Henry Farinas, was the intended victim. Farinas, along with Cabral’s agent, David Llanos received non-life threatening injuries in the attack. Upon hearing the news, Guatemala’s president Alvaro Colom immediately called for three days of national mourning while messages of condolence and grief poured in from other Latin American leaders.