Died On This Date (June 21, 2010) Larry Jon Wilson / ’70s Country Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Larry Jon Wilson
October 7, 1940 – June 21, 2010
Larry Jon Wilson was a country music singer, songwriter and guitarist who found some success during the ’70s when he released four albums. After teaching himself to play the guitar, Wilson didn’t get serious as a songwriter until the age of 30. Throughout his early career, he built himself a following throughout the clubs of Nashville. Wilson all but retired from the music industry during the ’80s, only to return for occasional shows during the latter years of the decade. In 2008, Wilson made a comeback with the release of Larry Jon Wilson, on hipster label, Drag City Records. Larry Jon Wilson died from a stroke on June 21, 2010. He was 69 years old.
What You Should Own
Charles Smith was co-founder of and guitarist for the great disco/funk group, Kool & The Gang. Along with the other members of the group, Smith’s background was in jazz, but married it with funk, dance, R&B and pop to become one of the biggest acts of the ’70s thanks to such hits as “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Ladies Night,” and “Celebration.” Smith is credited for writing or co-writing some of the group’s biggest hits. He died after a long undisclosed illness on June 20, 2006.
Hank Medress will always be remembered as the singer of American pop classic, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” but his contributions to popular music go much deeper. As a singer or producer, he’s worked directly with such artists as Neil Sedaka, the Chiffons, the Happenings and Tony Orlando. He was also instrumental in the creation of New York Dolls singer, David Johanson’s popular 80’s alter ego, Buster Poindexter. Medress died of lung cancer on June 18, 2007 at the age of 68.
Known as the “Reigning Queen of Zulu music,” Busi Mhlongo was a respected South African singer-songwriter and producer whose music included elements of West African, jazz, reggae, rock, funk, soul and gospel. Over a career that spanned the better part of four decades, Mhlongo built an international fan base while working with the likes of 