Al Wilson was an R&B singer who scored a hit record with “Show And Tell” in 1973. He began performing publicly at the age of just 12 in a spiritual quartet he formed himself. They sang at local churches around his hometown of Meridian, MS. Wilson continued recording as recently as 2001 when he re-recorded many of his classic hits. He passed away of kidney failure at the age of 68.
Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Albums for the assist.
Steve Marriott is best known for his aggressive guitar playing in the Small Faces and later, Humble Pie. Growing up, his parents encouraged him to act in live theater, and at the age of 13 he auditioned for and was cast in the role of the Artful Dodger in the London cast of Oliver. Following his successful run, his parents enrolled him in a prestigious acting school which led to numerous parts in British films, TV and radio. But Marriott’s first love was always music, and in 1965, he was fronting the Small Faces with Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane and Jimmy Winston (replaced by Ian McLagan). The Small Faces quickly became a hit in the UK, even being noted as a major influence in the formation of Led Zeppelin. By the late ’60s, when the band should have been basking in the success of a number one album, they were growing more and more unhappy with each other. Marriott was suggesting the band bring on a new singer by the name of Peter Frampton, but the others balked at the idea. Marriott soon left the band and joined up with Frampton in Humble Pie. As the ’70s dawned, they were touring the US to a growing legion of fans, and with the release of Performance: Rockin’ The Fillmore they were bona fied rock stars. By now, Marriott was suffering from substance abuse and reportedly showing signs of schizophrenia. The heavy drug use within the band no doubt contributed to its demise in 1975. In the late ‘7os, Marriott started making noise about his belief that former manager, Dee Anthony was secretly pocketing large amounts of Humble Pie money in order to promote Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive. It has been alleged that Marriott and his wife were called to New York’s Little Italy to discuss the matter. John Gotti and other members of the Gambino family were said to have been in the meeting. He was apparently told once and for all that he would be getting no money. Throughout the late ’70s and ’80s, Marriott continued to forge on despite financial and personal struggles, playing in no fewer than five bands. But nothing seemed to click. In the early morning of April 20, 1991, after a night of apparent indulging, Steve Marriott was found dead of smoke inhalation from a fire in his home that was presumed to have started by a lit cigarette in his bed.
Guru (Born Keith Elam)
July 17, 1966 – April 19, 2010
Guru was a popular rapper/MC who gained popularity during the early ’90s with Gang Starr. A duo formed with DJ Premier in 1987, Gang Starr signed with EMI Records who released their debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, in 1989. The group’s effective used of New York swing jazz and hip hop endeared them to fans and critics alike. In 1993, Guru released the brilliant Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 album where he introduced a live jazz band into the hip hop arena. Guests on the album included Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers. Guru had been actively recording and performing up until the time of his death. On February 28, 2010, he suffered a heart attack which resulted in a coma that he eventually awoke from. On April 19th however, he died of cancer at the age of 43.
Earl Bolick was one of bluegrass’s senior class when he passed away in 1998. He and his brother Bill Bolick made up the Blue Sky Boys who began making records for RCA Records in the mid-1930s. They recorded several dozen songs for RCA over the next three decades and found considerable success along the so-called hillbilly circuit. They basically retired in the mid 50s partially due to their dislike to what was happening to country music (i.e.; the electric guitar), but came out of retirement a couple of times in the 60s then the 70s (most recently on Rounder Records) to make a few more albums. Bill Bolick passed away on March 13, 2008.
At 71 in 2005, Rick Lewis was the last surviving member of doo wop group, the Silhouettes. Although credited to the entire group, Lewis was the songwriter of their huge hit, “Get A Job,” which by many accounts is the quintessential doo wop song. The group performed the song numerous times on American Bandstand, and it was later featured in movies such as American Graffiti and Stand By Me. Lewis died of multiple organ failure on April 19, 2005 at the age of 71.