The Music's Over

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Pop Singer Surf Music

Died On This Date (April 8, 2013) Annette Funicello / Legendary Mouseketeer, Singer & Actress

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Annette Funicello
October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013

annette-funicelloAnnette Funicello was an American child actress who parlayed her popularity as one of the Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club into a lifelong career in film, television and pop music.   Trained in dance and music at an early age, Funicello was discovered by Walt Disney when she was 12 years old.  She was one of a very few to have been selected by Disney himself.  After the first show’s first season, she reportedly received over 6000 pieces of fan mail per month. After graduating from Disney,  Funicello became a teen idol, starring with Frankie Avalon in popular beach movies like Beach Blanket Bingo, Beach Party, How To Stuff A Wild Bikini, and Muscle Beach Party.  Throughout her career, she scored charting hits with “Tall Paul” (#7), “Pineapple Princess” (#11), “First Name Initial” (#20), and many more.  In 1987, Funicello and Avalon reunited for Back To The Beach, a parody of their earlier beach movies.  They also toured the U.S. singing their hits.  In 1992, she revealed that she was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis to discount rumors that she was battling alcoholism.  Annette Funicello ultimately died as a result of MS on April 8, 2013.  She was 70.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Country Early Rock Musician Rock Singer Surf Music

Died On This Date (May 28, 2008) Jerry Cole / Surf Guitar Great, Played With The Beach Boys

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Jerry Cole
September 23, 1939 – May 28, 2008

Jerry Cole was one of surf music’s original guitar gods.  Besides being a much in demand session player, Cole had his own group, the Spacemen, with whom he released four classic albums of “space age surf music.”  As a sideman, Cole played on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and the Byrds‘ “Mr. Tamborine Man.  He was also part of Phil Spector’s “wrecking crew,” affording him the opportunity to play on countless other songs.  Cole could also be heard as part of the house band on TV’s “Shindig” and “Hullabaloo.”  He died of a heart attack on May 28, 2008.

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Power Surf! - Jerry Cole & His Spacemen

Musician Producer Publishing Record Label Rock Songwriter Surf Music

Died On This Date (February 6, 2010) Richard Delvy / Drummed In The Challengers & The Belairs

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Richard Delvy (Born Richard Delvecchio)
April 20, 1942 – February 6, 2010

Richard Delvy is best remembered as the founder and drummer for pioneering surf rock band, the Challengers.  Prior to that band, Delvy played in the Belairs, a popular southern California surf band whose “Mr. Moto” was later covered by Dick Dale and the Ventures.  In early 1963, the Challengers released their debut album, Surfbeat, and almost overnight, the Southern California beach culture became a craze across the U.S.   That release, along with the Beach Boys’ “Surfing Sufari” and the release of Dale’s Surfer’s Choice – all within a few months of each other – are considered the flash point of surf rock.  In later years, Delvy worked as a producer, owned his own publishing company, and worked at such labels as MGM and Bell.  He was 67 when he passed away on February 6, 2010 following a long illness.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at number 1 albums for the assist.

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Surfbeat - The Challengers

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