Died On This Date (January 7, 2011) Phil Kennemore / Bassist For Y&T

Phil Kennemore
October 20, 1953 – January 7, 2011

Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Phil Kennemore is perhaps best remembered as the longtime and founding bassist for American heavy metal band, Y&T.  Formed in 1974 as Yesterday and Today, the band eventually shortened its name to Y&T and went on to sell millions of albums over the next two decades.  1984’s In Rock We Trust became their biggest selling album, while 1985’s “Summertime Girls,” became their signature song.  The group broke up in 1991 but then reformed briefly in 1995, and then permanently in 2001.  Kennemore has been part of every incarnation.  They are one of the few hard rock bands that survived disco, new wave, and grunge.  Phil Kennemore, age 56, died of lung cancer on January 7, 2011.

Thanks to David Plastik for the assist.

What You Should Own

 Earthshaker (Remastered) - Y&T

Died On This Date (January 7, 2011) Bobby Robinson / Prolific R&B Producer & Harlem Record Store Owner

Bobby Robinson
April 16, 1917 – January 7, 2011

Bobby Robinson was a pioneering R&B and later, hip-hop record producer, as well as a longtime record store owner.  He opened Bobby’s Record Shop in 1946, making it the first Black-owned business on Harlem’s famous 125th Street.  The store and cultural landmark remained open until he was forced to close in 2008 due to his landlord’s desire to raze and rebuild at that spot.  As a producer, Robinson had a hand in creating a string of R&B and hip-hop hits that stretched from the early ’50s through the mid ’80s.  The list of greats that he enjoyed success with includes Gladys Knight & The Pips, Lee Dorsey, The Shirelles, Elmore James, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Kool Moe Dee, and Doug E. Fresh.  Bobby Robinson was 93 when he passed away on January 7, 2011.


Died On This Date (January 6, 2008) Ken Nelson / Former A&R Executive, Capitol Records

Ken Nelson
January 19, 1911 – January 6, 2008

With Wanda Jackson

Although by no means a household name,  Ken Nelson made one of the biggest impacts on country music during his time as an A&R executive at Capitol Records.  Specializing in country music, Nelson was one of the main factors in country music’s massive growth during the ’50s.  While with Capitol, he produced hit records by the likes of Buck Owens, Gene Vincent, Ferlin Husky, Wanda Jackson, Merle Haggard and more.  In 1961, Nelson produced the Hank Thompson’s Live at the Golden Nugget, considered to be the first live album ever released by a country singer.   Ken Nelson was 96 when he passed away on January 6, 2008.



Died On This Date (January 6, 2009) Rev. Claude Jeter / The Swan Silvertones

Claude Jeter
October 26, 1914 – January 6, 2009

Photo by Jack Vartoogian
Photo by Jack Vartoogian

Reverend Claude Jeter was a much respected gospel singer and founding member of the Swan Silvertones, one of the genre’s most beloved groups.  And for a time, he was also a member of the equally respected Dixie Hummingbirds.  As a singer, Jeter is said to have inspired the likes of Eddie Kendricks, Al Green and Paul Simon who has claimed that Jeter’s “Mary Don’t You Weep” inspired him to write “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”  Simon returned the favor years later by hiring Jeter to sing on his There Goes Rhymin’ Simon album.  The Reverend Claude Jeter was 94 when he passed away on January 6, 2009

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Heavenly Light - The Swan Silvertones



Died On This Date (January 6, 2012) Tom Ardolino / Long Time Drummer For NRBQ

Tom Ardolino
January 12, 1955 – January 6, 2012

Tom Ardolino is best remembered as the long time drummer for influential rock outfit, NRBQ. Formed in 1967, the band has built a legion of loyal fans thanks to its ability to marry elements of jazz, rock, and blues, and for its raucous live shows.  NRBQ loyalists include Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello.  In 1974, Ardolino was asked to join the band as a replacement original drummer, Tom Staley.  He had first been a dedicated fan and swapped live concert tapes with band co-founder, Terry Adams.  Ardolino continued on with the group until they took a break in 2004.  He participated in occasional band reunions in later years.  Ardolino can be heard playing on such NRBQ classics as Scraps, All Hopped Up, and Grooves In Orbit.  Outside of NRBQ, he played on albums by the likes of Marshall Crenshaw, Jerry Lee Lewis, and NRBQ band mate, Al Anderson. On his own, Ardolino released Unknown Brain in 2004.  Tom Ardolino passed away from health related issues on January 6, 2012. He was 56.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.