Died On This Date (January 5, 2005) Danny Sugarman / Manager Of The Doors & Author

Danny Sugarman
October 11, 1954 – January 5, 2012

If there was such a thing as a “5th Door,” Danny Sugarman would likely have been it.  Besides being the Doors’ second manager, Sugarman wrote the two definitive books on Jim Morrison and the band, No One Here Gets Out Alive (1980, with Jerry Hopkins) and Wonderland Avenue: Tales Of Glamour And Success (1989) .  Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sugarman was a rabid fan of the band, and when given the opportunity at the age of 13 to respond to fan mail on their behalf.  He quickly became a close friend and confidant of Morrison’s.  After Morrison’s death, the band and original manager, Bill Siddons parted ways so Sugarman took over managerial duties.   He also served as consultant on Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic, The Doors.  Also that year, he married Fawn Hall of Oliver North/Iran-Contra affair fame.  Besides the above-mentioned books, Sugarman authored The Doors (1983), The Doors: The Illustrated History (1983), and Appetite For Destruction:  The Days Of Guns N’ Roses (1991).  He also managed Iggy Pop at one point.  Danny Sugarman died of lung cancer on January 5, 2005.  He was 50.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Died On This Date (January 5, 2010) Willie Mitchell / Legendary Memphis Producer

Willie Mitchell
March 23, 1928 – January 5, 2010

Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond.  Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands.  He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at Elvis Presley’s home.  He later went to work at Hi Records, first as a musician, then a producer, and ultimately running the company.  It was under his watch that the label achieved its most success with releases by such legends as Bill Black, Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Mitchell himself.   Willie Mitchell, age 81, died on January 5, 2010 as a result of cardiac arrest he suffered in December of 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.


Died On This Date (January 5, 1998) Sonny Bono / Sonny & Cher

Salvatore “Sonny” Bono
February 16, 1935 – January 5, 1998

Sonny Bono was a successful singer, songwriter, producer and actor who came to the world’s attention in the mid ’60s when he partnered with his wife, Cher to form the singing and comic duo, Sonny & Cher.  One of Bono’s first jobs in the music business was assisting producer, Phil Spector.  He was also writing songs, penning such pop classics as “Things You Do To Me” (Sam Cooke), “Needle and Pins” (the Searchers, Jackie DeShannon, Tom Petty), and of course, “I Got You Babe,” “The Beat Goes On” and many more made famous by Sonny & Cher.  In 1971, CBS debuted The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour which was a top 20 hit for its four-season run.  Sonny and Cher split both professionally and personally in the mid ’70s, afterwhich Bono periodically made television guest star appearances into the ’90s.  In 1988, Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, an office he held until 1992.  By all accounts he did a great job and was very popular in the position.   On January 5, 1998,  Sonny Bono died of injuries he sustained from accidentally skiing into a tree at near Lake Tahoe.

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Died On This Date (January 5, 2011) Jose “Crunchy” Espinosa / Ozomatli

Jose Espinosa
DOB Unknown – January 5, 2011

Jose “Crunchy” Espinosa was a founding member of Los Angeles Latin rock/funk/hip-hop collective, Ozomatli.  Formed in 1995, the band, which has counted as many as many as 10 members, quickly became local favorites thanks in part to their highly energetic shows and dance friendly message songs.  With a sound rooted deep in Latin folk and lyrics in both Spanish and English, it was no doubt they’d become hometown favorites.  The band is also highly regarded for using its popularity to lend a voice to people of struggle.   During the 2000 Democratic Convention, Ozomatli staged a large protest concert outside of the event.  In 1998 they released their self-titled debut that included the uptempo song “Como Ves” which became a film and TV staple and helped the band build its sizable following outside of Southern California.  They have since released several more records, toured the world many times over, and wowed audiences at the biggest music festivals across the United States.  Their fans range from lovers of traditional Latin music, Salsa, hip-hop, jamband, and alternative rock.   Outside of Ozomatli, Espinosa collaborated with the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Ubalaye, Money Mark, and the Salvador Santana Band.  Jose “Crunchy” Espinosa died of cancer on January 5, 2011.

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Died On This Date (January 4, 2010) Sandro / The Argentine Elvis

Sandro de America (Born Roberto Sanchez)
August 19, 1945 – January 4, 2010

Sandro de America was an Argentine singer and actor who rose to prominence during the ’60s.  He began his career imitating Elvis Presley, but soon evolved into a style that raised him above the pack and garnered him millions of fans worldwide.  By doing so, he became known as the “father of Spanish rock.”  As an actor, Sandro appeared in popular telenovelas  (Spanish soap operas), and approximately two dozen films.  In the early ’70s, he became the first Latino performer to sell-out Madison Square Garden, and he did so four other time.  One such concert in April of 1970 was broadcast worldwide via satellite, marking it the first time any singer had ever done so.  On January 4, 2010 Sandro de America died of complications from a heart and lung transplant he received on November 20, 2009.  He was 64 years old.

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