Died On This Date (August 6, 2011) Fred Imus / Radio Personality & Songwriter
themusicsover Fred Imus
January 11, 1942 – August 6, 2011
Fred Imus was a songwriter, radio personality, younger brother, and frequent guest of controversial radio talk giant, Don Imus. In 1962, the Imus brothers co-wrote and recorded “I’m a Hot Rodder (and All That Jazz)” under the name Jay Jay Imus and Freddy Ford. Years later, while working on the railroad during the mid ’70s, the younger Imus and friend, Phil Sweet co-wrote “I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You” which shot to #1 on the country music charts as recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius. The tune was ultimately named Song of the Year by Music City News. During the ’90s, Imus began restoring vintage cars at his Auto Body Express which eventually became extremely successful for its branded clothing and food products thanks to publicity from his brother’s radio show. The shop, along with a second gift shop in the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, closed in 2003. In recent years, Imus could be heard on his weekly Americana music program, Trailer Park Bash, which aired on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel. The program was literally broadcast from his trailer in the Arizona desert. On August 6, 2011, Fred Imus was found dead in his bed when he failed to report to the studio for his radio program. He reportedly died in his sleep at the age of 69.
Conrad Schnitzler was a German-born musician who became one of electronic music’s most influential pioneers. As an early member of the great Tangerine Dream, Schnitzler helped launch what would become known as “krautock,” and in doing so, influenced such electronic based acts as Brian Eno, Radiohead, and everyone in between. Following his short stint with Tangerine Dream, Schnitzel left to form Kluster, another experimental group that laid the foundation of what we now know as industrial music. In more recent years, Schnitzler self-produced and self-distributed numerous CD-Rs of his recordings while collaborating with others. He released over 100 recordings throughout his career, the latest being 00/830, just days before he passed away. Conrad Schnitzler died of stomach cancer on August 4, 2011.
Delois Barrett Campbell was a dynamic and beloved Gospel singer who, over the better part of the past five decades entertained the world as 1/3 of the Barrett Sisters. Singing together since childhood, Delois and her sisters, Billie Barrett and Rodessa Barrett cut their first records during the mid-’60s. Their early output included their popular takes on “Wonderful,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Carry Me Back.” Before long they were electrifying crowds from their church in Chicago, Illinois to venues all over the world. They toured the globe no fewer than seven times and were a popular site on such TV shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Away from her sisters, Barrett Campbell sang with the popular Roberta Martin Singers while still in high school. Although confined to a wheelchair for many years due to health issues, Barrett Campbell was on-hand at a special concert to celebrate her 85th birthday in March of 2011. Delois Barrett Campbell passed away on August 2, 2011.
Wendy Kale was a music writer who over the course of some 30 years, reported on the Denver, Colorado scene for Boulder’s Colorado Daily. Kale began her music career as a college concert promoter during the late ’70s, eventually working shows by the likes of B.B. King, 
Jevon Hollywood was a popular radio disc jockey, most recently heard on Detroit top-40 station, WDTW-FM (106.7 The Beat). In his early days at the station, Hollywood built a following as an intern for on-air personality, Lisa Lisa. He eventually landed his own program, the “Late Show,” which aired from 10pm to 1am throughout the week. He was also a popular draw at station events around town. Early reports indicated that Hollywood was walking along the shoulder of a Novi, Michigan-area road (just northeast of Detroit) near his home around 5:30 am, when he was struck by a 61-year-old driver. The apparent accident occurred on July 28, with Hollywood ultimately dying of his injuries on August 1, 2011. He was 34.