Died On This Date (January 24, 2011) Bhimsen Joshi / Highly Regarded Indian Vocalist

Bhimsen Joshi
February 4, 1922 – January 24, 2011

Bhimsen Joshi was a respected Indian singer who sang in the Hinduist classical genre.  He was revered for his takes on devotional music.  Joshi was 19 when he first began performing live, and within a year he released his first album.   Over a career that spanned some seven decades, Joshi marveled audiences and critics alike at his concerts due to his remarkable vocal strength and command of his voice as an instrument.  In 2008, he received India’s highest civilian honor.  Bhimsen Joshi was 88 when he passed away on January 24, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (January 21, 2011) Lamar Fike / Member Of Elvis’ Memphis Mafia

Lamar Fike
November 11, 1935 – January 21, 2011

Lamar Fike was one of Elvis Presley’s closest friends and confidants for many years.  He met Presley in 1954, and went to work for him in 1957.  As part of Presley’s storied “Memphis Mafia,” Fike had many responsibilities over the years, including concert lighting duties as well as  arranging transportation for Elvis.  When Presley was drafted by the U.S. Army, Fike reportedly enlisted in order to be close to his boss  while overseas only to be denied due to his large weight.   Fike also worked for Hill and Range music publishers and managed Brenda Lee for a short time.  Lamar Fike died of Lymphoma on January 21, 2011.  He was 75.



Died On This Date (January 20, 2011) Brendan Majewski / Bassist For Quix*o*tic

Brendan Majewski
December 9, 1973 – January 20, 2011

Brendan Majewski was an artist and musician who is perhaps best remembered as the bassist for Washington DC area art-punk band, Quix*o*tic.  Playing with band from 1998 to 2001, Majewski helped the band break out of the DC underground scene thanks in part to their self-released album, Night For Day.    Along the way, they made fans out of such alternative rock icons as Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.  After he left Quix*o*tic, Majewski formed the critically acclaimed Orphan as an outlet for his music and visual art.  Brendan Majewski took his own life on January 20, 2011.  He was 37.



Died On This Date (January 20, 2011) Jim Williamson / Legendary Nashville Recording Engineer

Jim Williamson
DOB Unknown – January 20, 2011

Jim Williamson was a respected Nashville recording engineer who worked on several of the most iconic recordings in pop music history.  His behind-the-board talent can be heard on such records as Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man,” Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Lynn Anderson‘s “Rose Garden,” and Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.”  He also worked on recordings by Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson, to name a few.  Jim Williamson passed away from pulmonary disease on January 11, 2011.  He was 75.

Thanks to Jon Grimson for the assist.



Died On This Date (January 19, 2011) James O’Gwynn / Popular Country Singer Of Late ’50s

James O’Gwynn
January 26, 1928 – January 19, 2011

James O’Gwynn, known to fans as “The Smiling Irishman,” was a country singer who made a name for himself during the late ’50s and early ’60s.  Over the course of his career, O’Gwynn recorded for labels like United Artists and Mercury, charting no less than six times on the country singles chart.  His most famous song was the #7 hit, “My Name Is Mud.”  James O’Gwynn was 82 when he passed away on January 19, 2011.