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Died On This Date (June 15, 2010) Busi Mhlongo / South African Pop Star

themusicsover June 15, 2010 No Comments

Victoria “Busi” Mhlongo
October 28, 1947 – June 15, 2010

Known as the “Reigning Queen of Zulu music,” Busi Mhlongo was a respected South African singer-songwriter and producer whose music included elements of West African, jazz, reggae, rock, funk, soul and gospel. Over a career that spanned the better part of four decades, Mhlongo built an international fan base while working with the likes of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. Busi Mhlongo was 62 when she died of breast cancer on June 15, 2010.

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Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (June 15, 1982) Art Pepper / Jazz Sax Great

themusicsover June 15, 2010 2 Comments

Art Pepper
September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982

Art Pepper was one of West Coast Jazz’s great saxophone players of the ’40s and ’50s, sharing the stage with the likes of Benny Carter and Stan Kenton, and later, Buddy Rich. Unfortunately, Pepper was addicted to heroin and served approximately twelve years spread over four separate terms throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s, even serving two in San Quentin. No doubt due to these breaks in his career, he was never able to reach the heights he might have. Art Pepper died of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 56.

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Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (June 15, 1968) Wes Montgomery / Jazz Legend

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John “Wes” Montgomery
March 6, 1925 – June 15, 1968

The brother of fellow jazz greats, Buddy Montgemery and Monk Montgomery, Wes Montgomery was an acclaimed jazz guitarist whose style of playing strongly influenced the likes of, not only jazz artists like Pat Metheny an George Benson, but also such rock greats as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Satriani. A relative late-comer to music, Montgomery taught himself to play the guitar at the age of nineteen, and although he could not read music, he had the uncanny ability to learn by ear. Throughout his short career by jazz standards, Montgomery was known to astound the likes of John Coltrane (who asked him to join his band), and Cannonball Aderley (who helped him get his first record deal) with his supurb playing. Wes Montgomery died of a heart attack at the young age of 45.

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Musician Rock

Died On This Date (June 15, 2007) Richard Bell / Played With Janis Joplin & The Band

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Richard Bell
March 5, 1946 – June 15, 2007

Richard Bell was a Canadian pianist and guitarist who played Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band in the late ’60s, and in the ’90s incarnation of the Band. But more remarkably, Bell began playing the piano at the age of four. As a session player, Bell has worked with such greats as Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, John Sebastian, and Bruce Cockburn. Richard Bell died of a form of cancer at the age of 61.

Blues Musician Rock Singer

Died On This Date (June 14, 1995) Rory Gallagher / Irish Blues Rock God

themusicsover June 14, 2010 3 Comments

Liam Rory Gallagher
March 2, 1948 – June 14, 1995

Rory Gallagher(1) — Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues rock guitar great who sold more than 30 million albums and is considered one of the greatest musicians Ireland has ever produced. Gallagher first began making waves with his mid ’60s blues rock trio, Taste. The band began building a solid reputation in London and soon found themselves opening for such bands as Cream and Blind Faith. By the early ’70s, Taste had broken up and Gallagher was now leading a trio under his own name, making some of his best and most popular albums. In 1972, the trend-setting Melody Maker magazine named him Top Musician Of The Year. It was during this period that Gallagher was being strongly considered for the Rolling Stones, Deep Purple AND Canned Heat. By the ’80s however, Gallagher was falling deeper into drug and alcohol addiction, and his musical output suffered from it. He made his final performance in January of 1995, and was in such bad health, he soon needed a liver transplant. Unfortunately, an infection developed following the surgery, and he died at the age of 47.

Died On This Date (June 15, 2010) Busi Mhlongo / South African Pop Star

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (June 15, 1982) Art Pepper / Jazz Sax Great

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (June 15, 1968) Wes Montgomery / Jazz Legend

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (June 15, 2007) Richard Bell / Played With Janis Joplin & The Band

Died On This Date (June 14, 1995) Rory Gallagher / Irish Blues Rock God

What You Should Own

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