Died On This Date (May 24, 2008) Sonny Okosun / Nigerian Pop Star
themusicsover Sonny Okosun
January 1, 1947 – May 24, 2008
Sonny Okosun was one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians through most of the ’70s and ’80s. His most popular song was 1977’s “Fire In Soweto,” which was featured on Little Steven’s anti-apartheid album, Sun City. Another of his songs, “High Life” was later featured on the soundtrack for 1986 film, Something Wild. By the mid 80s, Okosun had moved out of the pop arena and transitioned into gospel music. He died of colon cancer on May 24, 2008 at the age of 61.
Jimmy McGriff was a jazz organist that was known for his talent on the Hammond B-3. Very gifted as a child, McGriff learned the piano at five years old and by the time he was a teen, he was also playing the saxophone, vibes, drums and bass. Although he didn’t take up the Hammond B-3 organ until in his twenties, he would be come the instrument he was most closely associated with. Over the course of his career, McGriff played with the likes of Jimmy Smith, 
Jay Bennett was an exceptional, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer most famously known for his years in Wilco. Prior to Wilco, Bennett helped found Titanic Love Affair in the early ’90s. He joined Wilco in 1994 and stayed with the group until a less-than-amicable split in 2001. After Wilco, Bennett released a handful of studio albums while appearing on several as an in-demand studio musician. He also produced albums by the likes of Blues Traveler. In May of 2009, Bennett filed a lawsuit against Jeff Tweedy of Wilco claiming, according to Paste Magazine, “Tweedy owes Bennett ‘damages of at least $50,000’ for his time in the band, including his less-than-favorable depiction in the 2002 Wilco documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.” Jay Bennett passed away of an accidental overdose from a prescription painkiller on May 23, 2009 . He was just 45.
Utah Phillips was a great folk singer, poet and much respected labor organizer. Phillips first picked up a ukulele when he was a child but soon switched to guitar after he moved to Yellowstone Park to work on a road crew. It was there that he was exposed to the music of 
Joe Pass was an exceptional jazz guitarist known for an improvisational style that would influence future generations of players. Pass began playing guitar on his 9th birthday and by the time he turned 14, he was gigging around town. But within a few years, he began to struggle with drug abuse and fell off the radar as a musician. After spending over two years in a drug rehab program, he resurfaced to reclaim his spot at the top of the jazz world. Throughout the ’60s, Pass recorded several albums for the Pacific Jazz label while lending his talents to the likes of 