Died On This Date (May 11, 1970) Johnny Hodges / Played Sax With Duke Ellington
themusicsover Johnny Hodges
July 25, 1907 – May 11, 2008
Johnny Hodges was an American saxophonist who played lead in Duke Ellington’s Orchestra for 38 years, giving it it’s signature sound. And along the way, he wowed not only jazz fans but his contemporaries as well. Benny Goodman once claimed that Hodges was “the greatest man on alto sax I ever heard.” allmusic.com calls him the “Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz.” Hodges stayed with Ellington until his sudden death in 1970, after which Ellington proclaimed, “Our band will never sound the same.”
John Rutsey was the drummer and founding member of Rush who was replaced by Neil Peart after the release of their first album. It was the summer of 1968 when Rutsey along with Alex Lifeson and Jeff Jones built the foundation for one rock’s most beloved power trios. Vocalist Jones was soon replaced by Geddy Lee. Rutsey, Lifeson and Lee later went into the studio and recorded Rush’s self-titled debut, but since Rutsey suffered from diabetes, he decided to leave the band as he feared a life on the road would take a heavy toll on his body. Ironically, his post-rock life found him turning to competitive body building on the regional amateur level. Rutsey died of a heart attack in his sleep on May 11, 2008.
Martin Lamble was the drummer on the first three Fairport Convention albums. Lamble was killed following a gig when the van in which the band was traveling was involved in an accident. He was just 19. The girlfriend of band mate, Richard Thompson was also killed.
Walter Hyatt was an American singer-songwriter who has been called the Godfather of Americana Music. Hyatt was just 13 when he learned to play the guitar, and when he was 20, he formed Uncle Walt’s Band with David Ball and 
