Died On This Date (February 21, 2008) Calvin Owens / Respected Jazz Trumpeter
themusicsover Calvin Owens
April 23, 1929 – February 21, 2008
Calvin Owens was a respected jazz and blues trumpeter and band leader from Houston, Texas. He started learning to play the trumpet at the age of 13, and after graduating from high school, he turned professional by touring with a vaudeville act. In 1953, Owens began working with B.B. King, eventually becoming his bandleader. He played with him until 1957, when he landed a job at Peacock Records as a session player. Owens went on to play with the likes of T-Bone Walker and Junior Parker. In the late ’70s, he reunited with King for another handful of years, contributing to his Grammy winning, Blues ‘n’ Jazz album. On February 21, 2008, Calvin Owens, 78, died of kidney failure while recuperating from a surgery to treat liver cancer.
What You Should Own
Bruce Moody was a respected bluegrass guitar player from the mountainous region of North Carolina. He started learning to play the guitar at the age of 14, and by his early 20s, he was touring with his uncle, 
Ty Longley was born in northwest Pennsylvania. In 2001, he joined metal band, Great White, one of the top rock acts of the ’80s, as they were beginning to mount a comeback for the new millennium. Unfortunately, their return to the national headlines was caused by a tragic event that claimed Longley’s life. While on stage at The Station club in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on February 20, 2003, the band’s pyrotechnics accidentally set off a fire that quickly consumed the venue. In all, 100 people perished in the fire, including 31-year-old Ty Longley.
