Maureen Gray was a beloved soul singer whose strong and impassioned voice exemplified what became known as the Philly Sound. Born in New York City, Gray was just five years old when she made her professional debut at Carnegie Hall. She sang just one song that night, “Steam Heat” from Pajama Game, and received her first standing ovation. At just 12 years old, she came to the attention of Chancellor Records who released her first record, “Today’s The Day,” which became an instant hit in the Philly area, making her the envy of her classmates. Later, she had a Billboard charting hit with “Dancin’ The Strand,” and several other marginal hits. Gary went on to be an in-demand session singer, recording with the likes of Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Bob Marley, David Bowie, George Harrison, and John Lennon. Maureen Gray was 65 when she died of a rare bile duct cancer on January 7, 2014.
Phil Everly, along with his brother Don Everly, are considered the must influential vocal duo pop music has ever known. Working together as the Everly Brothers, they created such seamless and glorious harmonies that no less than members of the Byrds, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys have preached their influence ever since. Born in Chicago, Illinois to a musical family, Phil learned to play the guitar at an early age. Family patriarch, Ike Everly was a respected professional musician himself, so the boys were introduced to music as a way of life while still in their childhood. Ultimately settling in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Everly family performed as a group throughout the area for many years. By the early ’50s, Phil and Don were working as a duo, making an early believer out of Chet Atkins who helped then secure their first recording contract with Columbia Records. Their first single, “Keep A’ Lovin’ Me,” performed less than spectacularly, so Columbia dropped them. Before they knew it, Acuff-Rose Publishing snatched Phil and Don up as songwriters while Roy Acuff helped land them a deal with Cadence Records. From there, the Everly Brothers’ career skyrocketed. Their first release for Cadence, “Bye Bye Love” shot to #2 on the pop charts, #1 on the country charts, and #5 on the R&B charts. What followed that million-seller was a string of hits that helped define the era. Records like “Wake Up Little Susie,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” and “Cathy’s Clown” earned the duo more than $35 Million dollars by 1962 – an astonishing sum at that time. After the British Invasion hit the U.S. in 1964, the Everly Brothers’ shine diminished as teenagers scrambled for the new sound by the likes of the Beatles, who ironically, might not have ever crossed the Atlantic if it weren’t for Phil and Don. By the dawn of the ’70s, the Everly Brothers had split up to pursue solo careers. Phil worked with likes of Warren Zevon and Roy Wood, and later scored a hit with “Don’t Say You Don’t Love Me No More,” a tune he wrote and performed with actress, Sondra Locke in the Clint Eastwood hit film, Every Which Way But Loose. In 1983, the Everly Brothers reunited for an acclaimed concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The show was recorded and the subsequent album returned the duo to the charts. Phil and Don continued to record and perform as a duo and individually well into the 2000s. In all, they scored 35 Billboard Top 100 singles, a record that still stands to this day. They were also recognized with nearly every musical award you could think of including being part of the first group of ten artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. On January 3, 2014, it was announced that Phil Everly died of pulmonary disease. He was 74.
Ben Curtis was a founding member of the two popular indie rock bands, Secret Machines and School Of Seven Bells. Born in Layton, Oklahoma, Curtis moved to Dallas, Texas while still in junior high. A gifted guitarist, drummer and songwriter, he and his brother, Brandon Curtis, formed Secret Machines in 2000 and moved the band to New York City. The space rock group released several acclaimed singles, EPs and albums and even opened for u2 during a 2006 show in Mexico. In 2007, Curtis and identical twins, Claudia Deheza and Alejandra Deheza launched School Of Seven Bells, a popular shoegaze band who went on to release numerous records to critical acclaim as well. Their most recent LP, Ghostory, came out in 2013. Curtis also played in UFOFU and Tripping Daisy during his career. In early 2013, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma but initially, that it was treatable. In August of 2013, several musicians held a benefit concert to raise money to help with his medical expenses. Devendra Banhart along with members of Interpol and the Strokes took part. Ben Curtis ultimately died from the cancer on December 29, 2013. He was 35.
Yusef Lateef (Born William Huddleston) October 9, 1920 – December 23, 2013
Yusef Lateef was a highly influential jazz multi-instrumentalist who, primarily through the flute and tenor saxophone, is best remembered for seamlessly integrating of jazz and Eastern music. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lateef was exposed to the playing of such local greats as Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell and Elvin Jonesat a very young age. By the time he finished high school he was already proficient enough on the saxophone to launch his professional career. In 1949, he was hired by Benny Goodman to tour as part of his orchestra. By the late ’50s, Lateef was making his own records for Savoy, and later Prestige Records. In 1961, he released arguably his most influential album, Eastern Sounds. His use of Eastern instruments on that album clearly influenced the likes of John Coltrane. In 1987, he was awarded a Grammy for the album, Yusef Lateef’s Little Symphony. He also acquired numerous other awards and accolades throughout his career – not just as a musician, but as an educator as well. Yusef Lateef was 93 when he passed away on December 23, 2013.