Died On This Date (December 10, 1967) Jimmy King, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Carl Cunningham / The Bar-Kays
themusicsover Jimmy King
1949 – December 10, 1967
Ronnie Caldwell
1948 – December 10, 1967
Phalon Jones
1949 – December 10, 1967
Carl Cunningham
1949 – December 10, 1967
Jimmy King, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones and Carl Cunningham along with Ben Cauley and James Alexander were the orignal members of R&B group, the Bar-Kays. Formed in 1966, they quickly became the session band for Stax Records, working with numerous artists, but most notably, Otis Redding. They also recorded hits of their own, the biggest being, 1967’s “Soul Finger.” That same year, the band was selected to be Redding’s touring band, putting them on the plane on that tragic night of December 10, 1967. The aircraft in which they were all flying, crashed into a Madison, Wisconsin lake, killing Otis Redding, Jimmy King, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones and Carl Cunningham. Only Ben Cauley survived the crash. Band member, James Alexander wasn’t on the plane. The latter reformed the group and continued on for many years.
Patty Donahue is best remembered as the lead singer of ’80s new wave act, the Waitresses. Formed in 1978 in Akron, Ohio, the band made its mark on pop culture with three catchy songs during the early ’80s. Their “I Know What Boys Like” from their debut album stands today as one of the most lasting and instantly recognizable songs of the era, while their stab at a Holiday song, “Christmas Wrapping,” continues to be an annual favorite at modern rock stations around the world. And in 1982, the group provided the theme song for the now cult classic American TV show, Square Pegs. Much more than a pretty face with a sultry pop voice, Donahue blazed the trail for feminist-centric alternative rockers to follow. That list includes Liz Phair and Ani DiFranco. Following the break up of the Waitresses in 1984, Donahue moved over to the label side where she worked in A&R at MCA Records. On December 9, 1996, Patty Donahue died of cancer. She was 40 years old.
Mary Hansen was a singer and guitarist for popular London-based alternative rock band, Stereolab. Born in Queensland, Australia, Hansen was living in London by the early ’90s, and it was there that she first joined the Wolfhounds, and was soon invited to join Stereolab. Besides the guitar, Hansen played keyboards and percussion while singing an occasional lead for the group. She remained a member of Stereolab until the time of her passing and sang on recordings by the likes of Hovercraft and the High Llamas. On December 9, 2002, Mary Hansen, who was 36, was accidentally struck and killed by a truck while riding her bicycle in London.