Died On This Date (December 10, 1996) Faron Young
themusicsover Faron Young
February 25, 1932 – December 10, 1996
Faron Young was a country singer and songwriter who came to prominence during the 1950s. Signed to Capitol Records in 1952, Young released a series of honky-tonkers like “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Hello Walls,” which would prove to be his biggest hit. During the mid ’50s, Young was such a big star that he was cast in a handful of western b-movies. Young continued recording into the late ’80s, but had faded from the public eye by the early ’90s, apparently bitter over what he felt was an industry that had turned it’s back on him. On December 10, 1996, Faron Young shot and killed himself at the age of 64.
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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.
Georgia Gibbs was a torch singer with a powerful voice who came to prominence during the ’40s and was pretty much a household name by the ’50s. She was just 13 when she began her career, and within a few years, she cut her first records. By the mid ’40s, she had appeared on radio and had performed with the likes of Artie Shaw and