Died On This Date (October 2, 1998) Gene Autry / Famous Singing Cowboy

Orvon “Gene” Autry
September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998

Known since the 1930s as the Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry was country singer-songwriter and cowboy actor.  Signing to Columbia Records in 1929, Autry began releasing what were called “hillbilly” music in the early ’30s.   Over the course of his career, Autry made over 600 records, roughly half either co-written, or written by himself.  Besides his signature song, “Back in the Saddle Again,” Autry best remembered for “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and the self-written, “Here Comes Santa Claus.”  Besides making nearly 100 films, Autry successfully transitioned to television during the ’40s, starring in his own show on CBS.   Autry also owned several California radio stations as well as Major League Baseball team, the California Angels.  Forbes Magazine included him in annual list of the 400 richest Americans for many years.  Gene Autry died of lymphoma at the age of 91.


Died On This Date (October 2, 2009) John Rivas aka Mr. Magic / Pioneering Hip-Hop Disc Jockey

Mr. Magic (Born John Rivas)
DOB Unknown – October 2, 2009

MrMagicMr. Magic was a New York City disc jockey who helped bring hip-hop and rap to a much wider audience during the early ’80s.  Premiering on WBLS in 1983, Mr. Magic’s “Rap Attack” program was the first to ever play hip hop exclusively on any major radio station in the U.S.  For the next six years, the show helped launch the careers of  such artists as WhodiniMarley Marl and Boogie Down Productions.  He was also noted as an influence on the likes of Tupac Shakur and the Notrorius B.I.G. Younger generations may recoginize his name and voice as the DJ on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.  Mr. Magic died of a heart attack on October 2, 2009.



Died On This Date (October 1, 2008) Nick Reynolds / The Kingston Trio

Nick Reynolds
July 27, 1933 – October 1, 2008

nickreynoldsNick Reynolds was a founding member of the Kingston Trio, one of the premier groups of the ’60s folk revival.  Formed in northern California in the late ’50s, the group were a direct descendant of the Weavers, but thanks in part to their youthfulness, they were able to bring folk music further into the mainstream.  Their harmonies would, in turn, heavily influence such groups as the Beach Boys in years to come.  The Kingston Trio won two Grammy’s during the early part of their career.  The group broke up in 1967 as harder rock music started becoming more popular with American kids, so Reynolds took some time off from music to enjoy his other love, auto racing.    He made a name for himself driving formula B and C cars along the Northwest circuit.  He reunited with the Kingston Trio in the early ’80s and played with them on and off until his retirement in 1998.  Nick Reynolds was 75 when he died of respiratory disease on October 1, 2008.

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The Kingston Trio



Died On This Date (October 1, 1975) Al Jackson Jr. / Booker T & The MGs

Al Jackson Jr.
November 27, 1934 – October 1, 1975

Al Jackson, Jr. was a much respected drummer, producer and songwriter who is best remembered for his work as a member of the house band for Stax Records, Booker T. & the M.G.s. Jackson started drumming as a child and is even reported to have played on stage with his father’s jazz band as early as the age of five.  He eventually joined up with Booker T. Jones, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Steve Cropper to form the equally integrated R&B band, Booker T. and the M.G.s (Cropper and Dunn are both white).  Together (and separately)  they played on countless R&B hits, including those by Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett.  In 1962, the group released the instrumental, “Green Onions” which became an iconic hit that has been heard in countless movies, television shows and commercials over the years.   In the early hours of October 1, 1975, Jackson returned home from watching the Joe Frazier – Muhammad Ali fight on a local movie theater screen.  He was met by an intruder or intruders who shot and killed him execution style.  Details of the incident have remained fuzzy, but some believe that his wife was in on it.  A suspect who apparently knew Jackson’s wife, was shot and killed in a gun battle with police nine months later.  It is not clear if it was related to the Jackson killing.

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The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's - Booker T. & The MG's

Died On This Date (October 1, 2004) Bruce Palmer / Buffalo Springfield

Bruce Palmer
September 9, 1946 – October 1, 2004

brucepalmerBruce Palmer is best remembered as the bassist for Buffalo Springfield.  Born and raised in Canada, he played in a few local bands throughout the early ’60s.  One in particular, Jack London & The Sparrows would evolve into Steppenwolf after he left to join the Ontario, Canada based R&B group, Mynah Birds, featuring Neil Young on guitar and future funk star, Rick James on vocals.  The band signed to Motown, but before the launch of their first record, it was found out that James was AWOL from the Navy so the label walked away from the group who quickly disbanded.  Palmer and Young moved to Los Angeles where they met up with Stephen Stills and eventually formed Buffalo Springfield with Richie Furay and Dewey Martin. With songs like “For What It’s Worth” and “Mr. Soul,” Buffalo Springfield’s psychedelic folk rock would help define the ’60s generation.  Unfortunately, Palmer found himself caught up in the trappings of rock stardom.  Drug issues lead to a couple of arrests and deportation and thus his removal from the band.  Palmer eventually resolved his legal and drug problems and was back to work in the US, at one point, playing bass for Young in his Trans Band of the early ’80s.  Palmer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Buffalo Springfield in 1996.  He was 58 when he died of a heart attack on October 1, 2004.

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Buffalo Springfield Again - Buffalo Springfield