Died On This Date (November 16, 2012) Bernard Lansky / Clothier To Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison And More
themusicsover Bernard Lansky
1927 – November 16, 2012
Bernard Lansky was a longtime Memphis clothing retailer who, along with his brother, Guy Lansky owned Lansky Brothers on Beale Street. Since the early ’50s, the Lansky brothers helped create a visual image for celebrities who appreciated their store’s simple yet classic suits. The long list of their musical clientele over the years included Rob Orbison, Isaac Hayes, Robert Plant, Dr. John, Johhny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Steven Tyler, and most famously, Elvis Presley. One day back in 1952, Bernard invited a 17-year-old Presley into the store after seeing him continually window-shop outside his store. Presley, who was working at a local movie theater at the time, remarked to Bernard that he was going to buy him out if he ever made enough money. To that Bernard replied, “Don’t buy me, buy from me!”, and that is exactly what Presley did when he ultimately made it big. It was Lansky who put Presley in the suit he wore for that first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. And from then on, Presley was one of Lansky Broters’ most loyal customers, and in return, the Lanskys opened the shop for him late at night so he could shop in peace and even hand-delivered suits to Graceland to try on. When Presley died in 1977, it was Bernard who selected the suit and tie that he was buried in. Bernard Lansky was 85 when he passed away on November 16, 2012.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the asssist.
Martin Fay is best remembered as the founding fiddler for the Chieftains. Formed in 1962, the Cheiftains went on to become arguably the biggest Irish folk band in history. If nothing more, they helped popularize their native music the world over for the better part of 50 years. To date, the band has earned six Grammys and has been named “Ireland’s Musical Ambassadors.” Fay learned to play the violin as a child, and by his late teens, he was playing in the Abbey Theatre orchestra in Dublin. By the early ’60s, Fay was earning his living by playing music, and in 1963, he and the Chieftains released their self-titled debut on Claddagh Records. From then on, the band seemed to tour the world non-stop, even playing in front of over 1 million people during Pope John Paul II‘s visit to Dublin in 1979. In 2001, Fay retired from the road but continued to record and perform with the Chieftains, but only in Ireland. In all, he played on over 30 albums before retiring completely in 2002. Martin Fay was 76 when he passed away on November 14, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released, although, he had reportedly been ill for quite some time prior.
John Napier was a founding member of influential ’90s industrial band, Ethyl Meatplow. Formed in the early ’90s, the band released their first and only album, Happy Days, Sweetheart, in 1993. Although critically acclaimed, the album didn’t fair as well with consumers. Ethyl Meatplow did, however, find a mostly receptive audience for their live shows which were known to be somewhat explicit and generally included nude dancers. Along the way, the band toured with such acts as Front 242 and Thrill Kill Kult. After the band broke up, Napier went on to play with E. Coli and Buccinator. He was also a touring member of Nitzer Ebb. In later years, Napier, who had a Master’s Degree in Social Work, worked with troubled children. On November 11, 2012, John Napier died of what was initially reported as uncertain causes.
Major Harris was a singer of what is commonly referred to as Philly Soul. Born into a musical family in Richmond, Virginia, Harris learned from his father, a guitarist, and his mother, a singer. He began his career singing in such vocal groups as the Charmers, the Jarmels, and the Teenagers. By the early ’70s, Harris was singing in the Delfonics, replacing 
Pete Namlook was a German electronic music producer whose innovations in ambient are highly regarded by both fans and peers alike. In 1993, he founded the FAX +49-69/450464 record label and has since released upwards of 130 album, both of his own and as a collaborator. The list of artists he worked with includes Bill Laswell, Klaus Schulze, and Richie Hawtin. Pete Namlook was 51 when he died peacefully of “unspecified causes” on November 8, 2012.