Died On This Date (September 11, 2012) Homer Joy / Wrote “Streets Of Bakersfield”
themusicsover Homer Joy
April 12, 1945 – September 11, 2012
Homer Joy was a country singer and songwriter who is best remembered for penning “Streets of Bakersfield” for Buck Owens. The song, which he wrote in a motel in the Bakersfield-adjacent town of Oildale, California in 1973, ultimately became Owens’ final #1 country hit in 1988. Although Owens played the song live as far back as 1972 and put it on two of his own albums, it wasn’t until Dwight Yoakam invited him to duet with him in ’88 that it became the iconic ode to the Central California city that it is. The tune, in fact, is listed as one of the greatest 100 country songs of the 20th century and consistently appears on best country duets lists. It was back in 1972 that Joy first went to work for Owens’ publishing company, Black Book Music, and in just two years, recordings of his songs by others sold more than 3 million copies. Joy soon made a bit of a name for himself as a performer as well. Signed to Capitol Records in 1974, Joy had a fairly big country hit with “John Law.” He was also a popular concert draw at honky-tonks and rodeos for many years. After the success of “Streets Of Bakersfield,” Joy built his own studio where he produced countless records by other artists. According to his website, recordings of songs he wrote have sold more than 20 million copies. Homer Joy was 67 when he passed away on September 11, 2012.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.
Born in East Kingston, Jamaica in 1968, Sluggy Ranks moved to New York City in 1981 to pursue his music career. By the mid ’80s, Ranks was recording for Jah Life Records out of Brooklyn. He eventually became one of the city’s most prominent dancehall singers. Ranks built a strong following thanks to his socially conscious lyrics and strong vocal styling. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, he could be found singing for such premier New York City area sound systems as King Custom Sound and Mini Mart Hi Power while packing in crowds at the popular Biltmore Ballroom and Reggae Lounge. Throughout his career, he released several scene defining singles including “95% Black 5% White” and “Ghetto Youth Bust.” On July 29, 2012, Sluggy Ranks died of injuries he sustained in a car accident while in Kingston. He was 44.
Lou Martin was an Irish keyboardist who is best remembered for his years playing with 
George Gallacher was the co-founder and lead singer of ’60s psychedelic pop band, the Poets. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland 1962, the band we’re an instant local hit thanks to their marriage of blues, hard R&B, and melodic pop. They were often compared to early Kinks and the Small Faces. The hipper kids also liked their fashion sense – ruffled shirts, velvet jackets, and tight pants. By 1964, the Poets were one of the biggest concert draws in all of Scotland, and legendary artist manager and producer, Andrew Loog Oldham took note. The Rolling Stones manager took the group on and even prompted the Stones to mention them in interviews on occasion. He produced their first single for Decca, “Now Were Thru.” Although they never went on to release an entire album, nor had singles sell much beyond Scotland, most garage rock rarity collections which chronicle the era include at least one of their recordings. By the early ’70s, the group had disbanded, but came back together for a show or two in 2011. On August 25, 2012, George Gallacher was behind the wheel of his car when he suddenly became ill. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he died of undisclosed reasons. He was 68.
Lillian Lopez is best remembered as the lead singer for ’70s disco outfit, Odyssey. Formed in New York City in 1977, the group initially included Lillian’s sister, Louise Lopez and friend, Tony Reynolds. Sister, Carmen Lopez performed with her siblings during their pre-Odyssey days. In December of 1977, the group scored a dance hit with “Native New Yorker,” which shot to #21 on the Billboard charts and #5 on the UK charts. Odyssey released numerous records over the next few years, but none did as well as “Native New Yorker” until 1982’s “Inside Out,” which reached #13 in the US and #3 in the UK. Much more popular in Europe, the group had no fewer than ten hits there including “Use It Up And Wear It Out” which topped the UK chart in 1980. Their music continues to be popular in the UK thanks in part to the Northern Soul scene. Lopez, the only original member of Odyssey, toured with them until her retirement in 2003. Lillian Lopez was 76 when she died of cancer on September 4, 2012.
