Died On This Date (January 6, 2009) Rev. Claude Jeter / The Swan Silvertones
themusicsover Claude Jeter
October 26, 1914 – January 6, 2009
Reverend Claude Jeter was a much respected gospel singer and founding member of the Swan Silvertones, one of the genre’s most beloved groups. And for a time, he was also a member of the equally respected Dixie Hummingbirds. As a singer, Jeter is said to have inspired the likes of Eddie Kendricks, Al Green and Paul Simon who has claimed that Jeter’s “Mary Don’t You Weep” inspired him to write “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” Simon returned the favor years later by hiring Jeter to sing on his There Goes Rhymin’ Simon album. The Reverend Claude Jeter was 94 when he passed away on January 6, 2009
What You Should Own
Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond. Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands. He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at 
Adalah Bennett Shaw was a longtime music industry leader who followed in the footsteps of her father, Alvin Bennett, a former president of Liberty Records. Shaw moved from farming into the music business in the early ’90s when she purchased the Hi Records masters, which included those of Al Green, Ace Cannon and Ann Peebles. Shaw is credited with revitalizing the label through license deals with EMI Music in the US and Demon Music Group in Europe. Adalah Bennett Shaw passed away at the age of 55. Cause of death was not immediately released.
As one of R&B’s unsung heroes, Little Willie John sang with a robust voice and an emotional range that would be cited as an influence by no less than 