Died On This Date (March 19, 2007) Luther Ingram / R&B Singer

Luther Ingram
November 30, 1937 – March 19, 2007

Perhaps best known for his hit performance of “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right,” Luther Ingram was also an accomplished songwriter. He co-wrote the Staple Singers’ hit “Respect Yourself.” Ingram spent most of his young life in Illinois where he began writing songs and took a stab as a performer. He later moved to New York City where he reportedly roomed for a brief time with another struggling unknown by the name of Jimi Hendrix. Luther spent the rest of is career writing numerous chart topping hits for the likes of Barbara Mandrell, Joe Cocker and yes, Bruce Willis. In his final years, Ingram suffered from kidney disease, partial blindness and diabetes, finally succumbing to heart failure on March 19, 2007 at the age of 69.

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Luther Ingram

Died On This Date (March 5 2009) Irby Mandrell / Father and Manager of Barbara Mandrell

Irby Mandrell
1924 – March 5, 2009

irby-mandrellIrby Mandrell was the patriarch of the Mandrell family, making him the father of popular country singers, Barbara Mandrell, Irlene Mandrell, and Louise Mandrell.  With a background in music himself, Irby and his wife taught all of their daughters from an early age to appreciate music.  Oldest child, Barbara learned to play multiple instruments as a young child thanks to the tutelage of Irby, who owned a musical instrument shop at the time.  By the time she was 11 Barbara landed her first gig.   And from those early days on, Irby managed her successful career as one of country music’s first ladies.  Their business partnership lasted the better part of three decades.  On March 5, 2009, Irby Mandrell died following a stroke.  He was 84.



Died On This Date (September 4, 1991) Dottie West / Country Music Icon

Dottie West
October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991

As one of contemporary country music’s first leading ladies, Dottie West opened the door for such female superstars as Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Tammy Wynette, Shania Twain and Martina McBride.  One of West’s early hits, 1965’s “Here Comes My Baby Back Again,” won her a Best Female Country Grammy Award.  In the late ’70s, West teamed up with Kenny Rogers to release a string of pop-leaning country records that landed at the top of the charts and lead to platinum status of their duets albums.  By the time the ’90s hit, West was nearly broke due to bad investments, lavish spending and owed money to the IRS.  She began to mount a comeback in 1991 when tragedy hit.  While in transit to a Grand Ol Opry performance, the driver of the car in which she was a passenger lost control of the vehicle, causing it to go airborne and land in the center divider.  At first West didn’t seem to be badly injured, but in fact she sustained internal injuries that lead to her death on September 4, 1991 at the age of 58.

 

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RCA Country Legends: Dottie West - Dottie West