Died On This Date (February 7, 1999) Bobby Troup / Popular Jazz Musician & Actor; Wrote “Route 66”

Bobby Troup
October 18, 1918 – February 7, 1999

bobby-troupBobby Troup was a producer, jazz pianist and songwriter who penned one of pop music’s most lasting songs.  He was also an actor who is familiar to many for his starring role in the popular ’70s drama, Emergency!.  He played Dr. Joe Early opposite his wife, Julie London.  In 1946, he wrote “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66,” which was first popularized by Nat King Cole, and later recorded by the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Cramps, Depeche Mode, Tom Petty and the Replacements to name just a few.  As a producer, Troup recorded future wife, London’s “Cry Me A River,” which sold over a million copies.   Troup made several of his own albums during the ’50s and ’60s, and even though they are considered a vital part of the history of West Coast Jazz, they never sold significantly.    Bobby Troup died of a heart attack on February 7, 1999.  He was 80 years old.

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Bobby Troup

Died On This Date (February 3, 1959) Buddy Holly / Rock ‘n Roll Pioneer

Buddy Holly (Born Charles Holley)
September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959

Buddy Holly was a gifted singer-songwriter who, even though his career lasted just a year and a half, was arguably the most important figure in the birth of rock ‘n roll.  Holly was more of a traditional country artist before being inspired by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley to add elements of rockabilly into his music in 1955.  The following year, he was signed by Decca Records and formed his back-up band, the Crickets.  Over the next eighteen months, Holly released one hit single after another.  They included “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Oh Boy.”  These songs became a direct influence on the likes of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones.  Just as Holly’s career was beginning to take off, tragedy struck.  February 3, 1959…it’s been called “the day the music died.”  While on a U.S. mid west tour called the Winter Dance Party, Holly, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and Ritchie Valens were on a small Beechcraft airplane en route from Mason City, IA to Moorhead, MN.  The winter weather was taking its toll on the traveling musicians.  Waylon Jennings had originally been slated to fly ahead, but gave up his seat to Richardson at the last minute.  Shortly after take off, the plane carrying rock ‘n roll’s brightest new stars crashed into an empty field killing everyone on board.  Initial reports blamed pilot error on Roger Peterson, but future examinations vindicated him, putting the blame squarely on the bad weather conditions.  Buddy Holly was 22 at the time of his death.

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The Buddy Holly Collection - Buddy Holly

Died On This Date (January 29, 1992) Willie Dixon / Blues Giant

Willie Dixon
July 1, 1915 – January 29, 1992

willie-dixonWillie Dixon is best remembered as one of the few main architects of the Chicago blues sound.  As a singer, bassist and prolific songwriter, Dixon was one of themost influential figures of the era.  He was also considered one of the key bridges between blues and rock ‘n roll.  Dixon wrote such blues staples as “Little Red Rooster,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” and “I Ain’t Superstitious” and has been covered by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Cream, the Faces, Bob Dylan, Queen, the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones.    In later years, Dixon worked to secure royalties and copyrights for blues artists who had been exploited int the past.  He suffered from diabetes for many years and succumbed to heart failure at the age of 76.

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The Chess Box: Willie Dixon - Willie Dixon

Died On This Date (January 25, 1986) Albert Grossman / Legendary Artist Manager

Albert Grossman
May 21, 1926 – January 25, 1986

Albert Grossman is best remembered as an artist manager representing, among others, Bob Dylan between 1962 and 1970.  He also co-founded the Newport Folk Festival with George Wein in 1959.  In 1961, Grossman put three folk singers together, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, otherwise known as Peter, Paul and Mary.  Over the years, Grossman also represented John Lee Hooker, Johnny Average, Ian & Sylvia, Odetta, Janis Joplin, and the Band.  Grossman also built the legendary Bearsville Recording Studio outside of Woodstock, NY and formed Bearsville Records.  Acts like Todd Rundgren, Foghat, NRBQ and Jesse Winchester recorded for the label. On January 25, 1986, Albert Grossman died of a heart attack while flying from the U.S. to London aboard the Concorde.  He was 59 years old.



Died On This Date (January 21, 2010) Larry “L.A.” Johnson / Acclaimed Neil Young Documentarian

Larry  Johnson
June 11, 1947 – January 21, 2010

Larry “L.A.” Johnson was a respected filmmaker who worked with Neil Young for the better part of forty years.  Coming from a similar school of film making ideals that made stars out of Martin Scorsese and Brian DePalma, Johnson’s first break came in 1969 when he was hired as a sound recordist for the Woodstock concert film.  His tremendous work on the landmark film earned him an Academy Award nomination in 1971.  It was while working at Woodstock that Johnson met Young, and it was thanks to that chance meeting, Johnson was soon hired by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to film a never-released concert film that captured a series of shows in 1970.  Eight years later, Young hired Johnson to capture live footage for a concert movie to be called Rust Never Sleeps, which became one of the genre’s greatest films.  Young went on to put Johnson in charge of his film production company, Shakey Pictures, where he produced Weld, Neil Young: Silver and Gold, Year of the Horse, Greendale and other Young vehicles.   Out side of his work with Young, Johnson also collaborated with the likes of Belinda Carlisle, New Edition, Bobby Brown, and Bob Dylan.   On January 21, 2010, Larry Johnson died of an apparent heart attack.  He was 62.