DIed On This Date (July 17, 2010) Fred Carter Jr. / Country Music Legend

Fred Carter, Jr.
December 31, 1933 – July 17, 2010

Fred Carter, Jr. was a highly respected studio musician, producer and composer who has played on some of the biggest hits from legends like Roy Orbison, Muddy Waters, the Band and Waylon Jennings.  The list of songs on which he played include Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay,” Marty Robbins’ “El Paso,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.”  As a songwriter, he’s been recorded by the likes of Chet Atkins and Dean Martin.  He was also the father of country star, Deana Carter, with whom he also worked.  Fred Carter, Jr. was 76 when he died from complications of a stroke.



Died On This Date (July 10, 1987) John Hammond / Legendary Talent Scout & Producer

John H. Hammond
December 15, 1910 – July 10, 1987

Photo by Frank Driggs
Photo by Frank Driggs

John Hammond was one of the most influential men in the music business during the 20th century.  Whether as a producer or talent scout, Hammond was instrumental in the success of many of the names in music.  That list includes Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Seeger, Aretha Franklin, and Count Basie.  Hammond began his career in the early ’30s, mostly working with jazz artists, primarily helping African American musicians like Lionel Hampton and Charlie Christian land gigs in previously all-white bands.  In 1938, Hammond put together the first of the groundbreaking From Spirituals To Swing concerts that included the biggest names in jazz, blues and gospel.  Taking place at Carnegie Hall, it was reportedly the first significant concert by a racially mixed group of performers in front of a racially mixed audience.  The albums documenting the shows are now considered American music classics and a box set was released in 1999 thanks in part to Morgana Kennedy at Vanguard Records. In the early ’60s, Hammond was hired by Columbia Records where he signed Springsteen, Dylan, Seeger, Aretha and many others.  John Hammond passed away after a stroke at the age of 76.

Died On This Date (June 27, 2009) Jackie Washington / Canadian Jazz & Blues Icon

Jackie Washington
November 12, 1919 – June 27, 2009

jack3Jackie Washington was one of those artists that was referred to as both a jazz and blues singer.  Born in Ontario, Canada, Washington taught himself how to play the guitar at thirteen.  This helped the family during the depression as he and his brothers began performing to earn extra money for their large family. During the late ’40s, Washington became Canada’s first African American disc jockey, hosting a jazz show on a Hamilton radio station.  Washington’s career as a musician kicked into high gear during the folk revival of the ’60s, becoming a regular along Canada’s folk and blues festival circuits.  Besides making several albums of his own, including four excellent titles for Vanguard Records, Washington appeared on recordings by such greats as Lionel Hampton, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Duke Ellington.  He was also an inspiration to many, including a young Bob Dylan, who liberally “borrowed” from Washington’s version of “Nottumun Town” for his own “Masters Of War.” There was even talk of Washington suing Dylan, but that never came to be. Jackie Washington died of complications from an earlier heart attack.  He was 89.

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Keeping Out of Mischief - Jackie Washington

 

Died On This Date (June 25, 1987) Boudleaux Bryant / Wrote Many Pop Hits

Boudleaux Bryant
February 13, 1920 – June 25, 1987

Along with his wife, Felice, Boudleaux Bryant wrote such early pop hits as “Bye Bye Love,” “Rocky Top,” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” the last two being big hits for the Everly Brothers. The future Mr. & Mrs. Boudleaux met in 1945 and so began a successful songwriting partnership (and marriage) that would last some forty years. During that time, they wrote songs for a virtual who’s who of popular music. That list includes Tony Bennett, the Grateful Dead, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Nazareth, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Sarah Vaughan. Together they penned over 1500 recorded songs which obviously landed them into several songwriter halls of fame. Boudleaux Bryant passed away from natural causes on June 25, 1987



Died On This Date (June 15, 2007) Richard Bell / Played With Janis Joplin & The Band

Richard Bell
March 5, 1946 – June 15, 2007

Richard Bell was a Canadian pianist and guitarist who played Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band in the late ’60s, and in the ’90s incarnation of the Band.  But more remarkably, Bell began playing the piano at the age of four.  As a session player, Bell has worked with such greats as Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, John Sebastian, and Bruce Cockburn.  Richard Bell died of a form of cancer at the age of 61.