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Country Musician Producer R&B Rock

Died On This Date (June 10, 2009) Barry Beckett / Produced Records By Bob Seger, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr.

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Barry Beckett
February 4, 1943 – June 10, 2009

barryBarry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable who’s who of popular music.  Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, Etta James, Jerry Jeff Walker to name just a few.  As a musician, Beckett was part of both the storied Fame AND Muscle Shoals rhythm sections, working on such pop music milestones as “Land of 1000 Dances” (Wilson Pickett), “When A Man Loves A Woman” (Percy Sledge), and “Torn Between Two Lovers” (Mary MacGregor).   He passed away in his home at the age of 66.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Hits for the assist.

Musician Rock

Died On This Date (April 26, 2006) Danny McKenna / Guitarist For Toby Beau

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Danny McKenna
April 14, 1952 – April 26, 2006

Courtesy of Margie McKenna
Courtesy of Margie McKenna

Danny McKenna was the founding guitarist for Texas rock band, Toby Beau who scored a 1978 hit with “My Angel Baby.”   It was a #1 hit on the Easy Listening charts and reached #13 on the overall singles chart.  The single would eventually achieve gold status and was recognized by BMI for receiving over 1 million radio plays.  Due in part to the success of the single, Toby Beau toured with the likes of Bob Seger, Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers.  McKenna left the band before the release of their follow-up album and returned to Texas, got married and had two children.  He started a successful business as a luthier, repairing and refurbishing all kinds of stringed instruments for local musicians, as well as others throughout Texas.  He also handmade several guitars and instruments of his own invention, such as an electric “J-fiddle” and a hybrid between an electric guitar and a mandolin.  McKenna always remained active as a musician and formed several local bands throughout the years, and he was extremely generous when sharing his love of music, often doing free repairs for churches or students who couldn’t afford it.  He passed away on April 26, 2006 at the age of 54.  – Additional information courtesy of Emily McKenna.

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Record Label

Died On This Date (November 26, 2009) Jerry Brackenridge/ Longtime Capitol-EMI Executive

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Jerry Brackenridge
1943 – November 26, 2009

Photo courtesy of Alexis Kelley

Jerry Brackenridge was a highly respected sales and marketing executive who spent most of his long music career within the EMI family of companies.  Brackenridge was first hired by Capitol during the ’60s and steadily worked his up way through the ranks until eventually landing in the position of Vice President of Field Sales.   Over the course of his 38+ year career with EMI, Brackenridge handled sales and marketing for such EMI labels as Capitol, EMI-America, Blue Note, Angel, Rhino, Virgin and dozens more.  His hard work and loyalty to his job helped build the careers of such artists as Bob Seger, Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Radiohead, Coldplay, and countless more.  He left the company in 2002.  Jerry Brackenridge, 66, died of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on November 26, 2009.



Musician Record Label Rock

Died On This Date (September 28, 2008) Walter Lee / Longtime Capitol Records Promo Man

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Walter Lee
September 29, 1942 – September 28, 2008

walter-lee
Photo courtesy of Deborah Lee Germain

Walter Lee, began his career in music as lead guitarist for the Boston-area rock ‘n roll combo, the Uniques, a band who had some local success after releasing two singles.  He was eventually hired by Capitol Records and moved to Detroit where he is credited for bringing Bob Seger to the label.  After a handful albums failed to get Seger noticed outside of the Midwest, Capitol was ready to give up on the artist until Lee persuaded the higher-ups to put out an album that captured Seger in his element, live on stage.  That album was Live Bullet, and it launched Seger into the stratosphere.  The ’80s found Lee running Capitol’s radio promotion department in Hollywood.    His leadership as Vice President and GM at the label contributed to the success of Duran Duran, the Motels, Missing Persons, Iron Maiden, Steve Miller and many more.  After leaving Capitol, Lee lead the promotion team at Morgan Creek Records.  In recent years, he was a partner at Pro Sports Music, a firm that promoted music through sporting events.  Walter Lee died of colon cancer on September 28, 2008.

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