Died On This Date (February 4, 2016) Maurice White / Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice White
December 19, 1941 – February 4, 2016

Maurice-WhiteMaurice White was the founder and co-lead singer of the highly influential R&B band, Earth, Wind & Fire.  Formed in Chicago in 1969, the band went on to sell over 100 million albums, making them one of the most successful bands of the 20th century.  For over four decades, the group dazzled audiences around the world thanks in part to their dynamic horn section and energetic live shows.  White was born in Memphis, Tennessee and gravitated toward music at an early age along with childhood friend, Booker T Jones.  As a teenager, White moved to Chicago where he found work as a session drummer for the legendary label, Chess Records.  He played on numerous records by the likes of Etta James, Muddy Waters, the Impressions, and Buddy Guy.   In 1966, he joined Ramsey Lewis Trio with whom he recorded nine albums and received his first Grammy for the single, “Hold It Right There.”  Three years later, he formed Earth, Wind & Fire and went on to produce most of the their albums.  In all, the group earned six Grammys along with countless other awards and accolades.  During the ’80s, White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Due to that, he ultimately retired from touring in 1994, but continued to oversee the band’s business side while producing their records and those by others.   His most notable successes outside of Earth, Wind & Fire were releases by the Emotions and Deniece Williams.   The stunning list of other collaborators includes Barbra Streisand, Weather Report, Neil Diamond, and Minnie Riperton.  Maurice White was 74 when he passed away on February 4, 2016.  Cause of death was not immediately released but likely attributed to his long battle with Parkinson’s.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (April 10, 2013) Jimmy Dawkins / Chicago Blues Great

Jimmy Dawkins
October 24, 1936 – April 10, 2013

jimmy-dawkinsJimmy Dawkins was a Chicago blues great who earned the somewhat ironic nickname of “Fast Fingers” in that his performances were generally more deliberate and less flashy than that name might convey.  Think Eric Clapton.  Born about 75 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 1955 and began gigging around town while establishing himself as an in-demand session player.  In 1969, he signed with Delmark Records who released his critically acclaimed debut album, Fast Fingers.  His follow-up, All For Business, featured Otis Rush on second guitar.  Over the course of his career, Dawkins released over 20 albums.  He also wrote a column for Living Blues magazine.  During the ’80s, Dawkins started his own label, Leric Records.  As a sideman, he can be heard on recordings by the likes of Buddy Guy, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Luther Allison, Sleepy John Estes, and Earl Hooker.  Jimmy Dawkins was 76 when he passed away on April 10, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (April 11, 2011) Lacy Gibson / Respected Chicago Blues Guitarist

Lacy Gibson
May 1, 1936 – April 11, 2011

Lacy Gibson was a gifted Chicago blues guitarist who over a career that spanned six decades came to be known as a musician’s musician thanks in part to his flashy jazz-influenced guitar skills.  He was also revered for his soulful voice. After moving to Chicago from North Carolina in 1949, Gibson immediately immersed himself in the city’s storied blues scene, learning directly from the likes of Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.  During the ’60s, he became a popular session player for the local labels, including Chess, where he actually sang on at least one recording by Buddy Guy.  Over the course of his career, Gibson recorded or performed with the likes of Sun Ra (his brother-in-law), Jimmy Reed, Son Seals, and Otis Rush.  He released three of his own albums between 1971 and 1996, and continued to be a mainstay on local stages until his ill health kept him away in recent years.  Lacy Gibson died of a heart attack on April 11, 2011.  He was 74.

Thanks to Joel Oberstein at New Releases Now! for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (August 31, 2009) Jesse Fortune / Chicago Blues Singer

Jesse Fortune
February 28, 1930 – August 31, 2009

Jesse_FortuneSinger Jesse Fortune was a Chicago blues mainstay since the 1950s.  Known as “Fortune Tellin’ Man,” had a minor hit with “Too Many Cooks” in 1962.  Discovered by Willie Dixon, Fortune went on to record with such luminaries as Buddy Guy and Big Walter Horton.  While performing on a Chicago club stage on August 31, 2009, Jesse Fortune collapsed and later died at an area hospital.  Cause of death was coronary atherosclerosis.  He was 79 years old.



Died On This Date (August 26, 1992) Professor Eddie Lusk / Chicago Blues Musician

Eddie Lusk
September 21, 1948 – August 26, 1992

Raised by parents who were Pentacostal ministers, Eddie Lusk was exposed to gospel music at a very young age.  And although he, himself became ordained in 1968, he couldn’t resist the call of the blues music he heard around him on Chicago’s south side.  A pianist since childhood, Lusk went on to play with some of the biggest names in contemporary blues.  That list includes Luther Allison, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor.    Lusk learned he was suffering from colon cancer in 1992.  That revelation apparently lead him to jump to his death into the Chicago River on August 26, 1992.

Thanks to Suzanne Swanson for the assist