Carlene Carter

Died On This Date (June 27, 2012) Susanna Clark / American Songwriter & Artist / Wife Of Guy Clark

themusicsover June 27, 2012 1 Comment

Susanna Clark
1939 – June 27, 2012

Susanna Clark was a Texas-born songwriter and artist. She was also the longtime wife, muse, and occasional song character of fellow songwriting great, Guy Clark. A one-time art instructor herself, Clark’s paintings have appeared on album covers for the likes of her husband (Old No. 1), Emmylou Harris (Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town), and Willie Nelson (Stardust). As a songwriter, she either wrote or co-wrote songs that were recorded by Emmylou Harris, Carlene Carter, Jessi Colter, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Miranda Lambert. The Clarks married in Nashville in 1972, and opened their home to friends for jams and master songwriting classes of sorts. Regular guests included Townes Van Zandt, Crowell, and Earle. In poor health in recent years, Susanna Clark passed away on June 27, 2012. She was 73.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

Musician Rock

Died On This Date (March 24, 2010) John Ciambotti / Bassist For Clover; Played With Elvis Costello

themusicsover March 24, 2010 No Comments

John Ciambotti
DOB Unknown – March 24, 2010

John Ciambotti was a respected bass player who, as part of the ’70s group Clover, played in Elvis Costello’s band for the recording of My Aim is True. Clover formed in 1967, and while building a San Francisco following, it served as a launching pad for the likes of Huey Lewis and Jeff Porcaro. In 1977, the group was hired to back Costello on what would be his much-lauded debut album. When Clover broke up in 1978, Ciambotti went on to be one of the industry’s most reliable session players. He has played on landmark recordings by the likes of Carlene Carter, John Prine and Lucinda Williams. In recent years, Ciambotti worked as a chiropractor and holistic healer specializing on musicians. On March 24, John Ciambotti, age 67, died of an apparent abdominal aneurysm.

Musician Producer Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 23, 2003) Howie Epstein / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

themusicsover February 23, 2010 No Comments

Howie Epstein
July 21, 1955 – February 23, 2003

Before Howie Epstein became a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers he was playing behind John Hiatt in the ’70s (Slug Line, Two Bit Monsters), and Del Shannon in the ’80s. It was while working on a Petty-produced Del Shannon album, that Epstein was offered a spot in Petty’s band. He jumped at the chance and made his live debut alongside Petty on September 1, 1982. Four days later, he was playing in front of one of the biggest rock crowds in history at the legendary US Festival in Southern California. In 1988, Epstein met and began a romantic and professional relationship with Carlene Carter who was the daughter of June Carter and Carl Smith, and recently divorced from Nick Lowe. Epstein helped revive Carter’s career which included a Grammy nomination in 1991. Epstein was also building a solid reputation as a producer, even earning a Best Contemporary Folk Album Grammy for John Prine’s The Missing Years. Epstein died on February 23, 2003 from the effects of drug abuse, although not from an overdose.

Country Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 16, 2010) Carl Smith / Country Music Legend

themusicsover January 16, 2010 No Comments

Carl Smith
March 15, 1927 – January 16, 2010

Carl Smith was a country music singer who was so respected that he was nicknamed, “Mr. Country.” A musician since grade school, Smith formed his first band at 15, and by the time he returned home from a term in the Navy, he was well on his way to a storied music career. Smith made his mark on country music during the ’50s, when he began releasing hits like, “Hey Joe,” “Ten Thousand Drums,” and “Wicked Lies.” During that decade, he scored over 30 Top-10 hits, five of which went to #1. In 1951, he married June Carter with whom he had a daughter that would grow up to perform under the name, Carlene Carter. During the late ’50s, he divorced Carter, moved to California, appeared on television and films, and married another country hit maker, Goldie Hill. Smith stayed active in the music industry until his retirement in 1983. Carl Smith was 82 when he passed away on January 16, 2010.