Died On This Date (December 20, 2012) Jimmy McCracklin / West Coast Blues Great

Jimmy McCracklin
August 13, 1921 – December 20, 2012

jimmy-mccracklinOver a career that spanned almost 70 years, Jimmy McCracklin made some of the finest jump blues to ever come out of California.  Born in the south, McCracklin settled just outside of San Francisco after serving in the Navy during WWII.  Influenced by blues piano great, Walter Davis, he cut his first record, “Miss Mattie Left Me,” for Globe Records in 1948.  In 1957, he released what has become his signature song, “The Walk,” whose re-release by Checker Records a year later reached #7 on the Billboard pop chart while cracking the top 5 on the R&B chart.  Its popularity also earned him a slot on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.  As a songwriter, McCracklin is credited with “Stomp,” which became hits for Lowell Fulson, Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and Salt-n-Pepa.  Over his long and prolific career, he wrote 1000s of songs, made 100s of records, released 30 albums (four of them gold), and played with the likes of B.B. King and Charles Brown.  Obviously an influence on many, a couple of notables who have sourced McCracklin as a favorite are Bob Dylan and Phil Alvin of the Blasters.  Jimmy McCracklin performed, wrote and recorded well into the 2000s and ultimately passed away on December 20, 2012.  He was 91.

Thanks to Kevin Walsh for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com

My Story - Jimmy McCracklin

Died On This Date (August 22, 2011) Jerry Leiber / Songwriting Legend, Leiber & Stoller

Jerry Leiber
April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011

Jerry Leiber along with partner, Mike Stoller was arguably the greatest pop songwriting team of the second half of the 20th century if not all time.  Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Leiber moved to Los Angeles where he met Stoller in 1950 while the pair were still in high school.  Leiber, a record store clerk, and Stoller, a pianist quickly realized that they shared a love of the blues and rhythm & blues music and immediately began collaborating on songs.  Within the next few years, their creations were becoming hits for singers of jazz, blues, R&B and rock ‘n roll alike.  The list of their early hit songs includes “Hard Times” by Charles Brown, “Kansas City” by Little Willie Littlefield, and “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley by way of Big Mama Thornton.   They also penned “Jailhouse Rock,” “Yakety Yak,” “Stand By Me,” “Love Potion No. 9,” and “Searchin,'” to name just a few.  In 1953, Leiber and Stoller formed their own label, Spark Records where they produced numerous hits including “Riot in Cell Block #9” and “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.”  The label was eventually sold to Atlantic Records where they continued to produce for the label.  After leaving Atlantic during the ’60s, the pair continued to write and produce independently, but also worked for United Artists and later, A&M Records.   Leiber and Stoller are largely credited for taking rhythm and blues music out of the black clubs and spreading it to white America and beyond.  By doing so, they were essentially the first to have what we now call “crossover” hits.  And without a doubt, they were responsible – either directly or indirectly – for the pop music soundtrack of the past 60 years.  Jerry Leiber was 78 when he passed away on August 22, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number 1 Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (January 21, 1999) Charles Brown / Beloved Blues Singer

Charles Brown
September 13, 1922 – January 21, 1999

Photo By Billy Vera
Photo By Billy Vera

Charles Brown was a smooth blues singer and pianist who is best remembered by his hits, “Driftin’ Blues” and “Merry Christmas Baby.”  He was partially responsible for bringing a softer tone and more relaxed feel to the blues.  Brown was signed to Aladdin Records in 1945 and began releasing what would become a string of hit R&B recordings.  He became a mainstay along Los Angeles’ storied Central Avenue scene, and is said to have influenced the likes of Ray Charles, Ivory Joe Hunter and Johnny Ace.   When rock ‘n roll showed up, Brown’s music became out of style with the young crowds, so he all but retired from music for the next couple of  decades.  During the ’80s however, Bonnie Raitt, shined the spotlight on him and helped him mount a comeback tour which lead to more critically acclaimed recordings.  On January 21, 1999, Charles Brown died of congestive heart failure.  He was 76.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Best of Charles Brown: Driftin' Blues (Remastered) - Charles Brown