Died On This Date (April 22, 2003) Felice Bryant / Wrote Many Pop Hits

Felice Bryant
August 7, 1925 – April 22, 2003

Along with her husband Boudleaux, Felice 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. Felice Bryant passed away from natural causes on April 22, 2003.



Died On This Date (March 21, 1987) Dean Paul Martin / Dino, Desi and Billy; Son of Dean Martin

Dean Paul Martin
November 17, 1951 – March 21, 1987

dino-desi-and-billy.jpgTo many, Dean Paul Martin was best known as Dean Martin’s son, but to music fans he was Dino of Dino, Desi and Billy. The Desi being Desi Arnaz Jr. Forming the group in their early teens, DD&B had a couple of semi hits that targeted the teenage girl crowd. As he grew older, Dino became Dean Paul and went on to make a name for himself playing tennis. He even played Wimbledon. Flying was yet another passion of Martin’s. He got his pilot’s license at just 16 and later earned his wings with the Air National Guard. Then in 1987, Martin was flying his National Guard fighter jet when a bad snowstorm caused him to crash it in the mountains for California, killing him and his Weapons System Officer on impact. He was once married to Olympic ice skater, Dorothy Hammill and actress Olivia Hussey.

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Dino, Desi and Billy

Died On This Date (March 8, 2009) Hank Locklin / Country Music Legend

Lawrence “Hank” Locklin
February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009

hank-locklinHank Locklin was a successful country performer and songwriter who is said to have sold over 15 million records.  He was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry for the better part of 50 years and was his oldest member when he died.  His songs have been recorded by the likes of Dolly Parton, Dean Martin, and Willie Nelson.  His more than 70 hit singles included “Please Help Me I’m Falling,” “Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On,” and “Geisha Girl.”  Locklin worked nearly up to the time of his death – he was 88 when he released 2006’s By The Grace of God: The Gospel Album.  Hank Locklin, 91, passed away on March 8, 2009.

Thanks to Chris Harris at McCoury Music for the assist.

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RCA Country Legends: Hank Locklin - Hank Locklin

Died On This Date (January 15, 1993) Sammy Cahn / Renowned Lyricist

Sammy Cahn
June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993

Sammy Cahn was a prolific lyricist who achieved fame and success due to several popular songs he penned for motion pictures and Broadway shows.  Over the course of Cahn’s career, 30 of his songs were nominated for Academy Awards, four of which took home the Oscar.  His songs have been made into hits by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Mario Lanza and Dean Martin.  Tunes like “Come Fly With Me,” “High Hopes,” and “Three Coins in the Fountain” have become standards.  Sammy Cahn was 79 when he passed away on January 15, 1993.



Died On This Date (December 25, 1995) Dean Martin

Dean Martin (Born Dino Crocetti)
June 7, 1917 –  December 25, 1995

Dean Martin was a pop music, television and film star who was one of the biggest names in entertainment during the ’60s and ’70s.  He and his pals, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis, Jr. were collectively known as the Rat Pack around Hollywood and beyond.  Besides hanging out together, they shared many legendary performances in Las Vegas.  Martin’s recording career was dotted with numerous hits throughout the years, including “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Volare.”  His charisma, rugged good looks, and (mostly fake) public drinking made him the “King of Cool” and a pop culture icon.  Following the tragic death of his son Dean Paul in 1987, Martin all but faded from the public eye.  He made occasional special appearances mostly in honor of his Rat Pack buddies.  In 1993, he was diagnosed with lung cancer along with kidney and liver problems.  Dean Martin was 78 when he died of respiratory failure on Christmas Day, 1995.

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