Died On This Date (February 1, 1986) Dick James / Established The Beatles’ Publishing Company
themusicsover Dick James (Born Reginald Vapnick)
December 12, 1920 – February 1, 1986
Dick James was a London-born aspiring singer and musician who eventually owned his own record label and publishing company. Partnering with John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1963, James formed Northern Songs to publish Lennon and McCartney’s music. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were signed on for a shot period as well. Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer were also published by Northern Songs during the ’60s. In 1968, James sold the publishing company without offering the Beatles a chance to purchase their own catalog. This apparently drove a deep wedge between James and the group since they never again owned the rights to their own songs. During the ’70s, James established DJM Records, where he released the first recordings of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Dick James was 65 when he died of a heart attack on February 1, 1986.
Dee Murray was a respected bassist who played in Elton John’s original band. After a short stint in the Spencer Davis Group, Murray was hired by John in 1970. He played on Tumbleweed Connection, 11-17-70, John’s masterpiece, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and finally, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. After parting ways with John in 1975, Murray found work as a session player, most notably with Rick Springfield. He was hired into Procal Harum’s touring band in 1977, and reunited to tour with John in 1981. Dee Murray was 45 when he suffered a fatal stroke on January 15, 1992.
Lonnie Donegan was one of the most popular performers of the ’50s and early ’60s skiffle scene of the UK. Skiffle was a raved up version of traditional folk, blues, jazz and country influences from the US. British Invasion bands like the Beatles rose out of the skiffle scene and claim Donegan as a direct influence. Donegan began playing guitar at the age of 14, and in 1952, he formed his first band, the Tony Donegan Jazz Band. He switched to “Lonnie” a few years later and began playing in bands that were evolving into skiffle music by adding such instruments as banjo and washboard. His first recording was a 1956 rave up of 
Nicky James was a British singer-songwriter whose career began in the early ’60s when he formed the Lawmen. In 1963, he joined forces with Denny Laine in a band they called Nicky James with Denny and the Diplomats. He was in and out of the band over the next few years, and was gone for good just before they changed their name to the Moody Blues and got signed to Decca Records. James soon signed to Columbia Records with his Nicky James Movement, a band that would be the early home to such pre-fame musicians as