Died On This Date (March 31, 1986) O’Kelly Isley / Isley Brothers

O’Kelly Isley
December 25, 1937 – March 31, 1986

Born on Christmas Day, 1937, O’Kelly Isley would, along with his brothers, Ronald Isley, Vernon Isley and Rudolph Isley grow up to write and record some of the greatest songs of R&B. Such hits as Shout,” “It’s Your Thing,” and “The Lady (Part 1).” The Isley Brothers’ songs have been recorded by the, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Yardbirds, Alicia Keys, Aaliyah, the Beatles, and many many more! And who could forget the great scene in Animal House when Otis Day & The Knights’ version of “Shout!” made a great movie even better. O’Kelly Isley passed away from a sudden heart attack in 1986. He was 48.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Isley Brothers

Died On This Date (March 22, 1994) Dan Hartman / ’80s Singer, Songwriter & Producer

Dan Hartman
December 8, 1950 – March 22, 1994

Although he had been playing and recording music since his teens, it wasn’t until 1984 that Dan Hartman had a major hit with “I Can Dream About You” from the Streets Of Fire soundtrack. It didn’t hurt that a little channel called MTV featured the video several times throughout the day. What few know is that it wasn’t Hartman’s voice that was heard on that video. The actual singer was Winston Ford, but it was actor Stoney Jackson that you actually saw “singing” it in the video. As a songwriter, Hartman was responsible for such hits as the Edgar Winter Group’s “Free Ride,” and James Brown’s “Living In America.” Hartman spent the better part of the 90s writing and producing hits for the likes of Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Tyler and Paul Young. Hartman passed away from a brain tumor reportedly caused by AIDS at the age of 43.



Died On This Date (March 2, 2003) Hank Ballard / Gave Us “The Twist”

Hank Ballard (Born John Kendricks)
November 18, 1927  – March 2, 2003

hank-ballard Hank Ballard was a popular R&B singer and songwriter who helped usher in the early days of rock ‘n roll.   His biggest hit was 1969’s “The Twist,” a song he wrote for a dance he invented, no matter what Chubby Checker says.  Raised in Detroit, Ballard quickly took a liking to the music he heard around him, and by the early ’50s, he was singing in a local doo-wop group.  He was soon discovered by famed music impresario, Johnny Otis, who signed him to a record deal with a group that would be called Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.   Over the next several years, the group released a string of hits that included “Work With Me Annie,” “Finger Poppin’ Time,” and of course, “The Twist.”  The group broke up in 1965, after which Ballard launched a solo career, at times performing with James Brown.  From the ’80s through the late ’90s, Ballard toured the oldies circuit with a reformed Midnighters.  In 1990, he was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  On March 2, 2003, Hank Ballard died of throat cancer at the age of 75.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Hank Ballard

Died On This Date (February 5, 2009) Piney Brown / Blues Pioneer

Piney Brown
1922 – February 5, 2009

piney-brownPiney Brown was a blues singer and songwriter who was not only known for his dynamic performances but for his skills as a songwriter.  Over the years, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Little Milton and James Brown.  His career spanned the better part of sixty years, and over the course of that time, he shared the stage with such greats as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry.  He released several singles but never had nothing more than a regional hit or two.  Piney Brown was 87 when he passed away on February 5, 2009.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Piney Brown

Died On This Date (January 19, 2006) Wilson Pickett / Soul Legend

Wilson Pickett
March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006

The great Wilson Pickett was a soul performer and songwriter who would be responsible for some of the genre’s greatest recordings.  He began his career in Gospel, but with a flair for showmanship akin to Little Richard and James Brown, it wasn’t long before he made the jump to secular R&B.  In 1965, Pickett began recording a series of hits that included, “In the Midnight Hour,” “Land of 1000 Dances,” “Ninety Nine and a Half Won’t Do,” and “Mustang Sally.”  His songs have been recorded by the greatest acts in rock music.  That list includes Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Los Lobos, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Grateful Dead, to name just a few.  Pickett continued to make records well into the ’90s, though his hit-making days ended back in the mid ’70s.  And he made concert performances up all the way up until 2004, only to step down due to health reasons.  On January 19, 2006, 64 year-old Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Wilson Pickett