Janis Joplin

Died On This Date (March 23, 2010) Jim Marshall / Legendary Rock Photographer

themusicsover March 23, 2010 No Comments

Jim Marshall
1936 – March 23, 2010

Jim Marshall was a rock photographer who took some of popular music’s most iconic photos. His work includes celebrated shots of Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival and Johnny Cash at San Quentin prison. He also photographed the likes of Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin during that period. In 1966, Marshall was the only photographer allowed backstage at the Beatles’ final concert at in San Francisco. He was also the head photographer of Woodstock. On March 23, 2010, Jim Marshall passed away in his New York City hotel room prior to a speaking engagement. He was 74.

Club Owner Folk Manager Record Label Rock

Died On This Date (January 25, 1986) Albert Grossman / Legendary Artist Manager

themusicsover January 25, 2010 3 Comments

Albert Grossman
May 21, 1926 – January 25, 1986

Albert Grossman is best remembered as an artist manager representing, among others, Bob Dylan between 1962 and 1970. He also co-founded the Newport Folk Festival with George Wein in 1959. In 1961, Grossman put three folk singers together, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, otherwise known as Peter, Paul and Mary. Over the years, Grossman also represented John Lee Hooker, Johnny Average, Ian & Sylvia, Odetta, Janis Joplin, and the Band. Grossman also built the legendary Bearsville Recording Studio outside of Woodstock, NY and formed Bearsville Records. Acts like Todd Rundgren, Foghat, NRBQ and Jesse Winchester recorded for the label. On January 25, 1986, Albert Grossman died of a heart attack while flying from the U.S. to London aboard the Concorde. He was 59 years old.

Manager Record Label Reggae Rock

Died On This Date (January 12, 2009) Gary Kurfirst / Respected Manager and Label Veteran

themusicsover January 13, 2010 No Comments

Gary Kurfirst
July 8, 1947 – January 13, 2009

Gary Kurfirst was a respected artist manager, label executive and concert promoter. Kurfirst got his first taste of the music industry when he began promoting dances while still in high school. In 1967, he launched New York City’s Village Theater which soon became world famous as Bill Graham’s Fillmore East. The following year, he created the New York Rock Festival which featured the likes of the Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. It has been said that the idea of Woodstock came to be thanks to the New York Rock Festival. By the ’80s, Kurfirst was a well-established artist manager. Over the course of his career, he guided the careers of the likes of the Peter Tosh, Toots & the Maytals, Talking Heads, the Ramones, Blondie, Jane’s Addiction, the Eurythmics and the B-52s. Gary Kurfirst was 61 when he died suddenly of an undisclosed cause while vacationing in the Bahamas.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.

Musician Pop Producer R&B Record Label Rock Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 30, 1967) Bert Berns / Legendary Songwriter and Label Head

themusicsover December 30, 2009 No Comments

Bert Berns
November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967

Bert Berns was a prolific songwriter and record producer whose impact on popular music cannot be denied. His most celebrated songs as a songwriter include “Hang on Sloopy” (the McCoys), “Twist and Shout” (the Isley Brothers, the Beatles), “Tell Him” (the Exciters), “I Want Candy” (the Strangeloves, Bow Wow Wow), “Piece of My Heart” (Emma Franklin, Janis Joplin), and “Here Comes the Night” (Lulu, Them, David Bowie). He also produced such hits as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Them’s “Gloria,” and “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters. Berns also ran his own Atlantic affiliated label, Bang Records who was the one-time home to Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, the McCoys and many more. Bert Berns was just 38 when he died of heart failure on December 30, 1967.

Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (December 27, 2008) Delaney Bramlett / Rock’s Unsung Hero

themusicsover December 27, 2009 2 Comments

Delaney Bramlett
July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008

Delaney Bramlett was one of popular music’s greatest unsung heroes. During a career that spanned four decades, he either produced, played with, or wrote songs for a who’s who of rock music. As a producer, Bramlett collaborated with the likes of Eric Clapton, the Staple Singers and Etta James. His songs have been recorded by Sonic Youth, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, and Usher. His “Never Ending Song Of Love” has been covered by over 100 artists. It was Bramlett who taught George Harrison how to play the slide guitar, eventually leading to a jam that evolved into “My Sweet Lord.” Over the course of his career, he collaborated with an astonishing list of musicians that included Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Joe Cocker, and Jimi Hendrix to name just a few. The most remarkable thing about his career however, is that ABBA made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while he hasn’t. On December 27, 2008, 69-year-old Delaney Bramlett died from complications of gall bladder surgery.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (March 23, 2010) Jim Marshall / Legendary Rock Photographer

Died On This Date (January 25, 1986) Albert Grossman / Legendary Artist Manager

Died On This Date (January 12, 2009) Gary Kurfirst / Respected Manager and Label Veteran

Died On This Date (December 30, 1967) Bert Berns / Legendary Songwriter and Label Head

Died On This Date (December 27, 2008) Delaney Bramlett / Rock’s Unsung Hero

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