Died On This Date (June 7, 2009) Kenny Rankin / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

Kenny Rankin
February 10, 1942 – June 7, 2009

rankinKenny Rankin was one of America’s most popular soft rock singer-songwriters during the 1970s.  Frequently appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Rankin released his debut album in 1967.  That album, Mind Dusters, included the hit, “Peaceful” which not only became his signature song, but was also hits for Helen Reddy and Georgie Fame.  His “On And On” would later become a huge hit for Stephen Bishop.  Rankin had such fans in Paul McCartney and John Lennon, that in 1987, they asked him to represent them when they were elected into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.   Kenny Rankin died of lung cancer on June 7, 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Silver Morning - Kenny Rankin

 

Died On This Date (May 31, 2010) Brian Duffy / Renowned Photographer

Brian Duffy
June 15, 1933 – May 31, 2010

Brian Duffy was a respected London-born fashion photographer who made a handful of contributions to the history of popular music as well.  He is perhaps best known for his cover shots for three David Bowie albums, the most iconic being Aladdin Sane.  Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, Duffy worked with a who’s who of the top fashion models and celebrities, helping to create the “swinging London” ideal of the era.  Over the course of his career, he photographed the likes of Sammy Davis Jr., John Lennon, Black Sabbath, and Deborah Harry.  Brian Duffy was 76 when he succumbed to lung disease on May 31, 2010.

Died On This Date (April 10, 1962) Stu Sutcliffe / The Beatles

Stu Sutcliffe
June 23, 1940 – April 10, 1962

Stu Sutcliffe was the original bassist for the Beatles. He is credited along with John Lennon, for coming up with the band’s name as a tribute to Buddy Holly’s Crickets. Sutcliffe was in the band for their first two years which included the legendary shows in Hamburg. While in Hamburg, Sutcliffe met photographer Astrid Kirchherr, fell in love and decided to leave the Beatles and stay in Hamburg to enroll in art school. His artwork was highly praised. Sutcliffe began suffering from intense headaches which at times caused him to collapse. Doctors could not determine the cause of his pain. On April 10, 1962, while en route to the hospital after a collapse, Stu Sutcliffe. He was just 21. It was never determined what actually caused the brain hemorrhage that took his life. Many believe it was caused by a head injury he sustained during a fight after a show in January of 1961.



Died On This Date (March 3, 2008) Norman “Hurricane” Smith / Produced The Beatles, Pink Floyd

Norman Smith
February 22, 1923 – March 3, 2008

normansmith.jpgNorman “Hurricane” Smith was a British engineer and producer who worked closely with George Martin and who could count the Beatles, Pink Floyd and the Pretty Things among his successes. He was lead engineer on every song the Beatles ever recorded at EMI Studios. After being promoted to A&R and Producer at EMI, he signed Pink Floyd to the label. And along with his work with both Pink Floyd and the Pretty Things, he reluctantly helped usher in what would become known as psychedelic rock. In the early 1970s, Smith recorded under the name Hurricane Smith and had a couple of hits including “Don’t Let It Die” and “Oh Babe, What Would You Say?.” John Lennon’s nickname for Smith was “Normal.” Cause of death was not determined by press time, but likely Smith likely died of natural causes at the age of 85.

Died On This Date (February 19, 2009) Rickey Wright / Music Journalist

Richard “Rickey” Wright
DOB Unknown – February 19, 2009

rickey-wrightRickey Wright was a music journalist who was often praised for his vast knowledge of music trivia.  Over the course of his career, he wrote for amazon.com, Virginian-Pilot, USA Today, Seattle Weekly, Washington City Paper, and more.  In 1999, Wright won the Rhino Records Music Aptitude Test, earning him free Rhino CDs for the rest of his life.  He was reportedly working on a book about John Lennon’s “Imagine” at the time of his death.  Prior to his work in print, Wright worked in radio.  Rickey Wright was 45 when he died of a stroke on February 19, 2009.