Died On This Date (January 11, 2012) David Whitaker / English Composer & Arranger
themusicsover David Whitaker
1931 – January 11, 2012
David Whitaker was an English orchestral arranger and composer whose impact left on pop music as well. Over the course of his lengthy career, he worked with the likes of Lee Hazlewood, Simply Red, the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Page, and Serge Gainsbourg. David Whitaker passed away on January 11, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
Lee Hazlewood was a country singer, songwriter, musician and producer whose work with Nancy Sinatra during the ’60s are essential records of the era. Hazlewood settled in Arizona as a disc jockey after being leaving the military in the early ’50s. He soon partnered with Duane Eddy as a songwriter and producer on such hits as “Peter Gunn.” During the mid ’60s, he began working with Nancy Sinatra, writing and producing “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” and many more. Hazelwood all but retired from music during the ’70s, but his songs lived on having been covered by such unlikely artists as Megadeth, Beck, Nick Cave, Lydia Lunch and the Tubes. He died of renal cancer at the age of 78.