Liza Minnelli

Died On This Date (May 5, 2012) Sweet Joe Russell / The Persuasions

themusicsover May 5, 2012 No Comments

Jesse “Sweet Joe” Russell
September 25, 1939 – May 5, 2012

Sweet Joe Russell was an influential vocalist who, for the better part of five decades, sang with the a capella group, the Persuasions. Formed in Brooklyn in 1962, the Persuasions first found an audience on local street corners. In 1970, after hearing them sing over the telephone, Frank Zappa signed them to his Straight Records and released their debut record, A Capella. They went on to release numerous albums and record or tour with the likes of the Grateful Dead, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Joni Mitchell, and Liza Minnelli. And it was Russell, with his sweet tenor, who was called “the voice of the Persuasions.” Sweet Joe Russell died on May 5, 2012, after a long battle with diabetes. He was 72.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

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Club Owner Disco

Died On This Date (July 25, 1989) Steve Rubell / Co-founder of Studio 54

themusicsover July 25, 2010 No Comments

Steve Rubell
December 2, 1943 – July 25, 1989

Steve Rubell was a New York business man who teamed up with friend Ian Schrager to open Studio 54, the Mahanttan nightclub that became the epicenter of the ’70s disco phenomenon. The disco opened in April of 1977 and quickly became the late night destination of the rich and famous. It would not be unusual for one to bump into the likes of Elton John, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie, Andy Warhol, Warren Beatty, Cher, John Lennon or Steve Buckingham. On many nights, Rubell would stand at the front door and randomly decide who could enter based on their looks or wardrobe. Two years after the club opened, Rubell and Schrager were charged with tax evasion and other charges and were later convicted and sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison. After his release from prison, Rubell opened another club and a hotel, but nothing ever matched the excitement of Studio 54. In 1985, he discovered he had AIDS which likely had a hand in his death from hepatitus on July 25, 1989.

Easy Listening Jazz Singer

Died On This Date (June 22, 1969) Judy Garland

themusicsover June 22, 2010 1 Comment

Judy Garland
June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969

Judy Garland was a star of stage, screen and a record through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years. Starting out on vaudeville with her sister act, The Gumm Sisters (she was born Francis Gumm), would go on to win an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, an Emmy and several Grammys. Best known for her iconic role as Dorothy in 1939’s The Wizard Of Oz, Garland also wowed audiences with her standing-room-only concert performances. She was considered by many to be the greatest female entertainer the US had ever produced. Despite her years of success and respect, Garland lived in a personal hell, no thanks in part to studio executives who told her she was too fat or unattractive. That lead to an addiction to weight loss pills and other drugs. Garland also suffered through financial troubles, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes. She reportedly attempted suicide on more than one occasion but finally succumbed to an accidental overdose of barbiturates on June 22, 1969, leaving behind two daughters, Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli, as well as son, Joey Luft.