Died On This Date (June 11, 2011) Steve Popovich / Music Industry Legend

Steve Popovich
July 6, 1942 -June 8, 2011

Steve Popovich was a long-time music industry powerhouse who, over a career that spanned some 50 years wore many hats.  He started in the Columbia Records warehouse in 1962, and quickly moved into radio promotion, sales, TV promotion and even inventory control.  In those early years, he helped promote the likes of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Simon & Garfunkel, and Paul Revere & The Raiders.  In 1972, he became Columbia’s Vice President of Promotion – appointed by Clive Davis. At just 26, he was the youngest VP there ever.  In 1974, he moved over to Epic Records where he helped launch the careers of Boston, Cheap Trick, and Ted Nugent, to name just a few.  In 1977, Popovich founded Cleveland International Records where he would release Meat Loaf’s landmark album Bat Out Of Hell, which went on to sell upwards of 40 million copies during an era when most new releases sold at best, 5000 copies.  He later went on to work as Sr Vice President at Polygram Nashville where he was responsible for numerous other successes.  In recent years, Popovich found himself embroiled in a legal battle with Sony Music over royalties and failure to put the Cleveland International logo on millions of CDs.  Steve Popovich died of an apparent heart attack on June 8, 2011.  He was 69.

Thanks to John Harrison and Ed Maxin for the assist


Died On This Date (June 18, 2007) Mick Hodgkinson aka Johnny Average

Mick Hodgkinson
1946 – June 18, 2007

Mick Hodgkinson was an English singer, guitarist and cult hero who, during the late ’70s, settled in Woodstock, New York, and immersed himself in the local music scene.  Within no time, he formed his first band, Johnny Average and the Falcons that was made up of musicians that were in town working at the legendary Bearsville Studios.  The list of artists that played with the falcons included John Sebastian and Shane Fontayne.  The group would eventually become the nucleus of Mick Ronson’s The New York Yanquis after which, Hodgkinson founded the Johnny Average Band and signed with management legend, Albert Grossman.    Over the years, Hodkinson/Average also collaborated with the likes of Meat Loaf and Billy J. Kramer.  Mick Hodgkinson died of cancer on June 18, 2007.

Thanks to Chris Lane’ for the help



Died On This Date (October 28, 1984) Wells Kelly / Orleans; Meat Loaf

Wells Kelly
April 7, 1949 – October 28, 1984

wellsWells Kelly was the founding drummer for Orleans, a soft rock band that formed in 1972.  The band is best remembered for their ’70s pop hits, “Still the One” and “Dance With Me.”  As early as 1977, “Still the One” has been played on numerous television shows and films.  Over the course of their career, Orleans were a popular opening act for the likes of Jackson Browne, Little Feat and Melissa Manchester.  After his run with Orleans, Kelly played with Steve Forbert, Clarence Clemons, and Meat Loaf.  It was while on tour with Meat Loaf that Kelly, 34, was found dead of asphyxiation.

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