Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Howard Tate / Soul Music Legend

Howard Tate
August 14, 1939 – December 2, 2011

Howard Tate was an American soul and gospel singer and songwriter who first found his audience during the ’60s and early ’70s.  With bluesy soul records like “Ain’t Nobody Home,” “Granny,” and “Stop,” Tate built a sizable following which included no less than Janis Joplin, who recorded his “Get It While You Can” on her Pearl album.  After retiring from the music business during the late ’70s, Tate fell into some hard times, and eventually found work as a drug and mental illness counselor and preacher.  In 2003, he mounted a much welcomed comeback with the release of the Grammy nominated Rediscovered which was produced by Jerry Ragavoy who died the same for Tate’s hits back in the 1960s.  Tate back in  A live album followed the following year, and in 2006 he released A Portrait Of Howard, produced by Steve Weisberg and featuring songs by Carla Bley, Lou Reed, and Nick Lowe.  Howard Tate died from complications of Multiple Myeloma and Leukemia on December 2, 2011.  He was 72.

Thanks to Steve Weisberg for the assist.

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A Portrait of Howard - Howard Tate & The Steve Weisberg Orchestra

Died On This Date (October 7, 2010) Ian Morris / Popular New Zealand Musician; Co-founded Th’Dudes

Ian Morris
DOB Unknown – October 7, 2010

Ian Morris was a respected musician, songwriter and producer from New Zealand.  He is perhaps best remembered as the founding guitarist for early ’80s new wave band, Th’ Dudes.  Formed in the late ’70s while the band mates were in college, Th’ Dudes quickly built a sizable following thanks in part to their catchy pop sound that has been compared to the likes of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.  In 1979, the band were named New Zealand’s Group of the Year.  The band experienced a resurgence in popularity during the ’90s and again in the mid 2000s, prompting them to reunite and tour from time to time.  Outside of Th’ Dudes, Morris earned his living by writing commercial jingles and producing others.  He also successfully recorded under the moniker, Tex Pistol.  On October 7, 2010, 53-year-old Ian Morris died suddenly and unexpectedly.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



Died On This Date (February 23, 2003) Howie Epstein / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Howie Epstein
July 21, 1955 – February 23, 2003

Before Howie Epstein became a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers he was playing behind John Hiatt in the ’70s (Slug Line, Two Bit Monsters), and Del Shannon in the ’80s.  It was while working on a Petty-produced Del Shannon album, that Epstein was offered a spot in Petty’s band.  He jumped at the chance and made his live debut alongside Petty on September 1, 1982.  Four days later, he was playing in front of one of the biggest rock crowds in history at the legendary US Festival in Southern California.  In 1988, Epstein met and began a romantic and professional relationship with Carlene Carter who was the daughter of June Carter and Carl Smith, and recently divorced from Nick Lowe.  Epstein helped revive Carter’s career which included a Grammy nomination in 1991.  Epstein was also building a solid reputation as a producer, even earning a Best Contemporary Folk Album Grammy for John Prine’s The Missing Years.   Epstein died on February 23, 2003 from the effects of drug abuse, although not from an overdose.



Died On This Date (November 18, 2007) Jim Ford / Country Soul Singer

Jim Ford
August 23, 1941 – November 18, 2007

Jim Ford was an American singer songwriter who some have called the “Godfather of Pub Rock,” a back-to-basics form of rock ‘n roll that popped up in the UK during the late ’70s.  Ford’s mix of soul, country and folk was an influence on the likes of Graham Parker, Dave Edmunds and Brinsley Schwarz.  Ford’s songs have been recorded by Schwarz, Edmunds, Bobby Womack, Nick Lowe, Aretha Franklin, Ronnie Wood, and onetime girlfriend, Bobbie Gentry.  By all accounts, Ford seems to have fallen into obscurity after the ’70s only to resurface in 2004.  After a deluxe re-issue of his 1969 Harlan County album in 2007, new interest in Ford’s music lead to talks of a new album to be produced by the legendary Jim Dickinson. But before that could come to fruition, Jim Ford was found dead in his home.  Cause of death is not known.

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Jim Ford