Died On This Date (April 12, 2012) Andrew Love / The Memphis Horns

Andrew Love
November 21, 1941 – April 12, 2012

Photo by Dave Darnell

Andrew Love was a tenor saxophone player, who along with Wayne Jackson on trumpet, made an indelible mark on popular music as the Memphis Horns .  They have been called the greatest horn section soul music has ever known and played on virtually every Stax record that required a horn section.  Their signature sound can be heard on iconic Stax recordings from the likes of Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, and Otis Redding, to name a few.  If that weren’t enough, they can also be heard on Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” Dusty Springfield’s “Son Of A Preacher Man,” and Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.”  They were also featured in U2’s film, Rattle And Hum.  Throughout their career, Love and Jackson played on more than 80 gold and platinum albums and upwards of 50 Number One singles.   In February of 2012, the Memphis Horns were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.  Andrew Love was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2002 and ultimate died from it on April 12, 2012.  He was 70 years old.



Died On This Date (January 5, 2009) Sam “Bluzman” Taylor / Blues Great

Sam “Bluzman” Taylor
October 25, 1924 – January 5, 2009

sam-taylor-1

Sam “Bluzman” Taylor was a blues musician, singer and oft-covered songwriter who came to prominence during the 1960s.  As a guitarist or bandleader, Taylor worked with the likes of Maxine Brown, Big Joe Turner, Otis Redding. and Sam and Dave.  Over the years, his songs have been recorded by Freddie King, Son Seals, Jay and the Americans, the Isley Brothers, and BT Express who scored a huge hit with his “Do it ’til Your Satisfied.”  That song was later embraced by the hip hop community, appearing in songs by Epmd, Beanie Sigel, Ma$e, and DMX.  Sam Taylor was 74 when he died of heart disease on January 5, 2009.


Died On This Date (October 23, 2011) Gene Kurtz / Respected Texas Musician; Wrote “Treat Her Right”

Gene Kurtz
DOB Unknown – October 23, 2011

Photo by Winker

Gene Kurtz was a beloved Texas bassist and singer-songwriter who can be heard playing and/or singing on classic recordings by the likes of Edgar Winter, B.J. Thomas, Bo Diddley, and Roy Head, with whom he co-wrote the #2 pop and R&B hit, “Treat Her Right.”  It took the Beatles’ “Yesterday” incidentally, to keep it from hitting the top of the charts.  Born in San Antonio, Texas, Kurtz eventually settled in Austin where he played with Augie Meyers of Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados fame before hooking up with Head.  The two soon wrote and recorded (with Head singing lead), “Treat Her Right” which went on to become one of the most famous Texas rock/R&B songs ever.  Its bass line by Kurtz is one of pop music’s best.  The song has since been covered by such luminaries as Otis Redding, George Thorogood, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant, to name a few.  It has also become a staple in film and television – it was featured prominently in The Commitments, as well as numerous other films and television shows.  After his tenure with Head, Kurtz went on to play on Winter’s 1970 debut, Entrance.  During the 2000s, Kurtz played in Dale Watson’s band for whom he wrote “Way Down Texas Way,” which the band can be seen performing on an episode of the television hit, Friday Night Lights.  According to the Houston Press, Gene Kurtz was 68 when he passed away on October 23, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (February 27, 2011) Eddie Kirkland / American Blues Great

Eddie Kirkland
August 16, 1923 – February 27, 2011

Eddie Kirkland was a Jamaican born, American raised blues singer and musician who, thanks to his nearly non-stop touring life was dubbed “The Gypsy Of The Blues.”  Kirkland was still a young teen when he ran away from home hidden in the truck of a traveling medicine show.  When the show ultimately packed it in, he went back to school and then joined the army.  Following his discharge after WWII, he moved to Detroit and met up with John Lee Hooker.  He went on to work with Hooker, often providing the second guitar on his records and serving as an occasional road manager.  He left to pursue a solo career in 1962.  Throughout the years, Kirkland also performed with the likes of Otis Redding, Muddy Waters and Foghat, and  made several records for such labels as King, Volt and Fortune Records.  He continued to record and tour well in to the 2000s.   On February 27, 2011, Eddie Kirkland was killed when the car which he was driving on a Florida highway was reportedly struck by a bus.  He was 87.



Died On This Date (October 26, 2010) James Phelps / Gospel Great

James Phelps
DOB Unknown – October 26, 2010

James Phelps was a pioneering Gospel and R&B singer who, over the course of his long career worked with  Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, and Otis Redding.  Phelps entered into show business while still in his teens, when he moved from Shreveport to Chicago and began singing in local Gospel groups.  After dabbling in rock ‘n roll and R&B a bit, Phelps returned to Gospel for the rest of his professional life.  In 1965, he scored an R&B hit with “Love is a Five Letter Word.”  James Phelps was 87 when he passed away on October 26, 2010.  He died from complications of diabetes.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.