Died On This Date (October 8, 2011) David Hess / Hit Songwriter & Actor
themusicsover David Hess
September 19, 1936 – October 8, 2011
David Hess was a singer, songwriter and actor whose writing credits include “Come Along” (Elvis Presley), “Your Hand, Your Heart, Your Love” (Andy Williams), and “Speedy Gonzalez” (Pat Boone). Born in New York City, Hess began making records as a singer in the mid ’50s. In 1956, he released the original version of the Otis Blackwell penned “All Shook Up,” which later became a #1 hit for Presley. A year later, he signed on with Shalimar Music as a songwriter. He continued to write for Presley throughout the ’60s as well as numerous other popular acts. Hess’ recording of “Two Brothers” became a top 10 folk hit during the late ’60s. In 1969, he went to work for Mercury Records as an A&R rep. He continued to record music well into the 2000s. As an actor, Hess was a favorite among fans of horror movies in particular. He played significant roles in such films as the original The Last House On The Left and Swamp Thing. On October 8, 2011, 69-year-old David Hess died of a heart attack, reports Spinner.
Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.
Randy Wood was a successful music industry executive who is perhaps best remembered for being the man behind Dot Records. Wood had just returned home after serving in World War II when he opened an appliance store in Gallatin, TN. When he started music – mostly pop and classical albums – young customers began coming in, but asking for the rhythm & blues records they heard on a powerful station from faraway Nashville, Tennessee. Wood quickly realized there was a need for a mail-order record business, and 78RPM was born. By sponsoring a show on that Nashville station, WLAC-AM, spots for Randy’s Record Shop’s mail-order services could be heard clear across the United States and beyond. With the income he was realizing from orders, Wood soon launched Dot Records out of the store. The label quickly turned a profit as Wood figured out that white performers singing watered-down R&B songs was a recipe for success. His artists like Pat Boone were turning songs by Little Richard and Fats Domino into pop hits while helping to further popularize the R&B singers as well. Others he signed to Dot included 
Stuart Hamblen was country singer and songwriter who later turned to making Christian music. When he became a singing cowboy during the mid ’20s, he was one of the genre’s earliest stars. Having his own radio show from 1931 to 1952 certainly helped him achieve fame. When he transitioned from radio to film, he worked alongside the likes of John Wayne, 
