Died On This Date (January 21, 2017) Maggie Roche / The Roches

Maggie Roche
October 26, 1951 – January 21, 2017

Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Maggie Roche, along with her sisters, Terre and Suzzy, wrote and performed primarily folk music as the Roches.  Formed in Park Ridge, New Jersey in 1973, the group went on to release numerous critically acclaimed albums.  They got their first break when Maggie and Terre were invited to sing harmony on Paul Simon‘s There Goes Rhymin’ Simon.  Before they knew it, the due was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut in 1975.  Suzzy soon joined and they re-christened themselves as the Roaches and released their Robert Fripp produced self-titled debut in 1979.  The album included two of their best known songs, “Hammond Song” and “The Married Men,” both written by Maggie.   In later years, they slowed down in terms of touring but continued recording as a trio, as duos, and individually. Their last studio album as the Roches, Moonswept, was released in 2007.   Maggie Roche died of cancer on January 21, 2017.  She was 65.

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Died On This Date (March 30, 2013) Phil Ramone / Legendary Record Producer

Phil Ramone
January 5, 1941 – March 30, 2013

phil-ramonePhil Ramone was a successful record producer who, over a career that spanned some five decades, was awarded 15 Grammys, one Emmy, and countless other accolades.  A child prodigy born in South Africa, Ramone, was playing the violin at age three, and performing for Queen Elizabeth II before he hit his teens.   During the ’40s, he moved to the United States where he attended The Julliard School before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1953.  In 1959, Ramone opened his own studio, A & R Recording and quickly built a name for himself due to his use of the latest technologies.  Artists he went to produce landmark albums with include Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Aretha FranklinFrank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Chicago and Barbra Streisand.  And albums he produced for Ray Charles, Billy Joel, and Paul Simon each went on to earn Album Of The Year awards at the Grammys.  Ramone also recorded Marilyn Monroe‘s notorious rendition of “Happy Birthday To You” to President John F. Kennedy.  He was also considered one of the industry’s top innovators.  In 1982, his digitally recorded version of Billy Joel’s 52nd Street became the first album to be released on compact disc in Japan.  He was also largely responsible for Surround Sound for movies.  Phil Ramone was 72 when he passed away on March 30, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

Died On This Date (June 30, 2012) Yomo Toro / Popular Puerto Rican Musician

Yomo Toro (Born Victor Touro)
July 26, 1933 – June 30, 2012

Yomo Toro was a beloved Puerto Rican musician whose prowess with the cuatro – a mandolin-type of stringed instrument – helped define the New York City Latin music scene of the ’50s and ’60s.  Toro was just six when he picked up the instrument, and by 15 he was already fronting his own band.  He commuted between Puerto Rico and New York City beginning in 1953, and ultimately moved there in 1957.  During the ’70s, he recorded with and traveled the world as part of the legendary Salsa group, the Fania All-Stars. Fania Records is considered the finest Salsa label the world has ever known.  During the ’60s and ’70s, Toro hosted his own local television program, The Yomo Toro Show. Over the course of his career, he released over 20 albums and appeared on more than 150 others.  He recorded with the likes of Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, David Byrne, Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, and Linda Ronstadt.   Yomo Toro was 78 when he died of kidney failure on June 30, 2012.



Died On This Date (January 6, 2009) Rev. Claude Jeter / The Swan Silvertones

Claude Jeter
October 26, 1914 – January 6, 2009

Photo by Jack Vartoogian
Photo by Jack Vartoogian

Reverend Claude Jeter was a much respected gospel singer and founding member of the Swan Silvertones, one of the genre’s most beloved groups.  And for a time, he was also a member of the equally respected Dixie Hummingbirds.  As a singer, Jeter is said to have inspired the likes of Eddie Kendricks, Al Green and Paul Simon who has claimed that Jeter’s “Mary Don’t You Weep” inspired him to write “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”  Simon returned the favor years later by hiring Jeter to sing on his There Goes Rhymin’ Simon album.  The Reverend Claude Jeter was 94 when he passed away on January 6, 2009

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Heavenly Light - The Swan Silvertones



Died On This Date (December 18, 2011) Ralph MacDonald / Percussionist & Hit Songwriter

Ralph MacDonald
March 15, 1944 – December 18, 2011

Ralph MacDonald was an in-demand percussionist and hit songwriter who could count two of the biggest R&B songs of the ’70s as his own.  Growing up in a musical family in Harlem, New York, MacDonald first picked up the steelpan as a youngster.  By the time he was 17, he had already played his first big gig at a local Harry Belafonte show.  He continued on with Belafonte for the next ten years until parting ways in 1971.  MacDonald soon became one of contemporary music’s most in-demand session players, performing on countless R&B, jazz and disco records.   The list  of those he recorded with includes George Benson, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Carole King, Average White Band, the Brothers Johnson, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, and David Bowie.  MacDonald also released several albums under his own name. His song, “Calypso Breakdown” can be heard on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.  As a songwriter, MacDonald scored to massive c0-writing hits; “Where Is The Love,” the 1971 hit for Roberta Flack, and “Just The Two Of Us,” the Grammy-winning hit for Bill Withers in 1981.  Ralph MacDonald was 67 when he died of lung cancer on December 8, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.