Died On This Date (April 13, 2013) Vincent Montana Jr. / Founder Of The Salsoul Orchestra; Member OF MFSB
themusicsover Vincent Montana Jr.
February 12, 1928 – April 13, 2013
Vincent Montana was an American percussionist and band leader who is best remembered as the founder of popular ’70s disco group, the Salsoul Orchestra. He was also a member of another disco standout band, MFSB. Both groups, which counted members of each within their folds, released some of the era’s most recognized hits. MFSB was assembled as the house band for Philadephia’s legendary Sigma Sounds Studios affording Montana the opportunity to play on hits by the O’Jays, the Stylistics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and many more. With Salsoul Orchestra, he recorded such disco hits as “Tangerine,” “Salsoul Hustle,” and “Nice ‘N’ Naasty.” The vast list of others that Montana either played with or produced includes Frankie Avalon , Dusty Springfield, the Delfonics, Johnny Mathis, the Jackson 5, La Belle, and more recently, the Pet Shop Boys. Vincent Montana was 85 when he passed away on April 13, 2013.
What You Should Own
Dusty Springfield was one of Britain’s most popular female singers of the ’60s. What endeared her to fans was the sensuality she added to what was being defined as “white soul.” Over the course of her early career, Springfield scored hits with such songs as “I Only Want To Be With You,” “Wishin’ and Hopin,'” the Academy Award winning, “The Look of Love,” and her most iconic hit, “Son of a Preacher Man.” In 1969, Springfield, in a move she felt would better legitimize her talent, went to Nashville to work with some of the city’s best session players. What they came up with, was Dusty in Memphis, arguably one of popular music’s greatest albums. It earned her a Grammy nomination as well as a home in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Springfield all but disappeared from the public eye for nearly two decades until, in 1987, her career was resurrected by of all acts, the Pet Shop Boys. Their collaboration on “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” shot to #2 on both the U.K. and U.S. charts and was one of the era’s most popular videos on MTV. Her career got another boost in 1994, when “Son of a Preacher Man” was prominently featured in Quentin Tarantino’s landmark film, Pulp Fiction. That same year however, Springfield was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she continued to work until her final live performance in December of 1995. On March 2, 1999, 59-year-old Dusty Springfield died as a result of the cancer.
