Died On This Date (October 9, 1978) Jacques Brel / Belgian Singer-Songwriter

Jacques Brel
April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978

brelJacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who came to prominence in Europe during the 1950s.  And although he wrote and sang exclusively in French, many of his songs have been covered in English by such notable performers as Ray Charles, David Bowie and Dusty Springfield.  He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.  His career started modestly in the cabarets of Paris, but by the mid ’50s, his talent could not be denied, so he began touring Europe and beyond.  He also made a name for himself in film.  A longtime smoker, Brel was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1973 and died from it five years later at the age of 49.

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Jacques Brel

Died On This Date (October 8, 2009) Abu Talib / Bluesman; Played With Ray Charles

Abu Talib (Born Freddy Robinson)
February 24, 1939 – October 8, 2009

Photo by Tony Berg

Freddy Robinson, who changed his name to Abu Talib when he converted to Islam during the ’70s, was a blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player.  Very diverse in his playing, Talib was comfortable in both blues and jazz combos.  During the ’50s and ’60s, he worked with Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Jimmy Rogers.  In the ’70s and ’80s, he played with the likes of Stanley Turrentine, Bobby “Blue” Bland, John Mayall and Blue Mitchell.  He also played with Ray Charles.  Abu Talib died of cancer at the age of 70.



Died On This Date (September 19, 2008) Earl Palmer / Legendary Session Drummer

Earl Palmer
October 25, 1924 – September 19, 2008

Earl Palmer was a session drummer with a resume that reads like a who’s who of popular music.  He has been called the “most recorded drummer in history.”  Over a career that spanned over 50 years, Palmer played on hit recordings by the likes of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Frank Sinatra, Rick Nelson, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, Neil Young, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, B.B. King, Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and many many more.   Palmer was recognized for his incomparable contribution to rock ‘n roll by being the first session musician elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.   Earl Palmer passed away in 2008 at the age of 83.