Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Gordon Stoker / Member Of Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires

Gordon Stoker
DOB Unknown – March 27, 2013

With Elvis
With Elvis

Gordon Stoker is best remembered as a member of Elvis Presley‘s backing vocalists, the Jordanaires.  He also acted as their manager.  Just 15 when he became a professional musician, Stoker eventually played piano on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry  radio program.  In 1949, he was picked up by the Jordanaires Gospel group to play piano.  Within two years, he was singing tenor in the group.  In 1956, Presley invited them to be his back up singers both live and on record.  Stoker can be heard on such records as “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” “I Got A Woman,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”  The group continued on – with Stoker remaining until the time of his death – after Presley passed away in 1977.  The list of other artists that were backed by the Jordanaires on record includes Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Ween, and Kristen Chenoweth.  Gordon Stoker was 88 when he passed away on March 27, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (June 3, 1975) Ozzie Nelson / Popular Band Leader & TV Star

Ozzie Nelson
March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975

OzzieOzzie Nelson was a popular radio and television personality and band leader.   By the early ’30s, Nelson was fronting his Ozzie Nelson Band who had a hits with “Over Somebody Else’s Shoulder” and “It’s Gonna Be You.”  In 1935, Nelson married the band’s singer, Harriet Hilliard and together they had two sons, David and Ricky Nelson, who went on to have successful music career himself.  In the mid-’40s, Nelson created a radio program, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriett, and when he moved it over to television in 1952, David and Ricky took over the roles that had been previously played by actors on radio.  Throughout the show’s run, Nelson helped groom Ricky’s music career by having the budding heart-throb perform his early rock n’ roll songs on the air.  Ozzie Nelson died of liver failure on June 3, 1975.

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Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra (50 Songs) - Ozzie Nelson

 

Died On This Date (December 23, 2008) Clint Ballard Jr. / Successful Pop Songwriter; Wrote “You’re No Good” For Linda Ronstadt

Clint Ballard Jr.
May 24, 1931 – December 23, 2008

clint-ballard

Clint Ballard Jr. was a successful American songwriter who, over the course of his career wrote numerous charting singles.  Some of his most recognized songs are “You’re No Good” (Linda Ronstadt), “Game of Love” (Wayne Fontana), and “I’m Alive” (the Hollies).  Two of his songs landed at the top of the Billboard singles chart while two others made it into the UK top ten.  His songs have also been recorded by the likes of Ricky Nelson, Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis, and Jan and Dean.  Clint Ballard Jr. was 77 when he passed away on December 23, 2008.