Died On This Date (April 1, 2009) Duane Jarvis / Respected L.A. Singer Songwriter

Duane Jarvis
August 22, 1957 – April 1, 2009

duane-jarvisDuane Jarvis was one of those great talents that should have been more famous than they were.  Although Jarvis was born in Oregon, both Los Angeles and Nashville like to claim him as their own as well.   Much more than a superb singer and songwriter, Jarvis was also a master of the guitar, mandolin and bass.  Over the years he has worked with the Divinyls, Rosie Flores, Dave Alvin, John Prine, Victoria Williams, Dwight Yoakam, M. Ward, and Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits.  Duane Jarvis died of cancer on April 1, 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.


What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (September 3, 2007) Janis Martin / Rockabilly’s “Female Elvis Presley”

Janis Martin
March 23, 1940 – September 3, 2007

Janis Martin was a popular rockabilly performer who came to prominence during the 1950s. Because of her on-stage moves, she was often referred to as the Female Elvis Presley.   An entertainer from a very early age, Martin began appearing on local radio programs while still in her mid teens, sometimes sharing the stage with the likes of Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow and Jim Reeves.  Martin signed to RCA Records, who had recently signed Presley, when she was just 15.  Her first record, “Will You Willyum,” quickly became a pop and country hit, leading to her getting booked on American Bandstand, The Today Show, The Tonight Show and The Grand Ol’ Opry.  She released a string of hits including “My Boy Elvis” and “Let’s Elope Baby.”  In 1958, RCA dropped Martin when they learned she had secretly married her boyfriend and gotten pregnant.  In the early ’60s, Martin’s second husband forced her to leave the music business.  She resurfaced during the rockabilly revival of the late ’70s, touring for adoring fans throughout Europe.  Martin was introduced to a whole new generation of fans when she guested on Rosie Flores’ Rockabilly Philly album.  Janis Martin died of cancer at a Durham, NC hospital.  She was 67 years old.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Female Elvis - Complete Recordings 1956-60 - Janis Martin