Died On This Date (July 10, 2012) Lol Coxhill / English Jazz Saxophonist

George “Lol” Coxhill
September 19, 1932 – July 10, 2012

Lol Coxhill was a world-renowned free-improv saxophonist from Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.  In 1968, legendary English disc jockey, John Peel reportedly took note of Coxhill while he was busking on London’s South Bank.  That lead to gigs throughout the storied Canterbury scene of the late ’60s and ’70s.  During those years, Coxhill played in such jazz rock combos as Delivery and Kevin Ayers and the Whole World.  Although he ultimately made his mark as an unpredictable improv soloist, Coxhill performed more traditionally while backing up many visiting American blues and soul singers during the ’60s.  That list includes Champion Jack Dupree, Lowell Fulson, and Rufus Thomas.  He also collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mike Oldfield, Django Bates, Fred Frith, and even the Damned.   Lol Coxhill was 79 when he passed away on July 10, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Died On This Date (May 1, 2012) Charles “Skip” Pitts / Prominent Guitarist On “Shaft”

Charles Pitts
April 7, 1947 – May 1, 2012

Charles Pitts was a Memphis guitarist whose style of playing has prompted many sources to include him on the list of the architects of funk and soul guitar. By the time Pitts was just 11 years he had picked up the guitar and was learning on the street corners around his Washington DC neighborhood.  One of his early teachers was none other than neighbor, Bo Diddley, who offered the boy tips on how to play.  His other early sources of inspiration came from the likes of James Brown and Otis Redding who he saw perform at the Howard Theater which sat next door to a hotel his uncle owned.  Pitts eventually became a session player for Stax Records, playing on records and/or performing live with Wilson Pickett, Gene Chandler, the Isley Brothers, and Rufus Thomas, to name s few.  In 1971, Pitts came up with the iconic “wah wah” guitar sound that helped make Isaac Hayes‘ “Theme From Shaft” one of the most iconic songs of all time.  He went on to play with Hayes for nearly 40 years.  In later years, his riffs were been sampled by the Beasite Boys, Eazy-E, Massive Attack, and Dr. Dre.  Charles Pitts died of cancer on May 1, 2012.  He was 65.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

 



Died On This Date (July 30, 2003) Sam Phillips / Legendary Record Producer

Sam Phillips
January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003

samAs a producer, Sam Phillips was one of the key architects of early rock ‘n roll.  What he helped create in his Sun Studios would become the foundation on which current popular music was built.   Phillips opened his Memphis recording studio in 1950 to make records for his own label, Sun Records.  One of his early recordings was Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88,” that many consider the first rock ‘n roll record ever.  Other future legends he worked with were B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus Thomas and Howlin’ Wolf, whom he considers his greatest discovery.   Of course most consider his OTHER “discovery” to be his greatest – Elvis Presley.   Phillips recorded some of the biggest early records by some of the greatest names in rock history.  They included hits by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Ike Turner,  and Roy Orbison.  Sam Phillips died of respiratory failure at the age of 80.


Died On This Date (December 15, 2001) Rufus Thomas

Rufus Thomas, Jr.
March 27, 1917 –  December 15, 2001

Rufus-ThomasRufus Thomas was an R&B and funk singer who scored several hit singles while signed to Sun Records during the ’50s and Stax Records during the ’60s and ’70s.  Known for his comical songs and colorful stage dress, Thomas became popular with songs like “Can Your Monkey do the Dog,” “Do the Funky Chicken,” and “Walking the Dog.”  He was backed on many of his recordings by either Booker T & the MGs or the Bar-Kays and continued to record and perform well into the ’90s.  Rufus Thomas was 84 when he died of heart failure in December 15, 2001.

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