Died On This Date (January 8, 2008) Clyde Otis / Prolific Songwriter and Label Exec

Clyde Otis
September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008

clydeotis

Clyde Otis was a successful songwriter, producer and label executive who, over the course of his career, is said to have written or co-written over 800 songs.  He was most closely associated with Brook Benton with whom he collaborated on many hit recordings.  He also worked with the likes of Dinah Washington, Timi Yuro and Sarah Vaughan.  His songs have been recorded by such artists as Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis and Aretha Franklin.  And in 1994, Natalie Cole’s Take A Look, won him a Grammy as producer.  Clyde Otis was 83 when he passed away on January 8, 2008.


Died On This Date (July 23, 2011) Fran Landesman / Respected American Lyricist

Fran Landesman (Born Francis Deitsch)
October 21, 1927 – July 23, 2011

Fran Landesman was an American poet and lyricist who achieved international acclaim for penning the words to such songs as “The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men” and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most.”  Born in New York City, Landesman eventually settled with her husband in St. Louis, Missouri where they owned and operated the Crystal Palace, a world-renowned night club that hosted the likes of Barbra Streisand, Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen.  It was while sitting at the bar listening to the singers that Landesman was inspired to take a stab at writing song lyrics herself.  The year was 1952, and it was then and there that she began collaborating with the club’s house pianist on a string of songs, some of which became hits as recorded by others.  That list of singers includes R0berta Flack, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler, Sarah Vaughan, Petula Clark, Dudley Moore.  Landesman wrote countless songs over the course of her career, over 300 of which since 1994 alone.  In 1999, she donated her collection of writings to the University of Missouri, St. Louis but continued to make public appearances – reciting poetry or singing her songs – right up until her final days.  Fran Landesman was 83 when she passed away on July 23, 2011.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.



Died On This Date (June 25, 1987) Boudleaux Bryant / Wrote Many Pop Hits

Boudleaux Bryant
February 13, 1920 – June 25, 1987

Along with his wife, Felice, Boudleaux Bryant wrote such early pop hits as “Bye Bye Love,” “Rocky Top,” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” the last two being big hits for the Everly Brothers. The future Mr. & Mrs. Boudleaux met in 1945 and so began a successful songwriting partnership (and marriage) that would last some forty years. During that time, they wrote songs for a virtual who’s who of popular music. That list includes Tony Bennett, the Grateful Dead, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Nazareth, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Sarah Vaughan. Together they penned over 1500 recorded songs which obviously landed them into several songwriter halls of fame. Boudleaux Bryant passed away from natural causes on June 25, 1987



Died On This Date (May 23, 1994) Joe Pass / Jazz Guitar Virtuoso

Joe Pass
January 13, 1929 – May 23, 1994

Joe Pass was an exceptional jazz guitarist known for an improvisational style that would influence future generations of players. Pass began playing guitar on his 9th birthday and by the time he turned 14, he was gigging around town. But within a few years, he began to struggle with drug abuse and fell off the radar as a musician. After spending over two years in a drug rehab program, he resurfaced to reclaim his spot at the top of the jazz world. Throughout the ’60s, Pass recorded several albums for the Pacific Jazz label while lending his talents to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis and Della Reese. The ’70s saw the release of Pass’ signature album, Virtuoso and the Grammy winning album, The Trio by Pass, Oscar Peterson, and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Pass died of cancer on May 23, 1994.

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Died On This Date (April 26, 1984) Count Basie / Jazz Legend

William “Count” Basie
March 24, 1904 – April 26, 1984

basie1Count Basie is one of most important jazz musicians and band leaders in American history.  Born in Red Bank, New Jersey in 1904, Basie was encouraged by his mother to learn the piano, paying 25 cents a lesson for the young boy.  Dropping out of junior high school, he took a job at a local movie house where one day when the regular pianist failed to show up for work, Basie took over playing behind the silent films.  He never looked back.  By his late teens he was playing at local parties, dances and talent shows, and when he wasn’t playing, he was hustling for his next gig.  In the mid ’20s, Basie was fully immersed in the jazz scene that was building in Harlem.  He would lead his Count Basie Orchestra on and off for the next fifty years.  Throughout his astounding career, Basie played for royalty around the world;  recorded with a who’s who of popular music – from Frank Sinatra to Duke Ellington, from Billie Holiday to Sarah Vaughan; won nine Grammys;  had four songs selected to the Grammy Hall of Fame;  appeared on television and in film; and performed at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball.  He passed away of pancreatic cancer on April 26, 1984 at the age of 79.

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Count Basie