Died On This Date (March 27, 2013) Roosevelt Jamison / Memphis Soul Legend; Wrote “That’s How Strong My Love Is”

Roosevelt Jamison
July 15, 1936 – March 27, 2013

roosevelt-jamisonRoosevelt Jamison was songwriter, artist manager and publicist whose most notable contribution to popular music was the soulful gem he wrote, “That’s How Strong My Love Is.”  First recorded by O.V. Wright in 1964, the song had a remarkable life, which found its way on to records by Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, Candi Staton, Taj Mahal, the Hollies, Bryan Ferry, Humble Pie, Percy Sledge, Buddy Miller, and many more.  Besides managing Wright, Jamison also oversaw soul singer, James Carr‘s career for a bit.  Under Jamison’s watch, Carr had a major hit with “The Dark End Of The Street.”  In later years, Jamison conducted sickle-cell research and taught Anatomy and Physiology.  He was also worked at the hematology lab at the City of Memphis Hospital for many years.  Roosevelt James passed away at the age of 76 on March 27, 2013.

Thanks to Tom Ashburn of The Dark End Of The Street on KOOP 91.7FM for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (December 6, 2012) Ed Cassidy / Founding Drummer Of Spirit

Ed Cassidy
May 4, 1923 – December 6, 2012

Ed “Cass” Cassidy was the co-founding drummer of the psychedelic rock band, Spirit. With his stepson, Randy California at the helm, the Los Angeles band formed in 1967 and went on to score a top 25 hit with 1968’s “I Got A Line On You,” one of the era’s most durable songs.  Cassidy launched his music career back in 1937 before serving in the Navy during WWII.  Upon his discharge, he got back to playing in various country bands, show bands and Dixieland combos. He even briefly played with the San Francisco Opera.  He also reportedly played 282 consecutive one-night-stands in 17 different states in 1940.  Cassidy moved to the Los Angeles area during the early ’50s to focus more on jazz, and during his early years there, he played with the likes of Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, and Cannonball Adderley.  In 1964, he formed the Rising Sons with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.  That was followed by the Red Roosters who morphed into Spirit in 1967.  He went on to perform and record with different variations of Spirit for the next 40 years.  Away from music, worked as an actor, appearing on General Hospital, among other television shows and films.  Ed Cassidy was 89 when he passed away on December 6, 2012.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour of Slipped Disc Entertainment for the assist.

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The Family That Plays Together - Spirit

Died On This Date (April 23, 2011) Dutch Tilders / Dutch Australian Blues Musician

Matthew “Dutch” Tilders
August 29, 1941 – April 23, 2011

Dutch Tilders was a blues musician born in the Netherlands but who moved to Australia with his family while still in his teens.   Tilders was playing the harmonica by the time he landed his first gig at the age of 15, but soon switched to the guitar.  He went on to release several albums while performing with the likes of Taj Mahal, John Mayall, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry.  Back home in Australia, he was dubbed the “Godfather of Blues,” and even the great B.B. King  once proclaimed that regardless of his European birth, Tilders was a genuine bluesman.  He continued to tour as recently as late 2010 despite the fact that he was diagnosed with lung cancer in May of that same year.  Dutch Childers officially retired in February of 2011 and passed away from the cancer on April 23, 2011.  He was 69.