Died On This Date (May 5, 2012) Sweet Joe Russell / The Persuasions
themusicsover Jesse “Sweet Joe” Russell
September 25, 1939 – May 5, 2012
Sweet Joe Russell was an influential vocalist who, for the better part of five decades, sang with the a capella group, the Persuasions. Formed in Brooklyn in 1962, the Persuasions first found an audience on local street corners. In 1970, after hearing them sing over the telephone, Frank Zappa signed them to his Straight Records and released their debut record, A Capella. They went on to release numerous albums and record or tour with the likes of the Grateful Dead, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Joni Mitchell, and Liza Minnelli. And it was Russell, with his sweet tenor, who was called “the voice of the Persuasions.” Sweet Joe Russell died on May 5, 2012, after a long battle with diabetes. He was 72.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
What You Should Own
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