Died On This Date (October 26, 2011) Reese Palmer / The Marquees

Reese Palmer
DOB Unknown – October 26, 2011

Reese Palmer was an American soul singer who, during the mid 1950s, belonged to a singing group, the D.C. Tones which also counted among its members, Marvin Gaye and Sondra Lattisaw (mother of Stacy Lattisaw).  Gaye soon left the group to join the US Air Force, but upon his return in 1957, he reunited with Palmer to form the Marquees.  Shortly thereafter, the group was discovered by Bo Diddley while they were performing at a local club.  Diddley signed them to Okeh Records for whom they recorded the moderately successful “Wyatt Earp” and “Hey Little Schoolgirl.”  In 1958, the Marquees were hired by Harvey Fuqua to serve as his backing group in the New Moonglows after his original singers quit.  As part of the New Moonglows, Reese sang on records by the likes of Chuck Berry (“Almost Grown” and “Back In The U.S.A.”) and Etta James.  After leaving the New Moonglows in 1960, Reese went on to sing with the Revlons and the Orioles.  In 2001, he resurrected the Marquees with new members.  On October 26, 2011, Reese Palmer passed away following a battle with prostate cancer and bladder cancer.  He was 73.



Died On This Date (July 7, 2008) Bobby Durham / Drummer; Played With Ella Fitzgerald

Bobby Durham
February 3, 1937 – July 7, 2008

Bobby Durham was a versatile jazz drummer who began his career at the age of sixteen by playing with popular doo-wop group the Orioles.  After serving in the military where he played in the military band, Durham settled in New York City where he went on to become one of the most respected drummers in jazz.  Over his career, he performed with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald, who he accompanied for over ten years.  Bobby Durham died after a long struggle with lung cancer and emphysema.



Died On This Date (December 9, 1981) Sonny Til / Doo Wop Singer

Sonny Til  (Born Earlington Tilghman)
August 18, 1928 – December 9, 1981

Sonny Til at left

Sonny Til was the lead singer of the Orioles, an influential doo-wop group that was one of the first of the genre to rise to prominence.  Til formed the group in the late ’40s, making them, buy some accounts, R&B’s first vocal group.  Over the course of their career, they scored with hits like “Crying in the Chapel,” “It’s Too Soon to Know,” and “It’s Gonna Be a Lonely Christmas.”  Their songs have been covered by Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Elvis Presley, and more.  Sonny Til fronted the group until he passed away from heart failure due to diabetes in 1981.  He was 53 years old.