Died On This Date (June 19, 2013) Chet Flippo / Respected Music Journalist

Chet Flippo
1943 – June 19, 2013

chet-flippoChet Flippo was a respected author and music journalist who, over the course of his career was the Editorial Director at CMT and Billboard‘s Nashville Bureau Chief.  Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Flippo served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War before earning a degree in Journalism from University of Texas.  Although his name is practically synonymous with country music for many fans, he was also wrote about rock music as well.  As a contributor to Rolling Stone while he was earning his Master’s during the ’70s, Flippo championed many of the rock musicians of the era.  Before leaving the magazine in 1980, he served as the its New York Bureau Chief and Senior Editor.  He also contributed features to numerous periodicals like the New York Times, Q Magazine, and TV Guide. From there he went to Billboard and later CMT/cmt.com Throughout his career, Flippo penned several books on music as well.  They include Your Cheatin’ Heart: A Biography of Hank Williams, It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll: My On-The-Road Adventures With The Rolling Stones,Graceland: The Living Legacy of Elvis Presley, and  Yesterday: The Unauthorized Biography of Paul McCartney.  Chet Flippo died of pneumonia on June 19, 2013.  He was 69.

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



Died On This Date (April 7, 2013) Andy Johns / Legendary Record Producer & Engineer

Andy Johns
January 1, 1952 – April 7, 2013

andy-johnsAndy Johns was an English record producer and engineer whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of rock.  Still in his teens, Johns hit the ground running working as Eddie Kramer‘s second engineer on recordings by the likes of Jimi Hendrix.  Over the next four decades, Johns left his mark on such iconic albums as Led Zeppelin‘s IV, Physical Graffiti, and Houses Of The Holy;  the Rolling StonesSticky Fingers, Exile On Main St., and Goat’s Head Soup; Free‘s Highway; and  Television’s Marquee Moon.  He also produced or engineered albums for Van Halen, Humble Pie, Ron Wood, L.A. Guns, Cinderella, Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Miller, Mott The Hoople, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and many more.  Albums on which he worked have reportedly sold more than 160 million copies in all.  He was the younger brother of the equally impressive producer and engineer, Glyn Johns.  Andy Johns was 61 when he died on April 7, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums and Brett Ortone at Go Aloha Entertainment for the assist.

 

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 (August 25, 2012) George Gallacher / The Poets

George Gallacher
October 21, 1943 – August 25, 2012

George Gallacher was the co-founder and lead singer of ’60s psychedelic pop band, the Poets.  Formed in Glasgow, Scotland 1962, the band we’re an instant local hit thanks to their marriage of blues, hard R&B, and melodic pop.  They were often compared to early Kinks and the Small Faces.  The hipper kids also liked their fashion sense – ruffled shirts, velvet jackets, and tight pants.  By 1964, the Poets were one of the biggest concert draws in all of Scotland, and legendary artist manager and producer, Andrew Loog Oldham took note.  The Rolling Stones manager took the group on and even prompted the Stones to mention them in interviews on occasion.  He produced their first single for Decca, “Now Were Thru.”  Although they never went on to release an entire album, nor had singles sell much beyond Scotland, most garage rock rarity collections which chronicle the era include at least one of their recordings.  By the early ’70s, the group had disbanded, but came back together for a show or two in 2011.   On August 25, 2012, George Gallacher was behind the wheel of his car when he suddenly became ill.  He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he died of undisclosed reasons.  He was 68.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

Died On This Date (August 12, 2012) Gary Cox / Artful Dodger

Gary Cox
January 17, 1953 – August 12, 2012

Gary Cox is best remembered as the founding lead guitarist for legendary American power pop band, Artful Dodger. Formed in Fairfax, Virginia in 1973, the band enjoyed a brush with fame and a loyal cult following thanks to their Beatles/Stones/Faces influenced sound.  They were often compared to the Raspberries.  In 1975, the band was signed to Columbia Records who released their debut self-titled album which was produced by Jack Douglas of Aerosmith fame.  Even though the album was a critical fave and the band toured nearly non-stop – even opening several 1976 dates for KISS, the album failed to sell much beyond their core fan base.  A couple more albums followed before Cox left the group in 1981.  He rejoined the Artful Dodger for a reunion in 1991 and then again in the mid 2000s.  In between, Cox ran his own professional event disc jockey service and worked as a physical therapy assistant.  Gary Cox died of a brain tumor on August 12, 2012.  He was 59.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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