Died On This Date (December 12, 2011) John Atterberry / Music Exec Killed In Hollywood Shooting Rampage
themusicsover John Atterberry
DOB Unknown – December 12, 2011
John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R. After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop Dog, Tupac Shakur and Doctor Dre. He later formed Margela Records & Consulting, and then, Infusion Music Group, a publishing company that counted the Spice Girls and Jessica Simpson among its artists. In 2007, Atterberry went to work for GridLock, an event promotions company while also acting as CFO of the VIP Group, a real estate brokerage firm. On Friday, December 9, 2011 Atterberry was on Sunset Boulevard at Vine Street when he was shot in the face and upper body by Tyler Brehm who was firing random shots into passing cars as he walked down the middle of Sunset. Police say that Brehm shot nearly 20 bullets into the air and at cars while he screamed that he wanted to die. A brave witness in a nearby building held his attention long enough for police to arrive on the scene and order him to drop his weapon. When Brehm reportedly aimed at the officers, they shot and killed him. Charles Atterberry, who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries on Monday, December 12, 2011. He was 40 years old.
Born in Chicago, Melvin Bliss began his career in music at the age of six, first performing gospel and then moving on to jazz. In 1973, he released “Synthetic Substitution” a soul record that went on to become one of the most sampled songs in music history even though it was an obscure b-side. Below is a partial list of songs that borrowed elements from Bliss’ recording. Melvin Bliss was 75 when he passed away on July 26, 2010.
Apache was a New Jersey rapper who began his career fronting the late ’80s hip-hop group, the Flavor Unit. In 1991, he released is debut album, Apache Ain’t Shit, which reached #66 on the Billboard album chart. The album included the hit single, “Gangsta Bitch” which received respectable radio and video play. Apache can also be heard on albums by 
Known as the “Godfather Of Rocksteady,” Alton Ellis was a Jamaican musician who took the elements of ska and slowed them down to a more relaxed beat. It in turn, paved the way for what we now know as reggae. A prolific singer, Ellis began his career with Eddy Perkins in the late ’50s as part of a duo, Alton & Eddy, who scored a big Jamaican hit with their “Muriel.” In the early ’60s, he formed his group, the Flames just as ska was taking hold throughout Jamaica. He slowed the beat down and recorded a hit song called “Rock Steady” which became the new genre’s name. In 1967, he recorded a song called “Mad Men” that included a three-note descending horn line which became became a constant in more than 100 reggae songs to follow. Reinterpretations of it can be heard in hip-hop songs by the likes of 