On April 30, 1983, McKinley Morganfield aka Muddy Waters died aged 70. He was musician (guitar), singer and somgwriter, named the “Father of modern Chicago Blues”. Waters wrote few classic standards including “I just want to make love to you”, “I’m your Hoochie Coochie Man”, “Got my Mojo working” and had a major influence on many artists including Cream, Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin. The Rolling Stones named themselves after Waters’ 1950 song “Rollin’ Stone”.
Monthly Archives: April 2015
Mick Ronson
On April 29, 1983, Michael “Mick” Ronson died aged 47. He was musician (guitar, piano, violin, cello), songwriter, arranger and producer, best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of the Spiders from Mars. Ronson also have worked with Ian Hunter. Morrissey, Van Morrison, Slaughter & The Dogs, The Wildhearts, The Rich Kids, Elton John, Johnny Cougar and T-Bone Burnett. Ronson also co-produced Lou Reed’s album “Transformer” and released several solo albums, “Slaughter on 10th Avenue” is his best known and most successful solo project. In 2003 he was named the 64th greatest guitarist of all time by “Rolling Stone” and 41st in 2012 by the same magazine.
On April 28, 1969.
On April 28, 1969, “Columbia” label released the debut, self-titled Chicago Transit Authority album. Later the band changed its name to Chicago and the debut album became known as “Chicago I”. It was recorded in “Columbia Recording Studios” in New York City and was produced by James William Guercio.
Personnel
- Peter Cetera- vocals, bass guitar, agogo bells
- Terry Kath- vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
- Robert Lamm- vocals, acoustic piano, Hammond organ, Hohner Pianet, Wurlitzer electric piano, maracas
- Lee Loughnane- trumpet, claves
- James Pankow- trombone, cowbell
- Walter Parazaider- woodwinds, tambourine
- Danny Seraphine- drums, percussion
- James William Guercio – original liner notes
- Fred Catero – engineer
- Nick Fasciano – artwork
Track listing:
- Introduction – Terry Kath
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? – Robert Lamm
- Beginnings – Robert Lamm
- Questions 67 and 68 – Robert Lamm
- Listen – Robert Lamm
- Poem 58 – Robert Lamm
- Free Form Guitar – Terry Kath
- South California Purples – Robert Lamm
- I’m a Man – Steve Winwood, Jimmy Miller
- Prologue – James William Guercio
- Someday – James Pankow, Robert Lamm
- Liberation – James Pankow
Phoebe Snow
On April 26, 2011, Phoebe Ann Laub aka Phoebe Snow died aged 61. She was musician (guitar),singer and songwriter, described by “The New York Times” as a “Contralto grounded in a bluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four octaves.”
Count Basie
On April 26, 1984, William James “Count” Basie died aged 80. He was musician (piano, organ), band leader and composer, together with Duke Ellington he was outstanding representative of big bands style and a leading figure of the swing era in jazz music.
Richie Havens
On April 22, 2013, Richard Pierce Havens aka Richie Havens died aged 72. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, famous for his intense and rhythmic guitar style. Havens released 21 studio and 2 live albums but he is best known for his opening performance at the 1969 “Woodstock Festival”.
Sandy Denny
On April 21, 1978, Alexandra Elene MacLean aka Sandy Denny died aged 31. She was singer and songwriter, member and lead singer of “Fairport Convention”, member of the British folk band the “Strawbs”, she formed the short-lived band “Fotheringay”. As solo artists Denny released four albums: “The North star Grassman and the ravens”, “Sandy”, “Like an old fashioned waltz” and “Rendezvous”.
Steve Marriott
On April 20.1991, Stephen Peter “Steve” Marriott died aged 44. He was musician (guitar), songwriter and producer, leader of Small Faces (The) and Humble Pie. In 2012, Marriott was inducted posthumously into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of Small Faces (The).
Earl King
On April 17, 2003, Earl King died aged 69. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, important figure in the New Orleans R’n’B scene. King wrote two classic blues tracks “Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) covered by Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, and “Big Chief” covered by Professor Longhair’.
Felix Pappalardi
On April 17, 1983, Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. Died aged 43. He was musician (bass), singer, songwriter and producer, best known as member and bass player of the band “Mountain”. Papalardi produced albums “Disraeli Gears” and “Wheels of Fire” by Cream.
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