On April 17, 1960, Edward Raymond ‘Eddie’ Cochran died aged 22. He was musician (guitar) singer and songwriter, one of the first musicians who started experiments with multitrack recording and overdubbing. His songs “C’mon Everybody”, “Somethin’ Else” and “Summertime Blues”, were big rockabilly hits in the late 50’ and early 60’.
Monthly Archives: April 2015
Nelson Mandela: An International Tribute for a Free South Africa
On April 16, 1990, concert named “Nelson Mandela: An International Tribute for a Free South Africa” was held at Wembley Stadium, London. It was held two months after Nelson Mandela was released from prison and was broadcasted in 60 countries. The concert artist line-up included: Anita Baker, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Natalie Cole, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Tracy Chapman, Stetsasonic, André A. Jackson, Aswad, Ben Elton, Caiphus Semenya, Daniel Lanois, Denzel Washington, Dudu Pukwana, Geoffrey Oreyama, George Duke, Jerry Dammers, Johnny Clegg, Jonas Gwangwa, Jungle Brothers, Lenny Henry, Letta Mbulu, Little Steven, Manhattan Brothers, Mica Paris, Neneh Cherry, Neville Brothers, Patti Labelle, Shikisha, Steven Van Zandt,Terence Trent D’Arby and Youssou N’Dour.
Nino Rota
On April 10, 1979, Giovanni “Nino” Rota died aged 68. He was musician (piano), composer, conductor and academic, best known for his film scores. He has wrote more than 150 music scores and has composed music for the films of some of the world best known movie directors, among the others for Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, Franco Zeffirelli and Francis Ford Coppola. In 1974 he won the “Academy Award for Best Original Score” for Francis Ford Coppola movie “The Godfather Part II”. Rota is also known for his music for theatre productions by Luchino Visconti, Eduardo De Filippo and Franco Zeffirelli.
James Hannett
On April 9, 1991, James Martin Hannett died aged 43. Initially credited as Martin Zero, he was a record producer and an original partner and director at “Factory Records” (together with Tony Wilson). Zero worked with The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, Happy Mondays, Magazine, U2 and The Psychedelic Furs.
Dave Prater
On April 9, 1988, Dave Prater died aged 51. He was singer and songwriter, member of the duo Sam & Dave. Together they recorded two soul classics “Soul man” and “Hold on, I’m coming”. Prater is a member of the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame”(1992), “Grammy Hall of Fame” (1999), “Vocal Group Hall of Fame” and “Georgia Music Hall Of Fame” (1997) and was a “Grammy Award” winning (1967).
Andy Johns
On April 7, 2013, Jeremy Andrew “Andy” Johns died aged 61. He was producer and engineer, worked with many musicians and bands, including: Blodwyn Pig, Humble Pie, Gary Wright, Free, Bobby Whitlock- Bobby Whitlock, West, Bruce and Laing, Jack Bruce, String Driven Thing, Television, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, Cinderella, McAuley Schenker Group, Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Steve Miller Band, Jethro Tull, The Deviants, Spooky Tooth, Ten Years After, Clouds, Blind Faith, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Mott the Hoople, Sailor’s Delight- Sky, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Joni Mitchell and Eric Clapton.
Jim Marshall
On April 5, 2012, Jim Marshall died aged 88. “The Father of loud” or “The Lord of loud” was an English businessman and pioneer of guitar amplification. His company “Marshall Amplification” and his amplifiers changed the face of rock music and granted iconic status among the world best known guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend, Kurt Cobain, Yngwie Malmsteen, Slash, Eddie Van Halen and Angus Young. In 2003, Marshall was awarded an “OBE” for “services to the music industry.
Cozy Powell
On April 5, 1998, Colin Flooks aka Cozy Powell died aged 51. He was musician (drums, percussion), composer and producer, member of Bedlam, Cozy Powell’s Hammer, The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, MSG, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath, The Brian May Band, Suzi Quatro, Peter Green Splinter Group and Thin Lizzy.
Kurt Cobain
On April 5, 1994, Kurt Donald Cobain died aged 27. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as founding member, guitarist and lead singer of the band “Nirvana”.
Bob Hite
On April 5, 1981, Robert Ernest “Bob” Hite died aged 38. He was musician (harmonica, flute, guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as member and lead singer of the band “Canned Heat”.
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