All posts by mandevm

Dee Dee Ramone

On June 5, 2002, Douglas Glenn Colvin aka Dee Dee Ramone, died aged 50. He was musician (bass guitar) and songwriter, best known as founding member, songwriter and bassist of the Ramones. Dee Dee was the band’s most prolific lyricist and songwriter, author of some of the band’s best known songs, such as “53rd & 3rd”, “Commando”, “Rockaway beach”, and “Poison heart”.

Capitol Records

Capitol Records

On June 4, 1942, “Capitol Records” was founded by Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn Wallichs. Over the decades, the label became home to artists such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Bobby Darin, Glen Campbell, Steve Miller, Dr. Hook, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Heart,  Nat King Cole, the Four Knights, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Stan Kenton, June Christy, Louis Prima, Keely Smith, the Louvin Brothers, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Harry James, Andy Griffith, Shirley Bassey, the Kingston Trio, Dean Martin, The Four Freshmen, Helen Reddy, Anne Murray, April Wine, Blondie, Bloodrock, Burning Spear, Buzzcocks, David Bowie, Kim Carnes, Rosanne Cash, Max Webster, Lee Clayton, Natalie Cole, The Goose Creek Symphony, Sammy Hagar, The Knack, Maze, Mink DeVille, Juice Newton, Raspberries, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, Sweet, The Specials, The Sylvers, Ten Wheel Drive, The Stranglers, Tavares, George Thorogood, Triumvirate, Little River Band, Wings, The Persuasions, Richard Marx, The Motels, Billy Squier, Crowded House, Peter Blakeley, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Doobie Brothers, Willie Dixon, Glass Tiger, Katrina & The Waves, Grace Jones, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Sawyer Brown, Queen, Roxette, Brian Setzer,The Smithereens, Spandau Ballet, The Tubes, Paul Westerberg, Butthole Surfers, Concrete Blonde, Billy Idol, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Exodus, W.A.S.P., Poison, Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche,  Beastie Boys, King Tee, Mantronix, Mellow Man Ace, Robbie Robertson, Dave Koz, Ashford and Simpson, Freddie Jackson, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Skinny Puppy and others.

 

Bo Diddley

On June 2, 2008, Ellas Otha Bates aka Bo Diddley, died aged 79. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter and music producer, played important role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. His original syncopated beat – three strokes /rest/ two strokes, became the core rhythm of rock ’n’ roll. His style influenced big number of music acts including The Animals, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Parliament Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles.

Plastic Ono Band: Give Peace A Chance

GPAC

On June 1, 1969, in room 1742, in “Queen Elizabeth Hotel”, in Montreal, Canada,  John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded the song “Give Peace A Chance”. The song was written by Lennon and recorded by André Perry, using a simple setup of four microphones and a four-track tape recorder. Lennon played acoustic guitar, accompanied by Tommy Smothers from the “Smothers Brothers”, also on acoustic guitar. The recording session was attended by number of journalists and celebrities, including Petula Clark, Timothy Leary, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Joseph Schwartz, Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Dick Gregory, Allen Ginsberg, Murray the K and Derek Taylor. The song was released as a single by “Plastic Ono Band” on July 4, 1969 (UK), on “Apple” label. “Give peace a chance” became an anthem of the American anti-war movement during the 70’s.

Tito Puente

On June 1, 2000, Ernesto Antonio “Tito” Puente died aged 77.  He was musician (timbales, vibraphone, drums, sax, piano, bass, bongos, congas) and composer, Puente is credited as “The Musical Pope”, “The King of the timbales” and “The King of Latin music”. In his 50-year career he has performed with many famous musicians, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Cella Cruze and Eddie Palmieri and has recorded as a leader more than forty albums. Puente is author of big number of Latin standards, including the world famous “Oye Como Va”.

Robert Quine

On May 31, 2004, Robert Wolfe Quine died aged 61.  He was musician (guitar),  worked with Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Lou Reed, Brian Eno, John Zorn,Ikue Mori, Marc Ribot, Marianne Faithfull, Lloyd Cole, Tom Waits, Matthew Sweet, They Might Be Giants, Odds and Jody Harris. As leader, Quine released three albums.

Mickie Most

On May 30, 2003, Michael Peter Hayes aka Mickie Most died aged 64. During the late 50’s he was member of The Most Brothers and Mickie Most and the Playboys, but he is best known as music producer of big number of hits for The Animals, Hermans Hermits, The Nashville Teens, Donovan, Lulu, Arrows, Racey, Jeff Beck and Kim Wilde. In the 70’s Most formed his own record label “RAK” having hits with Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro and Mud.

Sun Ra

On May 30, 1993, Herman Poole Blount aka Sun Ra died aged 79. He was musician (piano and synthesizer), composer, bandleader, poet and philosopher, best known for his “Cosmic philosophy”, pioneer of “Afrofuturism” and as a leader of “The Arkestra”, an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.

Jeff Buckley

On May 29, 1997, Jeffrey Scott “Jeff” Buckley died aged 30. Son of Tim Buckley, he was singer-songwriter and musician ( guitar, organ,harmonium, Appalachian dulcimer and bass guitar). In 1994 “Columbia” released his only studio album, the highly acclaimed “Grace”.  Magazine “Rolling Stone” considered Jeff Buckley as one of the greatest singers of all time.

Gil Scott Heron

On May 27, 2011, Gilbert “Gil” Scott-Heron died aged 62. He was musician (piano, keyboards, guitar), singer, poet and songwriter, best known for his work as a spoken word performer in the 70’s and 80’s. His best albums “Pieces of a man” and “Winter in America” from the early 70’s and his best-known composition “The Revolution will not be televised” has influenced generations of contemporary musicians, especially hip hop and neo soul artists.