Plastic Ono Band: Give Peace A Chance

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Louis Johnson

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On May 21, 2015, Louis Johnson died aged 60. He was musician (bass), founding member of funk band the “Brothers Johnson” and one of the most demanded bass players. Johnson performed on Quncy Jones albums “Body Heat” and “Mellow Madness”, Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall”,  “Thriller” and “Dangerous” and hit songs “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. Johnson also performed on George Benson’s album “Give Me the Night”.

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