On January 29, 2009, Iain David McGeachy aka John Martyn, died aged 61. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of the modern music, with an unique voice and guitar playing style. In his 40 year career he has worked with artists such as Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Phil Collins and he had released 21 studio albums. ”The Times” described him as “an electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between folk, jazz, rock and blues”.
Willie Dixon
On January 29, 1992, William James “Willie” Dixon died aged 72. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer, “Grammy Award” winner ,next to Muddy Waters recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post-World War II sound of the Chicago blues. His songs were recorded by countless number of musicians such as Bob Dylan, Cream, Jeff Beck, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. Some of his best known songs are “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Just Want to Make Love to You”, “Little Red Rooster”, “My Babe”, “Spoonful”, and “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover”.
We Are the World
On January 28, 1985, the song “We Are the World” was recorded in the “A&M” studios in LA. The USA response to the UK Band Aid’s “Do they know it’s Christmas” was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World. The single was released on March 7, 1985 on “Columbia” label and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
The following singers, musicians and celebrities took part in the song:
- Lionel Richie
- Stevie Wonder
- Paul Simon
- Kenny Rogers
- James Ingram
- Tina Turner
- Billy Joel
- Michael Jackson
- Diana Ross
- Dionne Warwick
- Willie Nelson
- Al Jarreau
- Bruce Springsteen
- Kenny Loggins
- Steve Perry
- Daryl Hall
- Huey Lewis
- Cyndi Lauper
- Kim Carnes
- Bob Dylan
- Ray Charles
- Dan Aykroyd
- Harry Belafonte
- Lindsey Buckingham
- Mario Cipollina
- Johnny Colla
- Sheila E.
- Bob Geldof
- David Paich
- Michael Boddicker
- Paulinho da Costa
- Louis Johnson
- Michael Omartian
- Greg Phillinganes
- John Robinson
Jim Capaldi
On January 28, 2005, Jim Capaldi died aged 60. He was musician ( drums) and singer, member of “Traffic” and worked with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
Mahalia Jackson
On January 27, 1972, Mahalia Jackson died aged 61. She was singer, nicknamed “The Queen of Gospel”, During her career Mahalia Jackson recorded 30 albums and was internationally known civil rights activist.
Demis Roussos
On January 25, 2015, Artemios “Demis” Ventouris Roussos died aged 68. He was musician (bass guitar, guitar, trumpet), singer and songwriter, before starting successful international career as a singer, he was member of “Aphrodite’s Child” a progressive rock group that also included Vangelis.
Wilson Pickett
On January 19, 2006, Wilson Pickett died aged 65. He was singer and songwriter, best known among the 50 songs he recorded in his career are “In the Midnight Hour”, “Land of 1,000 Dances”, “Mustang Sally”, and “Funky Broadway”. In 1991 he was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Carl Perkins
On January 19, 1998, Carl Lee Perkins died aged 66. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, nicknamed “The King of Rockabilly). His song “Blue suede shoes” was the first “Sun Records” label million seller. Perkins was inducted into the “Rock and Roll, the Rockabilly, and the Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame” and was a “Grammy Hall of Fame Award” recipient.
George Harrison: My Sweet Lord
On January 15, 1971, “Apple” label released “My Sweet Lord”, the first George Harrison single as a solo artist. It topped charts worldwide and was the biggest selling single of 1971 in the UK.
The Who: I Can’t Explain
On January 15, 1965, “Brunswick” label released “I Can’t Explain / Bald Headed Woman”, single by The Who. It is band’s first single released under the name “The Who”, their previous single, “Zoot Suit /I’m the Face,” was released under the name “The High Numbers”. The song “I Can’t Explain” was produced by Shel Talmy. Jimmy Page played rhythm guitar as a session guitarist.
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