Tag Archives: 20/20

James Oldaker

On July 16, 2020, James Oldaker died aged 68. He was musician (drums, percussions), member of Rogues Five, Bob Seger Band, Leon Russell Band, Frehley’s Comet, and The Tractors, but was best known as the drummer for Eric Clapton. Oldaker recorded with musicians and bands such as The Bellamy Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Peter Frampton, The Gap Band, Marcy Levy, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, Ace Frehley, Freddie King, and The Bee Gees. In August 2005, Oldaker released “Mad Dogs & Okies”, a collection celebrating the music and musicians of Oklahoma, with guest musicians Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, J. J. Cale, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, and Bonnie Bramlett.

Charlie Daniels

On July 6, 2020, Charles Edward Daniels died aged 83. He was a singer, songwriter, and musician (fiddle, guitar), active since the 1950s. For his contribution to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music, Daniels was inducted into the “Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame” in 2002, the “Grand Ole Opry” in 2008, the “Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum” in 2009, and the “Country Music Hall of Fame” in 2016.

Robert Kulick

On May 28, 2020, Robert J. Kulick died aged 70. He was musician (guitar) and producer, best known for his studio work with Kiss,  Kulick has also worked with Lou Reed, Diana Ross, Paul Stanley,  W.A.S.P.,  Neverland Express, Meat Loaf, Michael Bolton, Doro, Balance, Motörhead, Tim Curry, Alice Cooper, Mark Farner, Janis Ian, Was (Not Was), Kris Hadlock, Spys, Blackthorne, David Glen Eisley, Skull, Michael Wendroff and Random Blues Band. As a leader Kulick recorded one album.

Wilbur Cobb

On May 24, 2020, Wilbur James Cobb died aged 91. He was musician (drums), one of the most influential and respected drummers in Jazz music. He has recorded and performed with many musicians including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Dinah Washington, Pearl Bailey, Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Wynton Kelly, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Art Pepper, Gil Evans, Paul Chambers, Kenny Burrell, J. J. Johnson, Sonny Stitt, Nat Adderley, Phil Upchurch, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Ron Carter, George Coleman, Fathead Newman, Geri Allen, Earl Bostic, Leo Parker, Charlie Rouse, Ernie Royal, Philly Joe Jones, Bobby Timmons, Walter Booker, Jerome Richardson, Joey DeFrancesco, Keter Betts, Jimmy Cleveland, Sam Jones, Red Garland, Joe Henderson, Eddie Gómez, Bill Evans, Jeremy Steig, Richard Wyands, Peter Bernstein, Walter Bishop, Jr., Richie Cole, Nancy Wilson, Ricky Ford, David Amram, Donald Byrd, Kenny Barron and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Cobb recorded 17 albums as a leader.

Little Richard

On May 9, 2020, Richard Wayne Penniman aka Little Richard died aged  87. He was singer, songwriter and musician (piano), one of the most important and influential persons in the popular music. His charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding back beat and raspy shouted vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll, but also had important role in formation of other music genres such as soul and funk. For his work Little Richard received numerous awards and was honored by many institutions. In 1986, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”; in 1993 he received “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”, he was inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, received “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the “Recording Academy”;  “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the “Rhythm and Blues Foundation”, and received a “Rhapsody & Rhythm Award” from the “National Museum of African American Music”. In 2012, his song “Tutti Frutti” was included in the “National Recording Registry” of the “Library of Congress”, stated that his “unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music”. Three of his songs “Tutti Frutti,” “Lucille” and “Long Tall Sally” are inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.

Richie Cole

On May 2, 2020, Richie Cole died aged 72. He was composer, arranger and musician (saxophone), began to play alto saxophone when he was ten years old, encouraged by his father, who owned a jazz club in New Jersey. In the 70’ he created his own “alto madness” bebop style. In the 90’s he formed The Alto Madness Orchestra. Cole recorded and performed with many musicians such as Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Doc Severinsen, Eddie Jefferson, Nancy Wilson, Tom Waits, The Manhattan Transfer, Hank Crawford,  Freddie Hubbard, Eric Kloss, Bobby Enriquez, Phil Woods, Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Greg Abate, Les DeMerle, Allan Harris, Jim Holman, Vic Juris, Peter Lauffer, Oliver Nelson, Anita O’Day, Red Rodney, Janine Santana, Mark Murphy, Sonny Stitt and Boots Randolph. In 2005, Cole was awarded the “State of California Congressional Certificate of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz” on behalf of the “Temecula Jazz Society”.