On October 16, 1969, Lejzor Szmuel Czyż aka Leonard Chess died aged 52. He was a record company executive and the co-founder of Chess Records, home to John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Moonglows, The Flamingos, Jimmy Reed, and Sonny Boy Williamson. He was influential in the development of rock and roll, electric blues, and the Chicago blues scene.
Tag Archives: co-founder
Scott McKenzie
On August 18, 2012, Philip Wallach Blondheim III aka Scott McKenzie died aged 73. He was singer, songwriter and musician (piano, guitar), co-founder and member of the bands The Abstracts and The Journeyman, and member of the new version of The Mamas and the Papas (in 1986), but was best known for his song “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)”, that became the anthem of the whole Hippie generation.
Anthony Wilson
On August 10, 2007, Anthony Howard Wilson died aged 57. He was radio and television presenter, a journalist for Granada Television and the BBC, nightclub manager (Haçienda), manager of bands A Certain Radio and Durutti Column, best known as one of the co-founders of “Factory Records” (Happy Mondays, Joy Division and New Order). Wilson was known as “Mr. Manchester”, for his work in the promotion of the culture of Manchester.
Little Milton
On August 4, 2005, James Milton Campbell Jr. aka Little Milton died aged 70. He was a singer and musician (guitar), co-founder of Bobbin Records. He started his recording career in 1853 at “Sun Records”, and also recorded for “Checker Records”, “Meteor, “Stax”, “Glades”, “Golden Ear”, “MCA”, and Malaco. Milton recorded 33 albums, and in 1988 was inducted into the “Blues Hall of Fame”.
Arthur Neville
On July 22, 2019, Arthur Lanon Neville died aged 81. He was singer, musician (piano, keyboards) and songwriter, a founding member of The Meters, co-founder of The Neville Brothers, and founding member of The Funky Meters. He performed and recorded with Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, Professor Longhair, and Labelle. Neville received three “Grammy Awards”.
Gary Kellgren
On July 20, 1977, Gary Kellgren died aged 38. He was an audio engineer and co-founder of “The Record Plant” recording studios (with Chris Stone). He worked with musicians John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, Bill Wyman, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Bobby Goldsboro, The Animals, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Frank Zappa, Sly, and the Family Stone, Velvet Underground, Rod Stewart, Ravi Shankar, Keith Moon, CSNY, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Diamond. He also worked with producers Chas Chandler, Jack Douglas, Robert Margouleff, Phil Spector, Wes Farrell, Tom Wilson, and Bill Szymczyk.
Phil May
On May 15, 2020, Philip Arthur Dennis Wadey aka Phil May died aged 75. He was singer, member of the band Fallen Angels, best known as co-founder and lead vocalist of Pretty Things. He was the primary lyricist for the album “S.F. Sorrow”.
Tony Allen
On April 30, 2020, Tony Oladipo Allen died aged 80. He was composer, songwriter and musician (drums), regarded as one of the primary co-founders of the genre of Afrobeat music. He has recorded and performed with Fela Kuti, Roy Ayers, Ernest Raanglin, Zap Mama, Sébastien Tellier, Chicago Afrobeat Project, Moritz Von Oswald Trio, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jimi Tenor, Rocket Juice & The Moon, Gonjasufi and Hugh Masekela. Brian Eno described Allen as “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived”.
Edwin Shirley
On April 16, 2013, Edwin Shirley died aged 64. He was a rock and roll tour organiser, film studio manager and impresario, co-founder of “Edwin Shirley Trucking” (EST) one of the largest music transport companies in Europe, owner of “Three Mills Island Studios” film and television recording studio, owner of “Edwin Shirley Staging” which built stages for a number of large concerts including “Live Aid” in 1985. Shirley worked with many prominent bands including The Rolling Stones and Queen.
Vinnie Paul
On June 22, 2018, Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul died aged 54. He was musician, songwriter and producer, best known as co-founder and drummer of the band Pantera. In 2003, with his younger brother Dimebag Darrel, he formed the band Damageplan.
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