On May 10, 2020, John Michael McKenzie died aged 64. He was musician (bass, guitar, backing vocals), member of the bands Global Village Trucking Company and Man. He recorded and performed with Eurythmics, The Pretenders, Alison Moyet, Lionel Richie, Dr. John, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Annette Peacock, Steve Hillage, Noel McCalla, Bob Young, Shusha Guppy, Wham!, Deke Leonard, Morrissey-Mullen, Claire Hamill, Space Monkey, Jim Diamond, Bob Dylan, Al Corley, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Microdisney, Five Star, Endgames, John Mizarolli, Gary Moore, Ian Paice, Jaki Graham, Don Airey, Richard Bailey, Peter Auty, Billy Bremner, Terry Stannard, Simon Kirke, Earl Slick, Graham Lyle, Chris Thompson, Patti Austin, Latin Quarter, Phil Manzanera, Matt Bianco, Pete Brown, Helen Watson, Kevin Rowland, Shakira, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Eric Burdon, Kajagoogoo, Johnny Mathis, Everything But The Girl, Todd Sharpville, Branford Marsalis, Rui Veloso, Tim Finn, Ive Mendes, Tom Scott, David Dundas, Danny Tenaglia, The Christians, Phenix Horns, Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor, Jimmy Iovine, Dave Stewart, Wild, Leon Ware, Eternal, James Ingram, Francis Rossi, Karl Jenkins, Albert Lee, Barbara Dickson, Davy Spillane, Charles Aznavour, Raw Stylus, Linda Taylor, Blair Cunningham, Andy Newmark, Teresa Teng, Annabel Lamb, Nadirah X, Bob Clearmountain, Mitchell Froom, Arthur Louis, and Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tag Archives: Lionel Richie
David Williams
On March 6, 2009, David Williams died aged 58. He was musician (guitar, bass guitar), vocalist, song writer and music producer, known as a prominent and most in demand session guitarist. He worked with The Dells, The Temptations, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Chanson, The Pointer Sisters, Peter Allen, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Julio Iglesias, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Michael McDonald, Melissa Manchester, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Dionne Warwick, Shalamar, Go West, ABC, Boz Scaggs, Karen Carpenter, Mariah Carey, Julian Lennon, Bryan Ferry, Paul McCartney, Johnny Mathis, Del Shannon, Chaka Khan, Paul Hardcastle, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Lionel Richie, Jessica Simpson, Diana Ross, the Crusaders, Andraé Crouch, Eddie Murphy, Herbie Hancock, Peter Cetera, Whitney Houston and Monkey Business. As leader he released two albums.
Leon Ndugu Chancler
On February 3, 2018, Leon “Ndugu” Chancler died aged 65. He was musician (drums, percussion), composer, music producer and university professor. He recorded and performed with numerous famous artists including Mile Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Harris, Patti LaBelle, John Lee Hooker, Donna Summer, George Benson, Robbie Robertson, Syreeta Wright, Hampton Hawes, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, George Duke, Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson, Joe Henderson, Lionel Richie, Cheryl Lynn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tina Turner, Patrice Rushen, Jennifer Holliday, Harold Land, Minnie Riperton, Azar Lawrence, Santana, Lalo Schifrin, Julian Priester, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock.
Gene Page
On August 24, 1998, Eugene Edgar Page Jr. aka Gene Page, died aged 58. He was a conductor, composer, arranger, and record producer, one of the most successful arrangers and conductors from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s, who worked on more than 200 Platinum and gold records. He created specific sound in the arrangements, and work with numerous artists including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Benson, The Jackson 5, Jefferson Starship, The Righteous Brothers, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Roberta Flack, Elton John, Leo Sayer, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, Helen Reddy, Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Donna Loren, Martha and The Vandellas, Cher, Barry White, The Love Unlimited Orchestra, and Dionne Warwick. Page released four solo albums and composed soundtracks for few movies.
Bob Birch
On August 15, 2012, Bob Birch died aged 56. He was singer and musician (bass, bassoon, and saxophone), a member of Warpipes. He recorded and performed with Elton John, The Doobie Brothers, Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Phil Collins, Keith Emerson, Joseph Williams, Jose Feliciano, and Edgar Winter.
Jeff Porcaro
On August 5, 1992, Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro died aged 38. He was a songwriter, musician (drums), and record producer, best known as the drummer with Toto. He was one of the most south after session drummers in popular music, played on hundreds of albums and worked with numerous artists such as Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, George Benson, Greg Lake, Seals & Crofts, Les Dudek, Joe Cocker, Steely Dan, The Jacksons, Tommy Bolin, Jackson Browne, Leo Sayer, Boz Scaggs, Carly Simon, Eric Carmen, Valerie Carter, Lisa Dal Bello, Hall & Oates, Diana Ross, Colin Blunstone, Larry Carlton, Allen Toussaint, Dave Mason, Warren Zevon, Ruben Blades, Bim, Jerry Williams, Al Stewart, Marc Jordan, Rickie Lee Jones, Janne Schaffer, Lowell George, Aretha Franklin, Jon Anderson, Luis Miguel, Love and Money, Patti Austin, Mariya Takeuchi, The Brothers Johnson, Peter Frampton, Bee Gees, Char, Christopher Cross, Randy Crawford, Al Jarreau, Amii Ozaki, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Eye to Eye, Donna Summer, Elton John, Melissa Manchester, Donald Fagen, Herbie Hancock, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Russ Taff, Chicago, David Gilmour Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton, Peter cetera, Earth Wind & Fire, roger Hodgson, David Benoit, Dr. John, Steve Porcaro, Nik Kershaw, Poco, Clair Mario, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Madonna, Jude Cole, Sandy Patty, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Bolton, Cher, Dire Straits, Richard Marx, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, B-52’s, Go West, 10CC, Roger Waters, Paul Young, and David Crosby. In 1993, Porcaro was posthumously inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”.
The Commodores: Midnight Magic
In July 1979, “Motown” label released “Midnight Magic”, the seventh Commodores (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Motown Recording Studios” and “A&M Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, William King and Walter Orange.
Personnel:
- Lionel Richie– vocals, piano, keyboards, saxophone
- Thomas McClary– vocals, guitar
- Milan Williams– keyboards
- Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
- William King– trumpet
- Walter Orange – vocals, drums
Track listing:
- Gettin’ It – David Cochrane, Walter Orange
- Midnight Magic – Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie
- You’re Special – William King, Harold Hudson
- Still – Lionel Richie
- Wonderland – Milan Williams
- Sexy Lady – Thomas McClary
- Lovin’ You – Ronald LaPread
- Sail On – Lionel Richie
- 12:01 A.M. (reprise) – Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie
Ramsey Lewis: Sky Islands
On October 5, 1993, “GRP” label released “Sky Islands”, the 63rd Ramsey Lewis album. It was recorded in 1993, and was produced by Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen, Ramsey Lewis, Frayne Lewis, Maurice White and Carl Griffin.
Personnel:
- Ramsey Lewis – piano, backing vocals
- Henry Johnson – guitar
- Michael Logan – keyboards, backing vocals
- Chuck Webb – bass guitar, double bass
- Steve Cobb – vocals, drums, percussion
- Tony Carpenter – percussion, backing vocals
- Art Porter Jr. – alto saxophone
- Eve Cornelious – backing vocals
- Sheila Fuller – backing vocals
- Carl Griffin – backing vocals
- Robert Lewis – backing vocals
- Mark Ruffin – backing vocals
- Brenda Stewart – backing vocals
- Morris Stewart – backing vocals
- Rich Breen – engineer, mixing
- Dennis Tousana – engineer assistant
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Michael Landy – post production
- Larry Rosen – executive producer
- Michael Logan – associate producer
- Sharon Franklin – production coordination
- Sonny Mediana – production director
Track listing:
1. Julia – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
2. Après Vous – Ramsey Lewis
3. Who Are You – Bill Cantos
4. Suavecito – Ramsey Lewis
5. Tonight – Frayne Lewis, Robert Lewis, Ramsey Lewis, Mike Logan
6. Sky Island – Larry Dunn, Dianne Reeves
7. A Song for Jan – Ramsey Lewis
8. Medley: Wade in the Water, Hang On Sloopy, The in Crowd – Wes Farrell, Ramsey Lewis, William Page, Bert Russell
9. Love Will Find a Way – Greg Phillinganes, Lionel Richie
10. Come Back to Me – James Harris, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson
11. Tonight (instrumental) – Frayne Lewis, Robert Lewis, Ramsey Lewis, Mike Logan
Commodores: Movin’ On
In October 1975, “Motown” label released “Movin’ On”, the third Commodores studio album. It was recorded in 1975, and was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, William King and Walter Orange.
Personnel:
- Lionel Richie– vocals, saxophone, keyboards
- Thomas McClary– vocals, guitar
- Milan Williams– keyboards
- William King– trumpet
- Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
- Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion
Track listing:
- Hold On – Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie
- Free – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
- Mary, Mary – Milan Williams
- Sweet Love – Lionel Richie
- (Can I) Get a Witness – Walter “Clyde” Orange
- Gimme My Mule – Ronald LaPread
- Time – William King, Thomas McClary
- Cebu – Thomas McClary
Commodores: Hot On The Tracks
In June 1976, “Motown” label released “Hot on the Tracks”, the fourth Commodores album. It was recorded in 1976, “Motown Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, William King and Walter Orange.
Personnel:
- Lionel Richie– vocals, saxophone, keyboards
- Thomas McClary – vocals, guitar
- Milan Williams– keyboards
- Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
- Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion
- William King– trumpet
Track listing:
- Let’s Get Started – Lionel Richie, Milan Williams, Walter Orange, Ronald La Pread, Thomas McClary, William King
- Girl, I Think the World About You – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
- High On Sunshine – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
- Just to Be Close to You – Lionel Richie
- Fancy Dancer – Lionel Richie, Ronald La Pread
- Come Inside – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
- Thumpin’ Music – William King
- Captain Quickdraw – Milan Williams
- Can’t Let You Tease Me – Walter Orange
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