On January 16, 2021, Harvey Phillip Spector died aged 81. He was musician (guitar, piano), vocalist, songwriter and music producer. He developed music production “Wall of Sound”, he described as “Wagnerian approach to rock and roll”. Spector started the music career as member of the band Teddy Bears, at age of 21 he co-founded “Philles Records” and became the youngest ever US label owner to that point. In the 60’s he wrote songs or produced music for The Ronettes, The Crystals, Ike & Tina Turner, produced Beatles album “Let It Be”, and few solo John Lennon and George Harrison recordings. He also worked with Leonard Cohen, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, The Wrecking Crew, The Righteous Brothers, and The Ramones. In 1973 Spector won “Grammy Award for Album of the Year” for co-producing Harrison’s “Concert for Bangladesh”, in 1989 he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and in 1997 he was inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at number 63 on their list of “The Greatest Artists in History”.In 2009, he was convicted for the 2003 murder of the actress Lana Clarkson and sentenced to 19 years to life in prison, where he died.
Tag Archives: musician
Terence Griffin
On January 17, 2016, Terence Dale “Buffin” Griffin died aged 67. He was musician (drums) and music producer. He was member of the band The British Lions, but was best known as founding member and the drummer of Mott the Hoople. As producer he worked with Hanoi Rocks and Cult, and produced numerous BBC Radio 1 John Peel sessions from 1981 to 1994.
Junior Wells
On January 15, 1998, Amos Wells Blakemore Jr. aka Junior Wells died aged 63. He was musician (harmonica) and vocalist, one of the pioneers of the Chicago amplified blues harp style. He recorded and performed with Buddy Guy, The Aces, Earl Hooke, Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones. His composition “Messin’ with the Kid” became one of the all-time blues classics.
Dee Murray
On January 15, 1992, David Murray Oates aka Dee Murray died aged 45. He was musician (bass), was member, recorded and performed with The Mirage, Spencer Davis Group, Elton John, Procol Harum, Alice Cooper, Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Prine, Jimmy Webb, Yvonne Elliman, Ronnie Hawkins, Shaun Cassidy, Bernie Taupin, Brian Cadd, but was best known as the bass player of the Elton John Band.
Glenn Miller
On December 15, 1944, Alton Glenn Miller died aged 40. He was musician (trombone), composer, arranger, and big-band leader, working in the swing era. Leading the best known big band, in the period 1939 – 1942, he was the best-selling recording artist, with 16 number-one records, and 69 top ten hits (more than Elvis Presley and the Beatles in their careers). Three of his compositions were inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame” – in 1983 “In the Mood”, in 1996 “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, and in 1991 “Moonlight Serenade”.
Johnny Hallyday
On December 5, 2017, Jean-Philippe Léo Smet aka Johnny Hallyday died aged 74. He was musician (piano, guitar), singer and actor, the pioneer of the French rock and roll scene. He was called “The French Elvis”, and described as “The biggest rock star you’ve never heard of in English-speaking countries”. In 1997, he was made “Chevalier of the Legion of Honour”, and in 2001, Officer of the “Order of the Crown” in Belgium. In his more than four decades long career he worked with many famous musicians including Mick Jones, Jimmy Page, Tony Joe White, Dalida, Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, Sylvie Vartan, Bono, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Tommy Brown, Connie Francis, and Laura Pausini. In his lifetime Hallyday released 81 studio and live albums.
Douglas Hopkins
On December 5, 1993, Douglas Owen Hopkins died aged 32. He was musician (guitar, bass guitar), and songwriter, member of the The Chimeras, but was best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter of Gin Blossoms.
Derek Wadsworth
On December 3, 2008, Derek Wadsworth died aged 69. He was musician (cornet, trombone, keyboards), composer and arranger. He was musical director for Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, and the musical “Hair”. As a musician and arranger he worked with Maynard Ferguson, Georgie Fame, Nina Simone, David Essex, Judy Garland, Humphrey Lyttelton, Graham Collier, Tonny Bennett, George Harrison, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Mike Oldfield, Simply Red, Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, Small Faces, Manferd Mann, and the Rolling Stones.
George Harrison
On November 29, 2001, George Harrison died aged 58. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter, and music and movie producer, lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Beatles. His interest in folk music and especially in Indian music had serious influence on the band’s Hindu-aligned spirituality in the later years. Some of his songs composed for the band include “Here Comes the Sun”, “Something”, “Taxman”, “Within You Without You”, and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. After The Beatles broke-up in 1970, Harrison released the album “All Things Must Pass” which included the track “My Sweet Lord”, his most successful single, and the first solo single by any member of The Beatles that sold over million copies. In 1971, together with Ravi Shankar he organized “Concert for Bangladesh”, the first big benefit concert in the music history. In 1974, Harrison founded the music label “Dark Horse Records”, and co-founded movie label “Hand Made Films” in 1978. In 1988, with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, he co-founded the supergroup The Travelling Wilburys. As a guitarist he recorded for Badfinger, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy, Randy Newman, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, and Tom Petty. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked Harrison at number 11 in their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. In 1988, as a member of The Beatles he was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and in 2004, posthumously for his solo career. As leader, Harrison released twelve studio and two live albums.
Don DeVito
On November 25, 2011, Don DeVito died aged 72. He was musician (guitar), record producer and music business executive. He started playing guitar on tours with Al Kooper, and has his own band The Sabres. He worked with Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Aerosmith, but was best known as producer of some of the most important Bob Dylan’s albums, including “Blood on the Tracks”, “Desire”, “Street Legal”, “Hard rain”, and “Bob Dylan at Budokan”. In 1989 DeVito won “Grammy Award” for “Best Traditional Folk Recording”.
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