On August 6, 2004, James Ambrose Johnson Jr. aka Rick James died aged 56. He was a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer, known as “The King of Punk-Funk”. He was a member of few bands, before starting a successful recording career after signing with Motown’s “Gordy Records”. James released twelve studio albums, plus one released posthumously in 2007. As a songwriter and producer, he worked with Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Teena Marie, The Mary Jane Girls, and Eddie Murphy.
Tag Archives: posthumously
Christopher Bell
On December 27, 1978, Christopher Branford Bell died aged 27. He was songwriter and musician (guitar, singer), best known as founding member, guitarist and singer of the band Big Star. His work has inspired, and his songs were covered by many musicians and bands including R.E.M., Wilco, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream, Afghan Whigs, Pete Yorn, Beck The Posies, and The Replacements. In 2013, “Magnolia Pictures” released documentary “Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me”, which documented his life and work. In 2018, the book “There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star”, was published, also dealing with his life and music. Bell’s album “I Am the Cosmos” was posthumously released in 1992.
Carl Radle
On May 30, 1980, Carl Dean Radle died aged 37. He was musician (bass, guitar) and music producer, best known as the bass player with Derek and the Dominoes. Radle has worked with many influential artists including Gary Lewis & the Playboys, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, Dave Mason, Delaney and Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon, Duane Allman, Bobby Whitlock, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson. J. J. Cale, Leon Russell, and Buddy Guy. In 2006, he was posthumously inducted to the “Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame”.
Otis Redding: The Dock of the Bay
On February 23, 1968, “Volt” label released “The Dock of the Bay”, the first Otis Redding posthumously released album. It was recorded July 1965 – December 1967, and was produced by Steve Cropper. It contains a number of singles and B-sides dating back to 1965. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “The Dock of the Bay” at number 161 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.
Personnel:
- Otis Reding – vocal
- Loring Eutemey – design
- Jon Landau – liner notes
- Jim Marshall – cover photography
- Jerry Cunningham – backliner photography
Track listing:
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Steve Cropper, Otis Redding
- I Love You More Than Words Can Say – Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones
- Let Me Come on Home – Al Jacobson, Jr., Jones, Otis Redding
- Open the Door – Otis Redding
- Don’t Mess with Cupid – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Deanie Parker
- The Glory of Love – Billy Hill
- I’m Coming Home to See About You – Otis Redding
- Tramp – Lowell Fulson, Jimmy McCracklin
- The Huckle-Buck – Roy Alfred, Andy Gibson
- Nobody Knows You (When You’re Down and Out) – Jimmy Cox
- Old Man Trouble – Otis Redding
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