On March 30, 2020, William Harrison Withers Jr. aka Bill Withers died aged 81. He was singer-songwriter and musician (guitar, keyboards), active from 1970 until 1985. He composed and recorded several major hits, including “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971), “Grandma’s Hands” (1971), “Use Me” (1972), “Lean on Me” (1972), “Lovely Day” (1977), and “Just the Two of Us” (1980). Withers won three “Grammy Awards” (1971, 1981, 1987), “ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage” award (2006), was inducted into “West Virginia Music Hall of Fame” (2007), was inducted into “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” (2015), and received honorary degree from West Virginia University.
Tag Archives: singer songwriter
Adam Schlesinger
On April 1, 2020. Adam Lyons Schlesinger died aged 52. He was singer-songwriter, musician (guitar) and record producer, founding member of the bands Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows. Lately he was key songwriting contributor and producer for the duo Fever High. Schlesinger won three “Emmys”, a “Grammy” and the “ASCAP Pop Music Award”.
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
On March 14, 2020, Neil Andrew Megson aka Genesis Breyer P-Orridge died aged 70. He was singer-songwriter, musician, poet, performance artist, and occultist, founder of the COUM Transmissions artistic collective, lead vocalist of the bands Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV.
Robert Hunter
On September 23, 2019, Robert C. Hunter died aged 78. He was lyricist, singer-songwriter, musician (guitar, mandolin), translator and poet. He has cooperated with various artists, such as Bob Dylan, Little Feat, Jim Lauderdale, Elvis Costello, Cesar Rosas, Bruce Hornsby and New Riders of the Purple Sage , but was best known by his work with Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead. In 2013, Hunter received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the “Americana Music Association”. Hunter has released 14 solo albums.
Dr. John
On June 6, 2019, Malcolm John Rebennack aka Dr. John, died aged 77. He was singer – songwriter and musician (piano, keyboards and guitar), regarded as one of the greatest New Orleans music icons. He had successful solo career and performed and recorded with many famous musicians and bands, including Art Blakey, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Van Morrison, Dan Auerbach, Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Canned Heat, The Rolling Stones, Mike Bloomfield, Spiritualized, David Newman, Ray Anderson, Levon Helm, John Hammond, Gregg Allman, Papa John Creach, Bennie Wallace, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Harry Connick Jr., Hank Crawford, Jimmy Smith, Jools Holland, Steve Tyrell, B. B. King and Marcus Miller. Dr. John won six “Grammy Awards”, and was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” in 2011. In May 2013, he received honorary doctorate of fine arts from “Tulane University.”
Roky Erickson
On May 31, 2019, Roger Kynard “Roky” Erickson died aged 71. He was singer-songwriter, musician (harmonica, guitar and piano), best known as founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre. As leader, Erickson released 17 albums.
Scott Walker
On March 25, 2019, Noel Scott Engel aka Scott Walker, died aged 76. He was singer-songwriter, composer and record producer, member of trio The Walker Brothers, best known for his distinctive baritone voice and avant-garde baroque pop music style. He released 18th solo albums. As producer he worked with number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper and Bat for Lashes.
Daniel Kirwan
On June 8, 2018, Daniel David Kirwan died aged 68. He was musician (guitar),singer and songwriter, member of the bands Boilerhouse and Tramp, but best known as member of Fleetwood Mac (1968 – 1972). Danny Kirwan released five solo albums.
Gene Clark
On May 24, 1991, Harold Eugene “Gene” Clark died aged 46. He was singer-songwriter and musician (tambourine, harmonica, guitar), member of McGuinn, Clark and Hillman, best known as founding member of the Byrds, and author of some of the band’s best-known originals “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”, “Eight Miles High”, “She Don’t Care About Time”, and “Set You Free This Time”. Clark released six solo albums.
Curtis Mayfield
On December 26, 1999, Curtis Lee Mayfield died aged 57. He was musician (guitar, keyboards, piano), singer, songwriter and record producer, regarded as one of the most influential musicians and composers in soul and politically conscious African-American music. Mayfield started the career in a gospel choir, gained wide recognition as member and main composer of The Impressions, and later had a successful solo career. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked his 1965 song “People Get Ready” at number 24 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. The same song was also included in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”, and in 1998 was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. His album with the soundtrack for the 1972 movie “Super Fly” was ranked at number 72 on “Rolling Stone’s” list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 1994, Mayfield won a “Grammy Legend Award” in and a “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” in 1995. In 1991, he was inductee into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Impressions, and in 1999 as a solo artist.
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