On July 19, 2001, Judy Clay died aged 62. She was a singer (soul, gospel), member of Drinkard Singers, who later became better known as The Sweet Inspirations, and teamed with singer-songwriter Billy Vera. As a background vocalist, she worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Donny Hathaway, and Wilson Pickett.
Tag Archives: singer
Charlie Daniels
On July 6, 2020, Charles Edward Daniels died aged 83. He was a singer, songwriter, and musician (fiddle, guitar), active since the 1950s. For his contribution to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music, Daniels was inducted into the “Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame” in 2002, the “Grand Ole Opry” in 2008, the “Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum” in 2009, and the “Country Music Hall of Fame” in 2016.
Luther Vandross Jr.
On July 1, 2005, Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. died aged 54. He was a singer, songwriter, and record producer who worked as a background vocalist for different artists including Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, and Donna Summer. He was a member and lead singer of the band Change, and had a successful solo career, recorded sixteen albums and won four “Grammy Awards”.
Obie Benson
On July 1, 2005, Renaldo “Obie” Benson died aged 69. He was singer and songwriter, best known as a founding member and the bass singer of the Four Tops, a band that sold over 50 million records and had hits including “Reach Out (I’ll be There)” and “I Can’t Help Myself”. In 1971 Benson co-wrote “What’s Going On” for Marvin Gaye and song that “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked at no. 4 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
Hillel Slovak
On June 25, 1988, Hillel Slovak died aged 26. He was musician (guitar) and singer, member of bands Anthem and What Is This?, best known as founding member and guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers. His guitar work primarily rooted in funk and hard rock is considered to have been a major influence on the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s early sound.
Tony Glover
On May 29, 2019, David Curtis Glover aka Tony “Little Sun” Glover died aged 79. He was singer, musician (harmonica) and music critic. In 1963, together with John Koerner and Dave Ray he formed the blues trio Koerner, Ray & Glover. In the late sixties, Glover was disc jockey on “KDWB-AM” radio in Minneapolis where he formed the band Nine Below Zero. He was a music critic, writing articles for “Rolling Stone”, “Sign Out”, “Hit Parader”, “Creem”, and other music magazines. Glover wrote liner notes for albums by John Lee Hooker, John Hammond, Sonny Terry, Michael Lessac, Sonny & Brownie, Willie & the Bees and the Jayhawks, and for “The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966”, “The Royal Albert Hall Concert”. Glover was the author of several blues harp songbooks and along with Ward Gaines and Scott Dirks, a co-author, of Little Walter biography “Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story”. He taught harmonica playing Mick Jagger and David Johansen.
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”.
Little Richard
On May 9, 2020, Richard Wayne Penniman aka Little Richard died aged 87. He was singer, songwriter and musician (piano), one of the most important and influential persons in the popular music. His charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding back beat and raspy shouted vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll, but also had important role in formation of other music genres such as soul and funk. For his work Little Richard received numerous awards and was honored by many institutions. In 1986, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”; in 1993 he received “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”, he was inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, received “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the “Recording Academy”; “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the “Rhythm and Blues Foundation”, and received a “Rhapsody & Rhythm Award” from the “National Museum of African American Music”. In 2012, his song “Tutti Frutti” was included in the “National Recording Registry” of the “Library of Congress”, stated that his “unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music”. Three of his songs “Tutti Frutti,” “Lucille” and “Long Tall Sally” are inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.
Christophe
On April 16, 2020, Daniel Bevilacqua aka Christophe died aged 74. He was singer – songwriter and musician (keyboards), known for his chanson – balladeer style. He became famous in France in the early sixties with the song “Aline”. Christophe recorded 15 studio albums, composed music for films and performed as actor in 6 movies.
J. Geils
On April 11, 2017, John Warren Geils Jr. aka J. Geils, Died aged 71. He was singer, songwriter, musician (guitar) and record producer, member of Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels, best known as founding member and leader of the J. Geils Band. In 2015, Geils was named to the “Wall of Honor” at his alma mater, “Bernards High School” in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
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