On May 17, 1996, John Watson Jr. aka Johnny “Guitar” Watson died aged 61. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, known as the pioneer of guitar feedback and reverb. His recording career spanned forty years, with biggest success in his funk era, with the albums “Ain’t That a Bitch” (1976), “A Real Mother for Ya” (1977), and “Funk Beyond the Call of Duty” (1977). Watson died of a heart attack while on tour in Yokohama, Japan, collapsing mid guitar solo.
Tag Archives: singer
Jeffrey Hanneman
On May 2, 2013, Jeffrey John “Jeff” Hanneman died aged 49. He was guitarist and singer, best known as a founding member of the band Slayer. Hanneman had his own signature guitar, the “ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature” model.
Levon Helm
On April 19, 2012, Mark Lavon “Levon” Helm died aged 71. He was singer, multi – instrumentalist and actor, best known as drummer and vocalists for The Band. He sang on Band classics including The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up on Cripple Creek, Rag Mama Rag, and The Weight. In February 2008, his album “Dirt Farmer” won “Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album”, and in November same year, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked Helm at number 91 on its list of “100 Greatest Singers of All Time”.
Percy Sledge
On April 14, 2015, Percy Tyrone Sledge died aged 73. He was singer, best known for the song “When a Man Loves a Woman”. The song was awarded a million-selling, Gold-certified disc in US by “RIAA”. Sledge received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Career Achievement Award and in 2005, he was inducted into the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame”.
Niki Sullivan
On April 6, 2004, Niki Sullivan died aged 69. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as one of the four original members of Buddy Holly’s backing band. In 2012, Sullivan was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Crickets.
Doris Troy
On February 16, 2004, Doris Elaine Higginsen aka Doris Troy died aged 67. She was singer and songwriter, known by the nick name “Mama Soul”. She had solo career (her biggest hit was “Just One Look” in 1963), but was best known as back-up vocalist for many famous acts including Pink Floyd, Dionne Warwick, The Rolling Stones, Humble Pie, Nick Drake, Kevin Ayers, Edgar Broughton, George Harrison, Johnny Hallyday, Carly Simon, Vivian Stanshall, Dusty Springfield and Junior Campbell.
Dennis Edwards
On February 2, 2018, Dennis Edwards died aged 74. He was singer and musician (piano), member of The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs, The Contours, but was best known as lead singer in The Temptations. Edwards was leading vocal on some of the group’s biggest hits including “I Can’t Get Next to You”, “Ball of Confusion” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”. In the period between 1984 -1993, Edwards released three solo albums.
Hugh Masekela
On January 23, 2018, Hugh Ramopolo Masekela died aged 78. He was musician (trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet), singer and composer, known as “Father of South African Jazz.” As leader Masekela released 49 albums, and received many awards, including:
- 1968 – Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Performance – instrumental
- 2002 – BBC Radio Jazz Awards: International Award of the Year
- 2005 – Channel O Music Video Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2007 – Ghana Music Awards: 2007 African Music Legend Award
- 2010 – Order of Ikhamanga: South African National Orders Ceremony
- 2014 – University of York Honorary Doctorate in Music
- 2015 – Rhodes University: Doctor of Music
Peter Bardens
On January 22, 2002, Peter Bardens died aged 57. He was musician (keyboards, piano) singer and song writer, member of Them, Shotgun Express, Keats, Mirage, best known as founding member of Camel. Bardens has also worked with Mick Fleetwood, Rod Stewart and Van Morrison. As leader he released eleven albums.
Etta James
On January 20, 2012, Jamesetta Hawkins aka Etta James died aged 73. She was singer with powerful voice, performing blues, R&B, soul, jazz and gospel music She won six “Grammy Awards” and 17 “Blues Music Awards”; In 1993, she was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, in 1999 she was inducted in “Grammy Hall of Fame”, and in 2011 in the “Blues Hall of Fame”. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked Etta James at number 22 on its list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time”.
