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.
Tag Archives: singer
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”.
Dolores O’Riordan
On January 15, 2018, Dolores Mary Eileen O’Riordan died aged 46. She was singer, songwriter and musician (guitar, bass, and keyboards), best known as vocalist and leader of The Cranberries. She released seven studio albums with The Cranberries, two solo albums: Are You Listening? (2007) and No Baggage (2009). In 2016 as member of the band D.A.R.K. she released the album Science Agrees.
Lou Rawls
On December 6, 2006, Louis Allen Rawls died aged 92. He was singer, actor, voice actor, songwriter, and music producer, known for his singing ability, winner of three “Grammy Awards”, all for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance”. He released more than 60 albums, and sold more than 40 million records worldwide.
Bryan MacLean
On December 25, 1998, Bryan Andrew MacLean died aged 52. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as member of the band Love. He was author of some of the band’s best known compositions including “Alone Again Or,” “Old Man,” and “Orange Skies.”
William Guest
On December 24, 2015, William Franklin Guest died aged 74. He was singer, best known as member of Gladys Knight & the Pips. His vocal can be heard on all of the group’s major hits, including “Midnight Train To Georgia”, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and “Neither One Of Us”. In 1996, Guest was inducted to the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” with Gladys Knight & the Pips.
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