On December 24, 2012, Ray Collins died aged 76. He was musician (harmonica, tambourine) and singer, best known as member of The Mothers of Invention. Collins was the lead vocalist on most songs for their early albums, including “Freak Out!”, “Absolutely Free”, “Cruising with Ruben & the Jets” and “Uncle Meat”. In 1968 he quit The Mothers of Invention, but continued to contribute to other Frank Zappa projects in the 70s.
Tag Archives: singer
Joe Cocker
On December 22, 2014, John Robert “Joe” Cocker, died aged 70. He was musician (harmonica, piano) and singer with unique gritty voice and stage movements. He gained world popularity with his performance of the Beatles song “With a Little Help from My Friends” at “Woodstock” and “Isle of Wight” festivals in 1969. Cocker has received several awards, including a 1983 “Grammy Award” for his song “Up Where We Belong”; 2007 a bronze “Sheffield Legends” plaque in his hometown and in 2008 “OBE” at Buckingham Palace for services to music. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him at number 97 on its list of the “100 Greatest Singers”.
Joe Strummer
On December 22, 2002, John Graham Mellor aka Joe Strummer, died aged 50. He was musician (guitar, bass, piano), singer, actor and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of Clash.
Albert King
On December 21, 1992, Albert Nelson aka Albert King died aged 69. He was musician (guitar, drums) and singer, one of the most influential blues guitarists, one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar” (along with B.B. King and Freddie King). Because of his smooth singing and his large size, he was given the nick name “The Velvet Bulldozer”. In 2013, he was posthumously inducted in the “Rock and Roll of Fame”. King has recorded sixteen studio albums.
Fats Domino
On October 24, 2017, Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr. died aged 89. He was musician (piano), singer and song-writer, regarded as one of the Rock and Roll pioneers and most important artists in the popularization of the early rock and roll. He had 11 top 10 hits between 1955 and 1960, and 35 records in the U.S. Billboard Top 40. His best known songs are “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Blueberry Hill”, and he has sold more than 65 million records worldwide. Fats Domino was one the first musicians inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Bunny Sigler
On October 6, 2017, Walter “Bunny” Sigler died aged 76. He was singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and creating the “Philly Sound” in the early 70’. Bunny Sigler has recorded thirteen solo albums.
Tom Petty
On October 2, 2017, Thomas Earl Petty aka Tom Petty, died aged 66. He was singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and record producer, best known as the leader and singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He was also member and co-founder of the Traveling Wilburys and his early band Mudcrutch. Tom Petty has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In 2002, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Jim Croce
On September 20, 1973, James Joseph “Jim” Croce died aged 30. He was musician (guitar), singer and song-writer, best known for his songs “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “Time in a Bottle”. He has released five albums.
Grant Hart
On September 14, 2017, Grantzberg Vernon Hart aka Grant Hart, died aged 56. He was musician (drums), singer and song-writer, best known as drummer and songwriter of Hüsker Dü. He was also founding member, guitarist and vocalist of Nova Mob. As leader he released four studio albums.
Bob Crewe
On September 11, 2014, Bob Crewe died aged 83. He was songwriter, singer, manager, and music producer, owner of the record label “DynoVoice Records”. He recorded by the name Bob Crewe Generation, and had hit recordings with the Rays, Diane Renay, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Freddy Cannon, Lesley Gore, Oliver, Michael Jackson, Bobby Darin, Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson, Patti LaBelle and Barry Manilow.
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