On December 19, 2000, Roebuck “Pops” Staples died aged 85. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, regarded as one of the key figures of the gospel, soul and R&B scene of the 60’ and 70’, and was best known as founder and leader of The Staple Singers. As leader he released three albums, and one posthumously released under his name.
Tag Archives: songwriter
Leon Russell
On November 13, 2016, Claude Russell Bridges aka Leon Russell died aged 74. He was musician (piano, keyboards, guitar, bass, baritone horn) and songwriter, with successful solo career. His best known track “A Song for You ”,has been recorded and performed by more than 100 music acts. Russell has recorded and performed with many famous musicians including The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, John Lennon, Ringo Starr ,George Harrison, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike & Tina Turner, and the Rolling Stones. In 2011, Russell was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”
Jack Bruce
On October 25, 2014, John Symon Asher “Jack” Bruce aka Jack Bruce died aged 71. He was musician (bass guitar, double bass, guitar, piano), singer and songwriter, best known as member and bass player of Cream. In his more than five decades long career, Bruce has performed and recorded with various famous musician including: Alexis Corner, Graham Bond, John Mayall, Manfred Mann, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Michael Gibbs, Tony Williams, Leslie West, Corky Laing, Carla Bley, Lou Reed, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, John McLaughlin, Cozy Powell, Bernie Marsden, Trevor Rabin, Robin Trower, Mose Allison, Allan Holdsworth, Kip Hanrahan, Mark Nauseef, Miroslav Tadic, Anton Fier, Kenji Suzuki, Dick Heckstall – Smith, John Stevens, Vernon Reid, Cindy Blackman and John Medeski. In March 2011, “Rolling Stone” magazine readers selected Bruce as the eighth greatest bass guitarist of all time. As leader, he released 14 studio and 8 live albums.
Jacques Brel
On October 9, 1978, Jacques Romain Georges Brel died aged 49. He was a Belgian singer, songwriter and actor, widely considered a master of the modern chanson. He recorded most of his songs in French and in Dutch, but he became a major influence on English speaking songwriters and performers such as David Bowie, Alex Harvey, Leonard Cohen, Marc Almond and Rod McKuen. The English translations of his songs were recorded by many famous performers including Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, John Denver, the Kingston Trio, Scott Walker and Andy Williams. Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the fourth best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time.
Rick Wright
On September 15, 2008, Richard William “Rick” Wright died aged 65. He was musician (keyboards), composer, singer and songwriter, best known as founding member, keyboardist and vocalist of Pink Floyd. He recorded and performed on all Pink Floyd’s albums except on “The Final Cut”.
Johnny Ramone
On September 15, 2004, John William Cummings aka Johnny Ramone, died aged 55. He was musician (guitar) and songwriter, best known as founding member and guitarist of the Ramones. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked him at number 16 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. The same year, “Time” magazine ranked him on its list of the “10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players”.
Van Morrison: Days Like This
On June 5, 1995, “Polydor” label released “Days Like This”, the twenty-third Van Morrison studio album. It was recorded in 1995, at “Windmill Lane Recording” in Dublin, and “The Wool Hall and Real World Studios” in Bath, and was produced by Van Morrison and Phil Coulter.
Personnel:
- Van Morrison— vocal, acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica, alto saxophone, Hammond organ
- Foggy Lyttle— electric guitar
- James Hunter— electric guitar, backing vocals
- Ronnie Johnson — electric guitar
- Arty McGlynn— acoustic guitar
- Phil Coulter— piano
- Teena Lyle — piano, vibraphone, congas, backing vocals, recorder
- Jonn Savannah— Hammond organ
- Nicky Scott — bass guitar
- Liam Bradley — drums
- Geoff Dunn— drums, tambourine
- Noel Eccles — drums
- Pee Wee Ellis— alto and tenor saxophones
- Kate St. John— alto saxophone, oboe
- Leo Green— tenor saxophone
- Matthew Holland — trumpet, flugelhorn
- James McMillan— trumpet, flugelhorn
- Shana Morrison— vocal, backing vocals
- Brian Kennedy— backing vocals
- Pee Wee Ellis, James McMillan – horn arrangements
- Mick Glossop, Walter Samuel, Brian Masterson – recording
- Matthew Lawrence, Greig Sangster, Avril Mackintosh, Jamie Cullum, Alastair McMillan, Meabh Flynn – engineer assistant
- Walter Samuel, Mick Glossop – mixing
- Ian Cooper, Tim Young – mastering
Track listing:
All tracks by Van Morrison, except where noted.
- Perfect Fit
- Russian Roulette
- Raincheck
- You Don’t Know Me – Arnold, Walker
- No Religion
- Underlying Depression
- Songwriter
- Days Like This
- I’ll Never Be Free – Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss
- Melancholia
- Ancient Highway
- In the Afternoon
Robin Gibb
On May 20, 2012, Robin Hugh Gibb died aged 62. He was singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of the Bee Gees. With more than 200 million albums sold worldwide, Bee Gees are one of the most successful groups of all time. From 2008 to 2011, Gibb was President of the “Heritage Foundation”, honouring figures in British culture.
Klaus Dinger
On March 21, 2008, Klaus Dinger died aged 61. He was musician (keyboards, synthesizer, guitar, drums), singer, songwriter and producer, recorded, performed and worked as a producer with Kraftwerk, Neu!, La Düsseldorf, Lilac Angels, Fritz Muller, Miki Yui and Japandorf.
Johnny Bristol
On March 21, 2004, John William “Johnny” Bristol died aged 65. He was musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a songwriter for the Motown” label in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His personal most successful recording was “Hang On in There Baby”. As a producer and songwriter he has collaborated with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Edwin Starr, David Ruffin, The Velvelettes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Jermaine Jackson, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Randy Crawford, Marlena Shaw, Johnny Mathis and Boz Scaggs.
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