Doc Rock Presents,

The 1970s
 Welcome to The Dead Rock Stars Club. This site is  a list of dead rock stars, dead people associated with rock and dead people whose music helped influence and create rock (which I feel includes Jazz and Country artists), sorted by the date of their demise. This is a tribute to them.
LONG LIVE ROCK !!





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Tommy Brown - Died 197? ( Rock ) Drummer - Was a member of Nero & The Gladiators - He was half of the duo, The State Of Mickey And Tommy also know as J & B (They did, "Sunday's Leaving" and "I Know What I Would Do") - Worked with Sylvie Vartan.

Dave Davis - Died 197? - Suicide ( Rock ) Guitarist - Was a member of The Invaders (They did, "She's A Tiger" and "Honda Come Back").

Richard Jones - Died 197? ( Doo-Wop ) Singer - Was a member of The Parakeets and The Castaleers (They did, "Come Back" and "(My) Hi Fi Baby").

Mary Johnson (Born Mary Williams or Mary Smith) (aka Signifying Mary) - Died 1970 ( Blues ) Born 1900 in Eden Station, MS, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "Dream Daddy Blues" and "Western Union Blues") - Worked with Peetie Wheatstraw, Tampa Red and Roosevelt Sykes - She had been married to singer and guitarist, Lonnie Johnson.

Mike Klingner - Was an Air Force fighter pilot and was shot down over Laos in 1970 and declared Killed in Action 1971 ( Rock ) Drummer - Was a member of The Rebels, The Nomads and J. Harrison B. And The Bumbles - Nebraska Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Junie Cobb (Junius Cobb) - Died 1970 ( Jazz ) Born 1896 in Hot Springs, AR, U.S. - Played piano, banjo, saxophone and clarinet - Led Junie Cobb's Hometown Band, J.C. Cobb And His Grains Of Corn (They did, "Smoke Shop Drag" and "Once Or Twice") and E.C. Cobb And His Corn Eaters (They did, "Transatlantic Stomp") - Worked with King Oliver, Annabelle Calhoun and Jimmie Noone - Brother of cornet player, Jimmy Cobb.

Shep Grant - Died 1970 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Was a member of  The Wanderers.

George Bean - Died 1970 (Maybe 1971) ( Rock ) Was the leader of George Bean & The Runners.

Gene Davis - Died 1970 - Car crash ( Rock ) Born 1912 - Worked with Fats Domino.

Little David Baughan - Died 1970 ( Soul - R&B ) Born 1938 - Was a singer for The Drifters.

Bettie Dunham (Bettie Good) - Died 1970 ( Ballroom - Swing ) Singer - She sang for her husband's band, the late Al Good.

Alexander Sharp - Died 1-?-1970 - Heart attack ( R&B ) Born 12-?-1919 in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. - Was tenor vocalist for The Orioles (They recorded, "Tell Me So" and "In The Mission Of St. Augustine") - Rock And Roll Of Fame Inductee.

Frankie Gee (Frank Grybosh) - Died 1-1-1970 in Revere, MA, U.S. - Hit by a car in a hit and run ( Polka ) Born 10-9-1936 in Ludlow, MA, U.S. - Bandleader, singer and accordionist - Led The Rhythm Knights and The Frankie Gee Orchestra -  International Polka Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Army Sgt. Francis George Graziosi (aka Frank Graziosi)  - Helicopter crash - Died 1-10-1970 near Chu Lai, South Vietnam ( Rock ) Born 1-10-1951 - Singer - Was a member of The Hours Of Night.

Billy Stewart (William Larry Stewart)(aka Motormouth) - Died 1-17-1970 in Neuse River, NC, U.S. - The car he was in drove off a bridge when the wheels locked up ( Pop - Soul - R&B ) Born 3-24-1937 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Singer, drummer and pianist - (He recorded, "Summertime" and "Sitting In The Park") - Worked with The Stewart Gospel Singers, The Marquees and The Rainbows - Washington Area Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

William Cathey - Died 1-17-1970 in Neuse River, NC, U.S. - The car he was in drove off a bridge when the wheels locked up ( Pop - Soul - R&B ) Born 1937 - Was a member of Billy Stewart's back-up band, The Soul Kings.

Norman Rich (Norman Pedro Rich) - Died 1-17-1970 in Neuse River, NC, U.S. - The car he was in drove off a bridge when the wheels locked up ( Pop - Soul - R&B ) Was a member of Billy Stewart's band, The Soul Kings.

Rico Hightower - Died 1-17-1970 in Neuse River, NC, U.S. - The car he was in drove off a bridge when the wheels locked up ( Pop - Soul - R&B ) Born 1937 - Was a member of Billy Stewart's back-up band, The Soul Kings.

L.C. McKinley (Larry McKinley) - Died 1-19-1970 in East Chicago, IN, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 10-22-1918 in Winona, MS, U.S. - Guitarist - (He did, "Weeping Willow Blues" and "Nit Wit") - Worked with Eddie Boyd ("Five Long Years") and Ernest Cotton And His Trio.

James "Shep" Sheppard (James Shane Sheppard) - Died 1-24-1970 - Robbed and beaten to death ( Doo Wop ) Born 9-24-1935 in New York, U.S. - Was a member of The Heartbeats (They did, "A Thousand Miles Away") and The Limelites (They did, "Daddy's Home" and "Our Anniversary").

Big Jim Strong (James Strong) - Died 1-29-1970 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 6-?-1935 in Scottsboro, AL, U.S. -  Was a vocalist For The Diablos (They did, "The Way You Dog Me Around").

Slim Harpo ( James Isaac Moore ) - Died 1-31-1970 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 1-11-1924 in Lobdell, Louisiana, U.S. (He did, "Baby, Scrath My Back" and "Don't Start Crying Now") The Louisiana Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Norman Johnson - Died 2-?-1970 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 1934 - Was a member of The Jive Five (Later renamed The Jyve Fyve) (They did, "My True Story").

Bob Russell (Sidney Keith Russell) - Died 2-?-1970 - Cancer - Born 4-25-1914 in Passaic, NJ, U.S. - Songwriter - (Co-wrote, "Don’t Get Around Much Any More" and "A Lonesome Cup Of Coffee") - Wrote songs for the films, "The Girl Can’t Help It" and "That Midnight Kiss" - Collaborated with Harold Spina, Lou Alter, Peter De Rose, Duke Ellington, Bronislaw Kaper, Lester Lee, Harry Warren and Carl Sigman - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ishman Bracey (Ishmon Bracey) - Died 2-12-1970  ( Blues ) Born 1-9-1901 in Byram, Mississippi, U.S. - (He did, "Suitcase Full Of Blues" and "Bust Up Blues") - Woked with Tommy Johnson and Charlie McCoy.

Darrell Banks (Darrell Eubanks) - Died 2-24-1970 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Shot by a policeman he was aiming a gun at ( R&B - Soul ) Born 7-25-1937 in Mansfield, OH, U.S. - (He did, "Open The Door To Your Heart" and "Somebody (Somewhere Needs You)").

Lucille Hegamin (Lucille Nelson) (aka The Georgia Peach and The Cameo Girl) - Died 3-1-1970 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 11-29-1894 in Macon, Georgia, U.S. - Singer - Worked with The Blue Flame Syncopators, Tony Jackson and Jelly Roll Morton - Wife of pianist, Bill Hegamin.

Jackie Opel (Dalton Sinclair Bishop) - Died 3-8-1970 in Bridgetown, Barbados - Car accident ( Ska - R&B - Calypso - Soul - Gospel ) Born 1938 - Composer, bassist and singer - (He did, "Shelter The Storm" and "Wipe These Tears") - Worked with The Skatalites, Hortense Ellis, Doreen Schaffer, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

Emery McClung (Emery Samuel McClung) - Died 3-9-1970 - Born 1-3-1910 in Beckley, WV, U.S. - Played guitar - He was a member of John & Emery McClung ("Birdie" and "The Fun Is All Over"), The West Virginia Trail Blazers, The West Virginia Snake Hunters ("Standin' In The Need Of Prayer" and "Walk In The Streets Of Glory") and The McClung Brothers ("Trail Blazer's Favorites" and "Alabama Jubilee").

Mary Ann Ganser - Died 3-14-1970 - Drug overdose ( Rock ) Born 2-4-1948 - Singer - Was a member of The Shangri-Las ( They recorded, "Remember (Walking In The Sand)" and "The Leader Of The Pack").

Tammi Terrell (Thomasina Winifred Montgomery) (aka Tammy Montgomery) - Died 3-16-1970 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Brain cancer ( Soul ) Born 4-29-1945 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "I Cried" and "I Can't Believe You Love Me") - Worked with Marvin Gaye (They did, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Your Precious Love") and James Brown.

Paul Cohen - Died 4-1-1970 in Bryan, TX, U.S. - Born 11-10-1908 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Producer - Worked with Red Foley, Hugh X. Lewis, Cal Smith, Billy Edd Wheeler, Mel Tillis and  Ernest Tubb - Worked for Columbia Records and Decca Records - Formed Todd Records which signed Pee Wee King, Joe Henderson and Dub Dickerson - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Lou Watts (Louis Thomas Watts) (aka Kid Thomas) - Died 4-13-1970 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Shot by the father of  a child he was accused of killing ( R&B ) Born 6-20-1934 in Sturgis, Mississippi, U.S. - (He did, "Wolf Pack " and "Rockin' This Joint Tonight").

Earl Hooker (Earl Zebedee Hooker) - Died 4-21-1970 - Pulmonary tuberculosis ( Blues ) Born 1-15-1930 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. - (He did, "Two Bugs And A Roach" and "Bertha") - Worked with Muddy Waters, Ricky Allen and Lillian Offitt.

Perry Bradford (aka Mule) - Died 4-22-1970 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 2-14-1893 in Montgomery, AL, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and pianist - (He wrote, "Keep A Knockin" and Mamie Smith's, "That Thing Called Love") - Led Perry Bradford And His Gang and Perry Bradford's Jazz Phools - Worked with The Gulf Coast Seven, The Georgia Strutters, Alberta Hunter, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dunn and James P. Johnson.

Otis Spann - Died 4-24-1970 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 3-21-1930 in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, "Keep Your Hand Out Of My Pocket" and "The Blues Don't Like Nobody") - Blues Foundation's Hall Of FameInductee.

Ray Lopez (Raymond Lopez) - Died 4-27-1970 ( Jazz ) Born 11-28-1889 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Papa Jack Laine's Reliance Brass Band, Tom Brown's Band From Dixieland, Bert Kelley, Blossom Sealy, Tommy Rodgers, Abe Lyman's California Orchestra and Clint Brush's Jazz Babies.

Frankie Lee Sims - Died 5-10-1970 - Pneumonia ( Blues ) Born 4-30-1917 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.  (He did,"Boogie Cross The Country" and "Cryin' Won't Help You").

Johnny Hodges (Cornelius Hodge) - Died 5-11-1970 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 7-25-1907 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. - Alto saxophonist (He did,"A Sailboat In The Midnight" and "Prelude To A Kiss") Worked with Duke Ellington ("Things Ain't What They Used to Be" and "Come Sunday") and Wild Bill Davis.

George Goldner - Died 5-15-1970 - Heart attack ( Record Label Owner - Producer ) Born 1918 in New York, NY, U.S. - Worked with The Crows, The Flamingos, The Cleftones, The Shangri-Las, The Teenagers, The Chantels, Little Richard and Lou Christie.

Cliff Jackson - Died 5-24-1970 ( Jazz ) Born 7-19-1902 in Culpepper, WI, U.S. - Was a member of The Krazy Kats (They did,"Horse Feathers" and "The Terror") Worked with Bob Fuller, Elmer Snowden and Lionel Howard's Musical Aces - He was married to singer, Maxine Sullivan.

Bobo Island (Bob Parkin) Died 6-?-1970 - Highway accident ( Rock ) Born in Montreal, Canada - Singer and organist - Was a member of Influence (They did,"I Don't Know Why" and "Natural Impulse") - Worked with Buddy Miles ("Them Changes"), The Soul Mates' Bob And The Messengers and Wilson Pickett.

Calvin Boze - Died 6-?-1970 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Illness ( Blues ) Born 10-15-1916 in Wheatley, TX, U.S. - Trumpeter and singer - (He did, "Safronia B" and "Looped") - Worked with Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Marvin Johnson, Milton Larkins, Eddie Vinson and Charles Brown.

Earl Grant - Died 6-11-1970 - Car accident ( R&B - Lounge )- Born 1- 20-1933 in Oklahoma City, OK, U.S. - (He did, "Sweet Sixteen Bars" and "The End").

Lonnie Johnson (Alonzo Johnson)- Died 6-16-1970 in Toronto, Ontario - Stroke ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 2-8-1889 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. - Played guitar, piano and violin and was a singer and songwriter  (He did,"Some Day Baby" and "Evil Woman") Louisiana Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Harry Brooks - Died 6-22-1970 in Teaneck, NJ, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 9-20-1895 in Homestead, PA, U.S. - Composer and pianist (He co-wrote, "(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue" and "Ain't Misbehavin'") -  Worked with Sidney Bechet and Lena Horne.

Grady Pannel (Grady Hale Pannel) - Died 6-23-1970 - Car accident ( Rock ) Born 12-15-1949 - Singer and musician - He was a member of The Herdsmen and Electric Toilet (They did, "Goodbye My Darling" and " Mississippi Hippy").

Wayne Reynolds (Alfred Wayne Reynolds) - Died 6-23-1970 in New Albany, MS, U.S. - Car accident ( Rock ) Born 6-20-1944 in Burnsville, MS, U.S. - Guitarist and bassist - He was a member of Electric Toilet (They did, "In The Hands Of Karma" and "Within Your State Of Mind") - Worked with Freddie North.

Charles Tobias - Died 7-7-1970 in Manhasset, Long Island, New York, U.S. - Born 8-15-1898 in New York, NY, U.S. - Songwriter - (Co-wrote, "Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Summer" and "Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)") - Collaborated with his brother, Harry Tobias and with Al Sherman, Neil Moret, Gus Arnheim, Lew Brown, Anson Weeks, Jules Lemare, Jack Scholl, Cliff Friend, Don Reid, Nat Simon, Roy Turk and Sammy Stept - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Joe Cuoghi (Joseph Cuoghi) - Died 7-13-1970 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Born 5-15-1922 - Record Exec - He co-founded "Hi Records" a rockabilly label.

Booker Ervin (Booker Telleferro Ervin II) - Died 7-31-1970 in New York, NY, U.S. - Kidney failure ( Jazz ) Born 10-31-1930 in Denison, TX, U.S. - Played tenor saxophone - Worked with Ernie Fields, Charles Mingus, Roland Hanna and Randy Weston.

Terry Timmons (Teresa Walker) - Died 8-3-1970 ( R&B ) Born 4-12-1927 in Cleveland, OH, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "My Key Won't Fit Your Door" and "Daddy Be Good To Me") - Worked with Memphis Slim ("I'm Crying" and "The Question").

Otto Hardwick - Died 8-5-1970 ( Jazz ) Born 5-31-1904 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - He played clarinet and saxophone - Worked with Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard and Eddie Condon.

Bob Vail (Robert Michael Vail) - Died 8-8-1970 in Denver, CO, U.S. - Drug overdose - Born 11-13-1947 in Chester, PA, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - Worked with The Jays, Farrel And The Flames and The Victims Of Success.

Soledad Miranda (Soledad Rendon Bueno) (aka Susann Korda and Susan Korday) - Died 8-18-1970 in Lisbon, Portugal - Car accident ( Pop ) Born 7-9-1943 in Seville, Spain - Singer and actress - (She did, "Lo Que Hace A Las Chicas Llorar" and "Pelucon") - Acted in the films, Count Dracula and Vampyros Lesbos.

Alan Wilson (Alan Christie Wilson) (aka Blind Owl) - Died 9-3-1970 in Torrance, CA - Sleeping pill overdose ( Rock ) Born 8-4-1943 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. - Played guitar and harmonica and sang for Canned Heat (They did, "Goin' Up The Country" and "Let's Work Together").

Jimi Hendrix (James Marshall Hendrix) (aka Jimmy James) - Died 9-18-1970 in Kensington, West London, England - Asphyxiated on his vomit after ingesting a heavy dose of barbiturates ( Rock - Metal - Blues ) Born 11-27-42 in Seattle, Washington, U.S. as Johnny Allen Hendrix  - Was a guitar player and singer for Jimmy James And The Blue Flames, The Jimi Hendrix Experience (They did, "I Don't Live Today" and "Foxy Lady") and The Band Of Gypsies - He also played for Little Richard, King Curtis and The Isley Brothers -  Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Maxwell Davis - Died 9-18-1970 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( R&B - Blues ) Born 1-14-1916 in Independence, KS, U.S. - Saxophonist, arranger and producer - (He did, "M.T. Boogie" and "Safronia B") - Worked with The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, Jo Jo Adams ("Disgusted" and "Thursday Evening Blues"), Miss Cornshucks, Lester Young, Willie Smith, Helen Humes, Percy Mayfield, T-Bone Walker, Ernie Andrews ("Be Nice" and "You Chased The Goody Goody") and Gatemouth Brown.

Janis Joplin (Janis Lyn Joplin) - Died 10-4-1970 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Heroin overdose ( Rock ) Born 1-19-1943 in Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.  - She was the singer for Big Brother And The Holding Company, (They recorded, "Piece of My Heart"), The Kozmic Blues Band (They did, "Try Just A Little Bit Harder") and The Full Tilt Boogie Band (They did, "Me And Bobby McGee")  - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Baby Huey (James Thomas Ramsey) - Died 10-28-1970 - Overdose ( R&B ) Born 1944 in Richmond, Indiana, U.S. - Singer (He did,"Mama Get Yourself Together") - Was a member of Richmond's Own Vets - The leader of Baby Huey & The Babysitters (They did, "Monkey Man") .

Peck Curtis (James Curtis) - Died 11-1-1970 Died in Helena, AR, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 3-7-1912 in Benoit, Mississippi, U.S. - Drummer.

Hal Kratzsch - Died 11-18-1970 - Cancer ( Pop - Jazz ) Born in Warsaw, Indiana, U.S. - Was a singer for The Four Freshman (They did, "Graduation Day" and "Charmaine").

Hal Dickinson (Harold Hunt Dickinson Jr.) - Died 11-18-1970 in Santa Barbara, CA, U.S. ( Swing ) Born 12-12-1913 in New York, NY, U.S. - Singer - He was a member of The Three Weary Willies, Don Juan Two And Three and The Modernaires (They did, "April In Paris") - Worked with The Ozzie Nelson band as The Three Wizards Of Ozzie and also worked with Red McKenzie, The George Hall band,  The Glenn Miller Orchestra Tex Beneke and The Mound City Blue Blowers - Was married to singer, Paula Kelly - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Albert Ayler - Died 11-25-1970 - Drowned ( Avant-Garde Jazz ) Born 7-13-1936 in Cleveland, OH, U.S. - Saxophonist - (He did, "Truth Is Marching In'' and "Ghost").

Joe Dobbins - Died 12-?-1970 in Memphis, TN, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 9-9-1901 in Brinkley, AR, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (He did, "Satchel Blues").

George "Smitty" Smith - Died 12-16-1970 - Cerebral hemmorage ( Doo Wop - R&B ) Born 12-18-1939 in Florida, U.S. - Singer - He was a member of The Manhattans (They did, "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" and "If My Heart Could Speak").

May Singhi Breen - The Ukulele Lady - Died 12-19-1970 ( Jazz - Pop ) Born 2-24-1895 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played Ukulele - (Co-wrote, "Ukulele Blues") - Was a member of The Syncopators - Appeared on NBC's, "Sweethearts Of The Air" with her husband songwriter, Peter De Rose for more than 15 years -  Ukulele Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1971

Tennon Jones - Died 1971 ( Rock ) Bassist - Was a member of The Castle, a group that later became That Handsome Devil.

Alex Miranda - Died 1971 ( Doo-Wop ) Bass singer - Was a member of The Starlights who changed their name to The Gleamers and finally to The Eternals (They did, "Rockin' In The Jungle" and "Babalu's Wedding Day").

Nick Woods - Died 1971 - Drug overdose ( Folk ) Singer - Worked with Art Podell, Van Dyke Parks, Barry McGuire and The New Christy Minstrels.

Lenny McKay - Died 1971 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Was a member of The Jesters (They did,"So Strange" and "Please Let Me Love You").

Bobby Donaldson (Robert Stanley Donaldson) - Died 1971 ( Jazz ) Born 11-29-1922 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Buck Clayton, Cat Anderson, Mel Powell, Ruby Braff, Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Count Basie, Russell Procope, Herbie Mann, Edmond Hall, Kenny Burrell, Frank Wess and others.

Ernie Cacares - Died 1971 - Throat cancer ( Jazz ) Born 11-22-1911 in Rockport, Texas, U.S. - Played clarinet and baritone saxophone - Worked with Bobby Hackett, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack Teagarden and Glenn Miller - Brother of violinist Emilio and trumpeter and pianist Pinero Cacares.

Walter Callahan (aka Joe Callahan)  - Died 1971 in Asheville, N.C., U.S. ( Country ) Singer - He was half the duo of The Callahan Brothers (They did,"She's My Curly Headed Baby")- They started the Big D Jamboree which featured Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Elvis Presley and others.

Hobart Dotson - Died 1-1-1971 ( Jazz ) Born 1-13-1922 - Played trumpet - Worked with Gerald Wilson, Charles Mingus and Billy Eckstine.

Jack Elliott (John M. Elliott) - Died 1-3-1971 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Brain tumor - Born 5-7-1914 in Gowanda, NY, U.S. - Composer - Composed songs for over 40 Western movies including, Apache Rose, Twilight On The Rio Grande and Colorado Sundown - His songs have been sung by Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans -  Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Captain John (John Handy) - Died 1-12-1971 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 6-24-1900 in Pass Christian, MO, U.S. - Clarinetist and saxophone player - Was a member of The Louisiana Shakers and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Harry Shields - Died 1-19-1971 ( Jazz ) Born 6-30-1899 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played clarinet - Worked with Tom Brown, Sharkey Bonano, Johnny Wiggs and Norman Brownlee - Brother of clarinetist, Larry Shields.

Bob Hilliard - Died 2-1-1971 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. - Born 1-28-1918 in New York, NY, U.S. - Lyricist - (Co-wrote, "Don’t You Believe It", "Dear Hearts And Gentle People" and Ruby And The Romantics', "Our Day Will Come") - Collaborated with Burt Bacharach, Milton Delugg, Carl Sigman, Jule Styne, Mort Garson, Sammy Mysels, Dick Sanford, Sammy Fain, Philip Springer and Lee Pockriss - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Harold McNair (aka Little G) - Died  3-7-1971 in Maida Vale, London, England - Lung Cancer (  Caribbean - Jazz - Rock ) Born 11-5-1931 in Kingston, Jamaica - He played saxophone and flute and sang - (He did, "The Hipster") - Worked with Ginger Baker's Air Force ("Don't Care"), Charles Mingus, Jon Hendricks, Blossom Dearie, Philly Joe Jones, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Donovan ("There Is A Mountain") and Melanie.

Francis Wolff - Died 3-8-1971 in New York, NY, U.S. - Born 1907 or 1908 in Berlin, Germany - Photographer - Co-founder of  Blue Note Records - Collaborated with designer Reid Miles for Blue Note's album covers.

Dyke Arlester Christian - Died 3-13-1971 in Phoenix Arizona, U.S. - Shot by a deranged man ( R&B - Soul ) Born 6-13-1943 in Buffalo, New York, U.S. - Singer and bassist - Was a member of Dyke And The Blazers (They did, "Funky Broadway" and "We've Got More Soul") - Arizona Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Monte Kelly - Died 3-15-1971 ( Conductor ) Born 6-8-1910 in Modesto CA, U.S. - Was a trumpeter and conductor (Had a hit with,"Summer Set").

Roy Blackwood - Died 3-21-1971 ( Gospel ) Born 12-24-1900 in Fentress, MS, U.S. - Was a member of The Blackwood Brothers.

Rev. F.W. McGee (Ford Washington McGee) - Died 4-8-1971 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 10-5-1890 in Winchester, TN, U.S. - Singer - (He did, "Babylon Is Falling Down" and "Jonah In The Belly Of The Whale") - Was a member of The Jubilee Singers - Worked with Arizona Dranes.

Manzie Johnson - Died 4-9-1971 ( Jazz ) Born 8-19-1906 - Drummer - Worked with Sidney Bechet, Red Allen, James P. Johnson, Ovie Alston, Fats Waller, Lil Armstrong, Mezz Mezzrow and Horace Henderson.

Wynton Kelly - Died 4-12-1971 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada - After an epileptic seizure ( R&B - Jazz ) Born 12-2-1931 in Jamaica - Pianist - (He did, "Wrinkles" and "Sassy") - Worked with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Hal Singer, Dizzy Gillespie, Dinah Washington and Miles Davis.

Carmen Lombardo - Died 4-17-1971 in Miami, FL, U.S. - Cancer ( Swing ) Born 7-16-1903 in London, Ontario, Canada - Singer, saxophonist and and composer - (He wrote, "Sweethearts On Parade" and co-wrote, "Boo Hoo") - Was a member of of The Royal Canadians who were noted for playing, "Auld Lang Syne" on New Years Eve - Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Lennie Hayton (Leonard George Hayton) - Died 4-24-1971 in Palm Springs, CA, U.S. ( Jazz - Pop ) Born 2-13-1908 in New York, Ny, U.S. - Pianist, musical director and singer - He worked with Miff Mole, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbauer, Spencer Clark and with his wife, Lena Horne.

Earl Phelps - Died 4-25-1971 ( Country ) Played fiddle and mandolin and sang - Was one of The Phelps Brothers and was a member of Norman Phelps And The Virginia Rounders - Western Swing Society Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Boll Weevil Bill Moore - Died 5-2-1971 - Bronchopneumonia ( Blues ) Born 4-22-1913 in Kinston, North Carolina, U.S.

Dickie Valentine (Richard Bryce) - Died 5-6-1971 in Glangrwyney, Wales - Car accident ( Jazz - Pop ) Born 11-4-1929 in Marylebone, London - Singer - (He did, "Christmas Alphabet" and "Finger Of Suspicion") - Worked with The Ted Heath Orchestra.

Bob Dunn (Robert Lee Dunn) - Died 5-27-1971 in Houston, TX, U.S. ( Western Swing ) Born 2-5-1908 in Fort Gibson, OK, U.S. or 2-8-1908 in Braggs, OK, U.S. - Played steel guitar - Led Bob Dunn's Vagabonds - Worked with Milton Brown And The Musical Brownies, Roy Newman, Bill Mounce And The Sons Of The South, Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers  and Buddy Jones - Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ben Pollack - Died 6-7-1971 in Palm Springs, CA, U.S. - Hanged himself ( Jazz ) Born 6-22-1903 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Drummer and bandleader - Worked with Bud Freeman, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland, Harry James, Eddie Miller, Yank Lawson, Jack Teagarden, Mugsy Spanier, Chico Marx and Joe Marsala.

Libby Holman (Elizabeth Lloyd Holzman) (aka The Statue of Libby) - Died 6-18-1971 in Stamford, CT, U.S. - Acute carbon monoxide poisoning - Born 5-23-1906 in Cincinnati, OH, U.S. - Singer and actress - (She did, "Moanin' Low" and "Something To Remember You By").

Ted Fiorito (aka Ted Fio Rito) - Died 6-22-1971 in Scottsdale, AZ, U.S. - Born 12-20-1900 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Pianist, composer and bandleader - (Co-wrote, "Toot, Toot Tootsie!" and "Charley, My Boy") - Collaborated with Cecil Mack, Gus Kahn, Dan Russon, Albert Sam Lewis, Von Tilzer, Joe Young and Ernie Erdman  - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Earl Humphrey - Died 6-26-1971 ( Jazz ) Born 9-9-1902 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played Trombone - Brother of trumpeter Percy Humphey and clarinetist Willie Humphrey.

Jim Morrison ( James Douglas Morrison ) The Lizard King - Died 7-3-1971 - Heart failure due to acute respiratory distress ( Rock ) Born 12-8-1943 in Melbourne, Florida, U.S. - Was the singer for The Doors (They recorded, "Light My Fire" and "When The Music's Over") Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee"

Don McPherson (Donald McPherson) - Died 7-4-1971 - Leukemia ( Soul ) Born 7-9-1941 in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. - Was the singer for  The Main Ingredient (They did, "You've Been My Inspiration" and "Spinning Around").

Louis Armstrong (aka Satchmo) - Died 7-6-1971 in Queens, NY, U.S. - Heart attack ( Jazz ) Born 8-4-1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. - Trumpeter and singer - (He did, "Mack The Knife" and "What A Wonderful World") - Was married to pianist, Lil Armstrong - Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame Inductee Inductee and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Charlie Shavers (Charles James Shavers) - Died 7-8-1971 - Throat cancer ( Jazz ) Born 8-3-1917 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played Trumpet - Worked with Lucky Millinder, John Kirby's Sextet, Metronome All-Stars, Johnny Dodds, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Noone and Sidney Bechet.

Clifford Edwards (aka Ukulele Ike) - Died 7-17-1971  in Hollywood, CA, U.S. ( Pop - Scat ) Born 6-14-1895  in Hannibal, MO, U.S. - Played the ukulele (He did, "Sleepy Time Gal" and the original,"Toot, Toot, Tootsie") He was half of the duo, "Keegan And Edwards Jazz As Is" -  Worked with Miff Mole, Adrian Rollini, Red Nichols and Vic Berton - Was a regular on Rudy Vallee's radio show - He was the voice of Jiminy Cricket and even sang, "When You Wish Upon A Star"

Leslie Kong - Died 8-?-1971 - Heart attack ( Producer ) Born 1933 - Worked with Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, The Aces, Desmond Dekker, The Mayals, The Melodians and Ken Booth.

Paul Sawtell - Died 8-1-1971 in Los Angeles County, CA, U.S. - Born 2-3-1906 in Gilve, Poland - Composer - Worked with Bert Shefter to produce music scores for the films, The Fly, It! The Terror From Beyond Space and Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.

Homer Haynes (Henry Haynes) - Died 8-7-1971 ( Country - Comedy ) Born 7-29-1917 in Knoxville, TN, U.S. - He was half of the duo Homer & Jethro (They did,"The Battle of Kookamonga" and "How Much Is That Hound Dog in The Window").

Lefty Baker (Eustace Britchforth) - Died 8-11-1971 in California, U.S. - Enlarged liver (Rock) Born 1-7-1942 in Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. - Sang and played guitar and banjo - Worked with Spanky And Our Gang (They did, "Like To Get to Know You" and "Sunday Morning").

King Curtis ( Curtis Ousley ) - Died 8-13-1971 in New York, U.S. - Stabbed to death in a fight outside his home ( Rock - R&B - Soul ) Born 2-7-1934 in Fort Worth, TX, U.S. - Was a saxophonist - (He did, "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Soul Twist") - Worked with The Coasters (They did, "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown"), John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, The Rascals and many others - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Thomas Wayne (Thomas Wayne Perkins) - Died 8-15-1971 - Died in a head on collision ( Doo-Wop ) Born 7-22-1940 in Battsville, MS, U.S. - ( He did, "Tragedy") - Brother of guitarist, Luther Perkins.

Too Tight Henry (Henry Lee Castle) - Died 8-16-1971 ( Blues ) Born 1900 - Guitarist.

Tab Smith (Talmadge Smith) - Died 8-17-1971 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-11-1909 in Kingston, NC, U.S. - Saxaphonist (He did,"Because Of You" and "Pretend") Worked with Lucky Millinder, The Mills Rhythm Boys and Count Basie.

Tom Darby - Died 8-20-1971 ( Country - Blues ) Born 1884 in Columbus, GA, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - Was 1/2 of Darby & Tarlton (They did, "Cumberland Stockade Blues" and "Birmingham Jail").

Ted Lewis (Theodore Leopold Friedman) - Died 8-25-1971 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz - Novelty ) Born 6-6-1892 in Circleville, OH, U.S. - (He did, "When My Baby Smiles At Me" and the orginal "Just A Gigolo") - Was the leader of Ted Lewis And His Nut Band - Worked with Ruth Etting, Fats Waller and Sophie Tucker.

Lil Armstrong (Lillian Hardin Armstrong) - Died 8-27-1971 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Heart attack ( Jazz ) Born 2-2-1898 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Pianist, composer and arranger - (She did, "Just For A Thrill.") - She worked with Sugar Johnny's Creole Orchestra, Freddie Keppard's Original Creole Orchestra, King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and her husband trumpeter and singer, Louis Armstrong.

Gary Buckley - Died 8-27-1971 - Car accident ( Rock ) Bassist and singer - Was a member of The Jury.

Tony Clarke (Ralph Thomas Williams) - Died 8-28-1971 in Detroit, MI, U.S. ( R&B - Soul ) Born 4-13-1940 in New York, NY, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "Landslide" and "(They Call Me) A Wrong Man").

Curtis Jones - Died 9-11-1971- Heart failure ( Blues ) Born 8-18-1906 in Naples, Texas, U.S. (He recorded, "Skid Row" and "Gee Pretty Baby").

Joe Jordan - Died 9-11-1971 ( Jazz ) Born 1882 in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. - Played piano, violin and drums - (He wrote, "Rise And Shine" and "Oh, Liza Lady") - Worked with Louis Chauvin, Sam Patterson, The Taborin Band, King And Bailey's Chocolate Drops and Ten Sharps And Flats.

Gene Vincent ( Vincent Eugene Craddock ) - Died 10-12-1971 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Ulcerated wound that he received in a car accident that killed Eddie Cochran 11 years earlier ( Rock & Roll ) Born 2-11-1935 in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. - Led Gene Vincent And The Blue Caps (They did, "Be-Bop-A-Lula" and "Bluejean Bop") - Worked with The Wild Angels - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Joe Sullivan (Joseph Michael Sullivan) - Died 10-13-1971 in San Francisco, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-4-1906 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Pianist (He did,"Little Rock Getaway") Worked with Bob Crosby and Eddie Condon.

Pavel Bayerle - Died 10-16-1971 in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia - During a performance ( Jazz - Musicals ) Born 3-31-1925 in Trutnov, Czechoslovakia - Trumpeter, composer, arranger and leader for his band AUS VN (They did, "Pribeh Nasi Lasky" and "O Nas Dvou").

Duane Allman (Howard Duane Allman) - Died 10-29-1971 in Macon, Georgia, U.S. - Motorcycle accident ( Southern Rock ) Born 11-20-1946 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. (He did,"Midnight Rider") Was a member of The Kings, The Allman Joys, Hourglass and The Allman Brothers Band - The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee .

Rafael Suarez Mujica (aka Fucho) - Died 10-30-1971 in Caracas, Venezuela - Born 12-01-1929 in Caserío Fajardo, Nueva Esparta State, Venezuela - Director, cuatrista and arranger - He directed The Quintet Contrapunto Quintet.

Irene Daye - Died 11-1-1971 in Greenville, SC, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) Born 1-17-1918 in Lawrence, MA, U.S. - Singer - Worked with Jan Murphy, Mal Hallett, Gene Krupa ("Drum Boogie" and "Drummin' Man") and her husband, Charlie Spivak ("Golden Earrings" and "Baby Won't You Please Come Home") - She had been married to trumpet player, Corky Cornelius.

Josef Kainar - Died 11-16-1971 in Dobris, Czechoslovakia ( Jazz - Blues - Chanson - Rock ) Born 6-29-1917 in Prerov, Czechoslovakia (at the time Austro-Hungary) - Poet, lyricist and guitar player - Adapted lyrics for blues evergreens ("Miss Otis Lituje" and "Kuceravy Listonos"), later he wrote lyrics for rock albums of Flamengo ("Kure V Hodinkach"), Framus 5 ("Mesto ER") and C&K Vocal ("Generace").

"Little" Junior Parker (Herman Parker) - Died 11-18-1971 Died after surgery for a brain tumor (R&B Blues) Born 3-27-1932 in West Memphis, Arkansas, U.S. - Was a member of The Beale Streeters,  Blues Consolidated and The Blue Flames  (He wrote, "Mystery Train").

Zez Confrey ( Edward Elzear Confrey) - Died 11-22-1971 in Lakewook, NJ, U.S. - Parkinson's disease ( Novelty - Jazz ) Born 4-3-1895 in Peru, IL, U.S. - Pianist and composer - (He wrote, "Kitten On The Keys") - Worked for The QRS piano roll company.

Papa George Lightfoot (Alexander Lightfoot) - Died 11-28-1971 - Respiratory failure ( Blues ) Born 3-2-1924 in Natchez, Mississippi, U.S. (He recorded,"Ah Come On Honey" and "Night Time") Worked with Fats Domino, Tommy Ridgley, Shirley & Lee and Edgar Blanchard & The Gondoliers.

Butch Hawes (Baldwin Hawes) - Died 12-?-1971 ( Folk ) Singer and guitarist - (He wrote, "Arthritis Blues" and co-wrote, "Keep That Oil A-rollin'") - Was a member of The Almanac Singers - He was married to singer and guitarist, Bess Lomax Hawes.

Punch Miller (Ernest Miller) - Died 12-2-1971 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 6-10-1894 in Raceland, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with George Lewis, Al Wynn, Freddie Keppard, Jelly Roll Morton and Tiny Parham.

Jiri Grossmann - Died 12-5-1971 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Lymphoma ( Country - Pop ) Born 7-20-1941 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Was an actor, performing with Miloslav Simek in a comic duo, but also was a singer and songwriter (He wrote, "Zavidim", "Drahy Muj" and adapted Czech lyrics for "Blizzard").

Freddy Morgan - Died 12-21-1971 - Heart attack ( Comedy ) Born 11-7-1910 in New York, NY, U.S. - Was a member of The Sunnysiders (They did, "Hey Mr. Banjo") and Spike Jones And His City Slickers (They did, "Gesundheit Polka" and "Sante").

Charlie Fuqua - Died 12-21-1971 in New Haven, CT, U.S. ( R&B ) Born 10-20-1910 - Singer and guitarist - Was half of the duo, Jerry And Charlie - Worked with The Patent Leather Kids, The King, Jack And Jester and The Ink Spots - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Max Steiner (Maximilian Raoul Steiner) - The father of film music - Died 12-28-1971 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. - Born 5-10-1888 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Austria) - Composer and pianist - He did the scores for, Casablanca, Gone With The Wind and the 1933 film, King Kong and for the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical, Top Hat - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1972

Rev. Rubin Lacy - Died 1972, 1974 or 1975 in Bakersfield, CA, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1-2-1901 in Pelahatchie, MS, U.S. - Sang and played guitar and mandolin - (He did, "Mississippi Jail House Groan" and "Ham Hound Crave") - Worked with Charley Patton.

Sam McCracken - Died 1972 ( Bluegrass ) Fiddler - (He did, "The Eighth Of January" and "Chuck-a Luck") - The Sam McCracken Days bluegrass festival is named after him.

Sonny Clay - Died in 1972 ( Jazz ) Born 5-15-1899 in Chapel Hill, TX, U.S. - Played piano and drums - Led The California Poppies, (They did, "What A Wonderful Time" and "Lou"), Sonny Clay's Plantation Orchestra (They did, "Jambled Blues"), The Stompin' Six (They did, "Roamin' Around") and The Dixie Serenaders (They did, "Cho-King") - Worked with Jelly Roll Morton, Reb Spikes and Kid Ory.

John C. Pope - Died 1972 ( Jazz ) He was 88 years old - Trumpeter - Led The Excelsior Band - Son of John A. Pope - Alabama Music Hall Of Fame Achiever.

H.C. Speir (Henry C. Speir) - Died 1972 in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. - Born 10-6-1895 in Prospect, Mississippi, U.S. - Talent broker - Helped the careers of Tommy Johnson, Ishmon Bracey, Bo Carter, Robert Wilkins, Charley Patton, Skip James, The Mississippi Sheiks, Blind Joe Reynolds, Blind Roosevelt Graves and Geeshie Wiley - Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Dennis Cowan - Died 1972 - Peritonitis ( Rock - R&B ) Born 5-6-1947 in London, England - Played guitar, bass, slide guitar and was a singer - Was a member of Viv Stanshall's, Big Grunt and The Bonzo Dog Band (They did, "I'm The Urban Spaceman" and "Mr. Apollo ") - Worked with Neil Innes.

Mick Parsons - Died 1972 - Car accident ( Prog Rock ) Guitarist - Worked with Renaissance.

Denny Vaughn - Died 1972 ( Pop ) Born 1922 - (Recorded, "Walk Hand In Hand").

Eddie Dawson - Died 1972 ( Jazz ) Born 1884 - Played guitar, banjo and bass.

James Johnson - Died 1972 ( Jazz ) Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame member

Ray Jackson (Raymond Jackson) - Died 1972 - House fire -  Born 1941 - Pianist, producer and songwriter - (He did, "If Loving You is Wrong").

Octave Crosby - Died 1972 ( Jazz ) Born 6-10-1898 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played piano - Worked with Oscar "Papa" Celestin.

"Scarface" John Williams - Died 1972 - Murdered - Was a member of Huey Smith And The Clowns .

Daniel Sonny Norton - Died 1972 - Was a member of The Crows (They recorded, "Gee") Born 1933.

Maurice Chevalier (Maurice Auguste Chevalier) - Died 1-1-1972 in Paris, France ( Pop ) Born 9-12-1888 in Paris, France - Singer and actor - (He sang, "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" and "Louise") - Worked with Duke Ellington - Was married to dancers, Yvonne Vallee and Nita Ray.

Red Smiley (Arthur Lee Smiley Jr.) - Died 1-2-1972 in Bryson City, NC, U.S. ( Bluegrass ) Singer and guitarist - Born 5-17-1925 in Marshall, NC, U.S. - He was one of Tennessee Cutups (They did, "I'm Using My Bible For A Road Map" and "I Know You're Married") - International Bluegrass Music Hall Of Honor Inductee.

Fess Whatley (John T. Whatley) - Died on 1-12-1972 ( Jazz ) Led Fess Whatley And His Jazz Demons - He was an instructor of music whose students included Erskine Hawkins, Teddy Hill, Cleveland Eaton and Sun Ra - Alabama Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

David Seville (Ross S. Bagdasarian Sr.) - Died 1-16-1972 - Heart attack ( Novelty ) Born 1-27-1919 in Fresno, Califonia, U.S. - Pianist, singer and songwriter - (He did, "The Witch Doctor") - Created The Chipmunks ("The Chipmunk Song").

Big Maybelle ( Maybelle Louise Smith ) - Died 1-23-1972 - Diabetic coma ( R&B - Jazz ) Born 5-1-1924 in Jackson, Tennessee, U.S. - (She did, "Candy" and "96 Tear Drops").

Gene Austin (Lemeul Eugene Lucas) - Died 1-24-1972 in Palm Springs, CA, U.S. - Lung cancer ( Pop ) Born 6-24-1900 in Gainesville, TX, U.S. - Singer, pianist, guitarist and composer - (He sang, "My Blue Heaven" and "Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue").

Mahalia Jackson - Died 1-27-1972 in Evergreen Park, IL, U.S. - Heart failure ( Gospel ) Born 10-26-1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. - (She did, "In The Upper Room With Jesus" and "How I Got Over")  "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee".

Ray Kinney - Died 1-28-1972 in Honolulu, HI - Born 9-26-1900 in Hilo, HI - Singer, composer and ukulele player - (He wrote, "Kalapaki Bay" and "Leimana") - Led Ray And His Aloha Maids -  Hawaiian Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Mick Bradley - Died 2-?-1972 - Leukemia ( Rock ) Drummer - Was a member of Methuselah (They did, "My Poor Mary") and Steamhammer (They did, "For Against" and "Down Along The Grove").

Gianni Caia - Died 2-?-1972 - Car accident ( Rock ) Drummer - Was a member of Free Love (They did, "Sandy" and "Dove").

Steve Stogel - Died 2-?-1972 - Car accident ( Rock ) Guitarist and singer - Was a member of Free Love (They did, "Sandy" and "Dove").

Lee Morgan - Died 2-19-1972 - Shot to death by a girlfriend ( Jazz ) Born 7-10-1938 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Trumpeter - (He did, "The Sidewinder" and "Speedball") -  Worked with Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

James Bracken (James C. Bracken) - Died 2-20-1972 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Born 5-23-1909 in Kansas City, MO, U.S. - Co-owner of Vee-Jay Records which released recordings by The Beatles, The Spaniels, The El Dorados, The Magnificents, The Dukays, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, The Dells, The Staple Singers, The Original Five Blind Boys, The Shepards, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, The Caravans, Hoyt Axton, The Gospel Harmonettes, The Swan Silvertones and Jimmy Reed.

Pat Brady (Robert Ellsworth O'Brady) - Died 2-27-1972 in Green Mountain Falls, CO, U.S. ( Country ) Born 12-31-1914 in Toledo, OH, U.S. - Bassist - Worked with The Sons Of The Pioneers - Acted on The Roy Rogers Show.

Bob Vann - Died 3-?-1973 ( Prog Rock ) Born 3-?-1954 - Guitarist - Was a member of The Chapel Farm.

Linda Jones - Died 3-14-1972 - Collapsed backstage at The Appolo Theatre, diabetes ( Soul - Gospel ) Born 1-14-1944 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "Hypnotized" and "Doggin' Me Around").

Smitty Gatlin (Earl Smith Gatlin) - Died 3-20-1972 - Cancer ( Gospel ) Born 7-15-1935 in Pulaski, TN, U.S. - Singer - He was a member of The Oak Ridge Boys - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Sharkey Bonano (Joseph Gustaf Bonano) - Died 3-27-1972 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 8-9-1902 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played Trumpet - Worked with Freddie Newman, Chink Martin, Jimmy Durante, The Jean Goldkette Orchestra, The Melody Masters and The Sharks of Rhythm.

Tony Parenti (Anthony Parenti) - Died 4-17-1972 ( Jazz ) Born 8-6-1900 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played Saxophone and Clarinet - Worked with Joseph Taverno's Italian Band, The Radio City Symphony Orchestra, Preacher Rolo Laylan's Five Saints, The Dukes of Dixieland, Muggsy Spanier, Ted Lewis and Miff Mole.

Phil King (aka Phil Friedman) - Died 4-27-1972 - Shot? - Booking agent - Worked for Blue Oyster Cult.

Pete Watson - Died 4-30-1972 in Perth - Chronic illness ( Rock ) Bassist and singer- Was a member of The Phantoms, M.P.D. LTD. (Michael, Peter and Danny) (They did, "Little Boy Sad" and "No Regrets") and Pete Watson's Rockhouse - Worked with Rick Springfield.

Doles Dickens - Died 5-2-1972 in New Jersey, U.S. ( R&B - Jazz ) Born 1-18-1916 in New York, U.S. - Bassist - (He did, "Rock & Roll" and "Find Em, Fool  Em And Forget Em") - Led Doles Dickens And The Strangers - Worked with Buster Smith, The Eddie South Orchestra,  Piano Red, Eddie Durham, The Five Red Caps (They did, "Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night" and "Lenox Avenue Jump") and Bill Haley And His Comets ("So Right Tonight").

Les Harvey (Leslie Harvey)- Died 5-3-1972 in Swansea, Wales - Electrocuted on stage by touching a live microphone with wet feet ( Rock ) Born 1945 in Glasgow, Scotland - Was a member of Stone The Crows, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and The Blues Council - Brother of Alex Harvey.

The Reverend Gary Davis - Died 5-5-1972 Hammonton, N.J., U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues - Folk - Gospel ) Born 4-30-1896 in Laurens, South Carolina, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "All My Friends Are Gone" and "Cocaine Blues") - Worked with Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry.

A.C. Forehand - Died 5-9-1972 Memphis, TN, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 8-9-1890 or 1893 in Columbus, GA, U.S. - Played guitar - He had been married to singer, Blind Mamie Forehand (They did, "Mother's Prayer" and "I'm So Glad Today").

Alec Seward (Guitar Slim) - Died 5-11-1972  ( Blues ) Born 3-16-1902 in Charles City, Virginia, U.S. (He did,"Creepin' Blues" and "Some People Say")

Big John Greer (John Marshall Greer) - Died 5-12-1972 ( Blues ) Born 11-21-1923 (He did,"Got You On My Mind" and "Bottle It Up And Go") Worked with Wynonie Harris, Hal "Cornbread" Singer and Bill Doggett.

Dan Blocker (Bobby Don Blocker) - Died 5-13-1972 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Pulmonary embolism - Born 12-10-1928 in DeKalb, TX, U.S. - Actor - (He sang, "Sky Ball Paint") - Appeared on TV's, Bonanza.

John Ryanes - Died 5-30-1972 ( Rock ) Born 11-16-1940 1940 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Was a member of The Monotones (They did, "The Book Of Love").

Dave Apollon - Died 5-30-1972 in Las Vegas, NV, U.S. - Born 2-23-1897 in Kiev, Russia (now Ukraine) - Played mandolin - Worked with Django Reinhardt, Jimmie Haskell and Laverne Gustafson ("St. Louis Blues").

Antonina Blazonczyk (Antoinette Blazonczyk) - Died 6-?-1972 ( Polka ) Born in Chocholow, Poland - Singer - Owner of Pulaski Village and Club Antoinette which hosted music acts such as Eddie Wojcik, Frankie Yankovic, Eddie Zima, Steve Adamczyk, Li'l Wally, Johnny Hyzny, The Polka Dot 5, Johnny Bomba, Marion Lush and Joey Jarosz  - Mother of band leader, Eddie Blazonczyk -  International Polka Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jimmy Rushing (James Andrew Rushing)- Mister Five-By-Five - Died 6-8-1972 in New York, NY, U.S. - Leukemia (  Jazz - Blues Shouter ) Born 8-26-1903 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. - (He did, "Don't You Want A Man Like Me?" and "Blues In The Dark") - Was a member of The Blue Devils - Worked with Count Basie ("Boogie Woogie") and Bennie Moten.

Herb Coleman - Died 6-12-1972 in Cannes, France - Shot ( R&B ) Born 10-2-1927 in New York, NY, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Delta Rhythm Boys - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Clyde McPhatter (Clyde Lensley McPhatter) - Died 6-13-1972 - Heart, liver and kidney ailments ( R&B - Gospel ) Born 11-15-1933 in Durham, North Carolina, U.S. - (He did, "Lover Please") Was a member of Billy Ward and The Dominoes (They did, "Have Mercy Baby") and The Drifters (They did, "Money Honey") - Worked with The Mount Lebanon Singers - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Lale Anderson - Died 6-29-1972 - Born 3-23-1910 - German singer (She had a hit with, "A Ship Will Come").

Felipe Pirela - El Bolerista de America - Died 7-2-1972 in Santurce, Puerto Rico - Shot  ( Pop ) Born 9-4-1941 in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela - Singer - (He did, "Cuando Ya No Me Quieras" (When You No Longer Love Me) and "Unicamente Tu" (Only You)) - Worked with Juanito Arteta's Orchestra, Los Peniques and Billo's Caracas Boys.

Mississippi Fred McDowell - Died 7-3-1972 - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 1-12-1904 in Rossville, Tennessee, U.S. (He did,"You Gotta Move") Slide guitarist -  Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame Inductee .

Lovie Austin - Died 7-10-1972 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 9-19-1887 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. - Pianist - She was a member of The Blues Serenaders - Woked with Ida Cox, Ma Rainey, Ethel Waters and Alberta Hunter.

Brother Joe May - The Thunderbolt of the Middle West - Died 7-14-1972 in Thomasville, GA, U.S. - Stroke ( Gospel ) Born 11-12-1912 in Macon, MS, U.S. - (He did, "Search Me Lord" and "Do You Know Him?").

Bobby Ramirez - Died 7-24-1972 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Beaten to death in a bar because he had long hair ( Rock ) Born 1949 - Was a member of Edgar Winter's White Trash.

Brian Cole(Brian Leslie Cole)- Died 8-2-1972 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Heroin overdose ( Rock ) Born 9-8-1944 in in Tacoma, Washington, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member of Men who became The Association (They did, "Windy" and "Never My Love").

Mezz Mezzrow (Milton Mesirow) - Died 8-5-1972 in Paris, France ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 10-9-1899 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Played saxophone and clarinet - Worked with Sidney Bechet, The Jungle Kings, The Chicago Rhythm Kings, Buck Clayton, Tommy Ladnier and Eddie Condon.

Joi Lansing (Joyce Rae Brown) (aka Joyce Wassmansdorff) - Died 8-7-1972 in Santa Monica, California, U.S. - Breast cancer - Born 4-6-1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. - Actress and singer - (She did, "The Web of Love" and "The Silencers") - Appeared in the films, Marriage On The Rocks and Hot Cars and on TV's, The Beverly Hillbillies and Love That Bob.

Oscar Levant - Died 8-14-1972 in Beverly Hills, CA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Pop - Orchestral ) Born 12-27-1906 in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S. - Pianist, composer and actor - (Co-wrote, "Blame It On My Youth") - Worked with Al Jolson - He had been married to actress, Barbara Woodell and singer and actress, June Gale.

Charles "Baby" Tate - Died 8-17-1972 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 1-28-1916 in Elberton, Georgia, U.S. - Guitarist.

Don Byas (Carlos Wesley Byas) - Died 8-24-1972 ( Jazz - R&B ) Born 10-21-1912 in Muskogee OK, U.S. - Saxaphonist - Leader of Don Byas Quartet (They did, "September Song" and  "London Donnie") - Worked with Benny Moten, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie and others.

Sidney Clare - Died 8-29-1972 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Born 8-15-1892 in New York, NY, U.S. - Comedian, dancer and composer - (He wrote or co-wrote, "On The Good Ship Lollipop" and "Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me") - Collaborated with Cliff Friend, Lew Pollack, Sam Stept, Lew Brown, Richard Whiting, Con Conrad, Oscar Levant, Jay Gorney, Harry Warren, Buddy De Sylva, Vincent Youmans and Jimmy Monaco  -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Lale Andersen (Lieselotte Helene Berta Bunnenberg) - Died 8-29-1972 in Vienna, Austria - Liver cancer ( Pop ) Born 3-23-1905 in the Bremerhaven Lehe district - Singer - (She did, "Lili Marleen" and "He, hast du Feuer, Seemann?") - She had been married to painter, Paul Ernst Wilke and composer, Artur Beul.

Joey Hall - Died 9-?-1972 ( R&B ) Born 5-13-1939 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Lead singer for Little Joey & The Flips (They did, "Bongo Stomp" and "Fool, Fool, Fool").

Calvin Frazier - Died 9-23-1972 - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 2-16-1915 in Osceola, Arkansas, U.S.

Rory Storm (Alan Caldwell) - Died 9-27-1972 in Broadgreen, Liverpool, Lancashire, England - Accidental combination of pills and drink due to his health problems ( Rock ) Born 9-21-1939 in Stoneycroft, Liverpool, Lancashire, England - Singer - Led Al Caldwell's Texans, The Raving Texans, Al Storm And The Hurricanes, Jett Storm And The Hurricanes and Rory Storm And The Hurricanes (They did, "Dr Feelgood" and "Since You Broke My Heart").

Phil Seamen (Phillip William Seamen)- Died 10-13-1972 in Lambeth, London, England - Overdose ( Jazz - Rock ) Born 8-28-1926 in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England - Drummer - Worked with Ronnie Scott,  Nat Gonella And His Georgians, The Tommy Sampson Orchestra, The Joe Loss Orchestra, Alexis Korner, Jack Parnell, Georgie Fame, Tubby Hayes, Laurie Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Josh White, The Dick Morrissey Quartet, Derek Humble, Carmen McRae and Ginger Baker's Air Force.

Edgar Blanchard (Edgar V. Blanchard) - Died 10-17-1972 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 8-17-1924 in Grosse Tete, LA, U.S. - Guitarist - (He did, "Steppin' High" and "Let's Get It") - Worked with The Gondoliers (They did, "You Call Everybody Darling" and "Creole Gal Blues"),  Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, Sam Cooke and others.

Billy Williams - Died 10-12-1972 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( R&B ) Born 12-28-1910 in Waco, TX, U.S. - Singer - (He did, "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter") - Worked with The Charioteers (They did, "A Kiss And A Rose") - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Foundation Inductee.

Vernon Hyles (Vernon Ross Hyles) - Died 11-1-1972 ( Gospel ) Born 3-28-1910 - Singer and manager - Led The Rangers Quartet - Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Miss Christine (Christine Frka) - Died 11-5-1972 in Cohasset, MA, U.S. - Overdose of prescription pain killers ( Rock ) Born 1950 - Singer - She was a member of The GTOs (They did, "Shock Treatment" and "The Eureka Springs Garbage Lady") - Worked with Frank Zappa and Jeff Beck.

Billy Murcia - Died 11-6-1972 in London, England - Choked on coffee after an overdose of Mandrax ( Punk ) Born 1951 in New York, U.S. - Drummer - Was a member of The Pox and The New York Dolls.

Black Ace (aka Buck Turner) (Babe Kyro Lemon Turner) - Died 11-7-1972 in Fort Worth, TX, U.S. - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 12-21-1907 in Hughes Springs, Texas, U.S. - Played National steel guitar and was a singer - (He did, "Black Ace" and "Hitchhiking Woman").

Berry Oakley (Raymond Berry Oakley)- Died 11-11-1972 in Macon, GA, U.S. - Brain hemorrhage after a motorcycle crash ( Rock ) Born 4-1-1948 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Guitarist and bassist - Was a member of  The Shanes, The Roemans (They did, "Your Friend" and "When The Sun Shines In The Mornin'"), Second Coming and The Allman Brothers Band (They did, "Stand Back" and "Melissa") - "Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Rudolf Friml - Died 11-12-1972 - Born 12-7-1879 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Pianist and composer - (He co-wrote, "Rose Marie" and "Indian Love Call") - Worked with Otto Harbach and Karl Hoschna.

Danny Whitten (Daniel Ray Whitten) - Died 11-18-1972  in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Heroin overdose ( Rock ) Born 5-8-1943 in Columbus, Georgia, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He wrote, "I Don't Want To Talk About It") - Worked with Danny And The Memories (They did, "Can't Help Loving That Girl Of Mine"), The Psyrcle, The Rockets and The War Babies who became Crazy Horse (They did, "Cowgirl In The Sand").

Bill Johnson (William Manuel Johnson) - Died 12-3-1972 in New Braunfels, TX, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 8-10-1872 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Led Bill Johnson's Louisiana Jug Band  (They did, "Don't Drink It In Here" and "Get The L On Down The Road") - Worked with King Oliver, Johnny Dodds and Bunk Johnson - He claimed to have invented the slap style of playing the stringed bass, plucking instead of bowing.

Mel Lastie (Melvin Lastie) - Died 12-4-1972 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Rock ) Born 11-18-1930 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played cornet and trumpet - (He can be heard on Barbara George's, "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)") - Worked with Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, King Curtis ("Pots And Pans"), The Rascals, Dr. John, The Coasters and Willie Bobo ("Fried Neck Bones And Some Homefries").

Kenny Dorham (McKinley Howard Dorham) - Died 12-5-1972 - Kidney disease ( Jazz ) Born 8-30-1924 in Fairfield, TX, U.S. - Played trumpet - (He did, "Blue Bossa") - Worked with The Be Bop Boys, Dizzy Gillespie, The Jazz Prophets, The Max Roach Quintet and Billy Eckstine.

Eli Robinson - Died 12-24-1972 ( Swing ) Born 6-23-1908 in Greenville, GA, U.S.  - Worked with Alex Jackson, Frank Terry, Speed Webb, Count Basie and Zack Whyte.

Dud Bascomb (Wilbur Odell Bascomb) - Died 12-25-1972 ( Jazz ) Born 5-16-1916 in Birmingham, AL, U.S. - Trumpet player - Was a member of The Erskine Hawkins Orchestra (They did, "Tuxedo Junction" and "Gin Mill Special") and Tyle's Chicken Shack - Worked with Duke Ellington's Orchestra - Brother of Paul Bascomb.

1973

Lee Crabtree - Died 1973 - Suicide? ( Rock - Folk ) Played keyboards and flute - Was a member of The Fugs (They did, "I Couldn't Get High" and "Morning, Morning") - Worked with Holy Modal Rounders (They did, "Indian War Whoop" and "The Second-Hand Watch").

Valeriy Mulyavin - 1973 - Drowned ( Rock ) Was a member of Pesnyary.

Ed Thurman - Died 1973 - Accident ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Was a member of Johnny Bragg And The Prisonaires.

Darryl Vincent - Died 1973 - Suicide ( Rockabilly ) (He did, "Daddy's Goin' Batty" and "Wild, Wild Party").

Gary Konkol - Died 1973 - Cancer ( Blues Rock ) Guitarist - Was a member of Sound Street who changed their name to Circus.

Amede Breaux - Died 1973 ( Cajun ) Born 9-7-1900 in Rayne, LA, U.S. - Played accordion - Was a member of Breaux Freres ( They did the first recording of, "Jole Blon" which was titled "Ma Blonde Est Partie") - The Cajun Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Sammy Babitzin - Died 1973 - Car crash ( Pop ) Born 1948 - Singer - Was a member of The Steelers - Worked with Leo Lindblom and Henry Olavi "Remu" Aaltonen.

Nelson "Cadillac" Williams - Died 1973 ( Jazz ) Born 9-26-1917 in Montgomery, AL, U.S - Played trumpet - Worked with Duke Ellington.

Jerome Green - Died 1973 ( R&B ) Played Maraccas and sang - Worked with Bo Diddley ("Say Man" and "Not Guilty") and Chuck Berry.

Jack Rollins (aka Walter E. Rollins)- Died 1-1-1973 in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. ( Songwriter ) Born 9-15-1906 - (He co-wrote, "Frosty The Snowman" and "Peter Cottontail") - Hi songs have been recorded by Dinah Washington, Henry Mancini, Fred Astaire, Martina McBride, The Carpenters, Nat King Cole, Gene Autry, Rosemary Clooney, Anne Murray, Hank Snow, George Jones, Eddy Arnold, Willie Nelson, Kenny G and Frankie Yankovic - West Virginia Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Tex Ritter (Woodward Maurice Ritter) - Died 1-2-1973 in Nashville, TN U.S. - Heart attack in a Nashville police station while bailing out a band member ( Country - Folk ) Born 1-12-1907 in Murval, TX, U.S. - Singer - Was the leader of Tex Ritter And His Texans (They did, "I'm Wastin' My Tears On You" and "Jealous Heart") - Father of actor, John Ritter - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, Cowboy Hall Of Fame Inductee, Western Music Associations Hall Of Fame Inductee and Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Speckled Red (Rufus Perryman) - Died 1-2-1973 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Cancer ( Blues - Boogie Woogie ) Born 10-23-1892 in Monroe, Louisiana, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (He did, "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" and "Oh Red") - Brother of the late Piano Red .

Archibald (Leon T. Gross) - Died 1-8-1973 - Heart attack ( Folk - Blues - R&B ) Born 9-14-1912 in New Orleans, LA, U.S - Singer and pianist - (He did, "Stack-a-Lee (Parts I & II)" and "Shake Baby Shake").

Ted Koehler - Died 1-17-1973 - Born 7-14-1894 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Composer -Worked with Harold Arlen ("I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" and "Stormy Weather"), Burton Lane, Sammy Fain, Ray Henderson and Rube Bloom - Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee.

Clara Ward - Died 1-16-1973 - After a stroke and coma ( Gospel ) Born 1925 - She was one of The Ward Sisters.

Edgar Sampson (Edgar Melvin Sampson) - Died 1-16-1973 in Englewood, NJ, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 8-31-1907 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played saxophone and violin and was a composer and arranger - (He composed,"Don't Be That Way" and "Stompin' At The Savoy") - Worked with Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Ella
 Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.

Kid Ory (Edward Ory) - Died 1-23-1973 in Hawaii, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-25-1886 in La Place, Louisiana, U.S. - He played banjo and trombone (He did,"Muskrat Ramble") Worked with Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Johnny Dodds, Sidney Bechet and Jimmie Noone - Leader of the 1st black jazz band to make records, Spike's Seven Pods Of Pepper Orchestra (They did,"Society Blues" and "Ory's Creole Trombone").

Charlie "The Redman" Freeman - Died 1-31-1973 - Choked on his vomit after heavy drug use ( Rock ) Was a member of The Royal Spades, The Mar-Keys and The Joe Lee Orchestra - Worked with Chuck Berry, Slim Harpo, Bobby Bland and many others.

Andy Razaf (Andreamentena Razafinkeriefo) (aka Tommy Thompson) - Died 2-3-1973 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1895 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Songwriter and singer - (He co-wrote,"Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin" with Fats Waller).

Merritt Brunies - Died 2-5-1973 in Biloxi, MS, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-25-1895 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played cornet and trombone - Was a member of The Original New Orleans Jazz Band, The Original Dixieland Jazz Band and The Brunies Brothers Dixieland Jazz Band.

Max Yasgur - Died 2-8-1973 - Heart attack ( Dairy farmer ) Born 12-15-1919 - Was the landlord where The WoodStock Music Festivaltook place.

Jiri Lahoda - Died 2-19-1973 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Plane crash ( Pop - Rock ) Born 11-4-1946 in Prague - Guitarist and composer for Juventus (They did, "Narek Prevoznika") and TOCR.

Cornelius Coleman (Cornelius Jesse Coleman)- 2-20-1973 - Undisclosed illness( Blues ) Born 1929 - Worked with  Fats Domino, Lee Allen, T-Bone Walker, Dave Bartholomew, Walter Nelson and Frank Fields.

Tito Rodriguez (Pablo Rodriguez Lozada) (aka El Inolvidable) - Died 2-28-1973 in Coral Gables, FL, U.S. - Leukemia - Born 1-4-1923 in Santurce, Puerto Rico - Singer and bandleader - Led Los Diablos del Mambo, Los Lobos del Mambo and The Tito Rodriguez Orchestra (They did, "Besame La Bemba") - Worked with Industrias Nativas, Xavier Cugat ("Bin, Bam, Bum"), The Mayari Cuartet and Jose Curbelo - Brother of bandleader, Johnny Rodriguez - Produced Los Hispanos and Los Montemar - International Latin Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Frank Kirkland - Died 3-?-1973 ( Blues ) Born 6-29-1927 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Bo Diddley, Otis Spann, Clifton James, Jerome Green, Lester Davenpor,
 Willie Dixon and others.

Bernd Pulst - Died 3-2-1973 ( Rock ) Singer - Was a member of Jane.

Scotty Stoneman (Calvin Scott Stoneman) - Died 3-4-1973 - Alcohol poisoning ( Country - Bluegrass ) Born 8-4-1932 in Galax, VA, U.S. - Played Violin -  Was a member of The Stonemans and The Kentucky Colonels (They did, "John Henry" and "Flat Fork").

Mike Jeffrey - Died 3-5-1973 - His plane exploded in mid air ( Manager ) Managed the Animals and Jimi Hendrix .
 .
Ron Pigpen Mckernan (Ronald C. McKernan)- Died 3-6-1973 in Corte Madera, California, U.S. - Stomach hemorrhage and liver failure ( Rock ) Born 9-8-1945 in San Bruno, California, U.S - Was a keyboardist for The Grateful Dead - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jerry Blaine - Died 3-14-1973 in Nassau, NY, U.S. ( Swing ) Born 12-31-1910 in New York, NY, U.S. - Big band leader, singer and owner of Jubilee Records.

Brew Moore (Milton Aubrey Moore Jr.) - Died 3-19-1973 - Fell down a flight of stairs (Jazz ) Born 3-26-1924 in Indianola - Tenor -  Worked with The Claude Thornhill Band, Sahib Shibab, Lars Gullin, Louis Hjuland, Ben Axen and William Schiopffe.

Asik Veysel - Died 3-21-1973 - Cancer ( Turkish Folk ) Born 1894 in Sivrialan village of Sivas province - Played sax and sang - (He did, "Anam" and "Nagme Gelin").

Noel Coward - Died 3-26-1973 ( Cabaret - Pop - Musicals ) Born 12-16-1899 in Teddington, Middlesex, England - Singer and song writer (He did,"Mad Dogs And Englishmen" and "Mary Make Believe") Worked with Gertrude Lawrence.

Gus Aiken (Augustus Aiken ) - Died 4-1-1973 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 7-26-1902 in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. - Trumpeter - Worked with Louis Armstrong, Sid Catlett, Roy Eldridge and Elmer Snowden - Brother of trumpeter and trombonist, Bud Aiken.

Arthur Freed (Arthur Grossman) - Died 4-12-1973 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Born 9-9-1894 in Charleston, SC, U.S. - Lyricist and pianist - (He co-wrote, "Singin' in the Rain" and "We'll Make Hay While the Sun Shines") - Worked with The Marx Brothers - Collaborated with Gus Arnheim, Nacio Herb Brown and Abe Lyman - Was an associate producer for the film, The Wizard of Oz - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Nino Bravo (Luis Manuel Ferri Llopis) - Died 4-16-1973 in Spain - Car accident ( Pop ) Born 8-3-1944 in Aielo de Malferit, Valencia, Spain - Singer - (He did, "Te Quiero, Te Quiero" and "Un Beso y una Flor") - Was a member of Los Hispanicos who changed their name to Los Superson.

Willie "The Lion" Smith (William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith) - Died 4-18-1973 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-25-1897 in Goshen, NY, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, "Echoes Of Spring" and "Relaxin") - Worked with Mamie Smith ("Crazy Blues"), Sonny White and Cecil Scott.

Albert Wynn - Died 5-?-1973 ( Jazz ) Born 7-29-1907 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Trombonist - Was the leader of Albert Wynn And His Gutbucket Seven (They did, "Ice Cream" and "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise") - Worked with The Bluebirds' Kids Band, The  Jazz-O-Maniacs, Sam Wooding, The Gold Coast Jazz Band, Lil Armstrong and Punch Miller.

Walter Melrose - Died 5-?-1973 in Lake Barrington, IL, U.S. - Born 10-26-1889 in Sumner, IL, U.S. - Co-founder of The Melrose Brothers Music Company - (Wrote or co-wrote, "High Society" and "Tin Roof Blues").

Mike Furber - Died 5-10-1973 - Hung himself ( Rock ) Born 9-26-1948 - Was the leader of Mike Furber And The Bowery Boys (They did, "Just A Poor Boy" and "You Stole My Love").

Elmer Snowden (Elmer Chester Snowden) - Died 5-14-1973 ( Jazz ) Born 10-9-1900 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Was the leader of The Washingtonians, a group who would later become The Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Vaughn Monroe (Vaughn Wilton Monroe) (aka The Voice With Hairs On Its Chest and Old Leather Tonsils) - Died 5-21-1973  in Stuart, FL, U.S. - After stomach surgery ( Pop - Swing ) Born 10-7-1911 in Akron, OH, U.S. - Singer, trumpeter and bandleader - (He did, "Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots", "There! I've Said It Again" and "In The Middle Of The House").

J.C. Higginbotham (Jay C. Higginbotham) - Died 5-26-1973 ( Jazz ) Born 5-11-1906 in Social Circle, GA, U.S. - Trombonist - Was the leader of J.C. Higginbotham And His Six Hicks - Played for Luis Russell's Orchestra, Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Red Allen and Benny Carter.

P. Ramlee (Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. P. Ramlee) (Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh) - Died 5-29-1973 in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur - Heart attack ( Pop ) Born 3 -22-1929 in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia - Sang and played ukulele, guitar, violin and piano and was an actor - (He did, "Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur") - Wrote over 300 songs including, "Sedangkan Lidah Lagi Tergigit" (If You Can Accidentally Bite Your Own Tongue) and "Aiya! Cik Siti" (Oh My! Miss Siti) - He had been married to Noor Menonolq a member of the Royal family of State of Perak and singer, Saloma (Salmah Ismail).

Ted Maksymowicz - Died 6-3-1973 ( Polka ) Born 8-16-1915 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played violin and trumpet and was a bandleader - International Polka Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Murry Wilson - Died 6-4-1973 ( Manager - Producer ) Managed and produced The Beach Boys and The Sunrays - Father of Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson.

Bruce Berry - Died 6-4-1973 - Heroin overdose - He was a roadie for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Neil Young's album, Tonight's The Night is dedicated to him and to the late Danny Whitten - Brother of Jan Berry of Jan and Dean.

Bruce Tate - Died 6-20-1973 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Doo-Wop ) Born 1-27-1937 in Dallas, TX, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Penguins (They did, "Earth Angel").

Laurens Hammond - Died 7-3-1973 - Born 1-11-1895 in Evanston, Illinois, U.S. - He invented the Hammond organ used by many rock artists including Procol Harum, The Allman Brothers, Vanillia Fudge and Keith Emerson.

Margie Hendricks (aka Margie Hendrix) - Died 7-14-1973 ( R&B ) Born 3-13-1935 in Statesboro, GA, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Cookies and later was one of The Raelettes who backed up Ray Charles.

Clarence White (Clarence Joseph LeBlanc) - Died 7-14-73 in Palmdale, CA, U.S. - Stomach hemmorrage after being struck by a hit and run drunk driver while loading instruments into his van( Rock - Bluegrass ) Born 6-6-1944 in Lewiston, Maine, U.S. - Played  guitar and mandolin - Was a member of Three Little Country Boys, The Country Boys, The Kentucky Colonels, The Byrds and Muleskinner - Worked with Ricky Nelson, The Monkees and The Gosdin Brothers - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Larry Finnegan (John Lawrence Finneran) - Died 7-22-1973 in South Bend, Indiana, U.S. - Brain tumor - Born 8-10-1938 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Pop ) Songwriter, singer and producer -  (He did, "Dear One", "(A Tribute To Ringo Starr) The Other Ringo" and "Pretty Suzy Sunshine" ).

Eddie Condon (Albert Edwin Condon) - Died 8-4-1973 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-16-1905 in Goodland, IN, U.S. - Played ukulele, banjo, guitar and piano - Worked with Bix Beiderbecke, Peanuts Hucko, Pee Wee Russell, Bud Freeman,  Kenny Davern, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Henry "Red" Allen and Frank Teschemacher.

Memphis Minnie (Lizzie Douglas) - Died 8-6-1973 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Stroke ( Blues ) Born 6-3-1897 in Algiers, Louisiana, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - (She did, "Nothing In Ramblin" and "Bumble Bee") Worked with and was married to Casey Bill Weldon, Kansas Joe McCoy, and Ernest Lawlers - The Louisiana Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Lillian Roxon - Died 8-9-1973 - Asthma attack - Born 2-1-1932 in Australia - Writer and critic - She wrote, "Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia" the first Encyclopedia of rock.

Steve Perron - Died 8-10-1973 - Inhalation of vomit after heroin use ( Rock ) Born 8-26-1945 - Singer - (He recorded, "From The Very Start" and wrote ZZ Top's, "Francine" ) - Was a member of The Mind's Eye (They did, "Help I'm Lost" and "Still In Love With You Baby") and The Children.

Bob Colone (Robert Colone) - Died 8-12-1973 in Michigan, U.S. - Drowning accident ( R&B ) Born 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Sang and played flute, drums and saxophone - Was a member of The Midnight Shift (They did, "Just Another Day" and "Every Day Without You"), and Thomas Blood (They did, "So Many Roads" and "Poor Man's Reflections").

Paul Williams - Died 8-17-1973 - Shot himself ( Soul ) Born 7-2-1939 in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. - Was a member of The Cavaliers and The Elgins who changed their name to The Temptations (They did, "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg") - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Bill Harris (Willard Palmer Harris) - Died 8-21-1973 in Hallandale, FL, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 10-28-1916 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Played trombone - Worked with Woody Herman, Charlie Barnet, Chubby Jackson, Gene Krupa, Ray McKinley and Benny Goodman.

Brian Galvin - Died 9-?-1973 ( Rock ) Played guitar and flute - Was a member of Paxton's Backstreet Carnival.

Josef "Sejba" Blaha - Died 9-1-1973 in Ostratice, Czechoslovakia - Bus crash ( Jazz ) Born 8-3-1943 in Prikazy, Czechoslovakia (at the time Bohemia-Moravian Protectorat) - Played piano, oboe, organ and composed for Orchestr Gustava Broma (They did, "Ornis" and "Ararat").

Albert Nicholas - Died 9-3-1973 in Basle, Switzerland ( Jazz ) Born 5-27-1900 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played Clarinet - Worked with Oliver's Dixie Syncopators, Jelly Roll Morton, Art Hodes, Bunk Johnson, Kid Ory, Buddy Petit and Manuel Perez.

Victor Jara - Died 9-11-1973 in Chile - Tortured and shot during a fascist coup ( Folk ) He was 38 years old - Born in Loquen, Chile - Singer, songwriter and guitarist - (He wrote, "Atahualpa").

Al Sherman - Died 9-16-1973 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Tin Pan Alley ) Born 9-7-1897 in Russia - Composer and pianist - (Co-wrote, "On A Little Bamboo Bridge" and "You Gotta Be A Football Hero") - His songs have been recorded by Duke Ellington, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Ozzie Nelson, Lawrence Welk, Patti Page and Louis Armstrong - Father of songwriters, The Sherman Brothers - He was married to actress, Rosa Dancis.

Hugo Winterhalter - Died 9-17-1973 ( Pop - Big Band ) Born 8-15-1909 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, U.S. (He did "Canadian Sunset" and an orchestral version of "Blue Christmas") - Worked with Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Raymond Scott, Claude Thornhill, Billy Eckstine and Dinah Shore.

Gram Parsons ( Cecil Ingram Connor ) - Died 9-19-1973 in Joshua Tree, CA, U.S. - Heart failure from tequila and morphine overdose ( Rock ) Born 11-5-1946 in Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. - Was a member of The Shilos, The Legends, The International Submarine Band, The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers - "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee"

Jim Croce - Died 9-20-1973 in Natchitoches, LA, U.S. - Plane crash ( Rock - Pop ) Born 1-10-1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Time In A Bottle", "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "You Don't Mess Around With Jim") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Maury Muehleisen (Maurice Muehleisen) - Died 9-20-1973 in Natchitoches, LA, U.S. - Plane crash ( Rock - Pop ) Born 1-14-1949 in Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. - Guitarist, singer and songwriter - (He did, "Mister Bainbridge" and "Free to Love You") - Worked with Jim Croce (They did, "Salon and Saloon" and "I Got a Name").

Dennis Rast - Died 9-20-1973 in Natchitoches, LA, U.S. - Plane crash - Was a road manager for Jim Croce.

Ken Cortese - Died 9-20-1973 in Natchitoches, LA, U.S. - Plane crash - Was a booking agent for Jim Croce.

Ben Webster (Benjamin Francis Webster) - Died 9-20-1973 ( Swing - Pop ) Born 3-27-1909 in Kansas City, MO, U.S. - Was a member of The Young Family Band, Bennie Moten's Orchestra, Duke Ellington's Orchestra (They did, "Cotton Tail" and "All Too Soon") - Worked with Jap Allen, Blanche Calloway, Andy Kirk, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter and Willie Bryant.

Roger Durham (Roger Lee Durham) - Died 10-?-1973 - Internal injuries after falling off a horse ( Funk ) Born 1946 - Singer and drummer  - Was a member of The Sinceres (They did, "Don't Waste My Time") who later changed their name to Bloodstone (They did, "Natural High" and "Never Let You Go").

Big Chief (James S.  Wetherington) - Died 10- 2-1973 ( Gospel ) Born 10-31-1922 - Singer - Was a member of The Statesmen Quartet - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

"Colonel" Bill Williams - Died 10-6-1973 in Greenup, KY, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 2-28-1897 in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Low And Lonesome" and "When The Roses Bloom Again") - Worked with Blind Blake.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Rosetta Nubin)- Died 10-9-1973 - Stroke ( Gospel - Blues ) Born 3-20-1921 in Cotton Plant, AR, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (She did,"End Of My Journey" and covered Tommy Dorsey's,"This Train") - Worked with Marie Knight ("Didn't It Rain") and Cab Calloway..

Jiri Staidl - Died 10-9-1973 in Ricany, Czechoslovakia - Car crash ( Pop - Rock ) Born 1-22-1943 in Prague, Czechoslovakia (at the time Bohemia-Moravian Protectorat) - He wrote lyrics for many Czechoslovak singers including Karel Gott (He did, "Lady Carneval", "Mistral" and "Hej Pani Konsele").

Gene Krupa (Eugene Bertram Krupa) - Died 10-16-1973 in Yonkers, NY, U.S. - Leukemia ( Jazz ) Born 1-15-1909 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Drummer - (He did, "Wire Brush Stomp" and "Drummin' Man") - Worked with Benny Goodman, Vido Musso, Milt Raskin, Floyd O'Brien, Sam Donahue, Shorty Sherock, Irene Daye, Anita O'Day and  Roy Eldridge.

Leroy Fann - Died 11-?-1973 in New York, U.S. - Heart attack ( Soul ) Born 11-9-1936 - Singer for Ruby And The Romantics (They sang, "Our Day Will Come" and "Our Everlasting Love").

Freddie Simon - Died 11-2-1973 ( R&B ) Born 1920 - Horn player.

Rick Dey - Died 11-5-1973 - Overdose of  laughing gas (nitrous oxide) ( Rock ) Born 1948 - (He wrote, "Just Like Me") - Was a member of The Vejtables, February Sunshine, The Wilde Knights and The Merry-Go-Round.

Stringbean (David Akeman) - The Kentucky Wonder - Died 11-10-1973 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - He and his wife were shot at their home by burglars ( Country ) Born 6-17-1914 in Annville, Jackson County, KY, U.S - Played banjo and sang - (He did, "Chewing Gum" and "I Wonder Where Wanda Went") - Worked with Asa Martin, Bill Monroe and Curt Gibson - Appeared on TV's, Hee Haw.

Zeke Zettner (aka Tommy Zettner)  (Thomas Zettner)- Died 11-10-1973 - Heroin overdose ( Punk ) Born 9-21-1948 - Bassist - Was a member of The Stooges.

Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. - Died 11-13-1973 - Car accident ( Rock ) Born 1954 - Was a drummer in his father's band.

Allan Sherman ( Allan Copelon ) - Died 11-20-1973 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Respiratory failure ( Novelty ) Born 11-30-1924 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - (Sang, "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" and "Sarah Jackman").

De De Pierce (Joseph De Lacroix Pierce) - Died 11-23-1973 ( Jazz ) Born 2-18-1904 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Sang and played Cornet - (He did, "Peanut Vendor" and  "Dippermouth Blues" with Billie Pierce).

John Rostill - Died 11-26-73 - Electrocuted playing guitar in a studio ( Rock ) Born 6-16-1942 in Birmingham, England - Was a member of The Shadows (They did, "Genie With The Light Brown Lamp" and "Rhythm And Greens") - Worked with Tom Jones and Cliff Richard.

Butch Cage (James Cage) - Died 12-?-1973 (or maybe 1975) in Zachary, Louisiana, U.S. ( String Band ) Born 3-16-1894 in Hamburg, Mississippi, U.S. - Sang and played fife, guitar and fiddle - Worked with Willie B. Thomas ("One Thin Dime" and "I'm A Stranger Here").

Bobby Darin ( Walden Robert Cassotto ) - Died 12-20-1973 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Died of heart failure during open heart surgery ( Rock & Roll ) Born 5-14-1936 in The Bronx, New York, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and actor - (He did, "Splish Splash" and "Mack The Knife") - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee and Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Hacksaw Harney (Richard Harney)- Died 12-25-1973 in Jackson, MS, U.S. - Stomach cancer ( Blues ) Born 7-16-1902 in Money, MS, U.S. - Guitarist and pianist - (He did, "Home Skeen Ball" and "Laughing Pallet").

Lowman Pauling - Died 12-26-1973 in Brooklyn, NY, U.S. - Seizure ( R&B ) Born 7-14-1926 - Guitarist - (He co-wrote, "Dedicated To The One I Love") - He was a member of The Five Royales (They did, "Baby Don't Do It" and "Help Me Somebody").

1974

A. Lee Sage - Died 1974 ( Big Band ) He was a piano restorer and a big band arranger - Married to musician, Joanne Sage and is the father of jazz pianist and piano restorer, Gary Sage.

Robert Burse Jr. - Died in 1974 - Born 2-19-1891 in Sheffield, AL, U.S. - Played washtub, drums and bass - Worked with The Memphis Jug Band.
 

Rosetta Howard - Died 1974 ( Blues ) Born 1914 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Singer - Worked with The Harlem Hamfats (They did, "If You're A Viper" and "Let Your Linen Hang Low"), Jimmy Noone, The Harlem Blues Serenaders, The Big Three, Herb Morand and Odell Rand.

Charles Aron - Died 1974 in Miami, Florida, U.S. - Born 1907 in Romania in 1907 - Co-founder of The Aristocrat Records Label which released recordings by The Five Blazes, Andrew Tibbs, Muddy Waters, George Davis, Clarence Samuels, Sunnyland Slim, Benny Kelly, Jump Jackson and Sherman Hayes.

Joseph Stephens Jr. - Died 1974 ( Jazz ) Born 1909 - Musician - Son of drummer, Ragbaby Stephens.

Sid Bacon - Died 1974 - Managed Love Affair and Morgan - Father of drummer, Maurice Bacon.

Marty Bloom (Martin Blumenthal) - Died 1974 - Born 1893 - Co-founder of The Melrose Brothers Music Company.

Stoney Dodson (Warren C. Dodson Jr.) - Died 1974 ( Country ) Was a member of Stoney & Chuck And The Blue Sky Boys.

Frank Assunto (Frank J. Assunto) - Died 2-25-1974 ( Jazz ) He was 42 years old - Trumpeter - Was a member of The Basin Street Four and The Dukes Of Dixieland.

Eddie Campbell - Died 1974 in Canada - Electrical accident ( Showband - Pop ) Guitarist and singer - Worked with The Stellas, (They did, "Fortune Teller"), The Greenbeats,Them, The Federals and The Real McCoy (They did, "Quick Joey Small").

Gilbert Collins - Died 1974 ( Gospel ) Worked with his wife, Ada Wrenne Weeks Collins.

Gordon Payne - Died 1974 ( Doo-Wop ) Was a member of The Four Toppers and The Four Fellows.

Gustave Ardoin - Died 1974 ( Cajun - Jazz ) Played bass, accordion and sang - Was a member of The Ardoin Brothers Band - Worked with Canray Fontenot and his father Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin.

Frank Schiffman - Died 1974 - Ran The Apollo Theater for thirty years.

Packy Axton (Charles Axton) - Died 1-?-1974 - Heart Attack ( Rock - Soul ) Born 2-17-1941 - Worked with Booker T. & the MG's, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Albert King.

Eddie Safranski - Died 1-10-1974 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-25-1918 in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S. - Bassist - Worked with Stan Kenton (They did,"Artistry In Bolero," and "Painted Rhythm"), Hal McIntyre, Miff Mole and Charlie Barnet.

Johnny Barfield - Died 1-16-1974 ( Country ) Born 3-3-1909 in Tifton, GA, U.S.

Roy Bargy (Roy Fredrick Bargy) - Died 1-16-1974 in Vista, CA, U.S. ( Jazz - Ragtime - Classical ) Born 7-31-1894 in Newaygo, MI, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, "Jim-Jams" and "Justin-Tyme") - Was a member of The Imperial Three - Worked with Isham Jones, Paul Whiteman and Jimmy Durante.

Don Fagerquist (Donald A. Fagerquist) - Died 1-24-1974 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 2-6-1927 in Worcester, MA, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Les Brown, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman and Artie Shaw.

Henry "Rufe" Johnson - Died 2-?-1974 - Kidney failure ( Blues ) Born 12-8-1908 in Union, South Carolina, U.S. - (He recorded, "Me And My Dog" and "Had A Little Woman").

Bernie Nee - Died 2-?-1974 ( Pop ) Born 12-4-1922 - Was a member of The Five Blobs (They recorded,"The Blob", The title song from the movie).

Al Smith (Albert B. Smith)- Died 2-7-1974 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 11-23-1923 in Bolivar City, MS, U.S. - (He did, "Ride On Midnight Special" and "I'll Never Let You Go").

Cyril Stapleton - Died 2-25-1974 ( Orchestra Leader ) Born 12-31-1914 - (He had hits with, "The Italian Theme" and "Children's Marching Song").

Julian Dash (Julian Bennett Dash) - Died 2-25-1974 ( Jazz ) Born 4-9-1916 in Charleston, SC, U.S. - Played the Sax - Worked with Erskine Hawkins, The Charleston Nighthawks, The Revellers and The Bama State Collegians.

Bobby Bloom - Died 2-28-1974 - Accidental shot himself - Born 1946 - (He did,"Montego Bay") .

Bobby Timmons (Robert Henry Timmons) - Died 3-1-1974 - Cirrhosis of the liver ( Gospel - Blues - Jazz ) Born 12-19-1935 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Composer and pianist (He composed, "Moanin'", "This Here" and "Dat Dere") - Worked with The Maynard Ferguson Big Band, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Kenny Dorham and Cannonball Adderley.

Alberto Rabagliati - Died 3-7-1974 in Rome, Italy - Cerebral thrombosis - Born 6-26-1906 in Milan, Italy - Singer and actor - (He did, "Maria la O" and "Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina") - Worked with Pippo Barzizza's Orchestra and The Lecuona Cuban Boys - Appeared in the films, The Barefoot Contessa and The Christmas That Almost Wasn't.

Harry Womack (Harris Womack) - Died 3-9-1974 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Stabbed ( Gospel - Rock ) Born 6-25-1945 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member of The Womack Brothers (They did, "Somebody's Wrong" and "Yield Not To Temptation") and The Valentinos (They did, "It's All Over Now" and "Looking For A Love").

Edward Platt (Edward Cuthbert Platt) - Died 3-19-1974 in Santa Monica, CA, U.S. - Born 2-16-1916 in Staten Island, NY, U.S. - Actor and singer - Worked with Happy Fenton and Paul Whiteman's Orchestra - Appeared in the musicals, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado and in the film, Rebel Without a Cause - He played The Chief on TV's, Get Smart.

Sam Donahue - Died 3-22-1974 in Reno, NV, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 3-18-1918 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Saxophonist - Worked with Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton and Harry James.

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (aka Pop Crudup, Elmore Jones and Percy Crudup) - The Father of Rock'n'Roll - Died 3-28-1974 in Nassawadox, VA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Gospel - Blues ) Born 8-24-1905 in Forest, Mississipp, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - (He did, "That's Alright (Mama)" and "Rock Me Mama") - Worked with The Hamonizing Four - Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Al Morgan - Died 4-14-1974 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 8-19-1908 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played bass - Worked with Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and The Jones & Collins Astoria Hot 8.

Dewey Corley - Died 4-15-1974 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Natural causes ( Blues ) Born 6-18-1898 in Halley, Arkansas, U.S. - Sang and played washtub bass, jug, and kazoo - (He did, "Dewey's Walkin' Blues" and "Fishing In The Dark") - Was a member of The Beale Street Jug Band and The Memphis Jug Band.

George Henderson - Died 4-15-1974 ( Jazz ) Born 1900 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Was the leader of The Six Black Diamonds - Worked with Kid Thomas, Billie & De De Pierce, Captain John Handy and Sam Morgan.

Giovanni D'Anzi - Died 4-15-1974 in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy - Born 1-1-1906 in Milan, Italy - Songwriter - (He wrote, "O mia bela Madonina") - Worked with Alfredo Bracchi (They wrote, "Ma le gambe" and "Bambina innamorata").

Johnny Young - Died 4-18-1974 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 1-1-1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. (He did, "All My Money Gone" and "Bad Blood").

Savannah Churchill (Savannah Valentine)- Died 4-19-1974 - Pneumonia, a complication from cancer ( Jazz ) Born 8-21-1920 in Colfax, LA, U.S. (She had a hit With, "I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)") - Worked with Benny Carter, Willard Brown, Claude Dunson and Sonny White.

Vinnie Taylor (Chris Donald) - Died 4-19-1974 - Drug overdose ( Rock & Roll ) Born1949 - Was a member of Sha Na Na.

Jesse Price - Died 4-19-1974 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 5-1-1909 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with George E. Lee, Ida Cox, Harlan Leonard, Thamon Hayes, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Stan Kenton, Benny Carter, Slim Gaillard, Jay McShann and Count Basie's orchestra.

Tim Spencer (Vernon Harold Spencer) - Died 4-26-1974 in Victorville, CA, U.S. ( Country - Gospel ) Born 7-13-1908 in Webb City, MO, U.S. - Songwriter and singer - (He wrote, "Cigarettes, Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women" and "Will You Love Me (When My Hair Turns To Silver)") - Worked with The Sons Of The Pioneers - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee, Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Graham Bond(Graham John Clifton Bond)- Died 5-8-1974 in Finsbury Park, London, England - He threw himself or fell under a subway train ( Blues - R&B ) Born 10-28-1937 in Romford, Essex, England - Sang and played keyboards and saxophone - (He did,  "Long Tall Shorty") - Led The Graham Bond Organisation - Was a member of The Don Rendell Quintet, Blues Incorporated, Holy Magick, Magus and The Terry Graham Trio - He was married to singer, Dianne Stewart.

Romeo Nelson - Died 5-17-1974 - Kidney failure ( Blues ) Born 3-12-1902 in Springfield, Tennessee, U.S. (He did,"Dying Rider" and "Getting Dirty Just Shaking That Thing").

Tyree Glenn (Tyree Evans Glenn) - Died 5-18-1974 in Englewood, NJ, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-23-1912 in Corsicana, TX, U.S. - Played vibraphone and trombone - Worked with Eddie Mallory, Charlie Echols, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Eddie Barefield,  Don Redman, Duke Ellington ("Liberian Suite") and Louis Armstrong.

Marshall Owens - Died 5-19-1974 ( Blues ) Guitarist and vocalist (He did,"Try Me One More Time" and "Texas Blues").

Duke Ellington (Edward Kennedy Ellington) - Died 5-24-1974 ( Jazz ) Born 4-29-1899 in Washington DC, U.S. - Leader, composer, arranger and piano player - (He did, "Satin Doll" and "Take The "A" Train") - He was the leader of The Duke's Serenaders, The Washingtonians, Duke Ellington's Hot Five and Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra - Worked with Louis Armstrong, Barney Bigard, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, The Mills Brothers and many others.

Brother Bones (Freeman Davis) (aka Whistling Sam) - Died 6-14-1974 in Longbeach, CA, U.S. - Born 10-4-1902 in Montgomery, AL, U.S. - Percussionist and whistler - Led Brother Bones And His Shadows (They did, "Sweet Georgia Brown").

Shirley Griffith - Died 6-18-1974 - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born 4-26-1908 in Brandon, Mississippi, U.S. - (She did, "Walkin' Blues" and "Bad Luck Blues").

George Chase - Died 6-30-1974 - Fire at Gullivers in NY that started in an ajacent bowling alley ( Rock ) Was a vocalist for Creation .

Damon deFeis - Died 6-30-1974 - Fire at Gullivers in NY that started in an ajacent bowling alley ( Rock ) He was 17 years old - Was a keyboardist for Creation.

George York - Died 7-?-1974 ( Country ) Born 2-17-1910 in Louisa, KY, U.S. - Sang and played harmonica and guitar - He was half of The York Brothers (They did, "Lets Not Sleep Again" and "Speak To Me Little Darling").

Jimmy Ricks - Died 7-2-1974 in Albany, NY, U.S. - Heart attack ( R&B ) Born 8-6-1924 in Adrian, Georgia, U.S. - (He did, "Wigglin' And Gigglin'" and "Don't Go To Strangers") - Was a member of The Ravens (They did, "Send For Me If You Need Me" and "Write Me A Letter") - Worked with Count Basie.

Don Rich (Donald Eugene Ulrich) - Died 7-17-1974 in San Luis Obispo County, CA, U.S. - His motorcycle hit a highway divider ( Country & Western ) Born 8-15-1941 in Olympia
Thurston County, Wash., U.S. - Played guitar and fiddle - Was a member of The Buckaroos (They did, "Kickin' Our Heart Around" and "You're For Me").

Gene Ammons (aka Jug) - Died 7-23-1974 ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 4-14-1925 - Tenor saxophonist - Worked with Billy Eckstine and  Woody Herman - Son of Albert Ammons

Lightnin' Slim (Otis V. Hicks) - Died 7-27-1974 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 3-13-1913 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. - (He recorded, "Voodoo Blues" and "Goin' Home").

Mama Cass Elliot ( Ellen Naomi Cohen ) - Died 7-29-1974 in London, England - Heart attack (Folk - Rock - Pop) Born 9-19-1943 in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Mugwumps and The Mamas & The Papas (They recorded, "California Dreamin'" and "Monday Monday") -  Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Leopoldo "Polo" Sanchez (Leopoldo Sanchez Labastida) - Died 7-30-1974 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico - Drowned in a pool ( Rock ) Born 4-2-1945 in Mexico - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "El Ultimo Beso" and "Despues del Ultimo Beso") - Was a member of Los Apson Boys.

Wally Yohn - Died 8-9-1974 near Jackson, MN, U.S. - Plane crash ( Jazz - Rock ) Born 1947 - Was an organist for Chase.

Walter Clark - Died 8-9-1974 near Jackson, MN, U.S. - Plane crash ( Jazz - Rock ) Born 1949 - Was a drummer for Chase .

Bill Chase (William Edward Chiaiese) - Died 8-9-1974 near Jackson, MN, U.S. - Plane crash ( Jazz - Rock ) Born 10-20-1934 in Squantum, Mass., U.S. - Was the leader of Chase .

John Emma - Died 8-9-1974 near Jackson, MN, U.S. - Plane crash ( Jazz - Rock ) Born 1952 - Was a guitarist for Chase .

Tina Brooks (Harold Floyd Brooks) - Died 8-13-1974 in New York, NY U.S. - Kidney failure ( Jazz - R&B ) Born 6-7-1932 in Fayetteville, NC, U.S. - Played saxophone - (He did, "Minor Move" and "Up Tight's Creek") - Worked with Sonny Thompson, Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, Freddie Hubbard, Amos Milburn, Freddie Redd, Jackie McLean and Lionel Hampton.

Robert LeLievre - Died 8-26-1974  in Copenhagen - Suicide ( Rock - Folk ) Singer, songwriter and guitarist - Was a member of  Cy, Maia & Robert and Pan (They did, "In A Simple Way" and "Ride Across My Bed").

Noel Boggs (Noel Edwin Boggs) - Died 8-31-1974 ( Country ) Born 11-14-1917 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. - Played steel guitar - Worked with Hank Penny's Radio Cowboys and Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys (They did, "Texas Playboy Rag" and "Roly Poly"), Spade Cooley, Sheb Wooley and Merle Travis - Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.

George Pegram (George Franklin Pegram Jr.) - Died 9-12-1974 - Bone cancer ( Folk ) Born 8-5-1911 - Played banjo (He did,"Good Ol' Mountain Dew" and "John Henry") Worked with Clegg Garner's band, Corbett Bennett And His Mountain Dudes, Walter "Red" Parham, Fred Cockerham and The Okie Mountain Boys.

Leon Abbey - Died 9-15-1975 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-7-1900 in Minneapolis, Minn., U.S. - Violinist - Led The Charleston Bearcats, The Savoy Bearcats and Leon Abbey's Band.

Jewell "Babe" Stovall - Died 9-21-1974 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Natural causes ( Blues ) Born 10-14-1907 in Tylertown, Mississippi, U.S. (He did,"Going Away To Wear You Off My Mind" and "Boll Weevil").

Walter Brennan - Died 9-21-1974 in California, U.S. - Born 7-25-1894 in Swampscott, MA, U.S. - Actor - (He had hits with, "Dutchman's Gold" (with Billy Vaughn), "Old Rivers" and "Mama Sang A Song") - He acted as Grandpa on the TV's, The Real McCoys.

Robbie McIntosh - Died 9-23-74 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. - Inhaled a lethal amount of heroin thinking it was cocaine ( Rock ) Born 5-6-1950 in Dundee, Scotland - Was a drummer for The Average White Band (They did, "Pick Up The Pieces"), The Senate and Brian Auger's Oblivion Express.

Billie Pierce (Wilhelmina Goodson ) - Died 9-29-1974 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 6-8-1907 in Marianna, Florida, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (She did, "In The Racket" and "Billie's Gumbo Blues") - Worked with her husband, De De Pierce and with Bessie Smith, Alphonse Picou, Emile Barnes, George Lewis and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Doyle Blackwood - Died 10-?-1974 ( Gospel ) Born 8-22-1911 - Was a member of The Blackwood Brothers.

Anne Sexton (Anne Gray Harvey) - Died 10-4-1974 - Suicide by asphyxiation ( Poet ) Born 11-9-1928 in Newton, Mass., U.S. - She led the chamber rock group, Anne Sexton And Her Kind (They did, "Woman With Girdle").

Harry Carney (Harry Howell Carney) - Died 10-8-1974 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 4-1-1910 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Baritone saxophonist and clarinetist - Worked with Duke Ellington (They did, "Rockin' In Rhythm") - Was one of the first jazz musicians to master circular breathing, using it to hold an endless note.

Pink Anderson (Pinkney Anderson ) - Died 10-12-1974 in Spartanburg, SC, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 2-12-1900 in Laurens, South Carolina, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (Recorded, "South Forest Boogie" and "Travelin' Man") - Worked with Blind Simmie Dooley - Father of musician, Little Pink Anderson.

Ed Sullivan (Edward Vincent Sullivan) (aka Old Stone Face) - Died 10-13-1974 in New York, NY, U.S. - Esophageal cancer ( TV Host ) Born 9-28-1902 in New York, NY, U.S. - (He recorded, "The Sulli-Gulli" with The Ed Sullivan Singers and Orchestra) - Introduced The Beatles to America and showcased many other rock groups including The Rolling Stones and The Doors .

Aaron Hancock - Died 10-28-1974 ( Rock ) Born 5-25-1946 in Auburndale Florida, U.S. - Guitarist - Was a member of The Infernos and The Dynamics.

Paul Lambert - Died 11-2-1974 - Van accident ( Rock ) Born 8-20-1948 - Played organ - Was a member of The Cardinal Show Quintet, Voodoo and Irish Coffee (They did, "Masterpiece" and "Down Down Down").

Ivory Joe Hunter - Died 11-8-1974 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Lung Cancer ( R & B ) Born 10-10-1914 in Kirbyville, Texas, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and piano player - (He recorded, "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "Since I Met You Baby").

Shorty Horton (Brantley Moses Horton, Jr.) - Died 11-11-1974 ( Rock ) Born 6-5-1921 in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. -  Was the bassist for Link Wray And The Raymen (They did, "Rumble" and "Jack The Ripper"), The Vince Maloy Trio and Smokey Mac.

Mike Leadbitter - Died 11-16-1974 in London, England - Meningitis - Born 2-12-1942 in India - Editor and co-founder of the magazine, Blues Unlimited - Co-founder of The Blues Appreciation Society - Blues Foundation's Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Georg Brunis (George Clarence Brunies) - Died 11-19-1974 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 2-6-1902 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Trombonist - Worked with The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Muggsy Spanier's Ragtime Band, Mares' Friars Society Orchestra, Ted Lewis, Sharkey Bonano, Louis Prima and Wingy Manone.

Nick Drake - Died 11-25-1974 - Suicide, antidepressant overdose (Rock) Born 6-18-1948 in Burma - Singer, songwriter - (He did, "Northern Skies").

Luther G. Presley - Died 12-?-1974 ( Gospel ) Born 3-6-1887 in Beckett Mountain, AR, U.S. - (He wrote, "It's Shouting Time In Heaven" and co-wrote, "When The Saints Go Marching In") - Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Rodd Keith (Rodney Keith Eskelin) (Used many alias's to record including Rod Rogers, Rood Keith and Ron Davis) - Died 12-15-1974 - Jumped or fell from a freeway overpass ( Song-Poem Artist ) Born 1937 - As a Song-Poem artist, he would put anyone's lyrics to music for a fee.

1975

Peggy Clinger (Catherine Clinger) - Died 1975 in Boulder, Colorado, U.S. - Drug overdose ( Pop - Christian ) She was about 27 years old - Singer and songwriter - She was one of The Clinger Sisters (They did, "Shoop Shoop de Doop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah" and "Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight") - Worked with Johnny Cymbal.

Rabon Tarrant - Died about 1975 ( Blues ) Born 12-25-1909 in Ennis, TX, U.S. - Singer and drummer - (He wrote, "Naggin' Woman Blues," and "Slowly Going Crazy Blues") - Worked with Otis Stafford, Lafayette Thompson's Golden Dragon Orchestra, Bert Johnson's Sharps And Flats, Eddie Turnham, Pee Johnson's Orchestra, and Jack McVea (They did, "Listen Baby Blues" and "Blues All Night").

Gunnar Andersson - Died 1975 ( Rock ) Drummer Worked with The Ad Libs, The Homo Sapiens and Kebnekajse.

Harry Mayfield - Died 1975 ( Big Band ) Led Harry Mayfield's Music Makers.

Ratsie Sethako - Died 1975 in Palapye - Car accident ( Traditional Folk ) Born in Mokgware village in the Central District -  Played segaba (violin) and was a songwriter.

Helmut Schicketanz (aka der Chef) - Died 1975 ( Cabaret ) Played accordion - Was a member of Die Spitzbuam later renamed Die 3 Spitzbuam and Die 3 Spitzbuben (They did, "Angschutt wia a Blumenstockl" and "Ich bin a Schlimmer, wia ma sagt a klaner Nascher").

Mike Bunge (Michael Bunge) - Died 1975 - Car accident (Rock - Blues ) Singer and songwriter - Was a member of Granny's Bathwater (They did, "Then We Have It").

Sofia Rosa - Died 1975 - Musician and singer - Was a member of Ngongo.

Traverse Crawford - Died 1975 ( R&B ) Was a member of The Delta Rhythm Boys (They did, "Dry Bones" and "Take The A Train") - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Trevor Koehler - Died 1975 - Suicide ( Rock ) Played saxophone - Worked with  Insect Trust.

Mike MacTavish - Died 1975 - Overdose ( Rock ) Keyboardist - Was a member of The Lost Souls (They did, "Step Inside" and "Leaving").

Leroy McNeil - Died 1975 - Stabbed to death in a fight ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Was a member of The Nutmegs.

Wee Bea Booze (Muriel Nichols) - Died 1975 ( Blues ) Born 5-23-1920 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Vocalist and guitarist - (She did, "See See Rider Blues" and "Don't Tell Me Nothin Bout My Man") - Toured with Louis Armstrong and Andy Kirk.

Red Anglin (Van Buren Anglin) - Died 1975 ( Country ) Born 4-20-1910 in Franklin, TN, U.S. - Was one of The Anglin Brothers.

Lenny Somberg - Died 1975 ( Rock ) Singer and bassist - Was a member of Southbound Freeway.

Bruno Olsson - Died 1975 ( Pop ) Born 1929 - Bassist, guitarist and saxophonist - Was a member of  Oijwinds.

Matti Kurkinen (Matti Sakari Kurkinen) - Died 1975 ( Prog Rock ) Born 1951 - Guitarist - Worked with Kalevala (They did, "Where I'm From" and "Escape From The Storm").

Víctor Pinero - El Rey del Merecumbe - Died 1-5-1975 in Caracas, Venezuela - Heart attack while singing "La Pilandera" with Los Melodicos ( Tropical ) Born 05-10-1923 Caracas, Venezuela - Singer - (He did, "El Merecumbe" (The Merecumbe) and "Rosa") - Worked with Manito, Leonard Melody, Los Hermanos Belisario, Pedro J. Belisario's, Los Peniques, Pacho Galan, Chucho Sanoja, La Sonora Caracas, Cortijo y su Combo, Los Melodicos, Víctor Pinero y sus Caribes and El Combo Gigante de Emilita Dago.

Jacinto Perez (Rafael Jesús Blanco González) - Died 1-10-1975 in Caracas, Venezuela ( Folk ) Born 12-10-1897 in Caracas, Venezuela - Played the Cuatro - Worked with Don Vicente Flores, Espin And Guanipa and Fredy Reyna - Was a teacher of the cuatro.

Paul Beaver - Died 1-16-1975 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Brain aneurism - Born 11-12-1925 in Ohio, U.S. - Keyboardist - Was a member of Beaver And Krause (They did, "Nine Moons In Alaska" and "Saga Of The Blue Beaver") - Worked with Electric Flag, The Monkees and Ravi Shankar.

Larry Fine (Louis Feinberg) - Died 1-24-1975 in Woodland Hills, CA, U.S. ( Swing - Pop - Novelty ) Born 10-5-1902 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. - Was a violinist and played many other instruments - Was one of The Three Stooges ( They did, "Swingin The Alphabet" and "Sing Along With Moe") and a member of Gus Edwards' Newsboy Sextette and The Haney Sisters And Fine.

Louis Jordan (Louis Thomas Jordan) - King of the Juke Boxes - Died 2-4-1975 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Heart attack ( R&B -  Jump Blues ) Born 7-8-1909 in Brinkley, Arkansas, U.S. - (He recorded, "Caldonia" and "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby") - Was a member of The Elks Rendezvous Band and The Tympany Five - Worked with Clarence Williams and Chick Webb - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee and Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ake Persson - Died 2-5-1975 in Stockholm, Sweden ( Jazz ) Born 2-25-1932 in Hassleholm, Sweden - Played trombone - Worked with Dizzy Gillespie Benny Bailey, Arne Domnerus, George Wallington, Roy Haynes, Hacke Bjorksten, Harry Arnold's Radio Band, Simon Brehm, Lars Gullen, Quincy Jones, Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

Felicia Sanders - Died 2-7-1975 ( Pop - Cabaret ) (Recorded, "Blue Star (Theme from Medic)") Worked with Percy Faith.

Dave Alexander (David Michael Alexander) (aka Zander) - Died 2-10-1975 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. - Pulmonary edema ( Punk ) Born 6-3-1947 in Whitmore Lake, MI, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member of The Stooges (They did, "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "1969").

Joel "Squatty" Hopkins - Died 2-15-1975 - Cardiovascular disease ( Blues ) Born 1-3-1904 in Centerville, Texas, U.S. - Brother of Sam "Lightnin" Hopkins.

Gene Schroeder - Died 2-16-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 2-5-1915 - Played piano - Worked with Miff Mole, Eddie Condon and Wild Bill Davison.

Saul Bihari (Saul Samuel Bihari) - Died 2-22-1975 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Born 3-8-1920 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Co-founder of Modern Records which recorded artists such as B.B. King, Hadda Brooks, John Lee Hooker, Lowell Fulson, Elmore James, Etta James and Lightnin' Hopkins - Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Johnny Pecon - Died 2-23-1975 - Cancer ( Polka ) Born 2-3-1915 in Cleveland, OH. U.S. - Played accordion and was a composer and arranger - Led The Johnny Pecon Orchestra - Worked with Dr. William "Doc" Lausche, Frankie Yankovic ("Just Because" and "Blue Skirt Waltz") and Lou Trebar - International Polka Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Richard Kovalcik - Died 3-12-1975 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia ( Jazz - Pop ) Born 5-22-1937 in Orlova, Czechoslovakia - Trumpet player for Modern Jazz Sextet and leader of pop-soul group Flamingo, who later changed their name to Plamenaci (They did, "Marketka" and "Lasko").

T-Bone Walker (Aaron Thibeaux Walker) (aka Oak Cliff T-Bone) - Died 3-16-1975 - Bronchial pneumonia ( Blues ) Born 5-28-1910 in Linden, Texas, U.S. (He did,"Call It Stormy Monday" and "T-Bone Shuffle") Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame Inductee -  "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee"

Ronnie Quinton - Died 4-10-1975 - Car Crash - Was a  roadie for Deep Purple.

Pekka Streng - Died 4-11-1975 ( Rock ) Born 4-26-1948 - Musician.

Josephine Baker (Freda Josephine Carson) (aka Black Venus, Black Pearl and Creole Goddess) - Died 4-12-1975 - Cerebral hemorrhage ( Pop - Cabaret ) Born 6-3-1906 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Singer and dancer (She sang,"Don't Touch My Tomatoes" and "Le Marchand de Bonbeur") She starred in the movies, Zou-Zou and Princess Tam-Tam - The NAACP named May 20th, Josephine Baker Day in honor of her efforts against racism.

Pete Ham (Peter William Ham)- Died 4-24-75 in London, England - Hung himself ( Rock ) Born 4-27-1947 in Townhill, Swansea, Wales - Singer, guitarist and keyboardist - (He did, "Catherine Cares" and "Sille Veb") - Was a member of Badfinger ( They recorded, " No Matter What" and "Come And Get It").

Tom Donahue(Thomas Coman) (aka Big Daddy) - Died 4-28-1975 - Heart attack - Born 5-21-1928 - Pioneering rock DJ - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Moe Howard (Moses Horwitz) (Harry Horwitz) - Died 5-4-1975 ( Swing - Pop - Novelty ) Born 6-19-1897 in Bensonhurst, New York, U.S. - Was one of The Three Stooges (They did,"Swingin The Alphabet" and "Three Chipped Monks").

Joe Mooney - Died 5-12-1975 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S. - Stroke ( Jazz ) Born 3-14-1911 in Paterson, NJ, U.S. - Singer, pianist and accordionist - (He did,"Nowhere" and "Lush Life") - Worked with Buddy Rogers, Milt Hinton, Johnny Smith, The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra and led The Joe Mooney's Quartet - He and his brother Dan were The Sunshine Boys and The Melotone Boys.

Bob Wills (James Robert Wills) (aka Jim Rob) - Died 5-13-1975 in Fort Worth, TX, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Country - Western Swing ) Born 3-6-1905 near Kosse, Limestone County, Texas, U.S. - Played fiddle and mandolin and was a singer and songwriter - (He did,"Steel Guitar Rag") - Was a member of The Wills Family Band, The Light Crust Doughboys, Alladdin Laddies and the leader of Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys (They did,"New San Antonio Rose") - Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee, Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee, Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Leroy Anderson - Died 5-18-1975 in Woodbury, CT, U.S. - Born 6-29-1908 Cambridge, MA, U.S. - (He wrote, "Sleigh Ride", "The Typewriter" and "The Syncopated Clock") - Worked with Arthur Fiedler - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

George Tunnell (aka Bon Bon) - Died 5-20-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 6-29-1912 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Led Bon Bon & His Buddies - Was a member of Three Keys (They did, "Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn" and "Oh By Jingo") and The Top Hatters (They did, "Vol Vistu Gaily Star" and "Rose Of The Rio Grande").

Moms Mabley (Loretta Mary Aiken) - Died 5-23-1975 ( Comedian - Singer - Actress ) Born 3-19-1897 in Brevard, NC, U.S. (She did a remake of, "It's Your Thing" and "Don't Take Your Love From Me") Worked with George Butcher, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Bobby Manuel.

Eric Emerson - Died 5-28-1975 in New York, NY, U.S. - Hit and run accident ( Rock ) Born 1945 in NJ, U.S. - Singer, dancer and actor - Was a member of The Magic Tramps (They did, "My Reflection" and "Warriors Of The Rainbow") who also used the names Messiah and Star Theater - He appeared in Andy Warhol's films, Heat, Chelsea Girls and Lonesome Cowboys..

Charlie Russo (Charles Russo) - Died 5-29-1975 in Greenville, SC, U.S. - Shot during a
 robbery at a club ( Jazz ) Played saxophone - Worked with Charlie Spivak - (Not to be confused with Charlie Russo who did "Preacherman").

Bobby Solomon - Died 5-30-2010 - Cancer ( R&B ) Born 11-19-1944 - Singer - Was a member of The Extreems who became The Younghearts (They did, "The Bells" and "Oh, I'll Never Be The Same") and The Blossoms.

Ralph Gleason - Died 6-3-1975 - Heart attack ( Writer - Editor ) Born 3-1-1917 in New York, NY, U.S. - Wrote for Jazz Information, Down Beat and Stereo Review - Wrote album liner notes for many artists - Founded Rolling Stone and was it's editor, was a vice president of Fantasy Records and helped found the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Ozzie Nelson (Oswald George Nelson) - Died 6-3-1975 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. - Liver cancer ( Jazz ) Born 3-20-1906 in Jersey City, NJ. U.S. - Saxophonist and bandleader - Led The Ozzie Nelson Band (They did, "Over Somebody Else's Shoulder") and Ozzie Nelson And His Orchestra (They did, "And Then Some") - Husband of singer and actress, Harriet Nelson and father of actor, David Nelson and singer, Ricky Nelson - Acted on TV's, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Don Robey (Donald D. Robey) - Died 6-16-1975 - Heart attack ( Producer - Record Executive ) Born 11-1-1903 in Houston, TX, U.S. - He started the Peacock label which released songs by Elvis Presley and Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton.

Earl Washington (aka The Ghost) - Died 6-18-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 4-3-1921 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Pianist and songwriter - Wrote music for Motown artists - Worked with Red Saunders and Quincy Jones.

Smoky Babe (aka Smokey Babe) (Robert Brown) - Died 6-20-1975 ( Blues - Folk ) Born 1927 in Itta Bena, MS, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Going Downtown Boogie" and "Ain't Got No Rabbit Dog").

Charles Walker - Died 6-24-1975 - Emphysema ( Blues ) Born 7-26-1922 in Macon, Georgia, U.S. (He did, "Gladly" and "Hard Working Man").

Tim Buckley (Timothy Charles Buckley III) - Died 6-29-1975 in Santa Monica, CA, U.S. - Heroin overdose ( Folk Rock ) Born 2-14-1947 in Washington DC, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He recorded, "Once I Was" and "Morning Glory") - Father of the late Jeff Buckley .

Emmet Grogan - Died 7-?-1975 ( Writer - Activist ) Born 2-4-1907 - He contributed lyrics to a Rick Danko album - He may have sang with The Orkustra.

George Morgan (George Thomas Morgan) (aka The Candy Kid) - Died 7-7-1975 in Madison, TN, U.S. - Complications after open heart surgery ( Country ) Born 6-28-1924 in Waverly, TN, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Candy Kisses" and "Please, Don’t Let Me Love You") - Father of singer, Lorrie Morgan - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Madan Mohan - Died 7-14-1975 - Cirhosis of liver  ( Ghazals ) Composer - Played the sitar, the sarod and sarangi - Wrote music for movies including, Sahib Bahadur and Chaalbaaz - Worked with Lata Mangeshkar.

Zutty Singleton (James Arthur Singleton) - Died 7-14-1975 in New York, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-14-1898 in Bunkie, LA, U.S. - Drummer - He worked with Fats Waller, Tom's Roadhouse Band, Charlie Creath, Earl Hines and Louis Armstrong.

Lefty Frizzell (William Orville Frizzell) - Died 7-19-1975 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Hemorrhage due to a massive stroke ( Country ) Born 3-31-1928 in Corsicana TX, U.S. (He did, "Saginaw, Michigan" and "Always Late") - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Tom Dunphy (Thomas Dunphy) - Died 7-29-1975 in Drumna, near Carrick-on-Shannon, Eire - Car accident ( Showband - Rock - Bluegrass ) Born 1935 - Bassist and singer - Was a member of The Royal Showband (They did, "Come Down The Mountain, Katie Daly" and "If I Didn't Have A Dime").

Fran O' Toole - Died 7-31-1975 in South Armagh, Northern Ireland - Ambushed and murdered ( Pop ) Singer - (He co-wrote, "Love Is") - Was a member of The Miami Showband.

Brian McCoy - Died 7-31-1975 in South Armagh, Northern Ireland - Ambushed and murdered ( Pop ) Played trumpet - Was a member of The Miami Showband.

Tony Geraghty - Died 7-31-1975 in South Armagh, Northern Ireland - Ambushed and murdered ( Pop ) Played guitar - Was a member of The Miami Showband.

Guitar Pete Franklin - Died 7-31-1975 - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born 1-16-1928 in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. (He did,"Guitar Pete's Blues").

Tommy Gary - Died 7-31-1975 in Memphis, TN, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1-9-1919 in Brownsville, TN, U.S. - Played harmonica - Worked with Sleepy John Estes ("Need More Blues" and "Rats"), Robert Wilkins, The Hartwell Brothers, Yank Rachell and Son Borum.

Tony Columbo - Died 8-?-1975 - Heart attack ( Pop ) Born 8-20-1928 - Was a singer for The Stylers.

Chan Daniels - Died 8-2-1975 - Pneumonia ( Folk ) Born 1940 - Singer - Was a member of The Highwaymen (They did, "Michael" and "Cotton Fields").

Muir Mathieson - Died 8-2-1975 ( Musical Director ) Born 1-24-1911 in Sterling, England (He had a hit with, "Lola's Theme") Scored over 500 movies.

Cannonball Adderley (Julian Edwin Adderley) - Died 8-8-1975 in Gary, IN, U.S. - Stroke ( Jazz - Soul ) Born 9-15-1928 in Tampa, Florida, U.S. - (Recorded, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "Sack O' Woe") - Led The Cannonball Adderley Quintet  - Worked with Miles Davis - Brother of cornetist, Nat Adderley - Down Beat Jazz Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Otto Jefferies- Died 8-8-1975 in Winston-Salem, NC, U.S. ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 5-23-1912 - Was a member of The Five Royales.

J. B. Fusilier (Jean Baptiste Fusilier) - Died 8-13-1975 ( Cajun ) Born 4-17-1901 in Oberlin, LA, U.S. - Violinist and accordion player - Worked with Miller's Merrymakers (They did, "Lake Arthur Stomp" and "Chere Toute Toute") and Iry LeJune.

Sam McGee - Died 8-21-1975 ( Country ) Born 5-1-1894 in Williamson County, TN, U.S. - Guitarist .

Hop Wilson (Harding Wilson) - Died 8-27-1975 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Brain disease ( Blues ) Born 4-27-1921 in Grapeland, Texas, U.S. - Played guitar, steel guitar and harmonica and sang - Worked with Ivory Semien.

Robert Scholl - Died 8-27-1975 -  Boating accident ( Rock ) Born 7-14-1938 in Mt. Vernon, NY, U.S. -  Was the leader of Mello-Kings (They did, "Tonite, Tonite").

Reuben Reeves - Died 9-?-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 10-25-1905 in Evansville, IN, U.S. - Trumpet player - Leader of Reuben River Reeves And His River Boys and Reuben River Reeves And His Tributaries - Worked with Dave Peyton, Cab Calloway, Harry Dial's Blusicians and his brother, trombonist Gerald Reeves.

Arkie Shibley (Jesse Lee Shibley) - Died 9-?-1975 in Van Buren, AR, U.S. ( Rockabilly - Country ) Born 9-21-1914 in Van Buren, AR, U.S. - Guitarist - Led Arkie Shibley And His Mountain Dew Boys (They did, "Hot Rod Race" and "You Put My Heart In Orbit").

Shelton Brooks - Died 9-6-1975 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-4-1886 in Amesburg, Ontario - Pianist - Worked with Sara Martin and Ethel Waters.

Vincent Lopez - Died 9-20-1975 in Miami Beach, FL, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-30-1895 in Brooklyn, NY, U.S. - Pianist and bandleader - (His band did, "Nola") - Worked with Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Xavier Cugat, Jimmy Dorsey, Marion Hutton, Betty Hutton, Tommy Dorsey and Mike Mosiello.

Guitar Slim Green (Norman G. Green) - Died 9-28-1975 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 7-25-1907 in Bryant, TX, U.S. - (He did, "5th Street Alley" and "My Woman Done Quit Me") - Was a member of The Cats From Fresno.

Al Jackson Jr. - The Human Timekeeper - Died 10-1-1975 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Shot by burglars inside his home ( Soul - Rock ) Born 11-27-1935 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - Drummer - Was a member of Booker T and The MG's (They recorded, "Green Onions" and "Soul Limbo") - Worked with The Ben Branch Band, Al Green,  Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave, Jean Knight, Major Lance, Tina Turner, Bill Withers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Ann Peebles, Rod Stewart, Shirley Brown, Donny Hathaway, Leon Russell, Albert King, Herbie Mann, Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, Albert King, Eddie Floyd and Willie Mitchell - Son of orchestra leader, Al Jackson Sr. - Memphis Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Eva Kostolanyiova - Died 10-3-1975 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia ( Pop ) Born 11-2-1942 in Trnava, Czechoslovakia (at the time Slovak State) - Singer (She did, "Babika", "Smoliar" and "Waterloo").

K.C. Douglas - Died 10-18-1975 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 11-21-1913 in Sharon, Mississippi, U.S. (He did,"Born In The Country" and "Catfish Blues").

Roy Richards - Died 10-18-1975 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 11-11-1933 in Ohio, U.S. - Was a member of  The Four Bluebirds who later became The Robins.

Oliver Edward Nelson - Died 10-28-1975 - Heart attack - Saxophonist.

John Scott Trotter - Died 10-30-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 6-15-1908 in Charlotte NC, U.S. - Pianist and arranger - Worked with Hal Kemp, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby.

Tom Baird - Died 11-?-1975 off the coast of California - Sailing accident ( Rock ) Born 4-27-1943 in Vancouver, BC - Keyboardist, arranger and producer - (He arranged Diana Ross', "Touch Me In The Morning" and co-wrote Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers', "Does Your Mama Know About Me?" with Tommy Chong) - Was a member of The Classics.

Audrey Williams (Audrey Shepard) - Died 11-4-1975 ( Country ) Born 2-28-1923 in Banks, AL, U.S. - Sang with her husband Hank Williams, Sr. and Magic Slim & The Teardrops - Mother of Hank Williams Jr. .

Vittoria Mongardi - Died 11-26-1975 - Born 2-26-1926 in Bologna, Italy - Singer - (She did, "Casetta in Canada" and "Aveva un bavero") - She worked withDuo Fasano.

Patsy Collins - Died 12-4-1975 in Jakarta, Indonesia - Fell down six floors of an elevator shaft after an augment with local promoters because of money owed the band - Was a bodyguard and roadie for Deep Purple.

Fiddlin' Joe Martin - Died 12-5-1975 in Walls, MS, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1-8-1900 in Edwards, Mississippi, U.S. - Played guitar, drums and mandolin and sang - (He did, "Fo' Clock Blues" and "Going To Fishing") - Worked with Son House, Howlin' Wolf, Woodrow Adams, Bobby Parker and Willie Brown.

Gary Thain - Died 12-8-1975 but I've been told his death certificate states the date as 12-18-1975 in Norwood Green - Drug overdose ( Rock ) Born 5-15-1948 in Christchurch, New Zealand - Bassist - Worked with The Strangers (They did, "Pretend" and "Can't Help Forgiving You"), Secrets (They did, "It's You" and "You're Wrong"), Me And The Others, The Keef Hartley Band (They did, "Too Much Thinking" and "Leave It 'Til The Morning"), Champion Jack Dupree and Uriah Heep (They did, "Magician's Birthday" and "Spider Woman").

Frank Signorelli - Died 12-9-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 5-24-1901 - Pianist - (He composed, "A Blues Serenade" and "Stairway To The Stars") - Was a member of  The Original Memphis Five - Worked with Eddie Lang, Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke and Joe Venuti.

Lee Wiley - Died 12-11-1975 in New York, NY, U.S. - Colon cancer ( Jazz ) Born 10-9-1908 in Fort Gibson, OK, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (She co-wrote, "Got The South In My Soul" and "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere") - Worked with Leo Reisman's orchestra, Jess Stacy, Paul Whiteman, Victor Young, Bunny Berigan, Bud Freeman, Billy Butterfield, Max Kaminsky, Fats Waller, Eddie Condon, Bobby Hackett and The Casa Loma Orchestra - Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Mongezi Feza - Died 12-14-1975 in London, England - Pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 1945 in Queenstown, South Africa - Played trumpet and flute - Woked with The Blue Notes, Robert Wyatt, Xaba, Henry Cow and Dudu Pukwana.

Al Sloey - Died 12-15-1975 ( Country ) Born 3-261912 - Singer and actor - Was a member of The Riders Of The Purple Sage (They did, "Texas Blues") - Worked with Mary Ford, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans  - Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Noble Sissle - Died 12-17-1975 ( Jazz ) Born 7-10-1889 in Indianapolis, IN, U.S. - Composer, bandleader and singer - Was the leader of Noble Sisle And His Sizzling Syncopators (They did, "Polka Dot Rag" and "Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On") - Worked with Eubie Blake (They did, "It's All Your Fault"), James Europe, Lena Horne, Tommy Ladnier, Buster Bailey and Sidney Bechet.

Hound Dog Taylor (Theodore Roosevelt Taylor) - Died 12-17-1975 - Lung cancer ( Blues ) Born 4-12-1915 in Natchez, Mississippi, U.S. - Guitarist (He recorded, "Sitting At Home Alone" and "Walking The Ceiling") - He was half of The HouseRockers (They did, "Give Me Back My Wig").

Bernard Herrmann - Died 12-24-1975 - Born 6-29-1911 in New York, NY, U.S. - Composer and conductor -  He composed the scores for the films, Citizen Kane, Psycho, Vertigo and Taxi Driver - He also worked on the scores for The Day The Earth Stood Still, Journey To The Center Of The Earth and many others.

1976

Fudgie Kae Solomon (Fred Solomon) - Died 1976 or 1977 - Heart attack ( Rock ) Born 12-20-1946 in the lower east side of Manhattan, NY, U.S. - Bassist, singer and drummer- Was a member of Mandrill (They did, "Out With The Boys" and " She Aint Lookin Too Tough") - Worked with The Joe Amato Trio, The Tony Carreleo Trio and The Tony Carreleo Quartet.

Gilles Tailleur - Died 1976? - Cerebral hemorrhage ( Rock ) Born 1941 - Drummer - Was a member of The Del Tones who changed their name to Les Beau-marks (They did, "Moonlight Party" and "Clap Your Hands").

Pat Kingery - Died in 1976? - Born in 1912 in Glasgow, Warren County, Kentucky, U.S. - Played fiddle - Led Pat Kingery And His Kentuckians - Old-Time Fiddlers Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Alfonso Gonzalez (aka Poncho) - Died 1976 - Car accident ( Pop ) Born 1943 - Guitarist - Was a member of Los Angeles (They did, "Manana, manana" and "Monica Abre tu ventana").

Jose Luis Avellaneda - Died 1976 - Car accident ( Pop ) Born 1949 - Bassist - Was a member of Los Angeles (They did, "Manana, manana" and "Monica Abre tu ventana").

Dave Ludington - Died 1976 in Pensacola, Florida - Training accident at a Naval flight school ( Rock ) Bassist - Was a member of The Beard.

Charles Iwegbue - Died 1976 - Complications resulting from injuries after a fight ( Dance ) Singer, songwriter and trumpeter - (He did, "Ejelunor" and "Ego Bu Young") - Led Charles Iwegbue And His Hino Sound Band.

Bernie Hanighen (Bernard D. Hanighen) - Died 1976 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Songwriter ) Born 1908 in Omaha, NE, U.S. - (He co-wrote, "Round Midnight" and "When A Woman Loves A Man") - Worked with Clarence Williams and Johnny Mercer.

John Persh - Died 1976 - Staph infection ( Rock ) Born 11-23-1942 - Played trombone and bass for Rare Earth (They did,"Get Ready", "I Know I'm Losing You" and "I Just Want To Celebrate").

Betty Clooney - Died 1976 - Brain aneurysm ( Pop - Jazz ) Born 1931 - Singer - She was one of The Clooney Sisters (with her sister Rosemary) who worked with Tony Pastor.

John Dunkerley - 1976 - Hodgkinson's disease ( Folk ) Born 1942 - Played banjo, guitar, mandolin and accordion for The Ian Campbell Folk Group (They did a version of,"The Times They Are A-Changin").

Jack Chapman - Died 1976 - Car crash ( Rock ) Played organ and sang - Was a member Of Rubber Band (They did remakes of,"Manic Depression" and "We're Going Wrong").

Clive Maldoon (Clive Skinner) - Died 1976 - Accidental heroin overdose or complications from prescription medications ( Folk ) (He co-wrote, "Sepheryn" which was a hit for Madonna  as "Ray Of Light") - He was half the duo Curtiss Maldoon (They did,"Clouds In My Hair" and "Find A Little Peace") - Worked with Bodast.

Joe Van Loan - Died 1976 ( R&B ) Born 12-6-1922 in PA - Was a member of The Ravens.

Phil Reed -  Died 1976 - Fell from a hotel window ( Rock ) Was a guitarist for Flo and Eddie.

Scott Quick - Died 1976 - Seizure ( Rock ) 26 years old - Was a guitarist for Sammy Hagar.

Jesse Whitten - Died 1976 - Stabbed ( Disco ) Born in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Was a guitarist for Heatwave .

Frank Hubbard (Frank Twombly Hubbard) - Died 1976 - Born 5-15-1920 in New York, U.S. - He and William Dowd built harpsichords of which some are used in The Smithsonian's National Museum Of American History, The Juilliard School Of Music and Independence Hall and City Tavern in Philadelphia.

Mal Evans (aka Gentle Giant and Big Mal)- Died 1-5-1976 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Shot by the Police because he was waving air pistol at them after threatening his girlfriend - Born 5-27-1935 Liverpool, England - Was The Beatle's road manager, body guard and additional musician and vocalist ("Yellow Submarine" and "You Won't See Me") - Produced Badfinger and Keith Moon.

Howlin' Wolf ( Chester Arthur Burnett ) - Died 1-10-76 in Hines, Illinois, U.S. -  Kidney failure ( Blues ) Born 6-10-1910 in Miss., U.S. - Singer, songwriter, guitarist and  harmonica player - (Recorded,"Back Door Man" and "Smokestack Lightning") - Worked with  Eric Clapton, Hubert Sumlin, Steve Winwood, Ian Stewart, Willie Dixon, Willie Johnson, Pat Hare, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts -  Blues Foundation Hall Of Fame Inductee and  Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Paul Robeson - Died 1-23-1976 ( Gospel - Spirituals ) Born 4-9-1898 in Princeton, NJ, U.S.(He did,"Ol' Man River").

Chris Kenner - Died 1-25-1976 in New Orleans, LA - Heart attack ( R&B ) Born 12-25-1929 in Kenner, LA, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He did , "I Like It Like That" and "Land Of 1000 Dances").

Ray Nance (Ray Willis Nance) - Died 1-28-1976 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-10-1913 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Played cornet, trumpet and sang - Worked with Duke Ellington, Horace Henderson, Earl Hines, Jaki Byard, Chico Hamilton,  Brooks Kerr and Chris Barber.

Jesse Fuller (aka Lone Cat) - Died 1-29-1976 in Oakland, CA, U.S. - Heart disease ( Blues - Folk ) Born 3-12-1896 in Jonesboro, Georgia, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - (He did,"San Francisco Bay Blues" and "Fables Aren't Nothing But Doggone Lies") - His songs have been recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary, Hot Tuna and The Grateful Dead.

Mance Lipscomb (Bodyglin Lipscomb) - Died 1-30-1976 - Heart disease ( Blues - Folk ) Born 4-9-1895 in Navasota, Texas, U.S. (He recorded,"Blues In The Bottle" and "You Gonna Quit Me Baby").

Buster Brown (Wayman Glasco)- Died 1-31-1976 ( Blues - R&B ) Born 8-15-1911 in Cordele, Georgia, U.S. - (He did, "Fannie Mae" and "The Madison Shuffle").

Johnny Hunter (John Will Hunter) - Died 2-?-1976 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - Shot himself ( Rock ) Born 11-23-1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - Drummer - Was a member of The Hombres (They did, "Let It Out, Let It All Hang Out").

Rudy Pompilli (Rudolph Pompilli) - Died 2-5-1976 - Lung cancer ( Rock ) Born 4-16-1924 in Chester, PA, U.S. - Was a saxophonist For Bill Haley And The Comets .

Vince Guaraldi - Died 2-6-1976 - Heart attack - ( Folk Composer - Piano player ) Born 7-17-1932 - Was a member of The Vince Guaraldi Trio (They did, "Cast Your Fate To The Wind") He also wrote music for The Peanuts TV specials.

Joe Brown - Died 2-7-1976 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Born 6-16-1897 or 1904 in Wagoner, OK, U.S. - Co-owner of Opera Records and J.O.B. Records which released recordings by Mildred Richards And Her Red Hots, St. Louis Jimmy and Eddie Boyd.

Percy Faith - Died 2-9-1976 - Cancer ( Orchestra Leader ) Born 4-7-1908 in Toronto, Canada (He did, "The Theme From A Summer Place" and also did a couple of disco tunes near the end of his career).

Sal Mineo (Salvatore Mineo Jr.) (aka The Switchblade Kid) - Died 2-12-1976 - Stabbed ( Pop )
Born 1-10-1939 in Harlem, New York, U.S. (He did,"Start Movin'(In My Direction)" and "Lasting
Love").
Florence Ballard - Died 2-22-1976 - Coronary thrombosis ( Soul - Pop ) Born 6-30-1943 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. - Was one of The Supremes (They sang, "Baby Love" and "Stop In The Name Of Love") - "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee".

Adolph Rickenbacker (aka Adolph Rickenbacher) (Adolf Adam Riggenbacher) - Died 3-7-1976 in Fullerton, CA, U.S. - Born 4-1-1887 in Basel, Switzerland - Founder of The Rickenbacker Guitar Company and co-founder of The Ro-Pat-In Company.

Arthur Gunter - Died 3-16-1976 - Pneumonia ( Blues ) Born 5-23-1926 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. (He did,"Baby Let's Play House" and "Blues After Hours").

Jack Palmer - Died 3-17-1976 in Waterbury, CT, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-29-1900 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Trumpet player (He co-wrote,"Everybody Loves My Baby (But My Baby Don't Love Nobody But Me)" and "I've Found A New Baby" with Spencer Williams) Worked with Red Norvo and Harry James.

Luther "Snake" Johnson - Died 3-18-1976 - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 8-30-1934 in Davisboro, Georgia, U.S. (He did,"Born In Georgia" and "Snake").

James McCartney - Died 3-18-1976 ( Jazz ) He was 73 years old - Musician, singer and composer - Led Jim Mac's Jazz Band - (He co-wrote, "Walking In The Park With Eloise" with his son Paul McCartney).

Paul Kossoff (Paul Francis Kossoff) - Died 3-19-1976 on a flight from Los Angeles to New York - Drug induced heart failure ( Rock ) Born 9-14-1950 in Hampstead, London, England - Guitarist - Was a member of Black Cat Bones, Free (They did, "All Right Now" and "My Brother Jake") and Back Street Crawler (They did, "Rock & Roll Junkie" and "The Band Plays On") - Son of  actor, David Kossoff.

 Princess White Durrah - Died 3-21-1976 in Port Chester, NY, U.S. - Collapsed and died during a break while performing ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 1-14-1881 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - (She did, "Every Woman's Blues" and "Peepin' In The Wrong Keyhole") - Worked with The Clyde Bernhardt Harlem Blues And Jazz Band, Ma Rainey, Ethel Waters, Black Patti and Ida Cox.

Duster Bennett (Anthony Bennett) - Died 3-26-1976 in Warwickshire, England - Car accident ( Rock - Blues ) Born 12-23-1946 in Welshpool, Wales - Harmonica player, guitarist and singer - (He did, "My Lucky Day" and the original "Jumping At Shadows") - Worked with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, Alexis Korner and B.B. King.

Rube Bloom - Died 3-30-1976 ( Jazz ) Born 4-24-1902 - Pianist and songwriter (He wrote,"Fools Rush In" and "Give Me The Simple Life") Worked with The Sioux City Six, The Bayou Boys (They did, "The Man From The South") and Frankie Trumbauer's Orchestra.

Freddie Lennon (Alfred Lennon) (aka Alf) - Died 4-1-1976 in Brighton, Sussex, England - Born 12-14-1912 in Liverpool, England - Sang and played banjo - (He did, "That's My Life (My Love And My Home)" and "The Next Time You Feel Important") - Father of singer, John Lennon.

Phil Ochs (Philip David Ochs) - Died 4-9-1976 in Far Rockaway, NY, U.S. - Hanged himself, he suffered from chronic depression ( Folk - Rock ) Born 12-19-1940 in El Paso, Texas, U.S. - Singer, songwriter, pianist, clarinetist and guitarist - (Sang, "Draft Dodger Rag" and "There But For Fortune") - He was half of the duos, The Singing Socialists and The Sundowners.

Poor Charley West - Died 4-16-1976 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 9-27-1914 in Andalusia, Alabama, U.S. - Pianist.

Richard Coco - Died 4-17-1976 in New York, U.S. ( Psychedelic ) Born 3-25-1947 - Singer - Was a member of Gold (They did, "Summertime" and "No Parking").

Mable Hillery - Died 4-26-1976 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 7-22-1929 in La Grange, Georgia, U.S. (Recorded, "He Was More Than A Friend Of Mine" and "Who Am I And Who Are You?").

William Bobo (aka Thunder) - Died 4-28-1976 ( Gospel - R&B ) Born 5-12-1915 in Spartanburg, SC, U.S. - Was a singer for The Heavenly Gospel Singers and The Dixiehummingbirds (They did, "Soon Will Be Done With The Troubles of This World" and "Little Wooden Church").

Jim Robinson (Nathan Robinson) - Died 5-4-1976 ( Jazz ) Born 12-25-1892 in Deer Range, LA, U.S. - Trombonist - Worked with The Golden Leaf Band, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Tuxedo Band.

John Brunious, Sr. - Died 5-7-1976 ( Jazz ) Born 10-17-1920 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet and piano - Father of musicians, Wendell Brunious and John Brunious Jr.

Floyd Council (aka Dipper Boy Council) - Died  5-9-1976 in Sanford, NC, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 9-2-1911 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.  - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "I'm Broke And I Ain't Got A Dime" and "I Don't Want No Hungry Woman") - Worked with The Chapel Hillbillies and Blind Boy Fuller.

Joe Bishop - Died 5-12-1976 ( Jazz ) Born 11-27-1907 in Monticello, AR, U.S. - Composer and arranger, played the trumpet, the flugelhorn and the tuba - Worked with Al Katz, Austin Wylie, Isham Jones and Woody Herman.

Wynona Carr (aka Sister Wynona Carr and Miss Kitty Karr) - Died 5-12-1976 ( R&B - Gospel ) Born 8-23-1924 in Cleveland, OH, U.S. - Singer (She did, "The Ball Game" and "Should I Ever Love Again?") - Was a member of Wings Over Jordan Choir - Worked with The Pilgrim Travelers, Brother Joe ("I'll Serve You Lord Til My Dying Day") and Prof. Donald E. Thomas ("Don't Miss That Train").

Keith Relf - Died 5-14-76 - Electrocuted, a nearby heater may have caused an electrical short in the guitar cable while he practiced ( Rock ) Born 3-22-1943 in Richmond, England - Was a member of Renaissance and The Yardbirds (They did,"Shapes Of Things" and "Evil Hearted You") - "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee"

David Munrow - Died 5-15-1976 - Suicide - Born 1943 - Was a member of The Early Music Consort .

Charles Stepney - Died 5-17-1976 ( Arranger - Producer - Songwriter ) Born 1933 - Worked with The Dells, Earth Wind And Fire, Ramsey Lewis and Minnie Riperton.

Guitar Shorty (John Henry Fortescue) - Died 5-26-1976 - Cirrhosis of the liver ( Blues ) Born 1-24-1923 in Belhaven, North Carolina, U.S. (He did,"Drinkin' Wine" and "I'm Goin' Home").

Melvin "Lil Son" Jackson - Died 5-30-1976 - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 8-16-1915 in Barry, Texas, U.S. - (He recorded, "Everybody's Blues" and "Thrill Me Baby").

Bobby Hackett (Robert Leo Hackett) - Died 6-7-1976 in Chatham, MA, U.S. ( Swing ) Born 1-31-1915 in Providence, RI, U.S. - Worked with Eddie Condon, Glenn Miller's Orchestra ("String Of Pearls"),  Jackie Gleason and Jack Teagarden.

Johnny Mercer (John Herndon Mercer) - Died 6-25-1976 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Born 11-18-1909 in Savannah, GA, U.S. - Songwriter and singer - (He wrote, "Lazybones" and "Out Of Breath, Scared To Death Of You") - He wrote the lyrics or music for about 1,500 songs - Worked with Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Bobby Darin and Henry Mancini - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Malcolm Lockyer - Died 6-28-1976 ( Conductor ) Born 1923 - Was co-conductor of The Knightsbride Strings (with Reg Owen) (They did, "Cry") and The Cambridge Strings (with Dick Rowe) (They did, "Tunes of Glory") - His albums charted numerous times.

Jim Wynn (aka Big Jim Wynn) - Died 7-19-1976 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.( Blues ) Born 6-21-1912 in El Paso, TX, U.S. - Saxophonist and clarinetist - Worked with Charlie Echols and Johnny Otis.

Bob Jeffrey - Died 7-20-1976 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 1-14-1915 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. - (He did, "73 Hop" and "Watergate Blues").

Hattie Frost Stoneman (Harriet Frost) - Died 7-22-1976 ( Country ) Born 9-28-1900 - Was a member of The Stoneman Family Band (They did, "Tupelo Country" and "The Five Little Johnson Girls").

Cecilia (Evangelina Sobredo Gallants) - Died 8-2-1976 in Benavente, Zamora, Castilla Leon, Spain - Car accident ( Pop ) Born 10-11-1948 Madrid, Spain - Singer - (She did, "Dama, Dama" and "Un Ramito de Violetas").

Gus Gossert (Robert Charles Gossert ) - The Curly Headed Kid in the Second Row - Died 8-10-1976 - Shot - Born 6-14-1943 - He was a famous DJ who was very influential in the revival of doo wop music.

Albert Burbank - Died 8-15-1976 ( Jazz ) Born 3-25-1902 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Singer and clarinet player - Worked with Wooden Joe Nicholas, Papa French, Buddy Petit, Arnold DePass, Chris Kelly and Punch Miller.

Jimmy Reed (Mathias James Reed Leland) - Big Boss Man - Died 8-29-1976 - Respiratory failure ( Blues ) Born 9-6-1925 in Dunleith, Mississippi, U.S. - (He recorded, "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" and "You Got Me Dizzy") - His wife, Mary Lee "Mama" Reed composed many of his songs - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Neil Storey - Died 9-?-1976 - Heroin overdose ( Rock ) - Was the drummer for Dragon (They did, "Starkissed" and "Wait Until Tomorrow").

Good Rockin' Robinson (Louis Charles Robinson) - Died 9-26-1976 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 5-15-1915 in Brenham, Texas, U.S. - (He did, "Across The Bay Blues" and "Hobo's Meditation").

Quentin Jackson - Died 10-2-1976 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-13-1909 in Springfield, OH, U.S. - Trombonist - He worked with McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Quincy Jones and Charles Mingus.

Victoria Spivey (Victoria Regina Spivey) - Died 10-3-1976 in New York, NY, U.S. - Internal hemorrhage ( Blues ) Born 10-15-1906 in Houston, Texas, U.S. - Pianist and singer - (She did, "Dope Head Blues" and "Organ Grinder Blues") - Worked with her sister, Addie "Sweet Pease" Spivey and with Bob Dylan, Lonnie Johnson, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Clarence Williams and Luis Russell.

Connee Boswell (Connie Boswell) - Died 10-11-1976 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-3-1907 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "I'm Gonna Cry") - Was a singer for The Boswell Sisters (They did, "Nights When I'm Lonely") - The Boswell Sisters also did a song in the 1930's called "Rock And Roll", though having nothing to do with its current meaning, shows that the term predated Alan Freed by over twenty years - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee and  Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Alfredo Bracchi - Died 10-11-1976 - Born 12-30-1897 in Milan, Italy - Author and lyricist - Worked with Giovanni D'Anzi (They wrote, "Ma l'amore no" and "Ti parlerò d'amor").

Count Ossie (Oswald Williams) - Died 10-18-1976 ( Reggae ) Born 1926 in St. Thomas, Jamaica - Drummer and chanter - Led The Count Ossie Group and The Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari (They did, "Oh Carolina" and "So Long") - Worked with The Foulkes Brothers and The African Brothers & King Tubby.

Dick Roman - Died 10-21-1976 ( Pop ) Born 1-4-1936 - Singer (He recorded the lyric version of "Theme from A Summer Place").

Leonard Lee - Died 10-23-1976 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Rock ) Born 6-29-1935 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. - Singer - Was half of the duo, Shirley & Lee (They recorded, "Let The Good Times Roll" and "Feel So Good (Feel So Fine)").

Rudy Powell (aka Musheed Karweem) - Died 10-30-1976 ( Jazz ) Born 10-28-1907 in New York, NY, U.S. - Saxophonist -  Worked with June Clark, Elmer Snowden, Dave Nelson, Fats Waller, Sam Wooding, The Kaiser Marshall's Trio, Rex Stewart and many others.

Joe Tillman - Died 11-1-1976 ( Blues - Jazz ) Saxophone player - Worked with Lloyd Lambert, Ray Charles, Guitar Slim and Little Richard.

Russ Hawking (Russell Hawking)- Died 11-2- 1976 - Heart attack ( Country ) Born 7-1-1931 in Mooroopna Victoria, Australia - Was one of The Hawking Brothers (They did, "One Day At A Time" and " Yackity Axe") who were the first Australians to appear on The Grand Ole Opry - Worked with The Trailblazers.

Tommy Bolin (Thomas Richard Bolin) - Died 12-4-1976 in Miami, FL, U.S. - Overdose of morphine, cocaine, Lidocaine and alcohol ( Rock ) Born 8-1-1951 in Sioux City, Iowa, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - (He did, "Homeward Strut" and "Post Toastee") - Worked with American Standard, Ethereal Zephyr which became Zephyr, Energy, The James Gang ("Standing In The Rain" and "Must Be Love") and Deep Purple ("Comin' Home" and "Gettin' Tighter") - Brother of drummer, Johnnie Bolin.

Willie Trice - Died 12-10-1976 in Durham, NC - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 2-10-1910 in Hillsborough, North Carolina, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "New Diddey Wah Diddey" and "Goin' To The Country").

Ned Washington Died 12-20-1976 ( Composer ) Born 8-15-1901 in Scranton, PA, U.S. - (He wrote, "Singing In The Bathtub" and "When You Wish Upon A Star") - Worked with Victor Young, Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmy McHugh, Sam H. Step and Lester Lee  - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Boyd Gilmore - Died 12-23-1976 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 6-12-1910 in Belzoni, Mississippi, U.S.

Freddie King ( Frederick Christian )  - Died 12-28-1976 - Heart failure ( R&B - Blues ) Born 9-3-1934 in Gilmer, Texas, U.S. - Singer and guitar player - ( He recorded, "Hide Away" and "Lonesome Whistle Blues").

Roland "Boy Blue" Hayes (aka Pine Bluff Pete) - Died 12-31-1976 in Boston, MA, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 10-18-1922 in Laurel, MS, U.S. - Sang and played harmonica, banjo, guitar, pianio and drums - (He did, "Cold Chills" and "A Woman Acts Funny") - Worked with  with Willie C. Cobbs.

1977

Jimmy Santerini - Died 1977 - Leukemia ( Rock ) Keyboardist - Was a member of Capitolo 6.

Shemp Hadda (Richard Haddad) - Died 1977 in California, U.S. - Car accident ( Rock ) Bassist - Worked with Scot Richards Case (SRC).

Dave Bidwell (David Bidwell) - Died 1977 - Heroin overdose ( Rock )  Drummer - Was a member of The Pink Fairies, Chicken Shack (They did, "Tired Eyes" and "Andalucian Blues") and Savoy Brown (They did, "Coming Down Your Way" and "Some People") - Worked with Christine McVie.

Joyce Indig - Died 1977? - Singer - She was married to comedian Rodney Dangerfield twice.

Joan Mears - Died 1977 - Heart attack - Singer - Worked with her husband Bob Wayne's band, The Rollicaires.

Freddie Page (Fred Pappalardo) - Died 1977 - Leukemia ( Rock ) Drummer - Was a member of The Rovin' Kind who changed their name to The Illinois Speed Press (They did,"Be a Woman" and "Get In The Wind").

Lally Stott (Harold Stott) - Died 1977 or 1978 in Liverpool, England - Motorcycle accident ( Pop ) Singer - (He did, "Jacaranda" and the original, "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep").

Jack Hansen - Died 1977 ( Producer ) Worked for Coral Records - He did the overdubbing of Buddy Holly's apartment tapes which included the songs, "Peggy Sue Got Married"and "Crying Waiting Hoping".

Don Cole (Wardell Donald Cole) - Died 1977 ( Rock ) Born 8-17-1942 in Phoenix, Ariz., U.S. - Guitarist (He recorded,"Snake Eyed Mama" and "Sweet Lovin' Honey").

 Alonzo Tucker - Died 1977 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Was a member of The Royals / Midnighters.

Leroy McNeil - Died 1977 - Murdered ( Doo-Wop ) Born 1935 - Was a member of The Nutmegs (They sang, "Story Untold").

Paul Golly - Died 1977 ( Afro Pop ) Born in Jamaica - Guitarist - Worked with Osibisa.

Erroll Garner - Died 1-2-1977 ( Jazz ) Born 6-15-1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, "Loose Nut" and "Laura").

Raymond "Shwank" Monette - Died 1-4-1977 in Lafayette, LA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues - Zydeco ) Born 12-13-1936 in Lafayette, LA, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - Recorded with Clifton Chenier, Carol Fran, Joe Tex, and many others -  Louisiana Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Matt McGinn - the Scottish King of Folk -  Died 1-5-1977 in Glasgow - Fire at his home ( Folk ) Born 1-17-1928 in the Calton district of Glasgow - Singer and composer - (He did, "The Dundee Ghost" and " I'm Looking For A Job").

Tom Archia (Ernest Alvin Archia Jr.) (aka Texas Tom) - Died 1-16-1977 in Houston, TX, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-261919 in Groveton, TX, U.S. - Saxophonist - Led Tom Archia And His All Stars - Worked with The Milt Larkin Band, Arnett Cobb, Roy Eldridge, Howard McGhee and Illinois Jacquet.

Buddy Johnson(Woodrow Wilson Johnson) - Died 2-9-1977 in New York, NY, U.S. - Brain tumour and sickle cell anemia ( Blues - R&B ) Born 1-10-1915 in Darlington, SC, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, "Stop Pretending (So Hep You See)" and "Fine Brown Frame") - Worked with his sister Ella Johnson, Lester Young, Eddie Harris, Weldon Irvine and Benny Goodman.

Muriel Landers - Died 2-19-1977 ( Pop ) Born 10-27-1921 in Illinois, U.S. - Actress who sang, "The Heat Is On" in The Three Stooges short, Sweet And Hot.

Nolan Strong - Died 2-21-1977 in Detroit, MI, U.S. ( R&B ) Born 1-22-1934 in Scottsboro, AL, U.S. - Was a member of Nolan Strong & The Diablos (They did, "The Wind" and "The Way You Dog Me Round") and worked with The Velvet Angels (They did, "Fools Rush In") - Doo-Wopp Hall Of Fame Of America Inductee.

Tom Shaw (Thomas Shaw) - Died 2-24-1977 - During open heart surgery ( Blues ) Born 3-4-1908 in Brenham, Texas, U.S. - (He did, "Hey Mr. Nixon" and "Martin Luther King").

Sherman Garnes (Sherman Marlow Garnes) - Died 2-26-1977 - During open heart surgery ( Rock ) Born 6-8-1940 in New York, NY, U.S. - Was a bass vocalist for Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers ( They recorded, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love ?" and "I Want You To Be My Girl") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Bukka White (Booker T. Washington White) - Died 2-26-1977 - Cancer ( Delta Blues - Gospel ) Born 11-12-1906 in Aberdeen, Mississippi, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - (He recorded,"Shake 'Em on Down" and "Fixin' to Die Blues") - Blues Foundation's Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Armand Hug - Died 3-19-1977 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-6-1910 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Pianist - Worked with Harry Shields, Sharkey Bonano and The New Orleans Owls.

Stoney Cooper (Dale Troy Cooper) - Died 3-22-1977 - Illness ( Country ) Born 10-16-1918 - Played fiddle and guitar - Was a member of The Leary Family Singers and The Clinch Mountain Clan - He was half of the duo, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper with his wife Wilma Lee (Leary) Cooper (They did, "Sunny Side Of The Mountain" and "Walking My Lord Up Calvary Hill").

Waldo Tena de la Rosa - Died 3-23-1977 in Guadalajara, Mexico - Meningitis ( Rock ) Born 2-28-1944 - Guitarist - Was a member of Los Rebeldes del Rock.

Waldo de los Rios - Died 3-28-1977 - Suicide ( Conductor ) Born 1935 in Spain - He charted with "Mozart Symphony No. 40" in 1971.

Bill Lacey (William James Lacey) - Died 4-8-1977 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues - Pop ) Born 2-25-1915 in Selma, AL, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of The Three Brown Buddies (They did, "Lilacs In The Rain") - Worked with Roosevelt Sykes, Doctor Clayton, Willie "Long Time" Smith, Arbee Stidham, Eddie Boyd, Washboard Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jazz Gillum and Tampa Red.

Eddie Miller (Edward Monroe Miller) - Died 4-11-1977 in Nashville, TN, U.S. ( Country ) Born 12-10-1919 in Camargo, OK, U.S. - Songwriter and producer - (He wrote, "Release Me" and "Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray") - Father of Pam Miller ("Throw A Little Love My Way") - Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Blanche Thomas - Died 4-21-1977 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 10-16-1922 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Singer - Worked with Papa French and Dave Bartholomew.

Walter Johnson - Died 4-26-1977 ( Jazz ) Born 2-18-1904 in New York, NY, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Fletcher Henderson, Bobby Brown, Elmer Snowden and Tab Smith.

Sandro Giovannini - Died 4-26-1977 - Born 7-10-1915 in Rome, Italy - Director, dramatist and songwriter - Wrote Italian musicals with Pietro Garinei which included, "Aggiungi" and Broadway's, "Rugantino".

Helmut Kollen - Died 5-3-1977 - Carbon monoxide poisoning while listening to tapes in his car in a garage ( Progressive Rock ) Born 1950 -  Guitarist and singer (He did,"It's Hard To Love You" and "Mainstreet") Was a member ofTriumvirat (They did,"Illusions" and "Lucky Girl").

Eugene Mumford - Died 5-10-1977 - Bacterial pneumonia secondary to alcoholism and diabetes ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 6-24-1925 in Durham, NC, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Four Interns, The Dominoes (They did, "Stardust" and "Deep Purple"), The Golden Gate Quartet, The Four Barons, The Jubilators, The Selah Singers, The Southern Harmonaires, The Larks (They did, "My Reverie" and "Eyesight To The Blind") and The Serenaders.

Lafayette Thomas - Died 5-20-1977 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 6-13-1928 in Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. - Guitarist - Worked with Sugarpie Desanto, Memphis Slim and Little Brother Montgomery.

Hampton Hawes - Died 5-22-1977 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-13-1928 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Pianist - Worked with Howard McGhee, Shorty Rogers, Sonny Criss and Dexter Gordon.

William Powell (William Powell Jr.) - Died 5-26-1977 in Canton, OH, U.S. - Cancer ( Soul ) Born 1-20-1942 in Canton, Ohio, U.S. - Was a singer for The O' Jays (They did, "Love Train" and "Back Stabbers") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Douglas George Herro - Died 5-28-1977 in Southgate, Kentucky, U.S. - Fire in The Beverly Hills Supper Club that killed 165  - Born 10-15-1949 - Musical director for John Davidson.

 Buzz Neill (Everett H. Neill Jr.) - Died 5-28-1977 in Southgate, Kentucky, U.S. - Fire in The Beverly Hills Supper Club that killed 165  - Born 7-27-1949 - Drummer.

Richard Karl Pokky - Died 5-28-1977 in Southgate, Kentucky, U.S. - Fire in The Beverly Hills Supper Club that killed 165  - Born 2-26-1954 - Played trombone.

Robert R. Roden - Died 5-28-1977 in Southgate, Kentucky, U.S. - Fire in The Beverly Hills Supper Club that killed 165 - Born 10-13-1918 - Played alto sax.

Hap Seaman (Robert Glenn Seaman) - Died 5-28-1977 in Southgate, Kentucky, U.S. - Fire in The Beverly Hills Supper Club that killed 165 - Born 1920 in Erlanger, KY, U.S. - Played tenor sax.

Paul Desmond (Paul Emil Breitenfeld) - Died 5-30-1977 in New York, NY, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) Born 11-25-1924 in San Francisco, CA, U.S. - Played alto sax - Was a member of The  Dave Brubeck Quartet (They did remakes of, "Jeepers Creepers" and "You Go to My Head") and the leader of The Paul Desmond Quintet (They did, "Jazzabelle" and "Sacre Blues") - Worked with Gerry Mulligan, Ed Bickert and Jim Hall.

Lloyd Perryman (Lloyd Wilson Perryman) (aka Mr. Pioneer) - Died 5-31-1977 in Burbank, CA. U.S. ( Country Western ) Born 1-29-1917 in Ruth, AR, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Sons Of The Pioneers  - Worked with The Sierra Mountaineers, The Melody Millers, Jack And His Texas Outlaws and The Beverly Hill Billies - Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee and Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Sleepy John Estes - Died 6-5-1977 - Stroke ( Blues )  - Born 1-25-1904 in Ripley, Tennessee, U.S. (He did, "Someday, Baby" and "Drop Down Mama").

Peter Laughner - Died 6-22-1977 - Acute Pancreatitis ( Rock ) Born 8-22-1952 - Guitarist - Was a member of Pere Ubu (They did,"Streetwaves" and "Modern Dance") and Rocket From The Tombs.

Al Banks - Died 7-?-1977 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 7-26-1937 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Was a lead singer for The Turbans (They did, "When You Dance" and "Sister Sookie") and was a singer with the reformed Drifters.

Earl Bell - Died 7-?-1977 ( Blues ) Born 2-19-1914 in Hernando, MS, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Travelin' Blues") - Worked with Morris Johnson and Marshall "Memphis Sonny Boy" Jones.

Jerry Aiello - Died 7-?-1977 - Liver ailment ( Rock ) Keyboardist - Worked with Stephen Stills.

Baby Boy Warren (Robert Henry Warren) - Died 7-1-1977 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 8-13-1919 in Lake Providence, Louisiana, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "I Got Lucky" and "huc-A-Luck") - Worked with Sonny Boy Williamson, Boogie Woogie Red and Charley Mills.

Richard Michaels - Died 7-4-1977 - Car crash ( Rock ) Was a bass player for Alien Project - He worked with Steve Perry.

One Armed John Wrencher (John Thomas Wrencher) - Died 7-15-1977 in Clarksdale, MS, U.S. - Heart failure ( Blues ) Born 2-12-1923 in Sunflower, Mississippi, U.S. - Played harmonica and sang - (He did, "Rockin' Chair Blues" and "Conductor Took My Baby To Tennessee").

Gary Kellgren - Died 7-20-1977 - Drowned in a pool - Born 1939 - Engineered and produced Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Rod Stewart, Barbara Streisand and Sly And The Family Stone.

Richie Kamuca (Richard Kamuca) - Died 7-22-1977 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) Born 7-23-1930 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Played teno saxophone - Worked with Stan Kenton, Shorty Rogers, Woody Herman, Roy Eldridge, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, Shelly Manne and The Lighthouse All-Stars.

Milt Buckner (Milton Brent Buckner) - The St Louis Fireball - Died 7-27-1977 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 7-10-1915 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Pianist, organist and arranger - Worked with The Harlem Aristocrats, The Dixie Whangdoodles, Don Cox, Jimmy Raschel, McKinney's Cotton Pickers and The Lionel Hampton Orchestra ("Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop") - Brother of saxophonist, Ted Buckner.

Porkchop Lasley (Clyde Lasley) - Died 8-2-1977 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues )- Born 10-15-1915 in Tennessee, U.S. - Singer - Led Clyde Lasley And The Cadillac Baby Specials (They did, "Santa Came Home Drunk").

Ron Haydock (aka Vin Saxon) - Died 8-13-1977 - Hit by an 18 wheeler truck ( Rock ) Born 1940 - Was the lead singer for The Boppers and Ron Haydock & the Boppers (They did,"99 Chicks" and "The Thrill Killers") He also was an actor, an adult novel writer and monster magazine editor.

Elvis Presley (Elvis Aron Presley) (aka Elvis Aaron Presley) (aka The Hilbilly Cat) - The King Of Rock - Died 8-16-1977 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Drug overdose resulting in coronary arrhythmia ( Rock & Roll - Rockabilly - Country - Gospel ) Born 1-8-1935 in Tupelo, Miss., U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "That's All Right"  and "Hound Dog") - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee, Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Groucho Marx (Julius Henry Marx) - Died 8-19-1977  in Los Angeles, CA - Pneumonia ( Pop ) Born 10-2-1890 - (He did, "Lydia, The Tatooed Lady" and "Go West Young Man" and also did, "Love Happy" with Marilyn Monroe) - He was one of The Marx Brothers and a member of The Three Nightingales.

Tarheel Slim (Allen Bunn) - Died 8-21-1977 - Pneumonia ( Blues - Gospel - R&B - Rockabilly ) Born 9-24-1924 in Bailey, North Carolina, U.S. - (He did, "No. 9 Train") - Was a member of The Gospel Four, The Selah Jubilee Singers, The Jubilators, The Larks (They did, "Eyesight To The Blind") and The Wheels) - (He did, "Darling It's Wonderful" with his wife, Anna Sanford as The Lovers).

Judge Riley (Lawrence Riley) - Died 8-22-1977 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. ( R&B ) Born 1-1-1909 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Drummer - Woked with Muddy Waters, Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Curtis Jones and Rosetta Howard.

Sebastian Cabot (Charles Sebastian Thomas Cabot) - Died 8-23-1977 - Stroke ( Actor ) Born 7-6-1918 in London, England (He half-spoke, half-sang an album of Bob Dylan tunes including, "It Ain't Me, Babe" and "Like A Rolling Stone") - He appeared on TV's, Family Affair as Mr. French and acted in the movie, The Time Machine.

Eugene Pierson - Died 8-24-1977 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 12-6-1934 in Forrest City, AR, U.S. - Guitarist - Worked with Hayes Ware, Lester Davenport, Sunnyland Slim, Gene Dennis, Sonny Boy Williamson, Eddie Boyd, Little Walter, Willie Mabon and Walter Arnold.

Keith Harwood - Died 9-?-1977 - Car crash - Recording Engineer - Worked with Keith Richards, John Phillips, The Pretty Things, Ron Wood, Humble Pie, David Bowie, Led Zep, Mott The Hoople and The Rolling Stones.

Ethel Waters (Ethel Howard) (aka Sweet Mama Stringbean) - Died 9-1-1977 in Chatsworth, CA, U.S. ( Blues - Pop - Vaudeville ) Born 10-31-1896 in Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. - Singer and actress - (She recorded, "The New York Glide" and "Oh Daddy") - Worked with Fletcher Henderson - She appeared in the film, "Pinky".

Model T Slim (Elmon Mickle) - Died 9-15-1977 - Lung cancer ( Blues ) Born 2-24-1919 in Keo, Arkansas, U.S.

George Barnes - Died 9-15-1977 - Heart attack ( Jazz ) Born 1921 - Guitarist - Led The The George Barnes Sextet - Worked with Bucky Pizzarelli, Blind John Davis, Ruby Braff, Art Ryerson, Carl Kress and Memphis Minnie.

Marc Bolan (Mark Feld) (aka Toby Tyler) - Died 9-16-1977 in Queens Ride Barnes Common, London, England - Car crash into a tree ( Rock - Folk ) Born 9-30-47 in Hackney, London, England - Singer and songwriter - Was a member of John's Children (They did, "Desdemona") and the leader of Tyrannosaurus Rex later renamed T. Rex (They did, "Bang A Gong" and "Rabbit Fighter").

Utah Carl Beach (Carl Jared Beach) - Died 9-24-1977 in Galveston, TX, U.S. - Carcinoma of the lung - Born 1-31-1919 on an Indian reservation in Bartlesville, OK, U.S. - (He did, "Daddy's Little King" and "The Man In The Moon") - Led Herbie And The Boys.

Papa French (Albert  French) - Died 9-28-1977 ( Jazz ) Born 11-16-1910 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played banjo - He led Oscar "Papa" Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Band after Celestin died.

Mary Ford (Iris Colleen Summers) (aka Iris Colleen Hatfield) - Died 9-30-1977 in Arcadia, CA, U.S. - Cancer, after being in a diabetic coma for 54 days ( Pop - Jazz ) Born 7-7-1924 in El Monte, CA, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (She did, "How High The Moon" and "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise" with her husband, Les Paul) - Worked with the Sunshine Girls Trio and The Millie Pace Trio.

Andy Parker - Died 10-2-1977 ( Country Western ) Born 3-17-1913 in Magnum, OK, U.S. - Led Andy Parker And The Plainsmen (They did, "Trail Dust" and "Throw A Saddle On A Star") - Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Del Porter (Delmar Smith Porter) - Died 10-4-1977 ( Swing - Pop - Novelty ) Born 4-13-1902 in Newberg, OR, U.S. - Was the leader of The Feather Merchants and The Sweet Potato Tooters - Worked with Glenn Miller, Dick Powell, Ethel Merman and Spike Jones And His City Slickers (They did,"Siam" and "Pass The Biscuits, Mirandy").

Jiri Jelinek - Died 10-5-1977 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Jumped out of a window due to depression caused by mental illness ( Jazz Rock - Rock ) Born 9-12-1954 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Guitarist for Expanze, Etc... (They did, "Lady Vamp" and "Mlyn") and Mahagon (They did, "Obrazarna" and "Oci nevidomych zrcadel").

Bing Crosby (Harry Lillis Crosby) - Died 10-14-1977 in Madrid, Spain - Heart attack ( Jazz - Swing - Pop ) Born 5-3-1903 in Tacoma, Washington, U.S. - (He did, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?") - Was a member of The Musicaladers and The Rhythm Boys (They did, "My Blue Heaven") and did a duet with David Bowie ("Little Drummer Boy - Peace On Earth").

Shirley Brickley - Died 10-13-1977 - Shot at home, no arrests were made ( Rock ) Born 12-9-1944 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Was a singer for The Orlons (They did,"Don't Hang Up" and "The Wah Watusi").

Milt Raskin - Died 10-16-1977 ( Jazz ) Born 1-27-1916 - Pianist and saxophonist - Worked with Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Billie Holiday and Tommy Dorsey.

Ronnie van Zant (Ronald Wayne Van Zant) - Died 10-20-1977 near Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. - Plane crash after it ran out of fuel ( Southern Rock ) Born 1-15-1948 in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. - Singer -  Was a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (They did,"Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Steve Gaines (Steven Earl Gaines) - Died 10-20-1977 near Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. - Plane crash after it ran out of fuel ( Southern Rock ) Born 9-14-1949 in Seneca, Missouri, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - Was a member  Lynyrd Skynyrd - Worked with RIO Smokehouse, Rusty Day and Detroit - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Cassie Gaines - Died 10-20-1977 near Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. - Plane crash after it ran out of fuel ( Southern Rock - Gospel ) Born 1-9-1948 - She was a member of The Honkettes  who became backup singers for Lynyrd Skynyrd .

Dean Kilpatrick - Died 10-20-1977 near Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. - Plane crash after it ran out of fuel ( Southern Rock )  Was a road manager for Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Peg Leg Sam Jackson (Arthur Jackson) - Died 10-27-1977 in Jonesville, SC, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 12-18-1911 in Jonesville, SC, U.S. - Played harmonica - (He did, "Fox Chase" and "John Henry") - Worked medicine shows.

Guy Lombardo (Gaetano Alberto Lombardo) Died 11-5-1977 in Houston, TX, U.S. ( Swing ) Born 6-19-1902 in London, Ontario, Canada - Bandleader and violinist - Co-founder of The Royal Canadians who were noted for playing, "Auld Lang Syne" on New Years Eve - Long Island Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

William Owsley (aka Bill Austin, Bill Osborn and Bill Osley) - Died 11-10-1977 in Chicago, IL, U,S. ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 12-14-1903 in Galesburg, IL, U.S. - Played clarinet, organ and piano - Worked with Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, Washboard Sam, Johnny Dodds, Baby Dodds and Blind John Davis.

Richard Addinsell - Died 11-14-1977 in London, England - Born 1-131904 in London, England - Composer - Wrote music for the films, Dangerous Moonlight, Goodbye Mr. Chips and A Tale of Two Cities.

Albert E. Brumley (Albert Edward Brumley) - Died 11-15-1977 in Springfield, MO, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 10-29-1905 near Spiro, Oklahoma, U.S. - (He composed, "I'll Fly Away" and "Turn Your Radio On") - Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame Inductee,  Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee, Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Teddi King (Theodora King) - Died 11-18-1977 ( Jazz ) Born 9-18-1929 in Boston, MA, U.S. - (She did, "Mr. Wonderful" and "Married I Can Always Get").

Willie Thomas (Willie B. Thomas) - Died 11-23-1977 in Belmont, Louisiana, U.S. ( String Band ) Born 5-25-1912 in Lobdell, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Worked with Butch Cage ("Whoa Mule!" and "Bugle Call Blues").

John Drue Jr. - Died 12-?-1977 - Cancer ( Doo Wop - R&B ) Was a member of Johnny Bragg And The Prisonaires.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Ronald Theodore Kirk) - Died 12-5-1977 in Bloomington, IN, U.S. - Stroke ( Jazz ) Born 8-7-1935 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. - Played saxophone, flute and other instruments - (He did, "Funk Underneath" and "Doin' The Sixty-Eight") - Worked with  Quincy Jones ("Soul Bossa Nova"), Roy Haynes and Charles Mingus - He often played more than one instument at a time.

Peter Carl Goldmark - Died 12-7-1977 in the U.S. ( Inventor - Innovator ) Born 12-2-1906 in Budapeste, Hungary - He was the Chief Research Executive of Columbia Broadcasting System - Responsible for 160 invention for acoustics, phonograph recording and television - He invented the LP record.

Bill Boyd (William Lemuel Boyd) - Died 12-7-1977 in Dallas, Texas, U.S. ( Western ) Born 9-28-1914 in Fannin County, Texas, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Led Bill Boyd's Cowboy Ramblers.

Big Chief Ellis (Wilbert Ellis) - Died 12-20-1977 - Heart failure ( Blues ) Born 11-10-1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. - (He did, "Dices Oh Dices" and "Prison Bound").

Luis "Vivi" Hernandez (Luís Leopoldo Hernandez Hurtado) - Died 12-20-1977 in Mexico - Heart attack ( Rock ) Born 1-18-1943 in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico - Musician and singer - Worked with los Crazy Boy - Immitated Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis.

Jimmy Oden - Died 12-30-1977 - Bronchopneumonia ( Blues ) Born 6-26-1903 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. (He did, "I'm St. Louis Bound" and "Nothing But The Blues").

Paul Ackerman - Died 12-31-1977 in Neponsit, Long Island, NY, U.S. - Born  2-18-1908 in New York, U.S. - Musical journalist - Was a music editor for Billboard magazine -  Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1978

Walter "Kid" Smith - Died 1978 ( Bluegrass ) Born 8-12-1895 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Carolina Buddies (They did, "My Evolution Girl" and "Otto Wood, The Bandit") and The Dixie Ramblers.

Glenn Myer or Glyn Myer (aka Johnny Stix King) - Died 1978 ( Rock ) Drummer - Worked with The Steve Miller Band on their, Recall the Beginning...A Journey from Eden album - Not to be confused with Jack King of Frumious Bandersnatch who also worked as a drummer for The Steve Miller Band.

Ed Brown (Edward Michael Brown) - Died 1978 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer ( Children's Music ) Born 2-?-1921 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - He and Jim Copp released recording on their Playhouse Records with Ed doing sound effects and designing the record covers.

Little Louis Boyd - Died 1978 ( Blues ) Born 8-24-1924 in Carthage, MS, U.S. - Sang and played harmonica and guitar - Worked with Smokey Smothers ("Twist With Me Annie"), Red Foley, Carl Perkins, Elmore James and Little Walter.

Mel Lyman - Died 1978 ( Folk - Jug Band ) Born 3-24-1938 in Eureka, California, U.S. - Harmonica player - Was a member of Jim Kweskin's Jug Band.

Clarence Rigsby - Died 1978 - Car accident ( Doo Wop ) Born 1947 - Was a member of The Velvets (They did, "Tonight" and "Laugh").

Donald McDonald - Died 1978 ( Rock ) Drummer - Was a member of Jeremy And The Satyrs (They did, "Let's Go To The Movie Show" and "Lonely Child Of Tears") and The Artie Kornfeld Tree - Worked with Joe Beck, Tim Hardin and Danny Whitten.

Jimmy Mobley - Died 1978 - Heart attack ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Was a member of The Four Fellows .

Henry Booth - Died 1978 ( R&B - Rock ) Born 1935 - Sang with Hank Ballard.

John Mealy (Danny Brooks) - Died 1978 ( Rock ) Born 4-1-1942 - Bass vocalist for The Dovells (They did, "You Can't Sit Down" and "Bristol Stomp").

Thomas Fraser (Thomas James Fraser) - Died 1-6-1978 in Setter, Burra Isle, Shetland, Scotland - After an accident at sea ( Country ) Born 3-20-1927 in Outterabrake, Burra Isle, Shetland, Scotland - Sang and played guitar, piano and mandolin - Worked with The Hamnavoe Band and Ruby Inkster.

John Wallace - Died 1-16-1978 ( Gospel - R&B ) Born 3-4-1912 - Singer - Was a member of The Southland Jubilee Singers who became The Four Knights (They did, "If I May" and "I Get So Lonely") - The Four Knights backed Nat King Cole on "That’s All There Is to That" and "My Personal Possession".

Skeets Yaney (Clyde Yaney) - Died 1-20-1978 ( Country ) Born 6-16-1912 in Mitchell, IN, U.S. - Sang and played guitar and harmonica - (He did, "I'm Sealing This Letter With Tears" and " Ozark Valley Waltz") - Worked with Ruth Talley ("Just What You Want Me To" and "Ordinary").

Chuck Peterson - Died 1-21-1978 ( Swing ) Born 1915 - Played Trumpet - Worked with Hank Biagini, Artie Shaw, Tony Pastor, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey and his wife singer Kay Foster.

Terry Kath - Died 1-23-78 - Accidental self  inflicted gun shot ( Rock ) Born 1-31-1946 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Was a guitarist for Chicago (They did, "If You Leave Me Now").

Vic Ames (Vic Amory Urick) - Died 1-23-1978 - Single car crash ( Pop ) Born 5-20-1925 in Malden, MA, U.S. - Singer - Was one of The Ames Brothers (They did, "Forever And Ever" and "Rag Mop") - Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Andre Paiement - Died 1-23-1978 - Suicide ( Rock - Musicals ) Born 1-28-1950 in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada - Playwright and musician - (He wrote the musical, "Moe, j'viens du Nord, s'tie!") - Was a member of CANO (They did, "La Premiere fois" and "Mon pays").

Greg Herbert (Gregory Herbert) - Died 1-31-1978 in Amsterdam - Accidental heroin overdose ( Rock - Jazz ) Born 5-19-1947 - Was a saxophone player for Blood, Sweat And Tears - Worked with Woody Herman, Thad Jones and Chet Baker .

Eddie Noack (aka Tommy Wood) - Died 2-5-1978 ( Country ) Born 8-29-1930 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Composer and singer - (He wrote, "Barbara Joy" and "For Better Or Worse").

Frances Wayne - Died 2-6-1978 in Boston, MA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 8-26-1924 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Singer - Worked with her brother, saxophonist Nick Jerret, her husband trumpeter, Neal Hefti and with Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Charlie Barnet, Al Cohn and Woody Herman.

Julio Jaramillo - Died 2-9-1978 - Illness ( Pasillo - Bolero - Tango - Ranchera ) Born 10-1-1935 in Guayaquil, Ecuador - Singer - (He did, "Nuestro juramento") - Worked with Olimpo Cardenas, Fresia Saavedra, Daniel Santos, Carlos Rubira Infante ("Esposa") and Alci Acosta.

Bob "Cyclone" McCoy - Died 2-12-1978  ( Blues ) Born 5-31-1910 in Aliceville, Alabama, U.S. - (He did, "McCoy Boogie").

Professor Alex Bradford - Died 2-15-1978 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Stroke ( Gospel ) Born 1-23-1927 in Bessemer, AL, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "I'm Too Close To Heaven" and "I Can't Turn Around") - Led The Bradfordettes, The Bradford Specials and The Bronx Gospelaires.

Tootsie Bess (Hettie Louise) - Died 2-18-1978 ( Country ) Born 1915 in Hohenwald, TN, U.S. - She owned the country club, "Tootsie's Orchid Lounge" - She appeared in the film, "W.W. And The Dixie Dancekings".

Debbie Weems (Deborah Weems) - Died 2-22-1978 in New York, NY, U.S. - Jumped or fell from the 16th floor of a building ( Pop ) Born 2-3-1951 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Actress, guitarist and singer - (She did, "Put Your Hands Way Up High" and "The Bunny Rabbit Song") - Appeared in the off Broadway musical, Godspell - She was a regular on TV's, The Captain Kangaroo Show from 1973 to 1977.

Joe Marsala (Joseph Francis Marsala) - Died 3-3-1978 in Santa Barbara, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-4-1907 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Clarinetist - Worked with Buddy Rich, Eddie Condon, Shelly Manne and Wingy Manone - He was married to harpist, Adele Girard and was the brother of trumpeter, Marty Marsala.

Ozie Waters (Vernon Scott Waters) - Died 3-10-1978 in Colorado, U.S. - Heart attack ( Country ) Born 12-8-1903 in Callaway County, MO, U.S. - Singer and actor - Led Ozie Waters And His Colorado Rangers - Worked  with The Plainsmen ("Throw A Saddle On A Star").

Claude Francois (Claude Antoine Marie Francois) (aka Cloclo) - Died 3-11-1978 in Paris, France - Electrocuted when he tried to straighten a light fixture on a wall while in a bathtub ( Pop ) Born 2-1-1939 in Ismailia, Egypt - Singer, drummer, violinist and pianist - (He co-wrote "Comme d'habitude" which is the original version of, "My Way" and wrote, "Parce que je t'aime mon enfant" the original version of, "My Boy").

Bill Kenny - Died 3-25-1978 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ( R&B ) Born 6-12-1914 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Singer - (He did, "Motiva") - Was a member of The Ink Spots.

Larry Young (aka Khalid Yasin and Abdul Aziz) - Died 3-30-1978 in New York, NY, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Jazz - Rock - R&B ) Born 10-7-1940 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Organist and pianist - Worked with Jimmy Forrest, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley, Grant Green, Elvin Jones, Tommy Turrentine, John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Tony William's Lifetime.

Willie Hunter (Willie Chastain Hunter) - Died 4-?-1978 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 3-24-1936 - Was a member of The Diablos (They did,"The Wind" and "The Way You Dog Me Round").

Ray Noble (Raymond Stanley Noble) - Died 4-2-1978 ( Swing ) Born 12-17-1903 in Brighton, England (He composed,"The Very Thought Of You" and "Cherokee") Worked with The New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Glenn Miller, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Erwin and Charlie Spivak.

Jimmy Webster (James Donart Webster) - Died 4-11-1978 in Long Island, NY, U.S. ( Guitarist - Inventor ) Born 8-11-1908 in Van Wert Ohio, U.S. - Perfected the "Touch Techinque" of hammer-on playing and wrote the book, "Touch System For Electric And Amplified Spanish Guitar" and recording the album "Webster's Unabridged" which was produced by Chet Atkins - He worked as a product demonstrator and investor for the Fred Gretsch Company - Responsible for the Gretsch White Falcon, the Silver Jet and the Gretsch 6120 guitars.

Hanus Berka - Died 4-14-1978 in Munich, Germany - Car crash ( Pop - Jazz Rock ) Born 12-15-1940 in Prague, Czechoslovakia (at the time Bohemia-Moravian Protectorat) - Played saxophone for Czech pop singer Karel Gott and later emigrated to West Germany where he worked on the musical Hair - Later became a member of  Emergency.

Larry Brownlee - Died 4-17-1978 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Murdered ( R&B ) Born 3-18-1943 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - He was a member of The C.O.D.'s (They did, "Fire (She's Fire)" and "Michael"), The Lost Generation (They did, "The Sly, Slick And The Wicked" and "Wasting Time") and Mystique (They did, "It Took A Woman Like You").

Sandy Denny ( Alexandra Elene MacLean Denny ) - Died 4-21-1978 in London, England - In a coma after a brain hemorrhage from a fall down stairs ( Folk Rock ) Born 1-6-1947 in Wimbledon, London, England - Singer, harpsichordist and guitarist - (She did, "Crazy Lady Blues" and "Late November") - Was a member of Fotheringay ("Nothing More" and "The Pond And The Stream") and Fairport Convention ("Autopsy" and "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?") - Worked with The Strawbs and Led Zeppelin ("The Battle Of Evermore") - She was married to singer and guitarist, Trevor Lucas.

Brother Claude Ely (aka The Gospel Ranger) - Died 5-7-1978 in Newport, KY, U.S. - Heart attack while playing organ during a sermon ( Gospel - Country ) Born 7-21-1922 in Pucketts Creek, Lee County, VA, U.S. - Worked with Herman Crisp, Dennis Hensley, Herschel Lively, J.D. Jarvis and Phil Miles.

Glen Sherley (Milborn Sherley) - Died 5-11-1978 - Shot himself ( Country ) Born 3-9-1936 in Oklahoma, U.S. - Singer-songwriter - (He did, "Greystone Chapel" and "Portrait Of My Woman") Worked with Spade Cooley.

Teddy Hill - Died 5-19-1978 in Cleveland, OH, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-7-1909 in Birmingham, AL, U.S. - Saxophonist - Worked with Dizzy Gillespie and Chu Berry - He managed Minton's Playhouse, a jazz nightclub.

Reg Owen (George Owen Smith) (He legally changed his name to Reginald Owen) - Died 5-23-2009 in Malaga ( Jazz ) Born 2-3-1921 in Hackney, London - Saxophonist, conductor and arranger - (He did, "Manhattan Spiritual") - Worked with Teddy Joyce's Juveniles and The Royal Kiltie Juniors - Arranged for Ted Heath and Cyril Stapleton.

Warren Corbin - Died 6-?-1978 - Cancer ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 9-12-1938 - Was a member of The Cleftones (They did,"Little Girl Of Mine" and "Why Do You Do Me Like You Do").

Johnny Bond (Cyrus Whitfield Bond) - Died 6-12-1978 in Burbank, CA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Country - Pop ) Born 6-1-1915 in Enville, Oklahoma, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (Recorded, "10 Little Bottles" and "Hot Rod Lincoln") - Led Johnny Bond And The Cimaron Boys -  He was a member of The Jimmy Wakely Trio, The Singing Cowboy Trio and The Bell Boys - Worked with  Roy Rogers and Gene Autry - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee and Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Foy Willing (Foy Willingham) - Died 7-24-1978 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Born 5-14-1914 in Bosque County, TX, U.S. - Singer - Led Foy Willing And The Riders Of The Purple Sage (They did, "Texas Blues") - Worked with Jimmy Wakely & His Saddle Pals and Gene Autry ("Johnny Reb And Billy Yank") - Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Bob Crane (Robert Edward Crane) (aka Colonel Robert E. Hogan) - Died 6-29-1978  - Murdered, bludgeoned to death ( Actor - DJ - Drummer ) Born 7-12-1928 in Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. - Recorded an album of TV theme songs ("Green Hornet" and "My Three Sons") - Was Hogan on the TV show, Hogan's Heroes.

Juke Boy Bonner (Weldon Bonner) - Died 6-29-1978 - Cirrhosis of the liver ( Blues ) Born 3-22-1932 in Belville, Texas, U.S. - Played guitar and harmonica and was a singer -  (He did, "Can't Win For Losin'" and "Sad Sad Sound").

Teddy Bunn (Theodore Bunn) - Died 7-20-1978 in Lancaster, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-7-1909 in Freeport, NY, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - Worked with Duke Ellington, The Washboard Rhythm Kings, The Spirits Of Rhythm, Jimmie Noone, Hot Lips Page ("Evil Man’s Blues"), Johnny Dodds, Trixie Smith, J.C. Higginbotham, Sidney Bechet and Lionel Hampton ("Just For Laffs" and "Pig Foot Sonata").

Glenn Goins - Died 7-29-1978 - Systemic disorder ( Funk ) Born Born 1-2-1954 - Was a member of Parliament-Funkadelic (They did, "One Nation Under a Groove") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Pete Meaden (Peter Alexander Edwin Meaden) - Died 7-29-1978 in Edmonton, London, England - Barbiturate overdose - Born 11-11-1941 - (He wrote the lyrics for, "I'm The Face") - Was a manager for The Who, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Steve Gibbons Band.

Enoch Light - Died 7-31-1978 ( Conductor ) Born 8-18-1907 in Canton, Ohio, U.S. (He had hits with, "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming" and "I Want to be Happy Cha Cha") - Was the conductor for Light Brigade (They did, "Summer Night") - Was a pioneer in stereo recording and  president of the Grand Award label.

Frank Fontaine - Died 8-4-1978 in Spokane, WA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Pop ) Born 4-19-1920 in Haverhill, MA, U.S. - Singer and comedian - He sang on TV's, The Jackie Gleason Show as Crazy Guggenheim.

Eddie Calvert (Albert Edward Calvert) - Man With The Golden Trumpet - Died 8-7-1978 ( Orchestral Pop ) Born 3-15-1922 in Preston, Lancashire - Played trumpet - (He had hits with, "Oh Mein Papa" and "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White") - Worked with The Stanley Black Orchestra.

Caleb Ginyard (Caleb Nathaniel Ginyard, Jr.) - Died 8-11-1978 ( Doo-Wop - Gospel ) Born 1-15-1910 in St. Matthews, South Carolina, U.S. -  Was a member of The Jubalaires, The Dixieaires ("Go Long"), The Du Dropper ("I Wanna Know") and The Golden Gate Quartet.

Joe Venuti (Giuseppi Venuti) - Died 8-14-1978 in Seattle, WA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 9-16-1903 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Violinist - (He recorded, "Flip" and "Flop") Worked with Eddie Lang, Paul Whiteman, Zoot Sims, Earl Hines and Marian McPartland.

Irene Kral - Died 8-15-1978 in Encino, CA, U.S. - Breast cancer ( Jazz ) Born 1-18-1932 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Singer and drummer - (She did, "Benjamin") - Worked with The Tattle Tales ("Far Away" and "Who Put The Ungh In Mambo"), Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne and Chubby Jackson - Sister of pianist and singer, Roy Kral.

Wolfgang Riechmann - Died 8-21-1978 in Duesseldorf - Stabbed ( Electronic ) Born 5-19-1947 - Singer and keyboardist - (He did, "Wunderbar" and "Siberland") - Worked with Spirit Of Sound and Streetmark.

Louis Prima - Died 8-24-1978 - After an operation for a brain tumor ( R&B - Jazz - Pop ) Born 12-7-1911 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - (He did, "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Angelina").

Stacy Sutherland - Died 8-24-1978 - Shot by his wife ( Rock ) Born 5-16-1947 - Was a guitarist for The 13th Floor Elevators (They did, "Levitation" and "You're Gonna Miss Me").

Irving Micahnik - Died 9-?-1978 in The Bronx, NY, U.S. - Born 11-21-1905 - Co-owner of Twirl Records - He and Harry Balk ran Talent Artists and Embee Productions working with Del Shannon, Max Crook, The Royaltones, Johnny And The Hurricanes, Mickey Denton, Don And Juan, Jamie Coe and Johnny Gibson.

Joe Negroni - Died 9-5-1978 - Brain hemorrhage  ( Rock ) Born 9-9-1940 in New York, NY, U.S. - Was a singer for Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers ( They recorded, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" and "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent ") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee .

Tom Wilson - Died 9-6-1978 - Heart attack ( Producer ) Born 3-25-1931 - Produced Cecil Taylor, John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Bob Dylan, The Velvet Underground, Frank Zappa, Soft Machine, The Blues Project, Nico, Simon & Garfunkel and more.

Al Benson (Arthur Leaner) - Godfather of Black Radio in Chicago - Died 9-6-1978 in Berrien Springs, MI, U.S. - Born 6-30-1908 in Jackson, MS, U.S. - Singer, DJ and producer - Was a member of The Leaners' Band - Created Parrot Records.

Keith Moon (aka Moon The Loon) - Died 9-7-1978 - Accidental overdose on Hemenephirin - (He died in the same flat that Mama Cass died in) ( Rock ) Born 8-23-1947 in Wembley, London, England - Drummer for The Escorts, The Beachcombers and The Who (They did, "I Can't Explain" and "My Generation") - Worked with Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Joe Walsh, Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, Aynsley Dunbar, Yoko Ono and Jeff Beck  - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee.

Kaoru Abe - Died 9-9-1978 - Drug overdose ( Jazz ) Born 5-3-1949 - Played saxophone - He was half of the duo New Directions - Worked with Derek Bailey and Milford Graves - He was the husband of author, Izumi Suzuki and cousin of singer, Kyu Sakamoto.

Ruth Etting - Died 9-24-1978 in Colorado Springs, CO, U.S. ( Pop - Jazz ) Born 11-23-1896 in David City, NE - Singer - (She sang, "Ten Cents A Dance" and "Love Me Or Leave Me") - She had been married to gangster, Martin "Moe the Gimp" Snyder and pianist, Myrl Alderman.

Carl German - Died 10-?-1978 ( Dixieland ) Singer and bass guitar player - Worked with pianist Marie Marcus.

Abbie Brunies (Albert Brunies) - Died 10-2-1978 in Biloxi, MS, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-19-1900 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Cornetist - Worked with The Halfway House Orchestra and Papa Jack Laine.

Johnny O'Keefe (John Micheal O'Keefe) - The Wild One,  Australia's 'King of Rock'N'Roll' - Died 10-6-1978 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia - Heart attack ( Rock ) Born 1-19-1935 in Sydney, Australia - (He recorded, "Shout" and "She's My Baby").

Ralph Marterie - Died 10-8-1978 ( Swing - Pop ) Born 12-24-1914 in Naples, Italy - Trumpet player and bandleader - (He did, "Shish-Kebab", "Tricky" and a cover of Bill Haley's, "Crazy Man Crazy") - Worked with Vic Damone and The Crew Cuts.

Jimmy Cross - Died 10-8-1978 - Heart attack ( Novelty ) Born 11-17-1938 (He did,"I Want My Baby Back").

Jacques Brel - Died 10-9-1978 in Paris, France - Lung cancer ( Folk - Pop ) Born 4-8-1929 in Brussels, Belgium - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "Quand On a Que L'Amour" and "Les Bourgeois").

Mel Street (King Malachi Street) - Died 10-12-1978 - Shot himself ( Country ) Born 10-21-1933 near Grundy, West Virginia, U.S. (He did,"The High Line Man" and "Borrowed Angel").

Maybelle Carter (Maybelle Addington) - Died 10-23-1978 in Nashville, TN, U.S. ( Country ) Born 5-10-1909 in Nickelsville, VA, U.S. - Guitarist and autoharpist - Was a member of The Carter Family and Mother Maybelle & The Carter Sisters - Mother of The Carter Sisters and Mother in-law of Johnny Cash - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and International Bluegrass Music Hall Of Honor Inductee.

Miloslav Bures - Died 10-26-1978 in Prague, Czechoslovakia ( Jazz - Swing ) Born 10-20-1930 in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia - Played trumpet for Orchestr Karla Vlacha (They did, "Elmer's Tune" and "Moonlight in Vermont"), East All Stars and Orchestr CST Praha.

Oscar Broadway - Died 10-31-1978 ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 6-7-1910 - Was a member of  The Four Knights (They did,"Just In CaseYou Change Your Mind" and "Walkin' With My Shadow").

Miguelito Valdez (Eugenio Zacarias Miguel Valdez) (aka Mr. Babalu) - Died 11-9-1978 in Bogota, Colombia - Heart attack ( Salsa ) Born 9-6-1910 in El Barrio de Belen, Havana, Cuba - Singer and guitarist - Led Orquestra Casino de la Playa (They did, "Babalu" and "Dolor Cobarde") - Worked with El Sexteto Habanero Juvenil, Lucho Azcarraga, Los Hermanos Castro,  Xavier Cugat and The Machito Orchestra.

Mississippi Matilda (Matilda Whiterspoon) (Matilda Powell) - Died 11-15-1978 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1-27-1914 in Hattiesburg, MS, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "Hardworking Woman Blues") - She had been married to singer and guitarist, Sonny Boy Nelson.

Henry Pacholski - Died 11-15-1978 - Car crash ( Rock ) Singer - Was a member of Lift (They did, "Vincent Van Gogh" and Sinbad").

Gerhard Zacher - Died 11-15-1978 ( Rock ) Born 10-8-1945 - Guitarist - Was a member of Lift (They did, "Tangersreise" and "Alptraum").

Jimmy Nottingham - Died 11-16-1978 ( Jazz ) Born 12-15-1925 in New York, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman.

Lennie Tristano (Leonard Joseph Tristano) - Died 11-18-1978 ( Jazz ) Born 3-19-1919 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Pianist and composer - (He did,"Digression" and "Intuition") Worked with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker - Father of drummer, Carol Tristano.

Sonny DiNunzio (Sebastian DiNunzio) - Died 11-22-1978 - Car accident ( Rock ) Born 11-15-1942 - Singer, guitarist and keyboardist - Was a member of, The Four Chaps, The Townsmen, The Fenways (They did, "Walk" and "Be Careful Little Girl") and The Racket Squad (They did, "The Loser" and "That's How Much I Love My Baby").

Beverley Jean Hill (aka Big Mama Bev) - Died 11-26-1978 in Detroit, MI, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-6-1938 in Birmingham, Michigan, U.S. - Singer - Worked with The Tailgate Ramblers.

Joey Castle (Joseph Castaldo) (aka Cliff Rivers) - Died 12-?-1978 ( Rock ) Born 6-24-1942 - (He did, "Rock And Roll Daddy-O" and a remake of "That Ain't Nothin' But Right").

Wyatt "Earp" McPherson - Died 12-12-1978 ( R&B ) Born 7-5-1931 in Louisiana, U.D. - Singer (He did,"Here's My Confession").

Don Ellis (Donald Johnson Ellis) - Died 12-12-1978 ( Jazz ) Born 7-25-1934 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Drummer, trumpeter, composer and arranger -  Worked with Woody Herman, George Russell, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Charlie Barnet, Kenny Dorham and Charlie Mingus.

Keith Ellis (Keith Ian Ellis) - Died 12-12-1978 in Dartmstadt, Germany - Overdose ( Rock ) Born 3-19-1946 in Matlock, Derbyshire - Bassist - Worked with The Thunderbeats, The Koobas (They did, "I Love Her" and "You'd Better Make Up Your Mind"), Van der Graaf Generator (They did, "People You Were Going To" and "Firebrand"), Spooky Tooth, Juicy Lucy (They did, "She's Mine/She's Yours" and "Whisky In My Jar"), The Misunderstood, Iron Butterfly, Uriah Heep and Boxer (They did, "Hip Kiss" and "Town Drunk").

Jenny Lou Carson (Virginia Lucille Overstake) (aka Radio Chin Up Girl) - Died 12-16-1978 in Torrance, CA, U.S. ( Country ) Born 1-13-1915 in Decatur, IL, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (She wrote, "You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often" and co-wrote, "Let Me Go, Lover!") - Was a member of Three Little Maids - Her songs have been recorded by Roy Acuff, Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb, Teresa Brewer, Peggy Lee, Patti Page, Sunny Gale, Joan Weber, Hank Snow and her brother in-law Red Foley - Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Blanche Calloway - Died 12-16-1978 ( Jazz ) Born 2-9-1904 - Singer, bandleader, and composer - Led Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys (They did, "Catch On" and "Growlin' Dan") - Worked with Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy ("There's Rhythm In The River" and "Casey Jones Blues") - Sister of Cab Calloway.

Les Kummel (Leslie Kummel) - Died 12-18-1978 - Car crash ( Rock ) Born 2-23-1945 - Was the bassist for New Colony Six (They did, "I Will Always Think About You" and "Things I'd Like To Say").

Chris Bell - Died 12-27-1978 - Car Crash ( Rock ) Born 1-12-1951 - Was a guitarist for Big Star .

Bob Luman (Robert Glynn Luman)- Died 12-27-1978 - Pneumonia ( Rockabilly - R&B - Country ) Born 4-15-1937 in Blackjack or Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S. - (He did, "Let's Think About Living" and "The Great Snowman") - Worked with Ricky Nelson .

Koen Debruyne - Died 12-31-1978 ( Rock - Avant-garde - Blues ) Keyboardist - Worked with his brother Kris de Bruyne, Carriage Company and Johan Verminnen.

1979

Bunny Lee (Jacqueline Marrero) - Died 1979 - Fell or thrown from a window ( Hip-Hop ) Member of The Rock Steady Crew.

Rivers Jobe - Died 1979 ( Rock ) Born 1950 - Bassist - Was a member of The Anon (They did, "'Pennsylvania Flickhouse").

Mike Ferguson - Died 1979 - Complications from diabetes ( Rock ) Singer and keyboardist - Was a member of The Charlatans (They did, "The Shadow Knows" and "32-20") and Tongue And Groove (They did, "Sidetrack" and Motorhead Baby").

Joanne Stone - Died 1979 - Malignant brain tumor ( Soul ) Singer - She was half of the duo, R&J Stone with her husband Russell (They did, "We Do It" and "One Chance").

Lee Caraway - Died 1979 - Brain Tumor ( Rock ) Guitarist - Was a member of The Swinging Machine (They did, "Do You Have to Ask" and "Comin' On Back Home").

Don Talty - Died in 1-?-1979 - Born on 8-16-1911 in Illinois, U.S. - Record entrepreneur, producer and manager - Worked with Willie Mabon, Jan Bradley ("Nights In New York City"), Young Guitar Red and The Philip Upchurch Combo.

August Burns - Died 1979 in Germany - Survived a fall from a construction elevator but contracted pneumonia in the hospital ( Rock ) Cellist - Was a member of Sweetwater (They did,"My Crystal Spider" and "In A Rainbow") - Sweetwater was the first group on stage at the original Woodstock music festival.

Urias LeFevre - Died 1979 ( Gospel ) Born 1910 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The LeFevre Trio - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Richard Cary - Died 1979 in Austin, TX, U.S. - Motorcycle accident ( Rock ) Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Fabulous Grapes Of Wrath - The Nebraska Rock Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Judee Sill (Judith Sill) - Died 1979 - Heroin overdose ( Folk Singer - Songwriter ) Born 10-4-1944 (She did, "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" and "Down Where The Valleys Are Low").

Vernon Wray (Vernon Aubrey Wray) (aka Ray Vernon) - Died 1979 - Shot himself ( Rock - Rockabilly ) Born on 1-7-1924 in Dunn North Carolina, U.S. - Guitarist - Was a member of Was a member of Lucky Wray And The Lazy Pine Wranglers, Lucky Wray And The Palomino Ranch Hands and Link Wray And The Raymen (They did, "Rumble" and "Rawhide").

Roy Calhoun (Royalston Calhoun) - Died 1979 - Apartment fire ( R&B - Doo-Wop ) Was a member of The Dreamers which became Lee Andrews And The Hearts.

Vivian Vance (Vivian Roberta Jones) (aka Ethel Mertz) Died 1979 - Bone cancer ( Actress ) Born 7-26-1909 in Cherryvale, Kansas, U.S. - (She did, "Friendship" with Lucille Ball).

Rick Evers - Died 1979 - Heroin overdose ( Pop ) Song writer and drummer - He was married to Carole King.

Shelly Siegel - Died 1979 - Founder of Mushroom Records.

Charles Miller - Died 1979 - Murdered during a robbery ( Rock ) Born 1-2-1939 - Played  flute,sax and percussions for War (They did, "Low Rider" and "Cisco Kid").

Wayne Walker (Wayne Paul Walker)- Died 1-2-1979 in Nashville, TN, U.S. ( Country ) Born 12-13-1925 in Quapaw, OK, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He did, "All I Can Do Is Cry") - He wrote Ray Price's, "I've Got A New Heartache", Patsy Cline's, "Leavin' On Your Mind" and songs covered by many other artists including Elvis Presley, Hank Snow, Eddie Cochran and Waylon Jennings - Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Charles Mingus Jr. - Died 1-5-1979 in Cuernevaca, Mexico - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease ( Jazz - R&B ) Born 4-22-1922 in Nogales, Arizona, U.S. - Bassist and pianist - (He did, "Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb On Me" and "Fables Of Faubus") - He worked with Lionel Hampton, Ellington, Stan Getz, Art Tatum and Bud Powell.

Sara Carter (Sara Dougherty) - Died 1-8-1979 in Lodi, CA, U.S. ( Country ) Born 7-21-1898 in Flatwoods, Virginia, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Carter Family - At one time married to A. P. Carter - International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor Inductee and Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Donny Hathaway - Died 1-13-1979 in New York, NY, U.S. - Jumped or fell from a 15th floor hotel window ( Soul - Jazz ) Born 10-1-1945 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and pianist - (He co-wrote, "The Ghetto") - Worked with The Ric Powell Trio, Roberta Flack ("Where Is The Love") and June Conquest ("I Thank You Baby") - Recorded the theme song for TV's, Maude - Father of singer, Lalah Hathaway.

Sonny Payne (Percival Payne) - Died 1-29-1979 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-4-1926 in New York, NY, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with with Count Basie, The Dud And Paul Bascomb Band, Hot Lips Page, Earl Bostic, Erskine Hawkins, Tiny Grimes, Lucille Dixon and Harry James - Son of drummer, Chris Columbus.

Grant Green - Died 1-31-1979 ( Jazz - Boogie-Woogie - Rock - Blues - R&B ) Born 6-6-1931 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Guitarist - (He did, "Outer Space" and "Blues For Lou") - He worked with Jimmy Forrest, Harry Edison, Yusef Lateef, Lou Donaldson, Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine, Dave Bailey, Hank Mobley, Herbie Hancock and many others.

Sid Vicious ( John Simon Ritchie ) - Died 2-2-1979 in New York, NY, U.S. - Heroin overdose ( Punk ) Born 5-10-1957 in London, England - Bassist and singer - Was a member of The Sex Pistols (They did, "God Save The Queen" and "Anarchy In The U.K.") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Will Balfa - Died 2-6-1979 - Car crash ( Cajun ) Was one of The Balfa Brothers.

Rodney Balfa - Died 2-6-1979 - Car crash ( Cajun ) Born 1934 - Was one of The Balfa Brothers.

Al Stillman - Died 2-17-1979 in New York, NY, U.S. - Born 6-26-1906 in New York, NY - (Co-wrote, "It's Not For Me To Say" and "Chances Are") - Collaborated with Percy Faith, Arthur Schwartz, Fred Ahlert, George Gershwin, Ernesto Lecuona, Paul McGrane and Robert Allen - His songs have been recorded by Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, The Four Lads, Cher, Billie Holiday and Perry Como -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ray Whitley (Raymond Otis Whitley) - Died 2-21-1979 in Baja California, Mexico ( Country ) Born 12-5-1901 in Atlanta, GA, U.S. - Singer and actor - (He co-wrote, "Back In The Saddle Again" and "I Hang My Head and Cry") - Was a member of The Range Ramblers and The Six Bar Cowboys -  Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee and Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Doc Sprague (Carl Tyler Sprague) - The Original Singing Cowboy - Died 2-21-1979 in Bryan, TX, U.S. ( Country Western ) Born 5-10-1895 near Manvel, TX, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "When The Work's All Done This Fall" and "The Dying Cowboy") - Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ludek Hulan - Died 2-22-1979 in Prague, Czechoslovakia ( Bop - West Coast Jazz ) Born 10-11-1929 in Prague - Composer and bass player for Orchestr Gustava Broma, Studio 5 (They did, "Expres Do Stanice Nebe" and "Velky Klus"), TOCR (They did, "Cerny Proud", "Moderni Zena" and "Duse Jazzoveho Hudebnika") and Jazz Sanatorium - Speaker for Prague Jazz Days - Worked with Albert Nicholas and Tony Scott.

Mike Patto (Michael Patrick McGrath)- Died 3-4-1979 - Throat cancer ( Rock ) Born 9-22-1942 - Was a member of Patto (They did, "Mummy" and "Singing The Blues On Reds"), Spooky Tooth and Boxer (They did, "Hip Kiss" and "Town Drunk").

Arnold Hyles - Died 3-15-1979 ( Gospel ) Born in 1917 - Singer - Was a member of The Rangers Quartet - Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Roy Montrell (Raymond Montrell)- Died 3-16-1979 - Heroin overdose ( Rock - R&B ) Born 2-27-1928 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Guitar sessionman - (He did, "(Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone" and "Mudd") - Worked with Bobby Mitchell,  Roy Milton, Lloyd Price and Fats Domino.

Zenon De Fleur (Hierowski) - Died 3-17-79 - Car crash and heart attack ( Rock ) Born 1951 - Was a member of The Count Bishops .

Joe Willie Wilkins - Died 3-28-1979  ( Blues ) Born 1-7-1923 in Davenport, Mississippi, U.S. - Worked with B.B. King, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Joe Hill Louis and Willie Love.

Nino Rota - Died 4-10-1979 ( Composer ) Born 12-3-1911 in Milan, Italy - (He composed, "Theme from Godfather") - He also scored Zeffirelli's, "Romeo and Juliet".

Pernell Charity - Died 4-12-1979  ( Blues ) Born 11-20-1920 in Waverly, Virginia, U.S. - (Recorded, "Blind Man" and "War Blues").

Michael Cahill - Died 4-13-1979 - Shot by a burglar he confronted who was stealing his guitar - He was 28 years old - Guitarist and songwriter - Worked with Michael Hearne.

Doug Rauch (Doug Haywood Rauch) - Died 4-23-1979 in San Fanciso, CA, U.S. ( Rock ) Born 9-14-1950 in New York - Bassist - Worked with Santana.

Milton Ager - Died 5-6-1979 ( Folk ) Born 8-6-1893 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Worked with Bix Beiderbecke, Charles Brown and The Sunshine Skiffle Band.

Premysl Cerny - Died 5-8-1979 in Prague, Czechoslovakia ( Rock ) Born 2-12-1941 in Prague, Czechoslovakia (at the time Bohemia-Moravian Protectorat) - Played drums for Donald, Mefisto and Flamengo - In 1968 he quit drumming and became the Flamengo's manager.

Eddie Jefferson (Edgar Jefferson) - Died 5-9-1979 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Shot outside of a club ( Jazz ) Born 8-3-1918 in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S. - Founder of vocalese - (He did, "Moody's Mood For Love" and "Parker's Mood").

Carl Martin - Died 5-10-1979  ( Blues ) Born 4-1-1906 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, U.S. - (He did, "Barnyard Dance" and "New Deal Blues").

James Leroy - Died 5-10-1979 - Suicide ( Folk - Rock ) Born 4-3-1947 in Ottawa, Canada - Singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist - (He did, "Touch Of Magic" and "Lady Ellen") - Was a member of Denim (They did, "You Look Good In Denim") and Major Hoople's Boarding House (They did, "You Girl" and "Beautiful Morning") and Boarding House.

John Ashby - Died 5-11-1979 ( Country ) Born 10-6-1915 in N. Warrenton, VA, U.S. - Was a member of The Free State Ramblers.

Lester Flatt - Died 5-11-1979 ( Bluegrass - Pop ) Born 6-19-1914 in Overton County, TN, U.S. - Was a member of Flatt And Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys (They did, "'Tis Sweet To Be Remembered", the theme song to The Beverly Hillbilles and covered Dylan's, "Like A Rolling Stone") - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee .

Bill Rank - Died  5-20-1979 ( Jazz ) Born 6-8-1904 - Played trombone - Worked with Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke and Roger Wolfe Kahn.

Blue Mitchell (Richard Allen Mitchell) - Died 5-21-1979 - Cancer ( R&B - Jazz ) Born 3-13-1930 in Miami, FL, U.S. - Trumpet player - Worked with Paul Williams, Chuck Willis, Earl Bostic, Chick Corea, Ray Charles,  John Mayall, Tony Bennett and Lena Horne.

Tippy Armstrong - Died 6-9-1979 in Tuscaloosa, AL, U.S. - Murdered ( Rock ) Born 3-1-1947 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Rubber Band (They did, "Charlena" and "In And Out Of My Life") -  Worked with The Omen & Their Luv ("Maybe Later") Wilson Pickett and Roy Orbison.

Darla Hood (Darla Jean Hood) - Died 6-13-1979 in North Hollywood, CA, U.S. - Hepatitis following a minor operation - Born 11-8-1931 in Leedey Okla., U.S. - Actress and singer ) -  Sang in many 40's movies - She led Darla Hood And The Enchanters - Was a member of Our Gang also known as The Little Rascals - Lent her voice to the Campbell soup kids ad and was the voice of the mermaid for Chicken Of The Sea.

Demetrio Stratos (Efstratios Demetriou) - Died 6-13-1979 New York, U.S. - Leukemia ( Jazz Rock ) Born 4-22-1945 in Alexandria, Egypt - Singer and keyboardist - Worked with Area (They did, "Arbeit Macht Frei" and "Mirage, Mirage") and John Cage.

Ahmad Zahir - Died 6-13-1979 near Salang Kotal - Traffic accident ( Pop ) Born 6-13-1946 in Laghman, Afghanistan - Played mandolin, accordion, harmonium, and organ and was a singer - (He did, "Chashm-e Seya" and "Safar bih roshenahi") - Was a member of Amatorha-I-Lycee Habibia.

Angus MacLise - Died 6-21-1979 in Kathmandu - Malnutrition or hypoglycemia ( Rock ) Born 3-4-1938 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. - Was the drummer for The Velvet Underground - Worked with Ira Cohen and LaMonte Young.

Lowell George (Lowell Thomas George) - Died 6-29-1979 in Arlington, VA, U.S. - Heroin-induced heart attack ( Rock ) Born 4-13-1945 in Hollywood, California, U.S. - Guitarist and Singer - Worked with The Factory, The Standells, The Mothers of Invention and Little Feat (They did, "Dixie Chicken" and "Willing").

Julio Matito - Died 7-?-1979 - Car accident ( Rock ) Bassist - Was a member of Smash (They did, "Sitting On The Truth" and "Scouting").

Lee Jackson (aka Warren Lee) - Died 7-1-1979  ( Blues ) Born 8-18-1921 in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. (He did, "When I First Came To Chicago" and "All Around Man").

Van McCoy (Van Allen Clinton McCoy) - Died 7-6-1979 - Heart attack ( Dance - Soul ) Born 1-6-1940 in Washington DC, U.S. - Producer, singer and songwriter - (He did, "The Hustle") - Performed with The Starlighters (They did, "The Birdland") and The Soul City Symphony - Wrote for Gladys Knight And The Pips, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones and many others .

Arthur Fiedler - Died 7-10-1979 ( Orchestral - Pop ) Born 12-17-1894 in Boston, MA, U.S. -  Conductor and arranger - (He did, "Sleigh Ride", "A Hard Day's Night" and charted with,"I Wanna Hold Your Hand") - He was a violinist for The Boston Symphony, and a conductor for The Arthur Fiedler Sinfonietta and The Boston Pops Orchestra.

Ilari Ilpo Ainiala - Died 7-13-1979 ( Rock ) Bassist - Was a member of Popeda.

Rick Garberson - Died 7-15-1979 - Carbon monoxide poisoning ( Rock ) Born 11-15-1950 - Drummer for The Bizarros .

Minnie Riperton (Minnie Julia Riperton)- Died 7-12-1979 - Cancer ( Pop ) Born 11-8-1947 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. ( Sang, "Loving You" ) - Was a member of The Rotary Connection and Stevie Wonder's backup group, Wonderlove.

James Sego (James Leon Sego) - Died 7-24-1979 - While having open heart surgery ( Gospel ) Born 10-1-1927 - Singer - (Wrote, "We’ll Have A Good Time" and "I'll Really Be Free") - Was a member of The Sego Family, The Harmony Kings and The Sego Brothers And Naomi (They did, "Sorry I Never Knew You") - Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Herbert Rehbein - Died 7-28-1979 - Cancer - Born 1922 in Hamburg, Germany - Songwriter and violinist - (Co-wrote, "Strangers In The Night" and "Welcome To My Heart") - Collaborated with Bert Kaempfert - His songs have been done by Sammy Davis Jr., Al Martino, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin - He was married to Ruth Wellstein - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Fred Karger (Frederick M. Karger) - Died 8-5-1979 in Santa Monica, California, U.S. - Born 2-13-1916 - (Co-wrote, "Don't Knock The Rock" and "Frankie And Johnny") - Was a voice coach for Marilyn Monroe - He had been married to actress, Jane Wyman twice.

Curtis Williams (Curtis E. Williams)- Died 8-10-1979 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Doo-Wop ) Born 12-23-1921 in North Carolina, U.S. - Singer - Was a member of The Penguins (They did, "Earth Angel").

Dorsey Burnette Jr. - Died 8-19-1979 - Heart attack ( Rock ) Born 12-28-1932 in Memhis, Tennessee, U.S. - Was a member of The Rock n' Roll Trio (They recorded, "Train Kept A-Rollin") - Father of Billy Burnette .

John Lee Granderson - Died 8-22-1979  - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 4-11-1913 in Ellendale, Tennessee, U.S. - (He did, "A Man For The Nation" and "Going 'Round The World").

Stan Kenton (Stanley Newcomb Kenton) - Died 8-24-1979 ( Jazz ) Born 2-19-1912 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Composer, pianist and bandleader - Pioneered fusion jazz - Was the leader of Stan Kenton & His Orchestra and Stan Kenton & the Innovations Orchestra.

Ray Eberle - Died 8-25-1979 in Douglasville, GA, U.S. ( Big Band ) Born 1-19-1919 in Hoosick Falls, NY, U.S. - Singer - Worked with The Glenn Miller Orchestra ("Stairway To The Stars" and "Wishing") and The Modernaires - Brother of singer, Bob Eberly.

Norrie Paramor - Died 9-9-1979 ( Orchestral Pop ) Born 1914 in England - Worked with Billy Fury, Cliff Richard, Acker Bilk, The Shadows and Noel Coward.

Wilbur Ware (Wilbur Bernard Ware) - Died 9-9-1979 ( Jazz - Hard Bop ) Born 9-8-1923 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Bassist  - Worked with Roy Eldridge, Johnny Griffin, The Jazz Messengers, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Stitt, Archie Shepp, Elvin Jones, Blue Mitchell and Sun Ra.

Enrico Rosenbaum - Died 9-10-1979 - Suicide ( Rock ) Born 6-18-1944 - Singer and songwriter - Was a member of The Underbeats who changed their name to Gypsy (They did, "Gypsy Queen" and "Blind Man").

Tommy Leonetti - Died 9-15-1979 ( Pop ) Born 9-10-1929 in Bergen NJ, U.S. - Singer (Had hit's with, "Heartless", "Free" and "Kum Ba Yah").

Greg Arama - Died 9-18-1979 - Car accident ( Rock ) Born 8-17-1950 - Bass player - Woirked with Ursa Major, The Gang and The Amboy Dukes.

John Simmons - Died 9-19-1979 ( Jazz ) Born 6-14-1918 in Haskell, OK, U.S. - Bassist - Worked with The Nat King Cole Trio, Teddy Wilson,  Jimmy Bell, King Kolax, Benny Goodman, Floyd Campbell, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Letman and many others.

Joe "Fingers" Carr (Lou Busch) - Died 9-19-1979 ( Pop ) Born 7-18-1910 in Louisville, KY, U.S. - Pianist - (He had hits with, "11th Hour Melody" and "Portuguese Washerwoman").

Jimmy McCulloch (James McCulloch) - Died 9-27-1979 in Maida Vale, London, England - Heart failure due to morphine and alcohol ( Rock - Psychedelic ) Born 8-13-1953 in Glasgow, Scotland - Guitarist, singer and bassist - Was a member of The Jaygars, One In A Million (They did, "Use Your Imagination" and "Double Sight") and Wild Horses - Worked with Wings ("Junior's Farm"), Roger Daltrey, Thunderclap Newman (They did, "Something In The Air" and "Wild Country"), John Entwistle, Klaus Voorman, Harry Nilsson, Steve Ellis, Stone The Crows, The Dukes, The Small Faces and The Bluesbreakers .

Gus Cannon (aka Banjo Joe) - Died 10-15-1979 ( Blues ) Born 9-12-1883 in Red Banks, Mississippi, U.S. (He wrote, "Walk Right In") Was the leader of Cannon's Jug Stompers (They recorded,"Viola Lee Blues").

Jimmie Skinner - Died 10-28-1979 in Hendersonville, KY, U.S. ( Country ) Born 4-27-1909 in Berea, KY, U.S. - Songwriter - (He did, "I Found My Girl In The U.S.A." and "Dark Hollow") - He formed The Vetco record label.

Dimitri Tiomkin (aka Dmitri Tiomkin) (Dimitri Zinovich Tiomkin) - Died 11-11-1979 in London, England - Born 5-10-1894 in Kremenchuk, Ukraine - Composer and pianist - Wrote the scores for the films, "High Noon" and "Rio Bravo" and the themes for TV's, "Rawhide" and "Gunslinger" -  Western Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

John Glascock - Died 11-17-1979 in London, England - Endocarditis from a tooth abscess ( Rock ) Born 5-2-1951 in Islington, United Kingdom - Bassist and guitarist - Worked with Carmen, The Juniors, The Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, Chicken Shack and Jethro Tull.

Bobby Napier - Died 11-21-1979 in Kentucky - Crushed by a falling rock ( Bluegrass ) Born 12-24-1933 - Played banjo and mandolin - Was a member of The Lost Creek Boys Bluegrass Band.

Tiki Fulwood (Ramon Fulwood)- Died 11-29-1979 -  Stomach cancer ( Funk - Soul ) Born 5-23-1944 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Percussionist - Was a member of  Parliament and Funkadelic and worked with Tyrone Davis - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jimmie Tarlton - Died 11-29-1979 ( Country - Blues ) Born 5-8-1892 in Chesterfield County, SC, U.S. - Was 1/2 of Darby And Tarlton (They did,"Cumberland Stockade Blues" and "Birmingham Jail") Worked with Hank Williams, The Skillet Lickers, The Delmore Brothers, and Jimmie Rodgers.

Ray Smith (Raymond Eugene Smith)- Died 11-29-1979 - Shot himself ( Rockabilly ) Born 10-30-1938 in Melber, Kentucky, U.S. - Was the leader of Ray Smith And The Rock N' Roll Boys (They did, "Rocking Little Angel") - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Zeppo Marx (Herbert Manfred Marx) - Died 11-29-1979 in Palm Springs, CA, U.S. - Born 2-25-1901 in New York, NY, U.S. - Actor - (He sang, "Everyone Says I Love You") - He was one of The Marx Brothers.

John Grizzle - Died 12-?-1979 ( Rock ) Brass - Was a member of Avalanche.

Tommy Jackson (Thomas Lee Jackson) - Died 12-9-1979 ( Country ) Born 3-31-1926 in Birmingham, AL, U.S. - Fiddler - Was a member of The Tennessee Mountaineers and  The Cumberland Valley Boys - Worked with  Hank Williams ("I Saw the Light"), Bill Monroe, Red Foley ("Satisfied Mind") and George Jones.

Jackie Brenston - Died 12-15-1979 in Memphis, Tenn., U.S. - Heart attack ( Blues - Rock & Roll ) Born 8-15-1930 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. - Saxophone player and singer (He did, "Rocket 88" which Sam Phillips once called the first rock & roll record ever made).

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Doc-Rock@TheDeadRockStarsClub.com