The usual Birthdays (but for ALL of February) and Recent Deaths, including a "President's Day" and a Valentine's Day set // THANKS so much to Rick Roth for recording/announcing this show! ... RECENT BIRTHDAYS: 1889 - LONNIE JOHNSON (Blues guitarist/ singer); 1898 - Dock Boggs ('Americana' banjo); 1914 - Jimmy Wakely; 1916 - Dinah SHORE; 1918 - Hank LOCKLIN; 1925 - Sonny STITT (Jazz sax); 1928 - FATS DOMINO (HOFer); 1932 - Faron YOUNG; 1932 - JOHNNY CASH; 1935 - Johnny "Guitar" Watson; 1937 - Roberta FLACK; 1938 - Rusty KERSHAW (Rusty & Doug); 1940 - Larry TAMBLYN (Standells/ leader); 1940 - WILLIAM "SMOKEY" ROBINSON (MIRACLES/ SOLO); 1898 - Dock Boggs ('Americana' banjo player); 1918 - Hank LOCKLIN (Country singer); 1943 - GEORGE HARRISON (BEATLES/ SOLO); 1944 - Willie TEE (New Orleans); 1946 - Dodie Stevens ... RECENT DEATHS: Dec 5 - Denny LAINE (MOODY BLUES/ WINGS)/ - age 79; Jan 2nd - Chris Karrer (Amon Düül II)/ - age 76; Jan 5 - Larry COLLINS (COLLINS Kids)/ age 79; Jan 15 - MARY WEISS (SHANGRI-LAS); - age 75; Jan 23 - Melanie/ - age 76; Feb 3rd - Wayne KRAMER (MC5 - lead guitar)/ - age 75; Feb 9 - Jimmy Van Eaton (in-house Sun Records drummer) - age 86
Time
Performer [Composer]
Song
Album [Format]
Misc
Misc –
[ ]:Highest chart position - US BB Pop, unless noted
B'DAY:Artist was born the month of that show
DEATH:Recent death of that artist/musical figure
BED:Instrumental bed that I talk over
REQ:Requests from listeners
BUB:45 peaked only in BB 'Bubbling Under', not Top-100
NEW:New Release
( ):Label, Year Rec/Rel
Click on the Link above, to view the original single
Comment:
BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #1 - A set for the memory of PJ Porter (who hosted the long-running "Mellow Madness" show late Saturday nights), and CAPTAIN AL (who hosted the long-running "R & B Jukebox" show on Sunday nights); all are either by February R&B/ Soul birthday artists, for the Recent DEATHS of R&B/ Soul artists:
Larry COLLINS (of the 1950s brother/ sister rockabilly duo "The Collins Kids") died on Jan 5th, at age 79. Although they never had a chart single, he and he his sister Lorrie (born as 'Lawrencine' Collins ") were a very popular live attraction, releasing a dozen singles from 1955 to 1959. Collins also released a number of singles under his own name, mostly from 1960 to 1962. / His biggest songwriting hit was 'Delta Dawn', first a hit for Tanya Tucker {C&W #6, #72/ 05-72}, then a much bigger hit next year Helen Reddy {#1!/ 06-73} . / * Collins also recorded some duets with session great Joe Maphis
The songwriter, legendary William "Smokey" Robinson was born in Feb of 1940. In 1955, he was the founder / lead singer/ chief songwriter of The Miracles (as 'The Five Chimes'), eventually also writing many songs for other Motown acts, in addition to producing several acts. He retired from the group in 1973 to focus on being a Motown Records Vice President, but "unretired" the next year, to begin a solo career. / He was inducted into the second class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress "Gershwin Prize for Popular Song". SOME of the CLASSICS HE WROTE INCLUDE: ' I Second That Emotion', 'My Girl' {Temptations}, 'Shop Around', 'Two Lovers' {Mary Wells}, 'Tracks Of My Tears, 'The Way You Do the Things You Do' {Temptations}, 'More Love'; 'll Be Doggone' and 'Ain't That Peculiar' {Marvin Gaye}; 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me', 'Don't Mess With Bill' {Marvelettes}, 'Who's Lovin' You', Ooh Baby Baby' , 'My Guy' {Mary Wells}, 'Tears Of A Clown' and 'Cruisin' ' // Click on the Link above, to view an amazing 233(!) appearances of Smokey's songwriting efforts on the singles charts.
Roberta Flack was born in Feb of 1937. She worked with fellow Howard University (that she entered at age 15, on a full music scholarship) classmate Donny Hathaway throughout the 1970s, including the hit duets 'Where Is The Love?' {R& #1!, #5/ 06-72} and 'The Closer I Get to You' {R&B #1!, #2/ 02-78}. She won the Grammy for _BOTH _ "Song of the Year " AND "Record of The Year', in consecutive years, with her two biggest hits, ''The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' {Pop #1/ 03-72} and 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' {Pop #1/ 01-73}. She helped create the "Quiet Storm" genre of R&B. ... ALSO* ... Gene McDaniels, born in Feb of 1935, had 6 Top-40 hit singles, the biggest being ' A Hundred Pounds of Clay' {R&B #3, #11/ 03-61} and 'Tower of Strength' {#5/ 10-62}. He later re-invented himself as "Eugene McDaniels" and also 'Universal Jones', and had success as a songwriter, with "Compared to What" and Roberta Flack's "Feel Like Makin' Love". (R&B, Pop #1!/ 06-74}
Time:
12:11
Artist:
Dock Boggs [First time artist played on Lost & Found (by T-B)]
Boggs was born in Feb of 1898. A banjo player and singer, he had six 78rpm records released, 1927 - 1929, but worked as a coal miner for most of his life. He was rediscovered during the folk music revival of the early/ mid-60s and spent much of his later life playing at Folk music festivals, ncluding before an audience of 10,000 at the Newport Folk Festival. He was playing "Americana" many decades before the term even existed, playing a unique fusion of Appalachian folk music and Rural Blues.
Comment:
BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #2 - all are either February birthday artists, or for Recent Deaths:
The" Man In Black" was born in Feb of 1932. WHAT CAN I SAY that's original, about him? Nothing, but I can state that he is in FIVE major music Halls of fame: 1) "The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame" (1977), 2) "The Country Music Hall of Fam" (1980), 3) "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" (1992) 4) "GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame" (2010). and 5) "The Memphis Music Hall of Fame"(2013).
Drummer Jimmy Van Eaton died Feb 9th, at age 86. He was recording a demo at Sun Studios with his band 'The Echoes', where Jack Clement recommended him to Billy Lee Riley to be in Riley's new band "The Little Green Men" in 1956. Then he became the in-house drummer for Sun records from 1956 to 1959, recording with many Sun artists including: Jerry Lee Lewis {'Whole Lotta Shakin' '}, Johnny Cash, Billy Lee Riley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Warren Smith, Charlie Feathers, Bill Justis, Sonny Burgess and Charlie Rich.
Time:
12:17
Artist:
Faron Young [Al Gorgon*, Steve Karliski, Larry Kolber ] [With The Merry Melody Singers]
Known as the "Hillbilly Heartthrob" and the "Young Sheriff", Faron Young was born in Feb of 1932. He had 55 Country chart singles from 1952 to 1969. The first was 'Goin' Steady' {C&W #2/ 11-52}, but the most famous was Willie Nelson's 'Hello Walls'{C&W #1!, Pop #12/ 03-61}. Te also had the first hit version of Don Gibson's 'Sweet Dreams' {C&W #2/ 1956}. // * a typo for the great NYC guitarist/ producer/ songwriter "Al Gorgoni"
Country singer Hank Locklin was born in Feb of 1918, as 'Lawrence Hankins Locklin'. He had 32 chart singles from 1949 to 1971. He was one of the first Country artists to release albums with a central theme or concept. / His biggest hits included "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On" {C&W #5, #77/ 03-58} and his signature tune "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" {C&W #1!, Pop #8/ 03-60}.
Watson was born in Feb of 1935. WAAAYY ahead of his time, he was a flashy/ flamboyant showman in the style of T-Bone Walker, anticipating the moves of Chuck Berry, and later Jimi Hendrix. His 1954 'Space Guitar' instrumental showcased his technique, with stop-time effects and reverb creating the feeling implied by the song title. He recorded several duets with Larry William in 1967 - 1968. His early hits were 'Those Lonely, Lonely Night' {R&B #10/ 1955 } and 'Cuttin' In' {R&B #6/ 03-62}
Comment:
BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #3 - An ALL-FEMALE set; all are either February birthday artists, or for Recent Deaths:
Recording engineer Hank Cicalo died the last day of January, at age 91. He was a long-time staff engineer for the Capitol (1957 - 1964), RCA-Victor (starting 1965) and Dot labels. He also engineered a number of albums for The Monkees (their first 6 albums, up to 'Head') and later Carole King, including her iconic 'Tapestry' album... ALSO ... The co-songwriter, Kenny Rankin, was born in Feb of 1940. He was a guitarist on the classic album 'Bringing It All Back Home', He appeared on "The Tonight Show" more than 20 times - Johnny Carson wrote the liner notes to his 1967 drebut album 'Mind Dusters'. His biggest hit as a songwriter was 'Peaceful' an English hit in 1969 for Georgie Fame {UK #16/ 07-69}, then a 1972 US hit for Helen Reddy.
Time:
12:25
Artist:
The Shangri-Las [You know they're good-bad, but they're not evil ...]
The Shangri-Las lead singer, Mary Weiss, died Jan 15th, at age 75. The Shangri-Las were two sets of sisters: Mary and Betty Weiss, and identical twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser. All 11 of their singles on the Red Bird label charted, 5 in the Top-30, and three of them in the Top-10, including the classics 'Remember (Walking In The Sand) {R&B #9, #5/ 08-64} and 'Leader Of The Pack {UK #11, #1!/ 11-64}. After they broke up in early 1968, Weiss moved to Greenwich Village, then SF, then went back to college, working in the accounting department of a New York architectural firm for many years. The three remaining Shangs briefly reunited in 1976, performing and making several recordings for Sire Records, produced by Andy Paley.
Melanie (born 'Melanie Anne Safka', 1947), died Jan 23rd, at age 76; she was also known as 'Melanie Safka-Schekeryk' (her married name). Her first hit was 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) ' {#6/ 04-70}, which was inspired by the Woodstock audience famously lighting candles during her set. Her biggest hit was 'Brand New Key ' {UK #4, US #1!/ 10 -71}, on her own label Neighborhood Records, formed with her producer/ husband Peter Schekeryk.
Dodie Stevens was born in Feb of 1946, as 'Geraldine Ann Pasquale'. She was only 13 years old when she recorded this. Her biggest hit, recorded at age 12, was 'Pink Shoe Laces' {R&B #5, Pop #3 /02 - 59}. / In 1962, after four years in The Music Biz (and 6 chart hits in 1959 - 1960) she retired at the "advanced" (Ha! Ha!) age of 16 to get married, and moved to Missouri to live on a farm.
Comment:
BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #4: My "President's Day" set -all artists whose last name is the same as that of a US president:
Time:
12:32
Artist:
Lonnie Johnson [Billed as 'Lonnie Johnson, Guitar solo']
[Original 10" record:] • B'DAY • BED • (Decca , May 1938)
Comment:
Blues, jazz guitarist LONNIE JOHNSON was born in Feb 1889; he was the creator of the guitar solo played note by note with a pick, which has become the standard in jazz, blues, country, and rock. In 1925, he won a blues contest in St. Louis, the prize being a recording contract with Okeh Records. Between 1925 and 1932, he made over 130 recordings for Okeh, many of which sold well. He was called to NYC to record with some leading blues singers of the day, including Victoria Spivey. He also toured with Bessie Smith. / His biggest hit was "Tomorrow Night" {R&B #1!/ 06-48, King label). // Click on the Link above, to view the original 10" shellac record.
Jackie Wilson, often called "Mr. Excitement", is probably best known for his first big hit 'Lonely Teardrops' {R&B #1, Pop #7/ 11-58}, also '(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher' {R&B #1!, Pop #6/ 08-67}. / He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Wilson number 26 of "The Greatest Singers of all Time".
Carter's big hit was "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" (#8 / 06-65), also 'When a Boy Falls in Love' {#44/ 08-63}, from which Captain Al played a snippet as a 'bumper' on his show. / He later became an actor, in such shows as: Quincy, M.E., Sanford and Son, Marcus Welby, M.D., CHiPs and also Magnum, P.I // * - but MUCH better-known now as a #11 hit for The Flamingos, in the summer of 1959.
George Harrison was born in Feb of 1943; he played lead guitar, sang background vocals with Paul and John and wrote and sang the occasional song for a group you've probably heard of, right? :)))) ... Rolling Stone ranked him # 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 1988, he was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" as a member of The Beatles, and then in 2004, as a solo artist. / * - including his 1st 2 experimental albums // Click on the Link above, to view the original English single, with a picture sleeve.
Comment:
END of The BUBBLING UNDER - it's OVER; No really, THAT's IT!!! (I just wanted to reassure you :)
Comment:
END of The BUBBLING UNDER - it's OVER; No really, THAT's IT!!! (I just wanted to reassure you :)
Comment:
... A VALENTINE's DAY set ... A VALENTINE's DAY set ... A VALENTINE's DAY set ... A VALENTINE's DAY set ... A VALENTINE's DAY set ... A VALENTINE's DAY set:
Sonny Stitt was born in Feb of 1925, as 'Edward Hammond Boatner Jr.'. The Jazz tenor sax player (occasionally baritone) was nicknamed the "Lone Wolf", because he rarely worked with the same musicians. He has a local connection, being born in Boston, but was raised in Saginaw, MI. He started his career in the 1940's in the big bands of Tiny Bradshaw, Billy Eckstines, and Dizzy Gillespie's big band, then in the 1950s was with other bop musicians including Bud Powell and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis.
Dinah Shore was born on "leap year" - Feb 29th, 1916, as 'Frances Shore'. She started as a big band singer in 1939, with the Xavier Cugat orchestra. When she soon went solo, she was known as "Mademoiselle Dinah 'Diva' Shore". Her biggest early solo hit was 'I'll Walk Alone' {R&B #10, Pop #1!/ 08-44} / She started a decades-long career as a TV host in 1951; from 1974 to 1979 she hosted "Dinah!," a syndicated 90-minute daily talk show that sometimes had unexpected rock music performance appearances, such as Tina Turner, David Bowie, and Iggy Pop.
Trumpet / flugelhorn / piccolo trumpet player Lew Soloff was born in Feb of 1944. He was a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears from 1968–1973, on their second {self-titled/, late 1968} to sixth {No Sweat, Aug 1973} albums. Prior to that, he worked with Tony Scott, Maynard Ferguson, and Tito Puente. Afterwards, he was a regular member and sub-leader of Gil Evans' "Monday Night Orchestra".
One of the last of the singing cowboys, Jimmy Wakely was born in Feb of 1914. He appeared in B-Western films (debuting in 1939 - 'Saga Of Death Valley') with several major studios, appeared on radio and TV, and even had his own series of comic books. He appeared in 28 Westerns at Monogram Studios between 1944 and 1949; he was sometimes referred to as "a low-budget Autry". // He had 16 chart singles from 1943 to 1951, the biggest being 'One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)', {C&W #1!, Pop #10/ 10-48}. / He recieved a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Comment:
... This next set is for the birthday of GEORGE HARRISON (born Feb 25th, 1943), starting off with a request from my cousin Alan, who introduced me to the music of the Beatles when I was a wee lad. The rest of the set is COVERS of George Harrison songs:
Time:
1:01
Artist:
Max Greger [George Harrison] [Billed as 'Max Greger And His Orchestra']
George Harrison was born in Feb of 1943; he played lead guitar, sang background vocals with Paul and John and wrote and sang the occasional song for a group you've probably heard of :)))) ... Rolling Stone ranked him # 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, and again in 2004, as a solo artist.
George Harrison was born in Feb of 1943; he played lead guitar, sang background vocals with Paul and John and wrote and sang the occasional song for a group you've probably heard of :)))) ... Rolling Stone ranked him # 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, and in 2004, as a solo artist.
Time:
1:07
Artist:
The Mockers [George Harrison] [Billed as 'The Terribles' *]
Song:
You Like Me Too Much [Originally on the 'Beatles VI' LP in the US, June 1965 **]
George Harrison was born in Feb of 1943; he played lead guitar, sang background vocals with Paul and John and wrote and sang the occasional song for a group you've probably heard of :)))) ... Rolling Stone ranked him # 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, and in 2004, as a solo artist. // * - The Uruguay beat group The Mockers recorded an entire number of Beatles covers under this name, see above / ** - In most other countries, it was on the 'Help', album in Aug 1965 / Click on the Link above, to view the original Uraguayan album
George Harrison was born in Feb of 1943; he played lead guitar, sang background vocals with Paul and John and wrote and sang the occasional song for a group you've probably heard of :)))) ... Rolling Stone ranked him # 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, and again 2004, as a solo artist. // * - except in the US, where it wasn't available till June 1966, on the 'Yesterday and Today.' album
George Harrison was born in Feb of 1943; he played lead guitar, sang background vocals with Paul and John and wrote and sang the occasional song for a group you've probably heard of :)))) ... Rolling Stone ranked him # 11 in their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, and in 2004, as a solo artist.
Comment:
... RECENT DEATHS that I didn't get to LAST show ... RECENT DEATHS that I didn't get to LAST show ... RECENT DEATHS that I didn't get to LAST show:
Larry COLLINS (of the 1950s brother/ sister rockabilly duo "The Collins Kids") died on Jan 5th, at age 79. Although they never had a chart single, he and he his sister Lorrie (born as 'Lawrencine' Collins ") were a very popular live attraction, releasing a dozen singles from 1955 to 1959. Collins also released a number of singles under his own name, mostly from 1960 to 1962. / His biggest songwriting hit was 'Delta Dawn', first a hit for Tanya Tucker {C&W #6, #72/ 05-72}, then a much bigger hit next year Helen Reddy {#1!/ 06-73} . / * Collins also recorded some instrumentals together with session great Joe Maphis.
Time:
1:17
Artist:
Denny Laine [Joe Mauldin, Norman Petty, Niki Sullivan]
Denny Laine (born 'Brian Frederick Hines') died Dec 5th, at age 79. He was a founding member of the Moody Blues, singing lead on their first hit 'Go Now!' and co-writing all of their original songs, with Mike Pinder. He left in Oct 1966 to form 'The Electric String Band', also releasing several solo singles. He was briefly in Ginger Baker's Air Force in 1970. He was a founding member of Wings with Paul and Linda McCartney, from 1971 to April 1981. He co-wrote a number of songs with McCartney, most notably 'Mull of Kintyre" {UK #1!/ 11-77} and 'London Town {#39/ 09-78}. In 2018, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues. // * - Buddy Holly, on Feb 3rd, 1959 {"The Day the Music Died."}
Mike Maxfield (born 'Tony Bookbinder'), the lead, then rhythm guitarist for The Dakotas died Dec 17th, at age 79. He was in Manchester band The Coasters, then joined the Dakotas in Feb 1962. Initially they backed Pete MacLaine (February 1962 – January 1963), but Brian Epstein, who was managing Billy J. Kramer, offered them to become Kramer's backing band. They also recorded separately from him (5 English singles); Maxfield wrote their English hit 'The Cruel Sea' {UK #18/ 07-63}, covered by The Ventures. Maxfield was _also_ born in Feb of 1944. / His sister was singer Elkie Brooks. ... ALSO ... Mick Green was born in Feb of 1944. He replaced Maxfield as lead guitarist in July 1944. Before that, he was in Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, joining just after 'Shakin' All Over'. After the Dakotas broke up in 1968, he joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. He was also in Bennett's group 'Shangai' in 1975 - 1976. // Click on the Link above/ left, to view the original album.
[Original single:] • DEATH • (German Liberty , Nov 1970)
Comment:
Founding member (in 1969) Chris Karrer died Jan 2nd, 2024 at age 76. A pioneer of Krautrock , he mainly played guitar, also saxophone, violin and oud. In 1967 he co-founded the Amon Düül commune/ band, with Peter Leopold, which evolved into Amon Düül II. After leaving Amon Düül II in 1981, he both worked solo and part of the collective 'Embroyo', as well as writing film scores. / Click on the Link above, left, to view the original German single, with a VERY colorful picture sleeve.
Comment:
... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS:
The legendary Fats Domino was born in Feb of 1928 as 'Antoine Dominique Domino Jr.'. His debut record 'The Fat Man' {R&B #2/ 02-50} has been referred to many times as one of the _very first_ rock and roll records. In 1986, he was one of the 10 first inductees into the Rock N'Roll Hall Of Fame. He had 70(!) R&B hits from 1950 to 1964, and 36 Pop Top-40 singles from 1955 to 1963; he was among the first R&B artists to "cross over" and gain popularity with white audiences. // Both The Beatles ('Lady Madonna', a tribute of sorts to him) and Elvis Presley were big fans; at a press conference after Elvis' first concert at the Las Vegas Hilton on July 31, 1969, when a journalist referred to Presley as "The King", Presley gestured toward Domino, who was taking in the scene. "No," Presley said, "that's the real king of rock and roll".
Earl King was born in Feb of 1934, as 'Earl Silas Johnson IV'. Despite his many recordings (32 singles between 1953 and 1982) , he may be best known nowadays for recording the original version of 'Come On' in 1962, which Jimi Hendrix recorded on 'Electric Ladyland'; also 'Trick Bag', with versions by Johnny Winter, the Meters and Robert Palmer. His chart singles were 'Those Lonely, Lonely Nights' {R&B #7/ 1955} and 'Always a First Time' (R&B #17/ 03-62}
New Orleans singer, keyboard player Willie Tee was born in Feb of 1944, as 'Wilson Turbinton'. Although he had many records (18 total, from 1962 to 1980), his only national chart record was 'Teasin' You' {R&B #12, #97/ 02-65}. He arranged, co-wrote and led the band on the Wild Magnolias' self-titled 1974 debut album. / Click on the Link above, left, to view the original single
Rusty Kershaw was born in Feb of 1938. He was in the Cajun music duo 'Rusty & Doug' with his older brother Doug, from 1953 to 1959, breaking up when they both were drafted, but reforming from 1961 to 1963. They had five Country chart singles 1955 -1961, the biggest being the Cajun standard 'Louisiana Man' {C&W #10/ 02-61}. They became members of the Grand Ole Opry in the late 1950's. / He also played on the 1974 Neil Young album "On The Beach".
Time:
1:33
Artist:
Moe Bandy [Billed as 'The Mavericks Vocals Moe Bandy'] [1st time artist played on 'Lost & Found'!]
Bandy was born in Feb of 1944, as 'Marion Franklin Bandy Jr.'. He did a number of duets with Joe Stampley in the late 70's/ 1980's, the biggest being 'Just Good ole Boys' {C&W #1!/ 07-79}. He had 40 chart singles (but none on the 'Pop' charts) from 1974 to 1989; his biggest hits were 'I Cheated Me Right Out of You ' {C&W #1!/ 10-79} and ' Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life' {C&W #2/ 12-75}. Click on the Link above, left, to view the album this (eventually) was on.
Time:
1:36
Artist:
Unit 4 + 2 [The Bee Gees] [Billed as 'Unit Four Plus Two']
Tommy Moeller, born February of 1945 in Liverpoool, was the lead vocalist/ front man of Unit 4 +2; he also played guitar and piano. His brother, Billy Moeller, was the public face of Whistling Jack Smith. / Their distinctive name came about because when they formed in 1962, they were "Unit 4"; then Russ Ballard (guitar) and Robert 'Bob' Henrit (drums - later in Argent, then The Kinks) joined; SO - "Unit 4 + 2". Their biggest hit was a #1 English hit 'Concrete and Clay {UK #1!, US #28/ 02-65}; US sales were hurt when Eddie Rambeau quickly covered it. No "one-hit wonder", they had 3 English hits, and 15 singles over 5 years.
Larry Tamblyn, lead vocalist/ keyboard player in the Standells, was born in Feb of 1945. He was a founding member in 1962, and the only constant member through a number of lineup changes. He was also Russ Tamblyn's brother ('West Side Story', 1960). Despite 'Dirty Water' overshadowing their career, THEY WERE NO 'ONE HIT WONDERS', with six chart singles over 3 years, including the follow-up, 'Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White' {#43/ 08-66}, and my personal favorite by them 'Why Pick on Me', see above /* - Their 1st LP was "live" // Click on the Link above, to view the original album
Comment:
.. More "RECENT" "Recent Deaths" ... More "RECENT" "Recent Deaths" ... More "RECENT" "Recent Deaths" ... More "RECENT" "Recent Deaths" ... More "RECENT" "Recent Deaths":
Time:
1:41
Artist:
Jerry Coker [1st time artist played (by T-B) on WMBR!!]
Jazz sax player Jerry Coker died Jan 14th, at age 91. He recorded under his own name in the mid-1950s (2 LPs, 12956, 1957), and also as a sideman with Nat Pierce, Dick Collins, and Mel Lewis; later he played with Stan Kenton. In 1960 he began teaching; notable students include Randy Becker and Pat Metheny. In 1994 Coker was inducted into "The Jazz Educators Hall of Fame".
The Shangri-Las lead singer, Mary Weiss, died Jan 15th, at age 75. The Shangri-Las were two sets of sisters: Mary and Betty Weiss, and identical twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser. All 11 of their singles on the Red Bird label charted, 5 in the Top-30, and three of them in the Top-10, including the classics 'Remember (Walking In The Sand) {R&B #9, #5/ 08-64} and 'Leader Of The Pack {UK #11, #1!/ 11-64}. After they broke up in early 1968, Weiss moved to Greenwich Village, then SF, then went back to college, working in the accounting department of a New York architectural firm for many years.// The three remaining Shangs briefly reunited in 1976, performing live, and making several recordings for Sire Records, produced by Andy Paley, not released. / ** - - adding the hit, "I Can Never Go Home Anymore", and dropping "The Dum Dum Ditty".
Wayne Kramer (born as "Wayne Kambes') died Feb 3nd, at age 75. He and Fred "Sonic" Smith co-founded the MC5 in 1963. He occasionally sang lead, most notably on Ted Taylor's minor 1965 hit, '(Love Is Like A) Ramblin' Rose'. Post-M5, in 1975, he was sentenced to four years in federal prison, after selling drugs to undercover agents. In 1979, after getting out of prison, he was in Was (Not Was), playing on the hit single "Wheel Me Out. In 1979 - 1980, he briefly teamed up with Johnny Thunders in 'Gang War'. // He is on the Rolling Stone listing of "100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time".
British drummer Russell Hunter died on Dec 19th, at age 76. He first played with local Wimborne group 'The Mod', in 1966 they recorded with Joe Meeks, but nothing was released. He played for The Deviants {first performance, June 29, 1967 at the Roundhouse, billed as "The Social Deviants}, and was on all three of their albums. / During an American west Coast tour in 1970, they got rid of their singer, Mick Farren, and formed The Pink Fairies, named after the "Pink Fairies Motorcycle Club and All-Star Rock and Roll Band". He was on all 3 albums by the original groupo in 1971, 1972, 1973; also numerous so-called "one-time" reunions in 1975, 1977 and 1987, the later orchestrated by Jake Riviera (Elvis Costello's mnager, head of Demon Records)./ Click on the Link above, lefdt, to read an AMAZING extended article chronicling not only Hunter's musical career, but his entire life.
The Cajun/ Country singer Jo-El Sonnier died Jan 13th, at age 77. At age three, he began to play his brother's accordion; by age six, he had performed on the radio; at age 14, he made his first recording, 'Duson Playboys Special' (Swallow Records, 1960). He had 11 singles and 3 albums on the Goldband label from 1966 to 19709, often singing in Cajun. / He broke through in the late 1980s with Country Top-10 hits 'No More One More Time' {C&W #7/ 02-88} and a cover of Richard Thompson's "Tear-Stained Letter" {C&W #9/ 10-88}.
Marlena Shaw (born as 'Marlena Burgess) died Jan 13th, at age 81. Her "big break" came in 1966 when she played the Chicago "Playboy Club", leading to her being signed by Cadet Records, recording two albums. Her version of Ashford & Simpson's 'California Soul' from this album later became a big hit in English "Northern Soul" clubs. Her biggest hit was her first, a cover of 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' {R&B #33, Pop #58/ 09-67}. / Click on the Link above, to view the original single
Lillebjørn Nilsen, of the late 1960's Scandanavian folk group 'The Young Norwegians', died Jan 23rd, at age 73. He was also in the group Ballade! (late 1970's). Born in Oslo, Norway, he was considered by some to be the "Voice of Oslo", thanks to numerous classic songs about the city. / He ollaborated with his idol Pete Seeger on numerous occasions, and adapted Seeger's song 'My Rainbow Race' into Norwegian as Barn av regnbuen ("Children of the Rainbow").
Mike Maxfield (born 'Tony Bookbinder'), the lead, then rhythm guitarist for The Dakotas died Dec 17th, at age 79. He was in Manchester band The Coasters, then joined the Dakotas in Feb 1962. Initially they backed Pete MacLaine (February 1962 – January 1963), but Brian Epstein, who was managing Billy J. Kramer, offered them to become Kramer's backing band. They also recorded separately from him (5 English singles); Maxfield wrote their English hit 'The Cruel Sea' {UK #18/ 07-63}, covered by The Ventures. Maxfield was _also_ born in Feb of 1944. / His sister was singer Elkie Brooks.
