respect...
Ahmet Ertegun
b. 31st July 1923, Istanbul, Turkey.
d. 15th December 2006, New York, U.S.A.
After a long illness, Ahmet Ertegun has died. He was 83.
'He was in a coma and expired today with his family at his bedside,' said Dr. Howard A. Riina, Ertegun's neurosurgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Although he was slowed by triple-bypass surgery in 2001, he still went into his office on a daily basis.
Ertegun was the son of the Turkish Ambassador to Washington, U.S.A.
He moved to New York when his father died in 1944.
He was a philosophy graduate and was drawn towards a musical career via his love of jazz and blues.
With friend and colleague Herb Abramson, he founded two labels, Quality and Jubilee before instigating Atlantic Records in 1947.
His older brother, also a co-founder, Nesuhi Ertegun, died on 15th April 1989.
Early releases featured recordings by jazz artists Errol Garner and Tiny Grimes, however Ertegun adopted a more R & B based sound.
The label enjoyed its first hit with Granville 'Stick' McGhee's 'Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee', which Ertegun produced.
He continued to fufill that role when Jerry Wexler arrived at Atlantic.
The pair were responsible for early releases on Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters, including 'Money Honey' and 'Such A Night'.
Ahmet was also a proficiant songwriter, penning 'Chains Of Love' & Sweet Sixteen', the first two hits for 1949 signing Big Joe Turner.
During the 50's Atlantic signed Ray Charles and Bobby Darin.
Ertegun and Wexler produced Ray Charles together, while Ahmet took sole charge for Darin, notably on his first hit, 'Splish Splash'.
The label was quick to recognise the long-player format and Ertegun passed responsibility for transferring 78's to the new medium, onto his older brother, Neshui.
The Coasters and the Drifters helped Atlantic endure throughout the Fifties.
By 1965 he assisted producer / songwriter Bert Berns in establishing the Bang label.
Although Jerry Wexler is credited with shaping Atlantic's mid-60's policies, in particular its arrangements with Stax and Fame, Ahmet signed white 'southern-styled' acts Dr. John, Delaney And Bonnie and Jessie Davis to the label.
Ahmet was by now broadening the musical appeal of Atlantic, embracing several rock based artists along with the Soulful stalwarts that comprised the base of the label.
Ertegun brought Sonny And Cher to the company, who scored a huge international hit with 'I Got You Babe', which became one of the best selling singles of 1965.
That same year he launched the (Young) Rascals, who accumulated 17 U.S. Top 20 hits until leaving for Columbia in 1969.
Meanwhile, another Ahmet acquisition, Vanilla Fudge, found success with their re-arrangements of popular songs, notably 'You Keep Me Hanging On'.
He introduced Neil Young and Stephen Stills to the public via Buffalo Springfield, who attained a sizeable hit with 'For What It's Worth' and won critical acclaim for three subsequent albums.
When the band went their seperate ways, David Crosby and secured a release for the Hollies' Graham Nash.
A resultant 'supergroup', Crosby, Stills And Nash, became one of the era's leading attractions.
Another Ertegun signing, Iron Butterfly, did not receive the same critical acclaim, but 'In A Gadda Da Vida' was, for a period, the biggest-selling album in history.
Ertegun's vision soon became focussed upon U.K. acts.
A licensing agreement with Polydor ensured Atlantic had first option on its British roster.
He took the Bee Gees and Cream under his wing, as well as the solo careers of the latter's ex-members following their split.
Eric Clapton proved an important recruit.
Ertegun then signed Led Zeppelin directly to U.S. Atlantic.
He then acquired the rights to the soundtrack of the up-and-coming Woodstock Festival, and in 1970, Ahmet persuaded the Rolling Stones that Atlantic was the natural home for their own record label.
Things seemed to be going well, however, in 1967 Ertegun and Wexler allowed Warner Brothers to purchase Atlantic stock in return for an executive position in the new label WEA, with the acquisition of Elektra.
Although Ertegun had remained at his label's helm, he pursued other interests and a passion for soccer led to his becoming a director of the New York Cosmos, to which he attracted such soccer superstars such as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer.
Tony Sylvester
b. 7th October 1941, Panama
d. 26th November 2006, U.S.A.
Tony Sylvester, of the Soul Group, the Main Ingredient, has died.
Details are sketchy at the moment regarding circumstance, place and timings, however, his good friend, Patrick Adams has posted a piece on his website confirming Tony's passing.
The Main Ingredient made their recording debut in 1965.
Their first recordings were for the Red Bird label.
In 1966 the group had an R & B hit with 'She Blew A Good Thing'.
One of several groups using the name 'The Poets', they decided to become the Main Ingredient and signed with producer Bert DeCoteaux.
Lead singer, Donald McPherson died from leukaemia in 1971.
His replacement, Cuba Gooding, sang on the group's million-seller, 'Everybody Plays The Fool'.
Cuba Gooding embarked on a solo career with Motown in 1977, for two albums, one member left to beome a stockbroker, but both reunited with Tony Sylvester in 1979, continuing to record under the Main Ingredient banner into the 80's.
Taken from their 'I Only Have Eyes For You' set in 1981, 'Evening Of Love' proved popular on the U.K. dancefloors and remains highly collectable today.
The group then moved to Polydor Records.
The Main Ingredient also recorded the popular cover of the Daybreak tune 'Everything Man' on the U.K. label Power Exchange.
Cuba Gooding left the group in the early Nineties and recorded one solo album, 'Meant To Be In Love'.
After a 13 year break, the band, now fronted by Carlton Blount, released 'Pure Magic'.
Tony Sylvester is survived by his mother, Jacinta Silvester, and his children, Che & Sarah.
Ruth Brown (a.k.a Ruth Alston Weston)
b. 30th January 1928, Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.A.
d. 17th November 2006, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
The Soul and R & B songstress, Ruth Brown, has died. She was 78.
Ruth won Grammy and a Tony awards, died on Friday the 17th of November 2006, of complications from a stroke and heart attack at a Las Vegas-area hospital.
Ruth Brown's musical career began, as with many Black artists of recent generations, with a background based upon singing gospel.
The church choir, she built her musical foundations upon, was led by her father.
In 1948, Ruth found herself singing with a band led by her husband Jimmy in Washington, D.C., when Willis Conover (from the radio show Voice Of America) recommended her to Ahmet Ertegun of the newly formed Atlantic Records imprint.
Turkish born Ertegun signed her, even though there was some interest shown by Capitol Records.Tragically, en route to New York for an appearance at the Apollo Theatre, she was involved in a car crash.
Hospitalized for nine months, her medical bills were paid by Atlantic.
Ruth was to, later, return the compliment and provide Atlantic with one of their first major successes, 'Teardrops From My Eyes', in 1950.
She went on to record the albums, 'Ruth Brown Sings Favorites', in 1952, 'Ruth Brown' in 1957, 'Late Date With Ruth Brown' in 1959, 'Miss Rhythm' in1959, 'Along Comes Ruth' in 1962, and a final album release, 'Gospel Time', the same year.
Ruth Brown hit the charts, with her recordings '5-10-15 Hours', in 1952, and 'Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean' the following year.
Ruth Brown was Atlantic's first real major star, becoming a major figure in 50's R & B, and forging a strong link between that genre and early Rock 'N' Roll.
Ruth developed her own musical style, utilising saxophone solos, initially by Budd Johnson, then later on by Willie Jackson.
Between the years 1949 and 1955 her songs were on the charts for 129 weeks, including five number 1's.
Post 1962, Ruth departed the Atlantic imprint and recorded sides for several labels including, Mainstream and Rhapsody during the Sixties.
Ruth, occasionally, did make a career diversion, musically, into the Jazz field, singing briefly with the Lucky Millinder band.
Ruth also recorded with Jerome Richardson and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big band.
She recorded her own take on the standards 'Yes, Sir, That's My Baby', 'Sonny Boy', 'Black Coffee' and 'I Can Dream, Can't I?'.
Throughout the Eighties, Ruth released sides on the Topline, Route 66 and Official labels, before recordng for Fantasy during the Nineties.
In 1989, she won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway show 'Black And Blue', and was receiving enthusiastic reviews for her nightclub act in New York, at Michael's Pub and the Blue Note, into the 90's.
In 1993, Ruth broadcasted on a New York radio station, and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
In 1994, she undertook a European tour, where she performed live at Ronnie Scott's much respected club, in Soho, for an album that appeared on their own Jazzhouse label.
Ruth also fought for the rights of ageing R and B musicians during her long struggle to recoup her share of royalties from Atlantic Records.
Her efforts led to the formation of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organisation, dedicated to providing financial and medical assistance, as well as a vehicle for the historical and cultural preservation of the musical genre.
Gerald LeVert
b. 13th July 1966, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
d. 10th November 2006, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
The Soul singer, Gerald LeVert has died at the youthful age of 40.
He had suffered a heart attack in his home town of Cleveland, Ohio.
Born on the 13th of July 1966, Gerald will, inevitably be remembered as the son of the O'Jays vocal group frontman, Eddie LeVert, however, Gerald was a respected vocalist in his own right.
During the 1980's Gerald was the helmsman of the vocal ensemble LeVert, who scored a major Soul Music hit with the song 'Pop, Pop, Pop Goes My Heart'.
The group also scored another major hit with the song 'Casanova'.
Following his departure from the band, Gerald became a substantial Soul Star in his own right, achieving success with the songs, 'I'd Give Anything (To Fall In Love)' and 'Mr. Too Damn Good To You'.
He also worked with Chris Rock on the song 'No Sex (In The Champagne Room)'.
In 2004, Gerald released 'Do I Speak For The World', a social diatribe that saw a musical maturiy beyond his years.
Prentiss Barnes
b. Prentiss Barnes, 25th April 1925, Magnolia, Mississippi, U.S.A.
d. 30th September 2006, Magnolia, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Prentiss Barnes, of the vocal ensemble, the Moonglows, has been killed in a traffic accident. He was 81.
His family of fourteen consisted of ten brothers and four sisters.
In his early teens, Prentiss Barnes moved to New Orleans and worked odd jobs.
Later, he relocated to Louisville, Kentucky.
Prentiss met Harvey Fuqua, Bobby Lester, Pete Graves, and Billy Johnson in Kentucky where they started a band called the Crazy Sounds in 1951.
That group was discovered and promoted by Alan Freed, who eventually changed their name to The Moonglows.
In March 2000, at the 15th Annual Induction Ceremony of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in New York, Prentiss received the honor of being inducted.
Maynard Ferguson
b. Walter Maynard Ferguson (aka The Boss), 4th May 1928, Verdun, Quebec, Montreal, Canada.
d. 23rd August 2006, Ventura, California, U.S.A.
Trumpeter and band leader, Maynard Ferguson, has died. He was 78.
He passed away at the Community Memorial Hospital, in Ventura, from kidney and liver failure due to an abdominal infection.
Born into a musical family in Montreal, Maynard began playing the piano and violin at the age of 4, took up the trumpet at 9, and performed solo's with the Canadian Broadcasting Co. Orchestra at 11, before leaving school at 15 to pursue a career in music.
Maynard was a member of The Innovations Orchestra, The Birdland Dream Band and Big Bop Nouveau.
He also worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Barnett, Boyd Raeburn, Jimmy Dorsey and Stan Kenton.
Maynard was a Canadian Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
In addition to recording the song 'Gonna Fly Now' (for the 'Rocky' series of movie's), he was also popular in the U.K. for his 1976 album, 'Primal Scream'.
Sig Shore
b. 13th May 1919, Harlem, New York, U.S.A.
d. 16th August 2006, Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Producer Sig Shore has died after a lengthy battle with pulmonary complications and respiratory failure due to chronic pneumonia, his family said yesterday. He was 87.
Sig was a a 50 year resident of North Stamford.
He was born in Harlem on 13th May, 1919, and he grew up in the Bronx, N.Y.
Sig attended George Washington University for almost two years on a basketball scholarship, before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941.
He served for four years during World War II as a navigator aboard a bomber and rose to the rank of first lieutenant..
Sig produced the movie, 'Superfly', which Curtis Mayfield recorded and composed the soundtrack for, and was in Los Angeles for discussions with Warner Bros. regarding a remake of the film when he became ill, his family said.
He also produced, 'That's The Way Of The World' with the accompanying musical soundtrack album recorded by Earth, Wind And Fire.
The movie featured Harvey Keitel in one of the actor's earliest performances.
Sig is survived by five children, two sisters, and nine grandchildren.
Bruce Carter
bruce carter in 1976
b. Bruce Edward Carter, 28th December 1956
d. 12th August 2006, Portland, Oregan, U.S.A.
The drummer for the group Pleasure, Bruce Edward Carter, has died. He was 49.
The suspected cause of death is a heart attack, however, that has yet to be confirmed.
Bruce also drummed for the group The Franchise, and had worked alongside Kenny G.
Pleasure blended soul, funk and jazz with a tough street edge and became a cult group on the underground black music scene of the late 70's.
Working closely with producer Wayne Henderson in Los Angeles, they signed to Fantasy Records for 'Dust Yourself Off' (1975), including 'Midnight At The Oasis', 'Accept No Substitutes' (1976), including 'Ghettos Of The Mind', 'Joyous' (1977), including 'Sassafras Girl', and 'Get To The Feeling' (1978), including 'Ladies Night Out', before themselves producing 'Future Now' (1979), including 'Glide'.
They later recorded an album for RCA.
In 1976, they recorded with label mate Side Effect on their version of 'Always There'.
The band then went their seperate ways with Marlon McClain releasing a solo project entitled 'Changes'.
Bruce toured with Cameo in 1987 (thanks to DJ Funk-O-Nots for the image and information).
He had recently suffered two heart attacks and had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Bruce Carter is survived by his wife, Esther, and son, Bruce Jr.
Milan Williams
b. 28th March 1948, Okolona, Mississippi, U.S.A.
d. 9th July 2006, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Milan Williams has died from cancer at the age of 58.
Milan was a founding member of the Commodores.
He was their keyboardist.
The Commodores were formed at Tuskagee Institute, Alabama, U.S.A., in 1967, when two groups of students merged to form a six-piece band.
He was also a member of The Jays.
Milan was an Alabama Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Arif Mardin
b. 15th March 1932, Istanbul, Turkey.
d. 25th June 2006, New York, U.S.A.
Studio manager, arranger and producer Arif Mardin has died from pancreatic cancer. He was 74.
Mardin worked with Aretha Franklin, The Rascals, Dusty Springfield, Patti Labelle, Roberta Flack, Hall & Oates, Average White Band, Anita Baker, George Benson, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, and Laura Nyro.
Mardin, who started his career in 1963 at Atlantic Records, a company founded by fellow Turks Nasuhi and Ahmet Ertegun.
He retired from Atlantic in 2001 to set up his own label at EMI, Manhattan Records, where he nutured the likes of, newcomer on the scene, Norah Jones.
Mardin produced about 60 golden and platinum albums and won countless awards, 12 of them
Grammys.Born in 1932, Mardin studied economics at Istanbul University and at the London School of Economics.
Mardin and his wife moved to the United States in 1956 and he graduated from Berklee in 1961, where he taught for one year before moving to New York, which had been his home ever since.
He will be buried in his native Istanbul next week, his family said in a statement.
Arif is survived by his wife Latife, son Joe, and daughters Julie and Nazan.
Charles Smith
b. Claydes Charles Smith, (A.K.A. Claydes E.X. Smith), 6th September 1948, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
d. 20th June 2006, Maplewood, New Jersey, U.S.A.
After a long illness, Charles Smith of the group Kool and the Gang has died. He was 57.
Clay was the guitarist, percussionist, vibes and singer in the group. He wrote, 'Joanna' and co-wrote, 'Jungle Boogie'.
He also wrote 'Light Of Worlds', the title song from the groups 1974 album.
He was the founding member of Kool & The Gang, who also recorded 'Celebration' and 'Ladies Night'.
The band's song 'Summer Madness' has been sampled several times.
Freddie Gorman
b. Freddie Gorman, 11th April 1939, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
d. 13th June 2006, California, U.S.A.
Freddie Gorman, of the group the Originals, has passed away. He was 67.
Freddie sang 'The Day Will Come' and co-wrote, 'Please Mr. Postman'.
He was also a member of The Quailtones , who recorded 'Tears Of Love', The Fideletones, who recorded 'Pretty Girl', as well as The Originals.
The band first recorded as the Originals in 1966.
The Originals recorded the popular songs 'Baby I'm For Real' and 'I'm Someone Who Cares'.
They also were recently featured on Richard Searling's 'Soul Connossieurs' compilation with the song 'Don't Stop Now', recently, and were highly popular with the dancefloor song 'Down To Lovetown' back in the mid Seventies.
Later the group recorded for Ian Levine's Motorcity label.
Lula Mae Hardaway
b.11th January 1930, Eufaula, Alabama, U.S.A.
d. 31st May 2006, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Lula Mae Hardaway, mother of singer Stevie Wonder, has died. She was 76.
Lula Mae died on the 31st of May in Los Angeles, Stevie Wonder's publicist Shelley Selover related to the media.
She did not know the cause of death.
Lula is credited as a co-writer on several of Stevie Wonder's songs, including the hits 'I Was Made to Love Her' and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours'.
His mother negotiated his first contract.
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1975.
Lula was born on the 11th of January 1930, to a sharecropper in Eufaula, Alabama.
Her life was marked by poverty and abuse, according to interviews she gave for a 2002 biography, 'Blind Faith'.
On 13th May 1951, Lula Mae Hardaway gave birth to Steveland Morris in Saginaw, Michigan.
Placed on an incubator immediately after his birth, he was reported to have been given too much oxygen, causing Stevie to suffer permanent blindness. This wan't the case, however.
Stevie was suffering from a condition called Retinopathy of Prematurity (R.O.P.).
Consequently, Stevie's mother was too afraid to let him out of the house.
Pretty much housebound, he spent much of his time learning instruments, thus, by the age of seven, Stevie had mastered the piano, and by nine the drums and harmonica.
Billy Preston
b. Billy Preston (William Everett Preston), 9th September 1946, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
d. 5th June 2006, Scottsdale, Arizona., U.S.A.
Billy Preston has died. He was 59.
Billy died after a long illness from malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure.
I went to see Billy play keyboards with the Funk Brothers in London a year or so ago. He was a fabulous keyboard player.
Billy was credited as being the 'fifth Beatle' during the Fab Four's final incarnations.
Billy Preston's musical career began in 1956 when he played organ with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and appeared in the film 'St Louis Blues' as a young W.C. Handy.
Billy worked with Sam Cooke and Little Richard in his early days.
In 1969 he was a part of the late Ray Charles revue.
George Harrison produced his U.K. hit, 'That's The Way God Planned It', and Billy also contributed keyboards to the Beatles', 'Get Back' and 'Let It Be'.
He subsequently moved to A & M Records, where he had a successful run of hit singles, with 'Outa-Space' (1972), a U.S. number 1 in 1973 with 'Will It Go Round In Circles', 'Space Race' (1973), and another US number 1 in 1974 with 'Nothing From Nothing'.
He also toured with Sly and the Family Stone.
In 1980 he made the charts with Syreeta Wright with the ballad 'With You I'm Born Again'.
In 1984, Billy collaborated with Keni Burke on his 'On The Air' outing.
In 1989, he toured with Ringo Starr's All Star Band and recorded for lan Levine s Motor City label in 1990 and 91, including further collaborations with Syreeta.
Desmond Dekker
b. Desmond Adolphus Dacres, 16 th July 1941, Kingston, Jamaica.
d. 25th May 2006, London, England.
Desmond Dekker passed away on the 25th of May. He was 64.
Desmond allegedly passed away from a heart attack.
He was famous for several melodies the 'Israelites' and '007 (Shanty Town)' being two fine examples of the reggae genre.
Desmond fronted The Aces and worked with Derrick Morgan, and crossed over to the mainstream of pop music, way before the late great Bob Marley.
Johnnie Wilder Jnr
b. Johnnie James Wilder Jr., July 1949, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.
d. 13th May 2006, Clayton Ohio, U.S.A.
I was informed today that Johnnie Wilder Jnr. passed away at the weekend.
Heatwave were one of the finest U.K. group's of the Seventies and Eighties.
'Always and Forever' is on, literally, any romantic Soul compilation out there, although 'Boogie Nights' will be the song that most Soul fans will remember the band for.
Johnnie suffered in a terrible car crash back in the late Seventies, which meant he was paralysed from the waist down, thus wheelchair bound.
He left secular recording and turned to Gospel in recent years, recording accapella Gospel albums, with the song 'In The Garden', being particularly popular on the Light Records imprint in 1990 (although dated 1988).
Keith Wilder said his brother was given a week to live after the crash 27 years ago. 'He did a lot with his life. He touched a lot of people's hearts.'
Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Residence Park Church of Christ on Hoover Avenue, where a younger brother, Gerald Wilder, will officiate.
Burial will be in the VA National Cemetery.
Also surviving are brothers Ernest Wilder of Sacramento, California, and Gregory Wilder of Dayton, wife, Rosalyn, and their daughter, Carla.
Gracie Mae Ridgeway
b. Gracie Mae Ridgeway, June 1957, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
d. 19th April 2006, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Gracie Mae Ridgeway has passed away. She was 49.
She died from a skin condition called Scleroderma, which is a hardening of the skin and affects all affected humans in varying forms.
The Ridgeways were hugely popular following their contribution to Gene Dunlap's 1981 Capitol album 'It's Just The Way I Feel'.
The trio were highly regarded background vocalists, utilised by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Anita Baker, Regina Belle, Keith Washington and Dionne Warwick.
Her sister, Esther Lene Ridgeway, passed away three years ago.
A musical memorial will be held for Gracie Mae Ridgeway at 6 p.m., Thursday 26th 2006 at the Third New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 12850 Plymouth Road in Detroit, Michigan.
Gracie's homegoing / funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday 28th 2006 at the same church, according to her surviving sister, Gloria Dehaven Ridgeway.
...to find out more about Gracie's condition, check this website...
Terry Denard Stanton
image courtesy of Ismo Tenkanen (Soul Express website)
b. 1957 - 1958
d. 27th March 2006, Los Angeles County, U.S.A.
Terry Denard Stanton, otherwise known as 'Pretty Terry Stanton' was murdered in Los Angeles County on the 27th of March 2006.
Terry was approached and attacked in the street, shot three times in the face, basically losing it. The gunmen then took some of his belongings, from him, for the police to identify his body from, before pouring petrol on him and setting fire to him. They then carefully placed his belongings by the side of him before making their escape. Pure evil. I don't know how a person could do that sort of thing to their fellow man.
There has been a lot of discussion regarding the gun culture and Black On Black violence. I have a recording of the Mayor Of New Orleans after Katrina hit. If you go to the main page at the site, you can download it. It's about quarter of an hour long. In the conversation he talks about the looting and violence that followed the disaster as Bush did what he does best and did nothing to begin with except talk about conserving oil. The man almost looked amused at what was going on. Guess that is his general misdemeanour in a crisis. The Mayor said that, one thing folks weren't talking about, were the huge importing of drugs into the place. Much of the looting of drug stores were by addicts, looking to take, as he put it, 'the edge off their Jones'. The gun culture is part of the Constitution. The right for the individual to defend themselves, families and property. Most folks have a pistol or a 45. Their legal right. It is different here in the U.K. You have to have a special licence, although, if you really want one of these killing machines, you don't have to try too hard to obtain one, so we have our own problems here as well. I, personally, think that the drugs issue and the gun issues are interrelated. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that drugs and guns were encouraged into the Black communities in order that the Brothers policed themselves, by the politicians. Mix this cocktail together and you get scenario's that are unthinkable. I, personally, hate guns. They are something for the individual to hide behind. Easy to pull a trigger, harder to challenge someone you have a beef with and fight with fists. This is why, in the U.K. football hooligans are, basically, what we would call 'chickens'. Can't confront someone on a one to one basis, but can hide behind a crowd. I don't condone violence in any form, however, if someone feels strongly enough to turn to this lousy form of human behaviour, put them in a boxing ring and go the distance.
Terry's death, actually made me feel ill, regarding the behaviour of some of our fellow human beings. Thankfully, these low-lives are few and far between.
Terry had just signed on to be a regular member of The Dazz Band. He had recorded vocals on 2 Dazz Band LP's, 'Under the Streetlight', 'Here We Go Again', and on Shades of Soul with Jeff Lorber. He performed with both the Dazz Band, and with The United We funk All-Stars. He was also a member of the Polyester Players. At this time no further information on his murder has been released.
June Pointer
June Antoinette Pointer (b. 30th November 1953, East Oakland, California, U.S.A. d. 11th April 2006, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.)
June Pointer has died. She was 52.
She died of cancer at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California, with her sisters Ruth and Anita at her bedside.
The Pointer Sisters were all born and raised in Oakland, California, U.S.A., and first sang together in the West Oakland Church of God where their parents were ministers.
Sisters, Bonnie, June and Anita embarked on a secular career that culminated in work as backing singers with several acts including Cold Blood, Taj Mahal, Bruce Willis, Boz Scaggs, Elvin Bishop and Grace Slick.
Ruth joined the group in 1972, a year before their self-named debut album was released.
In their early incarnation, the sisters 40's image was remarkable for that period, and was revolutionary in many ways, musically.
Their repertoire was varied, however, and included versions of Allen Toussaint's 'Yes We Can Can' and Willie Dixon's 'Wang Dang Doodle', as well as original compositions.
One such song, 'Fairytale', won a 1974 Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance.
They went their seperate ways briefly in 1977, but while Bonnie Pointer embarked on a solo career, the remaining trio regrouped and signed with producer Richard Perry's new label, Planet.
'Fire', wittten by Bruce Springsteen, was a million-selling single in 1979.
The Pointers' progress continued with two further gold discs, 'He's So Shy' (taken from the 1980 album 'Special Things') and 'Slow Hand', while two 1984 releases, 'Jump (For My Love)' and 'Automatic', won further Grammy awards.
June and Anita also recorded solo releases.
June sang solo on their 1975 album 'Steppin', on the song 'Wanting Things'.
She had two brothers Aaron and Fritz Pointer.
King Floyd
b. King Floyd III, 13th February 1945, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
d. 6th March 2006, California, U.S.A.
King Floyd has died from a stroke and complications with diabetes in California. He was 61.
He was, probably, best remembered for his single 'Groove Me', which hit the number one spot on the R & B charts in 1971.
U.K. fans will remember him for his dancefloor smash 'Body English', a song that was released in 1977.
'Groove Me' first appeared on Jackson-based Malaco Records' Chimneyville Records imprint as the B-side to Floyd's song, 'What Our Love Needs'.
'Groove Me' made Malaco a household name and began to attract artists to their stable, including, Paul Simon, The Pointer Sisters and Rufus Thomas.
Born in New Orleans in 1945, Floyd began singing on a street corner as a teen while befriending local musicians.
He began to play clubs, but took time away from his career to serve in the Army.
Floyd later travelled to New York and then Los Angeles.
'Body English' was released on the Chimneyville imprint in 1977, the parent album containing several of his own compositions, along with input from Frederick Knight and Tommy Tate.
Later, he returned to New Orleans, leaving the music business.
He returned to recording after hooking up with producer Wardell Quezergue, who worked at Malaco Records, on updated versions of 'Groove Me'.
He is survived by three children: Kimberly Floyd Westry, Kawana Floyd and King 'Champ' Michael Floyd.
Floyd's funeral is 10 a.m. 18th March 2006 at First Zion Baptist Church in Jefferson, L.A.
Ray Barretto
b. 29th April 1929, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
d. 17th February 2006, Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Percussionist and bandleader Ray Barretto has died. He was 76.
Ray worked with many artists including Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, Sonny Stitt, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Tito Puente, Art Blake, Cannonball Adderley, Red Garland, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard and Cal Tjader.
He recorded, 'El Watusi' and 'Los Cueros', although Soul folks will remember fondly his dancer 'Can You Feel It', recorded for the Atlantic imprint in 1978.
The parent album featured, Prince Phillip Mitchell and Cissy Houston, with Prince Phillip penning 'What Part Of Heaven Do You Come From?' for the set.
Ray was, also, a music director for The Fania All-Stars.
Lynden David Hall
b. Lynden David Hall, 7th May 1974, Wandsworth, London.
d. 14th February 2006, London.
Tragically, U.K. Soul singer, Lynden David Hall, has passed away at the age of just 31.
He passed away due to Hodgkins Lymphoma, which is a form of cancer that affects children and young people in their 20's.
Lynden was discovered by the manager of U.K. soul group Loose Ends and was signed to Cooltempo Records.
It was there he recorded his debut album 'Medicine 4 My Pain'.
He won the 1998 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) for 'Best Newcomer'.
In 1999, he was the first U.K. artist ever voted 'Best Male Artist' by the readers of Britain's Blues & Soul magazine.
In 2005 he released his third studio album 'In Between Jobs' on the independent label Random Records.
For the last 2 years he had been battling this rare form of cancer. Far too young.
Bobby Moore
b. 1931, New Orleans, U.S.A.
d. 1st February 2006. Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.A.
R & B singer Bobby Moore has passed away at the age of 75.
Bobby Moore died on Wednesday the 1st of February 2006 of kidney failure, the Montgomery Advertiser reported on Tuesday.
The New Orleans native had Top 40 hits in the mid-1960's with 'Searching For My Love' and 'Try My Love Again'.
His son, Bobby Moore Jr., has been playing with his father's group for 40 years and told the newspaper he would continue to keep the name Bobby Moore alive.
'My father didn't just play R & B, he said. He played jazz, rock, country, and I plan to carry on that legacy'.
The younger Moore said one of his father's final performances was opening for country music's Alabama at a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Services were scheduled on Wednesday in Montgomery.
Dee Edwards
b. June 1945, Doris Jean Harrell, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A.
d. 25.1.2006, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Dee Edwards has passed away. She was 60.
Dee's real name was Doris Jean Harrell.
Brought up on Lawton, close to the Pig Pen, Dee Edwards was instrumental in the birth of the group The Paragons, along with her brother Albert Harrell.
Her first, but the group's only 45, was recorded in the Pig Pen in early 1963 and was called 'My Time Is Important To Me'.
When The Paragons split up Dee became a solo artist.
Her first tune, 'You Say You Love Me,' b / w 'Tired Of Staying Home,' came out on the local Tuba label.
'Too Careless With My Love', was the third release on the D-Town imprint.
'Oh What a Party' followed in 1964.
'Happiness Is Where You Find It' soon followed and in the spring of 1965, 'His Majesty My Love' was released.
Dee's most popular 45, 'All The Way Home,' was released in 1966.
'All The Way Home' was her last 45 for the label.
Later she recorded two songs that Sonny Sanders produced for Pete Hall's Premium Stuff label.
These were 'I'll Shed No Tears' and 'A Girl Can't Go By What She Hears'.
Dee was then married to arranger Floyd Jones and they collaborated on some songs that Guido Marasco released on his GM and Bumpshop labels in 1970, releasing 'Say It Again With Feeling'.
After one RCA single in 1972, Floyd followed up with the song for the De-To label, 'I Can Deal With That', which was the last of Dee's Detroit recording sessions.
The couple went to New York, finally enjoying Billboard chart action with a Disco hit released on Cotillion in 1979, entitled 'Don't Sit Down', taken from the album 'Heavy Love', which also featured the ballad 'No Love, No World' and her version of Acker Bilk's 'Stranger On The Shore'.
During the Eighties, Dee recorded her own version of the song 'It Comes To My Attention', popular with the U.K. Soul fraternity.
A keen painter, Dee had left the music business to concentrate on her family in Detroit.
The cause of death appears to be a heart attack after a night out.
In addition to her daughter, survivors include her husband, Floyd Jones; her son, Jerry Hall; another daughter, Darlene Rashed; 11 grandchildren; four brothers, and a sister.
Visitation will be 3:30 to 9 p.m. today at the Swanson Funeral Home, 14751 McNichols, Detroit. A family hour will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday followed by an 11 a.m. funeral at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 2260 Hunt, Detroit.Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
Gene McFadden
Gene McFadden (b. 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. d. 27th January 2006, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
Gene McFadden has passed away. He was 57.
Gene was diagnosed with liver and lung cancer in 2004 and died at his home in the Mount Airy, Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 27th January 2006 of cancer.
McFadden & Whitehead were former members, as teenagers, of the Epsilons, a group managed by Otis Redding until his untimely death in 1967.
After a short association with Stax Records (where they had a minor hit in 1970 with the song 'The Echo').
McFadden & Whitehead changed their name to 'Talk of the Town' and began working with Gamble & Huff.
The pair then joined the Philadelphia International label.
Acting in a production role extensively, Gene and John were responsible for certain area's of the label's sound.
As songwriters, they wrote 'Back Stabbers,' 'For the Love of Money,' 'I'll Always Love My Mama,' 'Bad Luck,' 'Wake Up Everybody,' 'Where Are All My Friends,' 'Don't Let Love Get You Down,' 'The More I Get, The More I Want,' and 'Cold, Cold World' for the Philadelphia label.
The pinnacle of their own recording success came with 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now', which went to No. 1 on the R & B chart and reached No. 13 on the pop chart.
McFadden & Whitehead also worked with Carolyn Crawford and worked with Melba Moore, Gloria Gaynor, Freddie Jackson, Willie Collins, and Beau Williams.
Tragically, John Whitehead was shot dead, whilst working on a vehicle with another man, in Philadelphia on the 11th of May 2004.
The killer fled after shooting John in the neck and then shooting his friend, who was rushed to hospital after the incident.
Wilson Pickett
b. 18th March 1941, Prattville, Alabama, U.S.A.
d. 19th January 2006, Reston, Virginia, U.S.A.
Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack on Thursday the 19th of January 2006, in a Reston, Virginia, hospital, according to his management company. He was 64.
Chris Tuthill, of the management company Talent Source, said Wilson had been suffering from health problems for the past year.
Wilson began singing gospel music in church.
Raised in Detroit, Wilson Pickett sang in several of the city's R & B groups.
He later joined the Falcons and sang lead on their 1962 hit 'I Found A Love', after which he launched his solo career.
He recorded for the Correctone imprint and released the singles, 'If You Need Me' and 'It's Too Late', recorded for Lloyd Price's Double L outlet.
In 1965, he linked with legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler at the legendary soul label Stax Records in Memphis.
A partnership with guitarist Steve Cropper produced the hit 'In The Midnight Hour', as well as 'Don't Fight It' (both 1965), '634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)', 'Land Of A 1,000 Dances' (written by Chris Kenner), 'Mustang Sally' (all 1966) and 'Funky Broadway' (1967).
A 1968 album, 'The Midnight Mover', contained six songs featuring Bobby Womack's involvement.
Wilson next recorded at Fame's Muscle Shoals studio, releasing a version of 'Hey Jude', with Duane Allman on guitar.
He then worked with producers Gamble And Huff, resulting in two hits, 'Engine Number 9' (1970) and 'Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You' (1971).
He also released 'Don't Knock My Love', his last Top 20 hit for Atlantic.
Wilson relocated to RCA in 1972, before returning to Muscle Shoals for 'Funky Situation' (1978), issued on his own Wicked label.
In 1974, he released 'Pickett In The Pocket' for the RCA label, followed by 'I Want You' for EMI America in 1979.
Later, he worked alongside Joe Tex, Don Covay, Ben E. King and Solomon Burke in a revamped Soul Clan.
Wilson's music also featured in the film 'The Commitments' in 1991.
Still, Pickett suffered through some tough times.
In 1991, he was arrested for allegedly yelling death threats whilst driving a car over the mayor's front lawn in Englewood, New Jersey, and less than a year later was charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
Wilson found life a struggle and had been arrested and charged with various drug offences.
He once stated 'If I wasn't in show business I don't know what I would have been a wanderer or something, you know?'
Lou Rawls
b. Louis Allen Rawls, 1st December 1933, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
d. 6th January 2006, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Lou Rawls has died. He was 72 and was suffering from, initially, lung cancer, and later brain cancer.
He will be, probably, be best remembered, by Soul fans, for his output during the Seventies, at the Philadelphia International label, however, his earlier output stands as some of the best of it's kind from that era.
It was lung cancer that took Lou from us, eventually, after a long and optimistic fight by the man.
His estranged wife Nina had said the lung cancer was diagnosed two years ago, and that Lou was informed he had brain cancer last year.
Lou lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, and had said in an interview with the Arizona Republic, last year, that he had received alternative and traditional medical treatment.
He recorded more than 75 albums and won three Grammy awards.
A longtime community activist, he played a major role in the United Negro College Fund telethons in the 1980's, which raised more than $200 million.
In the '60's he often visited schools, playgrounds, and community centre's.
Raised in Chicago by his grandmother, he began singing gospel at age 7 in the choir of his Baptist church.
As a teenager, he began joining doo-wop groups with his classmate Sam Cooke, whose own singing career in the 1950's and 1960's really took off.
Lou served in the Army in the 1950's, and began singing at small clubs in Los Angeles.
He was later talent spotted and joined the Capitol Records imprint.
However, it was in the 1970's, Lou changed record labels and joined the Philadelphia International imprint, where Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff gave him his biggest hit in 1976, namely, 'You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine'.
Lou went on to record for several other labels, including Blue Note.
Apart from his wife, the great man is survived by four children, Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith and Aiden Rawls.
Not a great start to the New Year. Lou will be sorely missed by many folks out there, but not ever forgotten.
David Townsend
b. David Townsend, b. 1955, U.S.A.
d. 26th October 2005, Northridge, California, U.S.A.
David Townsend, from the Soul group Surface has died. He was 50.
Early reports are scarce. He was found by a close friend at his home.
Surface recorded several excellent songs incuding 'Happy', 'A Nice Time For Lovin', 'Closer Than Friends' and 'Shower Me With Your Love'. David's musical activities spread out further than just his work with Surface. He also worked with Sister Sledge, The Isley Brothers, Jermaine Jackson, The New Edition and Aretha Franklin.
ed townsend
As mentioned, David was the son of the singer and songwriter, Ed Townsend, who co-wrote 'Let's Get It On' for Marvin Gaye.
The group's surviving members, Bernard Jackson and David 'Pic' Conley, released a statement that read, 'We are both shocked and very saddened by our loss of our close friend David. He was a great producer, songwriter and a great friend. We will miss him. We also want to say thank you to all our fans around the world for their love and support during this difficult time.'
Funeral arrangements will be held on:
Thursday, November, 3, 2005 @ 3 p.m.
Inglewood Mortuary
3801 W. Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA
(310) 412-6811Shirley Horn
b. Shirley Horn, 1st May 1934, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
d. 20th October 2005, U.S.A., Washington D.C., U.S.A.
The Jazz performer Shirley Horn has died. She was 71.
She passed away due to complications with diabetes, reports state, in her hometown of Washington D.C.
Shirley was, originally, offered a place at Juilliard, but turned down the offer for financial reasons.
She later majored in music at Howard University.
By 1954, she formed her first trio.
Her debut single, 'Embers and Ashes', caught the attention of Miles Davis, who asked Shirley to open for him at New York's Village Vanguard in 1960.
She then signed to Mercury Records and, with Quincy Jones producing, recorded two albums in 1963, 'Loads of Love' and 'Shirley Horn with Horns'.
She left Mercury Records to raise her child and returned to Washington later.
By 1987, Shirley had joined the Verve imprint, as she began somewhat of a comeback.
Shirley recorded with Miles Davis, him backing her on 1991's 'You Won't Forget Me', amongst the final sessions before his death.
She won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1998 for her tribute to Miles, 'I Remember Miles'.
Willie Hutch
b. Willie McKinley Hutchison, 6th December 1944, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
d. 19th September 2005, Duncanville, Texas, U.S.A.
Willie Hutch has passed away. He was 60. Willie was born to Frank Allen and Mae Willie Hutchison on the 6th of December 1944.
Details of the cause are sketchy at the moment. News Channel 3 spoke to Willie Hutch's manager, Anthony Voyce, who stated 'I've never met a more generous and caring person to have been around. To have a man to have been around like that, is amazing. We're going to miss him'.
Willie Hutch grew up in Dallas where he sang with The Ambassadors.
He first came to the attention of the music business in 1964 when his debut single 'Love Has Put Me Down' was released by the Soul City Records label.
His songs attracted the attention of The Fifth Dimension who recorded a number of them.
Willie himself recorded with Venture prior to two albums in the early 70's with RCA (including 'Let's Try It Over').
In 1970, he received a phone call from producer Hal Davis who urgently needed a song written to a backing track he had entitled 'I'll Be There'.
By 8 am the next morning, The Jackson 5 were in the studio recording it.
Willie later co-arranged vocals on 'Got To Be There' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye' for the group, impressing Berry Gordy who employed him at Motown on a more permanent basis.
Willie produced the first Smokey Robinson album without The Miracles, and when Sisters Love had a cameo role in 'The Mack', the group's manager suggested Willie record the soundtrack.
The result was 'The Mack', including 'Brother's Gonna Work It Out' and 'Slick', Willie's first album for Motown in 1973. (Willie also worked with Sisters Love on 'Mr Fix-it Man'.)
His other albums at the label included 'The Mark Of The Beast' (1975); 'Concert In Blues' (1976), including 'Party Down'; 'Color Her Sunshine' (1976), including 'I Like Everything About You', 'Havin' A House Party' and 'Fully Exposed' before he joined the Whitfield label for two albums, 'In Tune (1978), including 'Easy Does It', and 'Midnight Dancer'.
In 1982, he wrote 'Keep The Fire Burning' for Gwen McCrae and returned to Motown for three collaborations with Berry Gordy.
The first was a duet for The Four Tops and Aretha Franklin 'What Have We Got To Lose' (1983), the second a song / production for Sammy Davis Jnr, 'Hello Detroit' (1984), and the third a soundtrack album for Berry's film 'The Last Dragon' (1985).
This soundtrack included a Willie Hutch single 'The Glow'.
During this period at Motown he wrote/produced 'Sexy Ways' for The Four Tops and released two albums, 'In And Out' (1985) and 'Making A Game Of Love' (1985), including 'Keep On Jammin'.
Willie has also written and / or produced for The Miracles, The Main Ingredient ('California My Way'), Junior Walker, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, among others.
Willie released two albums in the Nineties. 'From The Heart' and 'The Mack Is Back'.
Both sets were well received. Rest in peace Soul man.
The postings read:
'Willie enjoyed golfing, fishing, music, and especially his family. He was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas. Mr. Hutchison was a celebrated musician, performer, and
producer. He had received many awards including being a two time Grammy Award Nominee; NAACP Image Award; two time recipient of BMI Writer's Award; two time recipient of ASCAP Writer's Award; two Gold Singles for Vocal Arrangements;one Platinum Single; and nine Gold & Platinum Albums (CD's). Mr. Hutchison was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by 6 children; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 5 brothers; 8 sisters; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and aunt Sammie Lee Henderson.
The family will receive friends at Restland Memorial Chapel from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.Thursday, September 22, 2005. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2005 at Restland's Memorial Chapel with Rev. Thomas Spann officiating.
Internment to follow at Lincoln Memorial Park in Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers the family request any donations in Willie's name be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 4425 W. Airport Fwy., Irving, Texas 75062. Restland 972-238-7111 restlandfuneralhome.com'Ernie Johnson
photo courtesy of ace records
Ernest (Ernie) L. Johnson Jnr (b. 22nd October 1945, Grimes County, U.S.A. d. 20th August 2005, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.)
Ernie Johnson was killed on the 20th of August 2005 after he was struck by a car. He was 59.
Eddie and Ernie were two underrated heroes of Soul Music.
During the Sixties and early Seventies they recorded several sides for the Eastern Record label and the Artco label amongst others.
Their solo singles are extreemly rare and change hands for four figure sums today.
Dave Godin (the man who coined the phrase 'Northern Soul') included their 1965 tune 'I'm Going For Myself' for his excellent 'Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Volume 1' for the Kent label in 1997.
That label released a compilation of the duo's recording's entitled 'Lost Friends' in 2002.
Their recordings included 'You Make My Life A Sunny Day', 'Bullets Don't Have Eyes', 'Tell It Like it Is', 'Falling Tears (Indian Drums)' and a fine version of Bob Dylan's 'Lay Lady Lay'.
William Edgar Campbell passed away on the 10th of July 1994 in Los Angeles.
Francine Hurd Barker (a.k.a 'Peaches' from the duo 'Peaches & Herb')
b. Francine Edna Hurd Barker, 28th April 1947, Washington D.C, U.S.A.
d. Saturday 13th August 2005, Maryland, U.S.A..
Francine Hurd Barker, otherwise known as 'Peaches' from the original duo Peaches and Herb, has passed away from a long illness. She was 58.
Francine earned the nickname 'Peaches' as a child, mainly due to her gentle disposition.
The original Peaches and Herb members formed in 1965.
'Peaches' sang in several groups in her teenage years, including the Keynotes and the Darlettes (a group she instigated herself).
The group were later to become known as the Sweet Things.
Teaming up with Van McCoy, Francine along with her new singing partner, one Herb Feemster (later to be known as Herb Fame), began recording such songs as 'We're In This Together' and 'Let's Fall In Love'.
The duo's emerging popularity earned them the nickname of 'the Sweethearts Of Soul'.
Following several other notable sides, Herb left the duo to become a policeman in 1970.
He enlisted a new 'Peaches' to the ranks in 1976, one Linda Greene. They went on to record the chart topper 'Reunited'.
Francine then went into a coma, that lasted 10 years.
For the past 9 years, she was cared for by her husband and daughter.
She suffered, additionally, from a brain aneurysm and stroke, and came out of the condition about a year after the incident in 1996.
She also had several toes amputated recently, not due to diabetes, but due to another ailment.
Francine left two daughters, Shaunte and Shanice, along with 4 Grandchildren, Ellisha, Shanee, Larc and Kayla.
Her funeral was held at Landover, Maryland. Visitation Friday, August 19th, 5 p.m., service 6 p.m. at J.B. JENKINS FUNERAL HOME, 7474 Landover Rd., Landover.
Many thanks to Saundra Simmons and Tony Petty for their invaluable information regarding the sad passing of the original 'Peaches'.
Little Milton
b. James Milton Campbell Jnr., 7th September 1934, Inverness, Mississippi, U.S.A.
d. 4th August 2005, Memphis Tennessee, U.S.A.
Singer, Guitarist and Songwriter, Little Milton has passed away from a stroke. He was 71.
Having played guitar from the age of 12, Little Milton (he legally dropped the James when he discovered that he had a brother of the same name on his father's side) made his first public appearances as a teenager in the blues bars and cafes on Greenville's celebrated Nelson Street.
Milton first appeared on record accompanying pianist Willie Love in the early 50's, then appeared under his own name on three singles issued on Sam Phillips' Sun label under the guidance of Ike Turner.
Although their working relationship continued throughout the decade, it was on signing to Chicago's Chess / Checker outlet that Milton's career flourished.
Milton had a hit in 1965 with the optimistic 'We're Gonna Make It', and followed it with other releases, including 'Who's Cheating Who?' in 1965, and 'Grits Ain't Groceries' in 1968.
He remained with Chess until 1971, whereupon he relocated to the Stax imprint.
Milton also worked alongside Sonny Boy Williamson III.
'That's What Love Will Do' returned the singer to the R & B chart after a two-year absence, but despite his appearance in the Wattstax film, Little Milton was unable to maintain a consistent recording career.
In the 90's he was with Delmark Records.
His most recent album 'Think Of Me' was released in May 2005.
Eugene Record
b. 23rd December 1940, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
d. 22nd July 2005, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Marshall Thompson of the group, the Chi-Lites, came online tonight to confirm to me that Eugene Record of the band has just died.
He passed away at 2 a.m., today, the 22nd of July 2005 from cancer. He was 64.
Usually, at this point I do a rundown of the artists resume, but in Eugene's case, I think I'll make an exception.
With Soul Music, it is always hard to pin down just exactly what makes one artist or another move you, and which one simply passes you by.
The Chi-Lites are sometimes seen as a sweet Soul group. That they are, but there are many more facets to this amazing group. Think of the man's work with the late Barbara Acklin. Stunning material.
Eugene did his own thing, as did the other guys over the years. One of my favourite songs, by these guys is 'Try My Side Of Love' from 1982. Meant a great deal to me at that time. I was off with friends to Cornwall for a week or so of partying. This song was on the tape player all the time.
Went off to Bournemouth (hold your horses and get your atlas out you U.S. brothers! LOL) to meet up with Julie afterwards, who I was later to marry. Stevie's album title 'Songs In The Key Of Life' was very apt. Whenever I listen to that Chi-Lites song, I am back in 1982. You lot know what I mean, as you will have songs that 'kick in' a memory, and that is what the Chi-Lites are, and were all about.
'Try My Side Of Love' was not their most immediate hit, but this is what music is all about. Memories. A musical life diary.
Whenever I hear 'You Don't Have To Go', it reminds me of sitting on a roof in Putney, in London (atlas again guys! LOL), at lunchbreak, in the long hot summer of 1976, when I was 20, listening to that song on the ghettoblaster (the size of half a house! LOL). No video's, mobiles, CD's etc. Tapes only. We looked at the ladies walk by (hadn't met Julie back then! LOL). What a long hot summer. I am nearly 50 now. 30 years ago. How time flies. Those last few bars of that song are pure heaven.
The Chi-Lites are embedded into this old fool, in the same way a tattoo is. Probably the same for you guys.
Eugene Record made some solo material, of which 'Overdose Of Joy' was a masterpiece. In and out of the Chi-Lites through revolving doors! LOL.
'Homely Girl' was the slow dance at my school disco when I was a kid. Lovely memories.
'Try My Side Of Love' was Soul perfection. This is how I will remember the man. You will have your own stories and recollections.
Go hang with Luther, brother Eugene. You made another brother down here a very happy man.
Much love to the family. All our condolences from here. Eugene will be in my head until the man upstairs moves me into the 'other room' to meet the great man. Just lost another great.
Shirley Pixley Goodman
shirley & lee
b. 19th June 1936, New Orleans, U.S.A.
d. 5th July 2005, Cedar Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Shirley Goodman, of the duo Shirley and Lee, later of the group Shirley and Company, has died. She was 69.
Shirley (as part of the duo Shirley and Lee) was probably best remembered as the singer of the song 'Let The Good Times Roll.
Prior to the passing of Leonard Lee in 1976, she formed the group Shirley and Company, who scored with the hit 'Shame, Shame, Shame'.
Shirley was married, and had one son.
Shirley attended school with Leonard and was teased about her vocal delivery, with her father telling her it 'put him on edge'!
Shirley and Lee asked Cosimo Matassa, at his studio in New Orleans, if they might record a song.
Matassa agreed and the duo cut 'I'm Gone'.
The song was later remade and hit the number 2 spot on the U.S. R & B Charts.
The duo also recorded 'Shirley, Come Back to Me', 'Shirley's Back', 'The Proposal', 'Lee's Goofed' and 'Feel So Good'.
They were presumed to be a couple although Shirley was, actually married to a builder in 1955.
'Let the Good Times Roll' turned out to be their biggest success, crossing over to the Pop Charts.
The duo recorded up until 1963, after which Shirley undertook session chores for the likes of Sonny and Cher, Dr John, The Rolling Stones and Jackie DeShannon.
shirley's credit on the rolling stones 'exile on main street' album liner notes
Shirley & Lee were briefly reunited in 1972, after Shirley had recorded with several other artistic partners, including Shirley & Jesse, who recorded the song 'Ivory Tower'.
Sylvia Robinson then asked Shirley if she would record 'Shame, Shame, Shame', along with the All Platinum artist Jesus Alvarez.
The song became an international disco hit.
Raymond 'Stingray' Davis
b. 29th March 1940, Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.A.
d. 5th July 2005, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, U.S.A.
Ray Davis, of the groups Parliament and Funkadelic, has passed away from respitory complications. He was 65.
He was born in Sumter, S.C., and lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Plainfield in 1958, where he resided until 1968.
Ray was, probably, most famous for providing the bass vocals on Parliament's funk songs 'Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucka) and 'Flashlight.
He was later to do the same for the funk ensemble Funkadelic on songs such as 'One Nation Under A Groove'.
Ray was a founding member of Parliament, a group that was to influence the whole music scene throughout the Seventies.
Parliament were originally known as 'the Parliaments' and were a doo-wop group back in the 50's.
It was George Clinton who changed the group's name in the Seventies and created the group Funkadelic.
During the early Eighties, he joined the late Roger Troutman's band Zapp.
For a few years, in the late '80's, and early '90's Ray retired from the music industry and moved to Greenville, S.C., and worked as a bus driver.
Parliament and Funkadelic were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, although several legal battles over ownership rights still trouble Clinton today.
Ray Davis lived in Franklin Park, remained active musically in recent years, working with the Temptations after the death of Melvin Franklin in the mid-1990's.
He also toured from 1998 with original P-Funk members Haskins and Thomas.
Ray was a former member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield when he resided.
He was also a member of the Maso
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