respect...
2019
'What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others'. Pericles (495 - 429 b.c.)
october 2019
george chambers
b. George Chambers, 26th September 1931, Flora, Mississippi, U.S.A.
d. 12th October 2019, U.S.A.
George Chambers was an American blues and soul bassist and singer.
The Chambers Brothers, were probably best remembered for the 1968 hit ‘Time Has Come Today’.
George Chambers was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.
The group, later, relocated to L.A.
In 1965, Pete Seeger put them on the bill at the Newport Folk Festival.
They then signed with Columbia Records in 1966, and first recorded 'Time Has Come Today’.
The song has since been licensed for various films and TV shows.
The Chambers family had 13 siblings — eight boys and five girls.
Four of the young men played in the Chambers Brothers band. These included the oldest brother George (born in 1931), Willie (born 1938), Lester (born 1940) and Joe (August 22, 1942).
september 2019
jimmy spicer
b. James Bromley Spicer, 12th May 1958, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
d. 27th September 2019, U.S.A.
The R&B & Hip Hop artist, Jimmy Spicer, has died. Jimmy was 61.
In 2018, Jimmy had been diagnosed with advanced brain and lung cancer.
In the late Seventies and early Eighties, Jimmy had released a number of old school rap singles.
He had been managed by Russell Simmons' Rush Management.
His single ‘The Bubble Bunch’ featured Jellybean Benitez's first remix on the Mercury Records imprint.
In 1983, he released, the popular, ‘Money (Dollar Bill Y’All)’ for Spring Records.
Jimmy went on to record for the Sunshine and Def Jam imprints.
In 1989, he released ’Super Rhyme ’89’.
Jimmy is survived by four daughters, Angelina, Leticia, Janel, and Princess and one son, James.
bruce dunbar
b. Bruce Edwin Dunbar, 18th November 1953, Allendale, South Carolina, U.S.A.
d. 6th September 2019, Texas City, Texas, U.S.A.
As a child, Bruce attended Allendale Primary School in South Carolina.
He relocated to Philadelphia in 1962, graduating from W. Philadelphia High School in 1971.
As a performer, Bruce formed the Deltones in 1968, with friends Tony Anderson, Alan Williams, & Carl Smith.
The Deltones became the Coalitions, and in 1974 the group released ‘Instead….How Are You’.
In 1975 they opened for the Jackson Five, moving to Texas.
In 1978 he toured the U.K. with Ray Shells with the show Oscar Johnson’s ‘Little Willie Jr’s Resurrection’.
The duo then made the move a permanent one.
Bruce auditioned for a position as a singer in the soul group Delegation.
He, later, relocated back to the U.S. in 1981.
Bruce, later, became a master carpenter.
In 1986, he released the single, ‘Just One More Day In Galveston’ for the Silent Thunder Records imprint.
He is survived by his children, Trezlyn Dunbar-Davis (Fermin) of Texas, Rei Dunbar, Kimberly Borders, Bruce Showell, all of Philadelphia, El Donta McFadden of California, Sarina Allen of Texas; siblings, Garthia Dunbar (Joya) of Arizona, Joyce Scott of Arizona, Janice Freeman of Georgia, Lionel Dunbar, Edwin Dunbar (Rachel), Wayne Dunbar (Shannon), Keith Dunbar (Lisa), Jennifer Dunbar all of Florida, Margaret Ann Oestricher of New York, Toni Dunbar of Louisiana; 26 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; bonus children, Calvin, Josh, Curtis and Crystal Zachary; special friends, Tony Anderson, Lester Bellow, Edward Henderson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
clay mcmurray
b. Clay McMurray, 4th July 1953, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
d. 6th September 2019, U.S.A.
The Motown Records producer and songwriter, Clay McMurray, has died. He was 66.
Clay came to peoples attention in 1967 when he teamed with local singer Spyder Turner to record his version of Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’.
The song became a smash hit and Spyder’s signature song.
Clay also worked in promotions for Arc-Jay-Kay Distributing Co. in Detroit.
Hired by Motown’s quality control department three years later, his job was to listen to every song that the label recorded.
Clay worked with Gladys Knight And The Pips to produce their first hit single. ‘If I Were Your Woman’, which he co-wrote with LaVerne Ware and Pam Sawyer.
Clay’s production credits from the early-to-mid-‘70s also include The Four Tops’ ‘You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart’, Prime Cut’s ‘Message To The Ghetto’, Danny Cox’s ‘You Can’t Hold Me Back’, Karen Pree’s ‘Make Love Last Forever’, Gladys Knight & The Pips’ ‘If I Were Your Woman’ and Jimmy Ruffin’s ‘Give You All The Love I’ve Got’.
In addition to his production and song-writing work, Clay founded the publishing company Red Cap Music, and was heavily involved in the Detroit soul label Red Cap Records.
He also collaborated with Rose Royce, The Four Tops, Undisputed Truth, The Supremes and The Temptations, amongst others.
Clay worked with Motown producer Norman Whitfield on the movie soundtrack for ‘Car Wash’.
The MCA Records album went platinum.
Clay was married to the artist, Karen Pree, with whom he produced one album in 1977.
In 1977, they started their own record production company, Love 'n Comfort Entertainment Corporation, and music publishing companies Claka Music and Farrah Music.
Clay was inducted into the R&B Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
jimmy johnson
jimmy johnson with wilson pickett
b. Jimmy Ray Johnson, 4th February 1943, Sheffield, Alabama, U.S.A.
d. 5th September 2019, Florence, Alabama, U.S.A.
The American session guitarist and record producer, Jimmy Johnson, has died. Jimmy was 76.
Jimmy died from kidney failure.
He was a guitarist in the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.
Jimmy, also, worked at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, for a period in the 1960s.
In the late Sixties, he worked with Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler.
Jimmy became a co-founder of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.
The other founding members included the drummer, Roger Hawkins, bassist, David Hood, and keyboardist, Barry Beckett.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was originally located at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield.
Jimmy performed with Wilson Pickett (including ‘Mustang Sally’), Arthur Conley (including ‘Sweet Soul Music’) and Aretha Franklin (including the single ‘Respect’).
He also engineered three tracks on the Rolling Stones' album Sticky Fingers (including ‘Brown Sugar’).
There is an impressive list of songs Jimmy performed on here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Johnson_(musician)
lashawn daniels
b. LaShawn Daniels, 28th December 1977, U.S.A.
d. 3rd September 2019, South Carolina, U.S.A.
The songwriter, Lashawn Daniels, has died. He was 41.
LaShawn died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.
LaShawn had penned hits for several major artists, including Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez and Michael Jackson.
He was known as ‘Big Shiz’, and had worked closely with the producer and songwriter Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.
Of the songs LaShawn had penned, these included Michael Jackson's ‘You Rock My World’, ‘It's Not Right (But It's Okay)’ by Whitney Houston, ‘Telephone’ by Beyoncé featuring Lady Gaga and with Monica and Brandy on the duet, ‘The Boy Is Mine’.
He also penned the hit single ‘Say My Name’ for Destiny's Child.
LaShawn was married to his wife, April, a hair stylist and clothing designer, and they had three sons together.
les adams
b. Leslie Adams, 29th November 1955, United Kingdom.
d. 2nd September 2019, United Kingdom.
The radio deejay, known as the ‘Mix Doctor’, Les Adams, has died. He was 63.
Les had been suffering with heart problems for some time and was fitted with medical warning equipment which, on this occasion, had failed to turn red, (the warning to call an ambulance).
His partner, Jackie Davis, was in Australia having only recently been driven to the airport by Les himself.
Les, during his career, had worked at various radio stations, including Radio Jackie, Solar Radio and Radio Luxembourg.
Born in 1955, Les became known as The Mixdoctor when DMC (Disco Mix Club), the revolutionary DJ record label, was founded in February 1983.
He had previously been working at Radio Luxembourg on the Disco Mix Club Show.
In 1987 Les charted with the track ‘Don’t Stop Jammin’ under the name of L.A.Mix.
https://blog.gregwilson.co.uk/2019/09/les-adams/#more-16352
august 2019
pedro bell
b. Pedro Bell, 11th June 1950, Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.
d. 27th August 2019, Evergreen Park, Illinois, U.S.A.
Pedro Bell, the Chicago artist who created sleeves for George Clinton and Funkadelic, died on Tuesday at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Pedro was 69, and had been in declining health, finally suffering a cardiac arrest.
He’d been living for nine years at Chicago Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center and was receiving kidney dialysis three times a week.
Once describing his artwork, Pedro said ‘It was psychedelic from a black perspective’.
Pedro was raised in a family who encouraged drawing and creativity, and attended Harper High School in West Englewood, then studying art at Bradley University and Roosevelt University.His mother was a nurse, whilst his father was a preacher, which influenced Perdro in his creations and art, inspired by stories from his father’s Bible.
By 2009, Pedro was nearly broke and living at the Hyde Park Arms, a single-room-occupancy hotel at 53rd Street and Harper Avenue.
Pedro hadn’t profited financially from his artistic association with some of the creators of Afrofuturistic funk and soul.
In the beginning, he said he offered to create art for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic after hearing their music on WXFM.
George Clinton liked the streetwise style and asked him to do the ‘Cosmic Slop’ album cover in 1973.
George said ‘What Pedro Bell had done was invert psychedelia through the ghetto. Like an urban Hieronymus Bosch, he cross-sected the sublime and the hideous to jarring effect’.
Pedro’s work was included with pieces by Andy Warhol and Ed Paschke in a 2007-2008 exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art entitled ‘Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock ’n’ Roll Since 1967’.
Supplementing his earnings, Pedro worked as a security guard, with the post office and at an auto parts manufacturer.
In addition to his brothers, Pedro is survived by a son Derrick.
funkadelic page at soulwalking here...
al broomfield
b. Alfred Lamar Broomfield, 29th September 1954, Vidalia, Georgia, U.S.A.
d. 13th August 2019, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Al Broomfield has died. Al was 64.
His people sent me this short bio, a few years ago. His page link is also below.
'Alfred Lamar Broomfield was born September 29, 1954 in Vidalia, Georgia a small town well known for its sweet onions. The family resided in Miami, Florida where Broomfield began his musical conquest at the age of 12. In many local churches, Al nurtured his vocal abilities and upon entering high school, began to play the tenor saxophone. Tenor Saxophone was the first instrument this musical prodigy mastered. Soon after came the guitar, which led him to the beat of the drums that he played for fifteen years.
During the late 1960’s and early 70’s Broomfield played in a local band where he became frustrated with the musical interpretation of his compositions. From this chaos emerged a new an innovative pianist with ingenious, soulful and charismatic vocal styling. Broomfield stirs the elements of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Brian McKnight and many others as you listen to his music.
Broomfield’s music has been heard in more than 40 countries beginning with the 1987 self-titled Broomfield on Vision Records. Broomfield has not released an album since 1991 when he produced ‘Certain Kinds of Weather’ on the independent N’Effekt Records label. Broomfield remains a force to be reckoned with and he is back with a vengeance. His repertoire has grown to over 1,000 songs and we all are waiting impatiently for him to embark into the new millennium.
Broomfield suffered the tragic loss of one of his sons in 2008 and wants to bring the spiritual light of this experience to fruition by dispersing his musical vision onto the world. Let’s welcome him back'.
al broomfield page at soulwalking here...
july 2019
art neville
b. Arthur Lanon Neville, 17th December 1937, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
d. 22nd July 2019, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
The American Soul and R&B keyboardist and vocalist, Art Neville, has died. He was 81.
He died following years of declining health, according to The New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Art was a founding member of The Meters and The Neville Brothers.
He was influenced by the likes of James Booker, Bill Doggett, Booker T. Jones, Lloyd Glenn and Professor Longhair.
He performed on many recordings by several artists, including Labelle (on ‘Lady Marmalade’), Sir Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, Dr. John and Professor Longhair.
In 2018, Art announced his retirement after more than six decades in the music business.
In 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Art Neville among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 fire at Universal Studio’s.
Art was the father of Ian Neville, brother of Charles Neville, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville and Athelgra Neville, and the uncle of Ivan Neville and Aaron Neville, Jr.
He was married to wife Lorraine and has three children, Arthel, Ivan, and Amelia.
Arthel Neville, born from first wife Doris Neville, is a journalist, television personality and news anchor for Fox News.
lenny pakula
b. Leonard Anthony Pakula, 1946, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
d. 19th July 2019, Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Lenny Pakula, session keyboard player within the MFSB band, has died. Lenny was 73.
Lenny was 73.
In recent years, Lenny had struggled with diabetes, colon cancer, poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
He had recently lost his left leg to the diabetes.
At one time he was the keyboards player for Philadelphia International Records.
Lenny played on ‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ by Billy Paul, ‘I’ll Be Around’ by the Spinners, and ‘TSOP’ (The Sound of Philadelphia) by MFSB.
The latter track was the theme song for the 70’s show ‘Soul Train’.
In 2016, Lenny was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. as part of the Sigma Sound Rhythm Section.
In 2019, Lenny relied on Aid for Friends, (a nonprofit meal-delivery service in Northeast Philadelphia), who, fundamentally, had kept him alive.
At the time of his passing, 38,000 Philadelphians at the age of 60 experienced hunger in 2018.
Lenny will be lovingly remembered by his son, Alan; daughter-in-law, Alison; his two grandchildren, Ryan and Anna; and his siblings Alice (Frank), Sonny (Lida), and Bernadette.
jerome lawson
b. Jerome E. Lawson, 23rd January 1944, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A.
d. 10th July 2019, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
The lead singer of the group the Persuasions, Jerome Lawson, has died. Jerome was 75.
He was also a producer and musical arranger.
Jerome hailed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
More recently he resided in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife, Julie.
During the Seventies, Jerome was the lead singer of the Persuasions during a five album period, which saw all five in the Billboard Top 100.
In 2003 he and his wife moved to Arizona, leaving his singing career for a while.
In 2004, Jerome became lead singer in the group Talk of the Town (along with Rayfield Ragler, Stan Lockwood, Paul Carrington and Carl Douglas).
In 2007 the group released the album ‘Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town’.
In 2005, as a response to Hurricane Katrina, Jerome performed with Rod Stewart for a Katrina Benefit Telecast.
In 2008, during the US presidential campaign, Jerome and Talk of the Town performed in a tribute to then presidential candidate Barack Obama.
joão gilberto
b. João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira, 10th June 1931, Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil
d. 6th July 2019, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The singer, songwriter and guitarist, João Gilberto, has died. João was 88.
He was an early pioneer of the style of music known as bossa nova during the late Fifties.
João’s first recordings were released in Brazil between 1951 and 1959.
His father misunderstood the young João, and had him committed to a mental hospital.
He was quickly released and began an association with the artist, Antônio Carlos Jobim.
He was signed to several labels, later taking legal action against EMI over their reissue of several of his early works, which he felt had been poorly remastered.
In 2000, he won the nomination for the Best World Music Album category in the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards for his work in the album ‘João Voz E Violão’.
In 2017, João received an honorary doctorate in music from Columbia University.
Also in 2017, his daughter, Bebel Gilberto, sought control of his financial affairs relating to his declining mental state and his money concerns.
june 2019
dave bartholomew
b. David Louis Bartholomew, 24th December 1918, Edgard, Louisiana, U.S.A.
d. 23rd June 2019, East Jefferson General Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
The American musician, bandleader, composer, arranger and record producer, has died. David was 100.
He had been hospitalized and died of heart failure in New Orleans.
David was a huge influence on music in New Orleans through much of the 20th century.
He began his career as a trumpeter, performing Rhythm and blues, Big band, Swing music, rock and roll, New Orleans jazz and Dixieland.
As a songwriter, David wrote many classics on R&B and Rock music, including ‘Ain't That a Shame’, ‘I Hear You Knocking’, ‘Blue Monday’, ‘I’m Walkin', ‘My Ding-A-Ling’ and ‘One Night’.
Fats Domino produced some of David’s greatest successes.
In the Fifties, the pair wrote more than forty hits for Imperial Records.
He also worked for Trumpet Records and Mercury Records, before establishing his own label, Broadmoor Records, in 1967.
David was a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1998, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
During his career, David wrote songs for the likes of Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Brenda Lee, Georgie Fame, The Rolling Stones, The Four Seasons, Tami Lynn, Al Wilson and the Animals, amongst others.
Survivors include his wife, Rhea Bartholomew; five sons, Dave Jr., Don, Ron and Darrell Bartholomew, and Alvin LeBeau, all of New Orleans; three daughters, Deborah Hubbard and Diane Wilson, both of New Orleans; and Jacqueline Temple of Atlanta; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
dr.john
b. Malcolm John Rebennack, 20th November 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
d. 6th June 2019, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
The American singer and songwriter, Dr. John, has died. He was 77.
Dr. John had suffered a heart attack.
During his career, he was well known for his theatrical stage show inspired by medicine shows, Mardi Gras costumes and voodoo ceremonies.
Dr. John recorded 32 studio albums and 6 live albums.
In 1973 he achieved a top-10 hit with his best remembered song ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’.
During his life he suffered from heroin addiction, however, he completed his rehabilitiation.
He won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend in 2011.
may 2019
willie ford
b. Willie Lee Ford, Jr., 10th July 1950, LaGrange, Georgia, U.S.A.
d. 28th May 2019, U.S.A.
Willie Ford of The Dramatics has passed away. He was 68.
Willie died at his home in Detroit.
His funeral date is set for Wednesday the 12th of July.
...the dramatics page at soulwalking...
john gary williams
b. John Gary Williams, 1946, Memphis Tennesee, U.S.A.
d. 28th May 2019, Memphis, Tennesee, U.S.A.
John Gary Williams, the lead singer for the group The Mad Lads has died. He was 73.
John died at his home in Memphis. The exact time and cause of his death are not currently known.
He formed the group with William Brown, Julius Green and Robert Phillips in Memphis.
The recorded for Stax Record's Volt imprint.
The Mad Lads had several songs on the Billboard R&B chart in the Sixties.
These included ‘I Want a Girl’ and ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’.
John had been was drafted into military service and served in the Vietnam War.
He recorded as a solo artist in the Seventies.
...john gary williams page at soulwalking...
melvin edmonds
b. Melvin Edmonds, 2nd November 1954, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.
d. 18th May 2019, U.S.A.
The singer and songwriter, Melvin Edmonds, has died. Melvin was 64.
The After 7 co-founder (and co-lead singer’s death) follows a long illness and several strokes.
His specific cause of death, however, has not yet been revealed.
Melvin was the brother of Kevon Edmonds (of the group After 7) and Kenneth Edmonds (a.k.a. Babyface).
During his career, he had performed with the likes of Johnny Gill, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
Melvin is survived by his four brothers.
...after 7 page at soulwalking...
chuck barksdale
b. Charles Barksdale, 11th June 1935, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.A.
d. 15th May 2019, Harvey, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
The bass and background vocalist for the group The Dells, Chuck Barksdale, has died. Chuck was 84.
He passed away on Wednesday morning, the 15th of May 2019, according to Marshall Thompson of the Chi-Lites.
He had been in failing health, and died in a southern suburb of Chicago.
Chuck had been an integral part of the group, since it’s early incarnation, and was a member between 1952 and 1958, and then between 1960 to the present.
information:
Funeral Services for Mr. Charles “Chuck” Barksdale will be held at: Harold Washington Cultural Center
4701 S. King Dr.
Chicago, IL. 60615Visitation and Public Viewing
Sunday May 19, 2019
1:00p - 6:00pMonday May 20, 2019
Wake 10:00a
Service 11:00a
Further information on the Dells, please use the link below.
...the dells page at soulwalking...
lou johnson
b. Lou Johnson, May 1941, Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.A.
d. 1st May 2019, San Bernardino, California, U.S.A.
The R&B singer and instrumentalist, Lou Johnson, has died. Lou was 78.
His wife, Linda, confirmed the sad news that Lou had passed. Previously Lou's daughter had posted a video stating her father was in failing health, a couple of years ago.
For more about Lou, please click below. Thank you.
...lou johnson page at soulwalking...
april 2019
kent harris
b. Kent Levaughn Harris, 15th October 1930, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
d. 16th April 2019, U.S.A.
The Record Producer and Songwriter, Kent Harris, has died. Kent was 88.
As a writer, Kent penned the songs ‘Shoppin' for Clothes’ (for The Coasters) and ‘Cops and Robbers’ (for Bo Diddley).
Kent recorded under other names, including, Ducky Drake and Boogaloo and his Gallant Crew.
Under the name Ducky Drake, he recorded for the Trend Records imprint, in 1954.
Under the name ‘Boogaloo’, he recorded the song ‘Shoppin' For Clothes’ for the Crest Records label.
By 1956, his group were called Boogaloo and His Gallant Crew.
Artists recording for the Atlantic, Capitol, RCA and Columbia imprints recorded his material.
By 1960, Kent had formed his own label, Romark Records.
During the Seventies, he concentrated on record production.
Kent managed the Soul singer Ty Karim and produced many of her sides on Romark Records.
Ty passed away in 1983.
march 2019
andre williams
b. Andre Williams (Zephire Andre Williams), 1st November 1936, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
d. 17th March 2019, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
The American R&B musician and songwriter, Andre Williams, has died. He was 82.
Born in Detroit in 1936, Andre began recording in the mid-1950s for Fortune Records.
As a songwriter, his hits include ‘Jail Bait’, ‘Greasy Chicken’, ‘Bacon Fat’ (in 1957) and ‘Cadillac Jack’ (in 1966).
He was also the co-writer of the R&B hit ‘Shake a Tail Feather’ (the Five Du-Tones and Ike & Tina Turner).
From Fortune he moved to Motown Records in the early 1960s, writing and producing for the likes of Stevie Wonder ('Thank You (For Loving Me All The Way)', The Contours ('I'll Stand By You') and Edwin Starr ('Hey, Bobby').
By the 1980s, Andre had hit hard times, but went through a renaissance in the late 90s, recording first with The Sadies ('Red Dirt' in 1999) and then with The Dirtbombs ('Black Godfather').
michael wycoff
b. Michael Wycoff, 1st January 1956, Torrance, California, U.S.A.
d. 13th March 2019, California, U.S.A.
The Soul singer and songwriter, Michael Wycoff, has died. Michael was 63. He passed away as a result of pancreatic cancer.
Michael will be fondly remembered for the Soul classic 'Looking Up To You'.
Based in Los Angeles, Michael contributed to Stevie Wonder's album ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’.
He signed to RCA Records in 1980 and he released three albums between 1981 - 1983.
Michael collaborated with the late soul producer, Webster Lewis on his hit ‘Looking Up To You’.
The track was sampled in Zhané's 1993 hit ‘Hey Mr. DJ’.
Michael worked with many artists, including Evelyn King, Merry Clayton, The Winans, Bobby Womack and Peabo Bryson.
In 2007 he began work on a new solo album entitled ‘Return’, which has never been released.
...michael wycoff page at soulwalking...
frankie smith
b. Franklyn Leon Smith, 1953, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
d. 8th March 2019, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
The singer and songwriter, Frankie Smith, has died. He was 65. Frankie died at his home in Philadelphia.
The news was passed on by his daughter, Indy, on her Facebook page.
Frankie started out writing songs for The O'Jays, Barbara Mason, The Futures, Archie Bell (‘Hard Not To Like You’) and the Spinners.
His classic ‘Double Dutch Bus’ popularized his form of slang that influenced later rappers like Snoop Dogg.
He recorded one album (‘Children Of Tomorrow’ on WMOT) and several singles up until mid-80's.
february 2019
lonnie simmons
b. circa 1946, Tyler, Texas, U.S.A.
d. 6th February 2019, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
The record producer, Lonnie Simmons, has died. He passed away in his sleep.
Lonnie was said to be around 73 years old.
Lonnie brought Charlie Wilson and The Gap Band, along with Yarborough & Peoples to the public.
harvey scales
b. Harvey Scales, 27th September 1942, Arkansas, U.S.A.
d. 11th February 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
The singer, songwriter, and producer, Harvey Scales, has died. Harvey was 78.
Harvey penned many songs for the likes of The Dells, The Dramatics, Johnnie Taylor and The O'Jays.
Born in Arkansas, he was a member of the group, Harvey Scales and The Seven Sounds.
The group were signed to Chess Records in 1969.
He worked with the late Johnnie Taylor, co-writing his hit ‘Disco Lady’.
Harvey, also, worked with Bunny Sigler, going on to record the first two albums of his career, ‘Confidential Affair’ (in 1978) and ‘Hot Foot: A Funque Dizco Opera’ (in 1979).
He, later, released ‘Somebody Else's Somebody’ for the Four Sight Records imprint.
...harvey scales page at soulwalking...
january 2019
james ingram
b. James Edward Ingram, 16th February 1952, Akron, Ohio, U.S.A.
d. 29th January 2019, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
The musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, James Ingram, has died. He was 66.
James died from brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles.
He will be fondly remembered for his duet with Patti Austin, ‘Baby, Come to Me’, which topped the U.S. pop chart in 1983.
James also provided the vocals to the songs, ‘Just Once’ and ‘One Hundred Ways’ for Quincy Jones's album ‘The Dude’, both of which earned him a triple Grammy nomination in 1981.
During his career, James collaborated with the likes of Donna Summer, Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Nancy Wilson and Natalie Cole.
He also collaborated with Michael McDonald on the song ‘Yah Mo B There’.
In 1985, he participated in the charity single ‘We Are the World’.
With Quincy Jones, he performed on the song ‘The Secret Garden’, which also featured Barry White, El Debarge, and Al B. Sure!.
...james ingram page at soulwalking...
edwin birdsong
b. Edwin L. Birdsong, 22nd August 1941, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
d. 21st January 2019, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
The singer, songwriter, record producer and keyboard player, Edwin Birdsong, has died Edwin was 77.
Current reports do not indicate a cause of death at this point.
During his career, he had recorded for several well known labels, including the Polydor, Bamboo and Philadelphia International imprints. In 1971 he signed a record deal with Polydor, releasing the albums ’What It Is’ and ‘Supernatural’.
At Bamboo Records he released ‘Dance of Survival’, in 1975.
He recorded for Philadelphia International in 1979, going on to collaborate with Roy Ayers.
Edwin co-penned ‘Running Away’ and ‘Freaky Deaky’ with Roy.
He went on to perform session work for Stevie Wonder..
...edwin birdsong page at soulwalking...
b. Steven Peter Madaio, 18th July 1948, New York City, New York, U.S.A.
d. 15th January 2019, Palm Desert, California, U.S.A.
The American trumpeter, songwriter and producer, best known as the trumpet player of Stevie Wonder, Steve Madaio, has died.
Steve suffered a heart attack at his Palm Desert home. He was 70.
He toured with the Rolling Stones in the Seventies, and was a regular member of Stevie Wonder’s group.
Steve performed with the likes of Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Etta James, Robert Cray, Freddie Hubbard and Billy Cobham.
larry cunningham
b. Larry Cunningham, 1953, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
d. 10th January 2019, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.
Larry Cunningham, a member of the Detroit group, the Floaters, has died. He was 67.
Larry had recently suffered a heart attack, and was in hospital in Arizona.
The Floaters were best remembered for their 1977 song ‘Float On’, which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song also reached 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart.
The Floaters featured the late singer James Mitchell, his brother Paul Mitchell, Charles Clark, Ralph Mitchell and Larry.
The group also released the single ‘You Don't Have to Say You Love Me’ and released four studio albums over the following years.
‘Float On’ has been sampled on numerous occasions by many R&B artists.
...the floaters page at soulwalking...
clydie king
b. Clydie May Crittendon, 21 August 1943, Atlanta, Georgia,U.S.A.
d. 7th January 2019, U.S.A.
The singer Clydie King has died. She was 75.
Clydie sang background vocals for the likes of Humble Pie, Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews, B.B. King, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker, Dickey Betts, Joe Walsh, amongst others.
She was a member of the group The Blackberries with Venetta Fields and Sherlie Matthews.
Clydie also sang on Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, which became a film.
With Merry Clayton, she sang the background vocals on Lynyrd Skynyrd's hit song ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and sang on Elton John’s ‘The Bitch Is Back’, the Rolling Stones ‘Tumbling Dice’ and with Barbra Streisand on ‘A Star Is Born’.
december 2018
nancy wilson
b. Nancy Sue Wilson, 20th February 1937, Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.A.
d. 13th December 2018, Pioneertown, California, U.S.A.
The Jazz and Soul songstress, Nancy Wilson, has died. Nancy was 81.
Nancy died from a long-illness at her home in Pioneertown, California.
In recent years, Nancy had been hospitalized with anemia and potassium deficiency, and was on I.V. sustenance while undergoing tests.
In 2008, she had been hospitalized for lung related complications.
Since the 1950’s Nancy’s career has spanned many genres, although she will be, probably, best remembered for her contributions to Jazz.
Nancy recorded more than seventy albums and won three Grammy Awards as part of her C.V.
She was born on the 20th of February 1937 in Chillicothe, Ohio and was the first of six children.
Nancy won a TV-talent show when she 15, and began appearing regularly on the TV show ‘Skyline Melodies’ whilst still in high school.
She attended Ohio's Central State College before leaving to become a professional singer.
Nancy recorded her first record with Rusty Bryant's Carolyn Club Big Band in 1956.
She later signed to the Dot Records imprint.
Cannonball Adderley then advised her to relocate to New York in 1959.
She began a series of shows at The Blue Morocco Night Club in The Bronx, where Adderley's agent heard her and signed her.
Nancy signed to Capitol records in 1960, releasing ‘Guess Who I Saw Today’.
Her 1964 song ‘(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am’ reached number 11 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.
Nancy went on to achieve 11 songs in the Hot 100.
She released four albums in Billboard's Top LP charts between March 1964 and June 1965.
In 1964, she won her first Grammy Award for the album ‘How Glad I Am’.
In addition to singing, she enjoyed a successful career as an actress.
Nancy was married twice, to drummer Kenny Dennis from 1960-70.
She also married the Presbyterian minister Wiley Burton in 1973.
They were married for 35 years until his death in 2008, and had two children.
...nancy wilson page at soulwalking...
...those who left us in 2018...
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