bmusic - Newsletter No. 257

In 1896, in England, Guglielmo Marconi was awarded the first radio patent. He had succeeded the previous year in sending longwave radio signals over a distance of about two kilometres. And in 1897, Marconi formed a wirless telegraphy company to develop its commercial applications. In 1901, Marconi succeeded in sending the letter "S" across the Atlantic from Cornwall, England to a receiving station in St. John's, Newfoundland. (Where it was met by a MMM Black Thunder!)

In 1954, Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" was released. The record was not a hit until after it was included in the soundtrack of "Blackboard Jungle" the following year.

In 1954, Bob Dylan celebrated his bar mitzvah.

In 1956, Gene Vincent's recording of "Be Bop A Lula" was released. The song was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, selling a million copies. Vincent never was able to match the success of his initial hit. He died in 1971 of a seizure brought on by a bleeding ulcer.

In 1958, Bobby Darin's recording of "Splish Splash" was released. It was the first recording made on an eight track recorder at Atlantic Records. Darin is said to have written the song in 12 minutes.

In 1958, singer Jerry Lee Lewis announced his marriage to his 14-year-old cousin, Myra, as he arrived in London. The resulting controversy caused Lewis to be booed off stage and forced the cancellation of all but three of the 37 scheduled concerts on his British tour. It would take years for Lewis's career to recover.

In 1960, disc jockey Alan Freed was charged with accepting payola - money for playing records. Freed, the deejay who did the most to spread rock 'n' roll, was a broken man by the time he came to trial in December 1962. He pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and received a suspended sentence and a $300 fine. Freed, facing new charges of tax evasion, died in January 1965 at the age of 42.

In 1961, Chuck Berry opened his Berry Park, an outdoor amusement complex in Wentzville, Missouri, near St. Louis. It included a miniature golf course, rides and a children's zoo.

In 1963, Little Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips (Part 2)" was recorded live in Detroit. The single - and the album from which it was taken, "The 12 Year-Old Genius" - topped the Billboard charts simultaneously - a first. "Fingertips" was also the first live recording to reach number one. Despite the album title, Wonder had turned 13 eight days before the concert was recorded.

In 1964, David Bowie, under his real surname Jones, released his first record, "Liza Jane." It was not a hit.

In 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who started a show in Windsor, England without Keith Moon and John Entwistle. When the pair finally showed up, Townshend wacked Moon over the head with his guitar. Moon promptly quit the band, but was back a week later.

In 1967, Jimi Hendrix signed his first US recording contract with Reprise. A month later he would be a star after his historic performance at the Monterey Pop Festival.

In 1967, "The Monkees" TV show won an Emmy award for outstanding comedy series.

In 1967, the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album was released in Britain. At the time the album was one of the most ambitious and technically advanced undertaken. With producer George Martin the band spent 700 hours recording on a then state-of-the-art four track recorder, layering tracks atop one another. The recording cost around AUD$140,000 at the time. The album is estimated to have sold more than 20-million copies worldwide.

In 1968, Pete Townshend of the Who married dress designer Karen Astley. She was responsible for some of Townshend's outfits worn during early Who concerts.

In 1969, The Chicago Transit Authority released their self-titled debut double album. Later the band was sued by the actual Chicago Transit Authority and forced to change their name, eventually shortening it to Chicago.

In 1970, Kinks' lead singer Ray Davies made an 11,000km round trip from New York to London to change one word on the recording of "Lola." The reference to "Coca Cola" became cherry cola because the BBC bans commercial references in songs.

In 1971, more than 30 Grateful Dead fans at a San Francisco show by the group were treated for hallucinations after consuming an apple drink spiked with LSD without their knowledge.

In 1971, Pete Cetera, bass player and vocalist with Chicago, was beaten by three men at a Chicago Cubs baseball game, apparently because they didn't like the length of his hair. Cetera lost four teeth and required five hours of surgery.

In 1975, the Rolling Stones became the first artists to receive record royalties from the Soviet Union when copyright laws there were changed. Until then, the Soviets had made no payment to any artist for work released or used in that country.

In 1976, the Who played a concert at the Charlton Athletic Grounds in England that went into the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the loudest show ever - 120 db. The record has since been broken - many times!

In 1977, London police arrested 11 people after breaking up a floating Sex Pistols concert on the Thames River. The concert, held on a boat named the "Queen Elizabeth," came at the height of the Queen's Silver Jubilee festivities.

In 1979, bluesman Muddy Waters, who was 64, married 25 year old Marva Jean Brooks. Eric Clapton was a guest at the wedding.

In 1979, Cheap Trick's "Live at Budokan" LP was certified gold in the US. It eventually sold more than one-million copies, delaying the release of the followup album, "Dream Police."

In 1979, rock singer Tom Petty filed for bankruptcy in an effort to get out of his contract with MCA Records. Nine months later, Petty signed with Backstreet Records, a new MCA affiliate. His comeback LP, "Damn the Defiant," was a critical and financial success, selling 2.5 million copies.

In 1980, singer and drummer Peter Criss left the theatrical rock group Kiss for a solo career. (And what a success that was).

In 1980, Dr. George Nichopoulous was indicated in Memphis, Tennessee on 14 counts of overprescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and nine other patients.

In 1980, Joe Strummer of the political rock group the Clash was arrested in Hamburg, West Germany for attacking a fan with his guitar.

In 1982, after leaving the political rock group the Clash, drummer Topper Headon was arraigned in London for stealing a bus stop sign and receiving stolen stereo equipment.

In 1982, the Rolling Stones played an unannounced show at the 100 Club in London. It was at the 100 Club that the Sex Pistols started the punk rock movement about six years earlier.

In 1986, charges were filed in Los Angeles against the lead singer of the punk rock band The Dead Kennedys and four others in connection with a sexually explicit poster packaged with the group's album, "Frankenchrist." Eric Boucher, who used the stage name Jello Biafra, and the others were charged with distributing harmful material to minors. They were acquitted.

In 1987, George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" was banned by the BBC and numerous US radio stations. Michael said the song was about love, not lust.

In 1987, Michael Jackson broke all ties with the Jehovah's Witnesses.

In 1987, Rita Marley was ousted as executor of her late husband Bob Marley's will by a Jamaican court. The surviving members of Marley's band, the Wailers, called for an investigation of the reggae star's estate.

In 1988, former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin was sentenced in Detroit to two years probation and 50 days of community service after being convicted of using cocaine. Ruffin died of a drug overdose in Philadelphia on June 1st, 1990.

In 1989, Rolling Stones bass guitarist Bill Wyman, age 52, married 19 year old Mandy Smith in a secret ceremony in the eastern English town of Bury St. Edmonds. Wyman's son and the bride's sister were the only guests. The couple divorced in 1991 after Wyman said they had spent only five days together as man and wife. Wyman agreed to an $1,000,000 divorce settlement.

In 1989, Atlantic Records' New York studio, where artists such as Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin made some of their classic albums, closed because of problems with a new landlord. The new owner of the building said other tenants were complaining about the noise.

In 1989, independent record promoter Ralph Tashjian became the first person ever convicted under the 29 year old US payola law. He pleaded guilty in Los Angeles to distributing cash and cocaine to a radio station in order to get airplay on records by Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Laura Branigan. The artists did not know of Tashjian's illegal activities.

In 1990, Michael Jackson was taken to hospital in Santa Monica, California after complaining of chest pains. Tests showed he suffered bruised ribs after a vigorous dance practice in his bedroom.

In 1990, a judge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, declared "As Nasty as They Wanna Be" by 2 Live Crew to be obscene. A record store owner was charged two days later for selling the hit rap album. An appeals court overturned the judge's decision two years later.

In 1990, Midnight Oil closed down a New York City street whilst performing at a protest concert in front of the Exxon oil company offices on 6th Avenue. The protest was in response to the Exxon Valdez oil disaster.

In 1991, British police seized 23,000 copies of an album (Efil4zaggin) by American rappers NWA from Polygram Records. The raid took place after a warrant was issued under the Obscene Publications Act. A judge cleared the album for release five months later.

In 1992, Ringo Starr released "Time Takes Time," his first studio album in nine years. To promote it, Starr toured with an all-star band that included his son Zak on drums, along with Burton Cummings, Dave Edmunds and Todd Rundgren.

In 1993, more than 40,000 fans packed a heavily-secured park along Tel Aviv's beachfront to see Guns N' Roses kick off a 15-country European tour. Tickets were $43 - the highest ever price for a rock concert in Israel.

In 1993, Mariah Carey married her boss, Sony Music president Tommy Mottola. Among the celebrities in attendance were Robert DeNiro, Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel and his then wife Christie Brinkley. Carey and Mottola separated in 1997.

In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married in a private ceremony at a judge's home in the Dominican Republic. First word of the marriage came two months later from the judge himself in an interview published in a Dominican newspaper. The Jackson camp denied the story for several weeks. The marriage came after Jackson reached an out-of-court settlement with a teenager who accused the singer of seducing him. Jackson denied the allegations. Presley filed for divorce in January 1996.

In 1995, the manuscript of four Haydn string quartets sold at a London auction for more than one million dollars. The seller, an Australian woman, had kept the manuscript under her bed. One of her ancestors had bought it at a London auction in 1851.

In 1995, the Recording Industry Association of America reported that Bruce Springsteen's 1984 album "Born in the USA" had sold more than 15-million copies. That tied it with Boston's self-titled album as the number-three all-time best-selling album. Only Michael Jackson's "Thriller" - at 24 million - and Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" - at 17 million - had sold more.

In 1996, Garth Brooks celebrated his 60-millionth album sold with a 1960s theme party in Nashville. The Recording Industry Association of America said Brooks was the best-selling country artist of all-time and the second-highest selling artist ever in the US. Only the Beatles had sold more.

In 1996, Neil Finn, leader of Crowded House, announced the group was breaking up after 10 years. He made the announcement in London during the band's final British show.

In 1996, a show by Metallica in the parking lot of Tower Records in San Jose, California drew 10,000 fans. The resulting traffic jam and overworked police officers left the record store, the promoter and the band's record company facing charges of disturbing the peace, obstructing traffic and failure to get a permit.

In 1997, a stop on the R.O.A.R. tour, which featured Iggy Pop, Sponge, the Reverend Horton Heat and other bands, attracted less than 100 people to the 16,000 seat Kingswood Music Theatre north of Toronto, Canada.

In 1997, Chuck D, leader of the rap group Public Enemy, made his debut as a commentator for the Fox News Channel in the US.

In 1997, the hit-making Fleetwood Mac lineup of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks reunited for their first full-fledged public performance in 15 years. The show, on a soundstage at Warner Brothers studio in Burbank, California, was one of two taped for an MTV special and a live album. Nicks stopped the concert - twice - because she forgot the words to "Dreams," Fleetwood Mac's only number-one single.

In 1997, the body of singer Jeff Buckley was pulled from the Mississippi River in Memphis, six days after he jumped into the city's harbor. Buckley, who was 30, was in Memphis to record an album for Columbia. He was the son of folk singer Tim Buckley, who died of a drug overdose in 1975 at age 28.

In 1997, Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher married girlfriend Meg Matthews in a private ceremony in Las Vegas. The couple had previously called off wedding plans in London after being besieged by the media. Gallagher's brother Liam, who had married actress Patsy Kensit in secret earlier in the year, did not attend the Las Vegas ceremony.

In 1997, Iggy Pop suffered a separated shoulder when he dived from the stage of the Polaris Amphitheatre in Columbus, Ohio. He hit the ground after the audience failed to catch him.

In 2002, Courtney Love, the widow of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, and her band Hole officially announced they were breaking up.

In 2002, pop diva Mariah Carey, who was paid $US28 million ($52 million) to quit her record label Virgin following an album flop, signed a new 3 album, US$20 million contract with Universal Music Group.

In 2002, American R&B star Robert "R." Kelly was arrested at his Florida residence after being indicted on 21 felony counts of child pornography.

In 2002, fifteen years after his death, master classical guitarist Andres Segovia was taken back to his hometown as he wished. Segovia's remains were exhumed from the Madrid cemetery where he originally was buried and taken to Linares in Jaen province, the heart of Spain's olive-growing region.

In 2005, that poxy "Crazy Frog" ringtone thing beat out Coldplay's new single to be Number 1 in the UK charts upon it's release as a single.

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Births In 1813, German composer Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig. He termed his operas, such as "The Flying Dutchman," "Tannhauser" and the "Ring of the Nibelung" trilogy, music-dramas because he attempted a complete union of the two art forms. Wagner's ideas had a great influence on later composers.

In 1851, Emile Berliner, the inventor of the gramophone, was born in Hanover, Germany.

In 1857, English composer Sir Edward Elgar was born. Music composed in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee brought him public recognition. Elgar's most popular works are his five "Pomp and Circumstance" marches, composed between 1901 and 1930. Elgar died in 1934.

In 1904, pianist and songwriter Thomas (Fats) Waller, one of jazz's most colorful personalities, was born in New York City. More than 40 years after his death, he remains one of the most popular of all jazz musicians, admired even by those who say they don't like jazz.
Fats Waller died of natural causes on December 15th, 1943 while travelling aboard the Sante Fe Express train.

In 1910, bandleader and clarinetist Artie Shaw, whose real name is Arthur Arshawsky, was born in New York. Shaw formed his first orchestra in 1936, and two years later had a double-sided million-seller with "Begin the Beguine" and "Indian Love Call."

In 1926, singer Bill Hayes was born in Harvey, Illinois. He had a number one hit in 1955 with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," outselling a version by Fess Parker, star of the Disney movie. Coonskin hats were big that year.

In 1934, pop singer Pat Boone was born in Jacksonville, Florida. At his peak in the late 1950's, Boone was considered a clean cut, parent approved alternative to Elvis Presley.

In 1940, singer Tom Jones was born in Pontypridd, Wales. After building a reputation in London clubs, Jones was offered a recording contract in 1964. His first records weren't successful, but in 1965 he achieved international success with "It's Not Unusual," a song written by his manager, Gordon Mills.

In 1941, Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts was born in London. Watts joined the Rolling Stones in January 1963, about six months after the group was formed. He was working in an advertising agency at the time, but had earlier played with Alexis Korner's Blues Incoporated, as had other members of the Stones.

In 1942, Curtis Mayfield, a driving force in black music as singer, writer, producer and record company owner, was born in Chicago. Mayfield formed the Impressions in the late 1950's with singer Jerry Butler.

In 1943, Hilton Valentine, lead guitarist with the Animals, was born in North Shields, England. Hilton Valentine left the Animals in 1967 for a solo career.

In 1944, British rock and blues singer Joe Cocker.

In 1944, guitarist Clarence White of the Byrds was born in Lewiston, Maine. After appearing as a session musician on recordings by such artists as Rick Nelson, the Everly Brothers and the Byrds, he became a permanent member of the Byrds in 1968. In July of 1973, White was killed by a drunken driver in Lancaster, California, while he was loading equipment on to a van following a concert.

In 1945, guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend, leader of the Who, was born in London.

In 1945, pop singer Cher, whose full name is Cherilyn Sarkasian LaPier, was born in El Centro, California.

In 1946, John Paul Jones, bass player with heavy metal pioneers Led Zeppelin, was born in Sidcup, England. Jones had met Zeppelin lead guitarist Jimmy Page in 1968 when they played with folk singer Donovan on his album "Hurdy Gurdy Man."

In 1946, Ian Hunter, former lead vocalist and guitarist with Mott the Hoople.

In 1946, Fred Stone, guitarist with Sly and the Family Stone.

In 1947, Mick Box, lead guitarist with Uriah Heep.

In 1947, guitarist Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones was born in London. A veteran of the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, Wood was chosen by the Stones to replace Mick Taylor in 1974.

In 1947, Jerry Hyman, trombone and recorder player with Blood, Sweat and Tears.

In 1948, British rock singer Leo Sayer.

In 1948, Yes drummer Bill Bruford.

In 1948, John Bonham, drummer with Led Zeppelin, was born in Redditch, England. By 1975, their album and concert ticket sales had made Led Zeppelin the most popular rock band in the world. Their final album was in 1979. A year later, John Bonham died at Jimmy Page's home in Windsor, England. After drinking and falling asleep, he choked to death.

In 1949, Dusty Hill, bassist with ZZ Top.

In 1950, pop lyricist Bernie Taupin was born in Sleaford, England. Taupin has been closely linked throughout his career with rock star Elton John, and for most of the 1970's the two were a virtual hit factory, putting 23 singles in the Billboard Top 40, including five that made number one.

In 1950, Antone (Chubby) Tavares of the Tavares family group.

In 1950, rock singer Suzi Quatro.

In 1950, Graham Russell, co-founding member of Australian group Air Supply.

In 1952, Joey Ramone, leader of the punk rock group the Ramones, was born in New York City.

In 1954, Michael Steele, bass guitarist with the Bangles.

In 1954, Nicko McBain, drummer with the heavy-metal band Iron Maiden.

In 1955, Steve George of Mr. Mister.

In 1955, Irish folk-rock singer Luka Bloom.

In 1955, pop singer Joey Scarbury, whose recording of "Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It or Not)" went to number two in 1981.

In 1958, singer Jane Wiedlin, formerly of the Go-Gos.

In 1959, Stephen Patrick Morrissey of the Smiths.

In 1959, Tony Hadley, singer with Spandau Ballet.

In 1959, Alan Wilder, keyboardist with Depeche Mode.

In 1960, rock guitarist Steve Vai.

In 1961, British pop singer Nick Heyward, formerly of Haircut 100.

In 1968, Australian singer Merril Bainbridge.

In 1970, B-Real, real name Louis Freese, of the Latino rap trio Cypress Hill.

In 1971, rapper, singer and actor Marky Mark, whose real name is Mark Wahlberg.

In 1974, the Avril Lavigne of the 1990's, Alanis Morissette. i.e. Female solo artist who releases almost every song on an album as a single, thereby ensuring she's on commercial radio every friggin' time you turn it on for more than a year.

In 1974, singer-songwriter Jewel Kilcher.

In 1993, Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea saw the birth of their daughter, Stephanie Ross.

In 2002, Australian singer Kasey Chambers gave birth to her first child, Talon.

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Deaths In 1948, blues singer Sonny Boy Williamson was killed during a robbery in Chicago. He was 34 years old. He was the first of two singers to perform under the name. Williamson was a major influence on later blues harp players, such as Little Walter and Junior Wells.

In 1963, crooner and bandleader Eddy Howard died in Palm Desert, California, at age 48. Howard had 10 top-20 hits from 1946 to 1952, beginning with the chart-topping "To Each His Own." He hit number-one again in 1951 with "Sin (It's No Sin)." Howard's single of "Happy Birthday" and "The Anniversary Waltz" was popular on juke boxes for years.

In 1969, Pete Townshend of the Who spent a night in jail in New York City after being charged with assault. The group was performing at the Fillmore East when a fire broke out at a supermarket next door. A plainclothes policeman leapt on to the stage to warn the crowd, and Townshend, thinking the cop was a member of the audience, booted him off. Townshend was bailed out by Bill Graham, owner of the Fillmore.

In 1969, jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins died in New York City of bronchial pneumonia at the age of 69. A master of the tenor saxophone during his 40-year career, he is credited with bringing the saxophone into prominence as a solo instrument in jazz in the late 1920's. Hawkins will always be associated with the tune "Body and Soul," which he first recorded in 1939.

In 1969, Jack Casady, bassist with Jefferson Airplane, was arrested for narcotics possession in New Orleans. He received a 2.5 year suspended sentence.

In 1970, Marty Balin, vocalist of the Jefferson Airplane, and two others were arrested for possession of marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of minors in Bloomington, Minnesota. They were taken into custody after a party involving teenage girls. Balin was sentenced to a year's hard labor, but on appeal the sentence was reduced to a $100 fine.

In 1973, Murray Wilson, father of three of the Beach Boys, died of a heart attack at age 55. He had a good deal to say about their early careers, managing the band and negotiating their first contract with Capitol Records in 1962.

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

In 1977, Blues musician Lafayette Thomas died of a heart attack.

In 1977, Alice Cooper's pet boa constrictor was fatally bitten by a rat it was being fed for breakfast. Cooper held a public audition in Century City, California a week later to find a replacement for the snake, which was featured in his act.

In 1980, Carl Radle, bass player with Derek and the Dominoes died at the age of 37 from a chronic kidney ailment.

In 1980, Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the British new wave band Joy Division, hanged himself. The group was named after Nazi military prostitutes. After Curtis's death, the band's remaining members called themselves New Order.

In 1984, pop guitarist Jack Vaughn who'd previously worked with Buddy Holly.

In 1984, Nate Nelson, lead singer of the doo-wop group the Flamingos, died at age 52. In 1962, three years after leaving the Flamingos Nelson joined the Platters.

In 1987, Andres Segovia, the world's foremost classical guitarist, died at his home in Madrid at the age of 94. Segovia is credited with establishing the guitar as a concert instrument. He was one of the few classical guitarists to earn a gold record for sales of an album.

In 1987, bandleader Sammy Kaye, whose trademark in the 1940's and '50s was "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye," died of cancer at the age of 77. His band scored major hits with "Daddy" in 1941, "There Will Never Be Another You" in 1942 and "Harbor Lights" in 1950.

In 1988, Dick Jacobs, the producer of Buddy Holly's New York sessions, died in New York at the age of 70.

In 1989, Surfaris drummer Ron Wilson died of a brain aneurysm.

In 1990, singer, dancer and actor Sammy Davis Junior died in Los Angeles after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 64.

In 1990, Stiv Bators, former lead singer of the Dead Boys punk band, died in Paris after being struck by a car. He was 40. Bators founded the group in Cleveland in 1976, and they soon moved to New York to become part of the scene at the legendary punk club CBGB.

In 1991, jazz tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, who helped popularize bossa nova music in North America, died of cancer at his home in Malibu, California. He was 64. His showcase was the song "Early Autumn."

In 1991, a birthday party for Damian Hall of the R'n'B group Guy was marred by the killing of Hall's bodyguard. A gunman pumped four bullets into 26 year-old Larry Glover before walking through the crowd and out the door of the New York nightclub where the celebration was being held. The shooting occurred about three metres from Eddie Murphy, who was one of the guests.

In 1991, former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin died in Philadelphia of a cocaine overdose at age 50.

In 1991, singer Odia Coates died of breast cancer at age 49. She's best known for duetting with Paul Anka on four of his hits in 1974 and '75, including the chart-topping "(You're) Having My Baby."

In 1992, Khalil Rountree, tour manager for Boyz II Men, was shot and killed.

In 1992, champagne music maker Lawrence Welk died at his home in Santa Monica, California at age 89.

In 1993, country superstar Conway Twitty died in a Springfield, Missouri, hospital at age 59. He was on his way home to Hendersonville, Tennessee, from a concert in Branson, Missouri, when he collapsed on his tour bus. A blood vessel had ruptured in his stomach, and he died of complications after surgery.

In 1993, Joe Pass, considered the finest mainstream jazz guitarist since Wes Montgomery, died in Los Angeles of liver cancer. He was 65.

In 1997, jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham died in Washington, DC following a stroke. He was 91. Among the many jazz greats Cheatham performed or recorded with over his seven decade career were Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Count Basie.

In 1997, Ronnie Lane, bass guitarist and co-founder of the Small Faces, died of multiple sclerosis at his home in Trinidad, Colorado. He was 51. Lane helped put together the Small Faces in London in 1965.

In 1998, former WWF wrestler Junkyard Dog (real name Sylvester Ritter) died in a car accident. Born in 1952 Ritter performed the rock song "Grab Them Cakes" for the WWF release The Wrestling Album.

In 1999, producer Bruce Fairburn at the age of 49. Before producing classic albums by hard rockers such as Van Halen, Aerosmith, KISS and AC/DC, Fairburn was a member of funk, pop and rock bands The Spectres, Sunshyne, Under Construction and Prism.

In 1999, former Bob Marley and the Wailers member Junior Braithwaite was shot and killed.

In 1999, Mel Torme (Melvin Howard Torme) The Velvet Fog, died of complications from a stroke he suffered in 1996.

In 2000, Mike Farrell of a heart attack. Session guitarist.

In 2000, Yusef Afloat Muhammad. Found dead alongside a freeway in Los Angeles. Was 1/2 of hip-hop group The Nonce.

In 2000, Joe Massimino from complications of stomach cancer. Born 1936 in Providence, RI, U.S. - Pianist - Bandleader for The Mike Douglas Show. Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Doc Severinsen, Joe Williams, Louis Bellson and Buddy Rich.

In 2001, Susannah McCorkle. New York Jazz, Blues & Cabaret singer who jumped from her Manhattan apartment

In 2001, Blues musician Wille Foster died of a heart attack. Harmonica player - Worked with Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters ("I'm Ready") - Known to admirers as "The Godfather of the Blues".

In 2001, rap singer Tonnie Sheppard. Cousin of rapper Haf-A-Mil. Stabbed at a recording studio where he was cutting an album, during a fight with studio executives.

In 2002, Dee Dee Ramone, a founding member of the pioneer punk band the Ramones, was found dead of a drug overdose at the age of 49. He was discovered by his wife, Barbara Zampini, on the couch of their Hollywood home.

In 2002, former RATT guitarist Robbin Crosby (Robbinson Lance Crosby) died of a heart attack due to AIDS. Crosby was 42 years old.

In 2003, influential Melbourne disc jockey Stan "The Man" Rofe passed away after a battle with cancer. Rofe helped popularize rock and roll in Melbourne and supported Australian rockers. He also wrote for the rock music weekly paper "Go-Set".

In 2003, and clarinet player Freddy Guerra died aged 79. Guerra led his own band, The Freddy Guerra Orchestra, backing artists like Tony Bennett, Judy Garland and Peggy Lee after playing in the famous Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band.

In 2003, blues and jazz bass and harmonica player Vic (Victor) Hunt died after being thrown from a raft whilst whitewater rafting in Northern Tasmania. Hunt, who had played with Malleeroots and Momma Don't Allow It, was 55.

In 2003, English producer Mickey Most died of cancer at the age of 64. As a musician Most was a member of The Playboys and The Most Brothers. Throughout his career Most worked with Jeff Beck, The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Smokie, Hot Chocolate (producing their classic "You Sexy Thing"), Lulu, Kim Wilde, The Animals (responsible for production on their massive hit "House Of The Rising Sun"), The Yardbirds, Herman's Hermits (produced their biggest "I'm Into Something Good" and Donovan, amongst many others.

In 2004, jazz drummer Elvin Jones died aged 76. Jones had worked with such jazz greats as John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, J.J. Johnson, Donald Byrd, Miles Davis, Allen Ginsberg, Tony Bennett, and also with his brothers Hank Jones and Thad Jones.

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