Musical News - Ben E. King

I just learned this morning that beloved Ben E. King of the Drifters passed away yesterday at the age of 76.

 

Everyone knows that his megahit “Stand By Me” was popular when it was released in 1961, and many may also recall that it enjoyed a huge success once again when it was featured in the movie of the same name in 1986.

 

Ben was born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina. When the original members of the Drifters were fired by the manager in 1958, Ben’s group the Five Crowns took over the name and the legacy. Their first big hit was 1959’s “There Goes My Baby,” led and co-written by Ben. A string of other notable songs followed, including “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” and “Spanish Harlem.” “Stand By Me,” co-written by Ben, was voted one of the most notable songs of the 20th century.
 

In 1960, Ben left the Drifters and took on the name “Ben E. King,” in preparation for his solo career. He proceeded to put out magical songs, the most memorable of which is probably “Supernatural Thing,” which many didn’t have a clue was done by Ben E.

 

I know I am saddened by this loss, as are many others.

 

 

Benjamin Earl King [1938 – 2015]

©  05/01/2015

Musical News - Johnny Kemp

Sadly, I must inform you all that Johnny Kemp (of “Just Got Paid” – 1988 fame) has died at the age of 55. Apparently he hit his head during a fall in Jamaica and the details have not yet been confirmed. So, I am sending you the song today… even though I said I wouldn’t.

Enjoy each day; we never know which might be our last.

 

Johnny Kemp [1959 – 2015]
© 04/17/2016

Musical News - Percy Sledge

Only one day after producing our second “uplifting” musical news, I must sadly report the death of Percy Sledge, of “When A Man Loves A Woman” fame, certified gold in 1966.

 

Mr. Sledge was born on November 25, 1941 in Leighton, AL, and passed over on April 14, 2015 in Baton Rouge, LA of liver cancer.

 

During his early life, he worked as a hospital orderly during the week, while touring with the Esquires Combo on the weekends. His first hit came after a personal life event, the departure of his long-time girlfriend after he was laid off. The song was a collaboration, but Sledge gave all of the songwriting credits to his co-writers.

 

“When A Man Loves A Woman” was re-issued in 1987 and was a hit for a second time, and enjoyed a resurgence in 1994, after being used in a Levi’s commercial.
 

Mr. Sledge’s career also included the hits “Take Time to Know Her” and “Warm and Tender Love,” at a time when local radio stations played a wide variety of genres of music.

 

Mr. Sledge was an inaugural Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award honoree in 1989. In 1996, he was the recipient of the Blues Music Award for best Soul/Blues album of the year. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In May 2007, Mr. Sledge was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He continued to tour through 2011, and was an international favorite.

 

Although I was only a baby when I fell in love with Mr. Sledge, he will never be forgotten.

 

Sing it with me…. “When a man loves a woman….”

 

 

Percy Sledge [1940 – 2015]

© 04/15/2015

Musical News - Andraé Crouch

Andraé Edward Crouch, famed gospel singer-songwriter, producer, and arranger, left this earth on January 8, 2015 at the age of 72. He had recently suffered from pneumonia and congestive heart failure, and was hospitalized following a heart attack on January 3.

 

Andraé wrote his first gospel song at the age of 14. His first gospel group, the Church of God in Christ Singers, included Billy Preston on keyboards. He began his recording career in 1968, while singing with The Disciples. Perhaps his most famous composition is “Soon and Very Soon,” initially recorded while with The Disciples. His primary focus was on religious music, but he notably collaborated with such popular artists as Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Elton John.

 

Andraé 's solo career began in 1979, during which period he worked with Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Phillip Bailey, and El DeBarge. Crouch's original musical arrangements were featured in the films The Color Purple and The Lion King. He composed the theme song for the situation comedy Amen, in 1986.

 

Pastor Crouch's 40th anniversary album released in 2006 showcased guest performances by fellow gospel greats Karen Clark Sheard and Marvin Winans. His many collaborations as producer and/or arranger with musicians, both secular and religious, are too numerous to mention.

 

Crouch has been honored with seven Grammy awards, he has been inducted into the gospel music hall of fame, and in 2004 he was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been honored by the NAACP, ASCAP, and Billboard.

 

Andraé was known in some circles as the father of modern gospel music. He will be missed.

 

 

Andraé Edward Crouch [1942 – 2015]

© 01/11/2015

Musical News - Jimmy Ruffin

I have just been informed that Jimmy Ruffin, older brother of David Ruffin of the Temptations, died on November 17, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV at the age of 78.

 

Jimmy began his singing career (along with his famous brother) in a gospel group called the Dixie Nightingales. He began working for Motown in 1961 as a session singer. He was offered the opportunity to join the Temptations in 1964, but after hearing David sing, Motown hired David as the Temptations lead singer instead. Jimmy began his solo career at that point.

In 1966, Jimmy recorded a song originally written for the Spinners entitled “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (which is also the title of the 2009 memoir of E. Lynn Harris). “Brokenhearted” reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart.

 

Another legend has left us, and as always, is gone too soon.

 

 

Jimmy Ruffin [1936 – 2014]

© 11/19/2014

Musical News - Bobby Womack

One of the greatest soul singers of all time, Bobby Womack, passed on to a higher plane on Friday, June 27, 2014. Although at this writing, his exact cause of death is unknown, he suffered from a number of health issues. Bobby, née Robert Dwayne, was 70 years of age.

 

Mr. Womack’s more than 50 year career began as the lead singer of his family group, first known as the Womack Brothers, and later as The Valentinos, in the 1960s. They were discovered and mentored by none other than Sam Cooke.
 

In addition to his nearly incomparable vocals, Mr. Womack was a guitarist of note, playing on the songs of various hitmakers, such as Joe Tex and Aretha Franklin. He was also a prolific songwriter, having penned (or co-written) such songs as “Breezin” (George Benson), and the Rolling Stones’ first U.S. hit, “It’s All Over Now.” Some of Mr. Womack’s own notable hits are “Across 110th Street,” “That’s the Way I feel About Cha,” and “Harry Hippie” his own first certified gold. There were numerous songs written and performed by Mr. Womack which were later covered by other artists, such as New Birth’s “I Can Understand it” and Chaka Khan and Rufus’s “Stop on By,” and K-Ci Hailey’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now.” In later years, Mr. Womack performed on the tracks of other artists, such “Stylo” with Mos Def.

 

Womack created a near scandal in March 1965 by marrying the widow of Sam Cooke, just months after Cooke’s death.

 

Mr. Womack’s career waxed and waned at various points, notably declining after the death of his brother Harry and after the death of his son Truth. Health issues also contributed to his decline, including prostate and colon cancer, diabetes, and pneumonia. In later years, it was believed that he was developing Alzheimer’s.

 

In 2009, Mr. Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

 

Play on, Mr. Bobby Womack [1944 – 2014]

© 06/28/2014

Musical News - Philip Everly

Not all of you will recall the Everly Brothers (who were extremely popular in the 1960s), but you will know some of their music, as well as many of the artists who were influenced by their sweet, close harmonies. Tenor Phil Everly, two years younger than Don, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2013 (at the age of 74) of pulmonary disease. It is believed that his illness was a result of years of cigarette smoking.

 

Some of the Everlys's dozens of Billboard Hot 100 hits include “All I Have to Do is Dream” and “When Will I Be Loved” (which was written by Phil and later covered by Linda Ronstadt). Both Everlys claimed fame as guitarists and songwriters, having come from a musical family. The brothers sang with their father, Ike, and their mother, Margaret on Ike's radio show in the 1940s. The brothers's memorable harmonies have influenced many famous artists such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and later the Bee Gees.

 

“Bye Bye Love” became their first million seller in 1957. 1960's “Cathy's Clown,” written by Phil and Don Everly, was their biggest hit, selling more than eight million copies.

 

The Everly Brothers were among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, in 1986. They hold the record for the most Top 100 singles by any duo. In 1997, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. They have their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and are on the Rolling Stones Magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

 

Early on, the Everly Brothers toured with Buddy Holly, and influenced his style of dress. Later, they toured with Simon & Garfunkel. In tribute, Phil and Don were mentioned in Paul McCartney's “Let 'Em In.”

 

Phil Everly is now gone, but in musical circles, he will never be forgotten. R.I.P.

 

 

Philip Everly [1939 – 2014]

© 01/04/2014