Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
ALTO REED, 72
Died 30 December 2020
Saxophonist, long-time member of Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band.
That's him on "Turn the Page" and "Old Time Rock and Roll." Toured with Bob Seger for 42 years.
Also has played with Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Little Feat, Dave Mason and George Thorogood.
PHYLLIS McGUIRE, 89
Died 29 December 2020
Singer with the vocal trio McGuire Sisters.
The last living member of the trio. Grew up near Dayton, Ohio.
Two #1s:
"Sincerely" 1955
"Sugartime" 1957
LESLIE WEST, 75
Died 22 December 2020
Guitar player / vocalist with rock band Mountain.
One of the bands considered as the forerunners of Heavy metal.
The group performed on the second day of Woodstock with an 11-song set.
I'm listening to that great album "Mountain Climbing" as I type this. More cowbell, please. Give a listen to their "Sittin' on a Rainbow." Too bad it is just 2:20 long. More cowbell!!!
"Mississippi Queen" (#21-1970)
K.T. OSLIN, 78
Died 21 December 2020
Country singer / songwriter
Had several years of commercial success in the late 1980s with four #1 Country hits:
"Hold Me" 1989
"Do Ya" 1987
"I'll Always Come Back" 1988
"Come Next Monday" 1990
CHAD STUART, 79
Died 20 December 2020
Singer with folk/pop duo Chad & Jeremy.
Born David Stuart Chadwick.
Group consisted of him and Jeremy Clyde and formed in 1962. Unlike the rock sound of others in the British Invasion, they had a more soft and folk-inflected style. I loved their appearance on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" as the British band, "The Redcoats."
And, I have always gotten their songs confused with those of Peter & Gordon.
Some of their big songs:
"Yesterday's Gone" (#21-1963)
"A Summer Song" (#7-1964)
"Willow Weep for Me" (#15-1964)
"If I Loved You" (#23-1965)
PELLE ALSING, 60
Died 16 December 2020
Drummer with pop-rock band Roxtette.
Co-founder and one half of Swedish band (other member was singer Marie Fredriksson).
His death came almost exactly one year after her death.
"The Look" (#1-1989)
"Listen to Your Heart" (#1-1989)
"It Must Have Been Love" (#1-1990)
"Joyride" (#1-1990)
They had two other #2s.
CARL MANN, 78
Rockabilly singer/piano player. "Mona Lisa"
Born in Tennessee. Signed with Sam Phillips' Sun Records.
As a 16-year-old, had his first and only big hit, a cover of Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa" which peaked at #25 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart in 1959.
CHARLEY PRIDE, 82
Died 12 December 2020
Country singer had 1971 hit "Kiss an Angel Good Morning." (#1)
His greatest musical success was in the early to mid-1970s. One of just three Blacks in the Country Hall of Fame. During peak years of his recording career (1966-1988) he had 53 Top Ten Hits on the Country Charts, 30 of which went to #1.
Some of his hits:
"Is Anybody Going to San Antone (#1-1970) Mentions Route 66 in it.
"Mountain of Love" (#1-1982)
"I Ain't All Bad" (#6-1975)
He has a greatest hits CD on my Ultimate Jukebox. Enough said.
"And here I am walking down 66."
KENNY JEREMIAH, 77
Died 4 December 2020
Lead singer with the Soul Survivors who had big hit with "Expressway to Your Heart" (#4-1967). It was #3 on the R&B charts. Produced by Gamble and Huff, the Sound of Philadelphia.
Formed the group in New York in 1964. Later went on to record with the disco group Shirley & Co which topped charts in 1975 with "Shame, Shame, Shame."
Who says white guys can't sing Soul?
Also another Top 40 with "Explosion in Your Soul" (#33-1967), a takeoff on their big hit.
BRUCE SWEDIEN, 86
Died 16 November 2020
Worked on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album. Audio engineer.
First received recognition as engineer on Four Seasons' 1962 single "Big Girls Don't Cry." Won five Grammy awards for Best Engineered Album.
Worked on albums by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Chi-Lites, Tyrone Davis and Jackie Wilson.
Also on recordings by Patti Austin, Mick Jagger, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.
DES O'CONNOR, 88
Died 14 November 2020
U.K. entertainer. Had a #1 song in 1968 with "I Pretend."
Quite the entertainer. He could do it all. Check him out on You Tube doing the 1965 Royal Variety Performance. Recorded 36 albums and had four U.K. Top Ten singles.
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MAC MacLEOD, 79
Died 16 November 2020
Folk guitarist who played with Donovan. Was the original singer of "Hurdy Gurdy Man."
What is a Hurdy Gurdy Man?
JIM TUCKER, 74
Died 12 November 2020
Guitarist with the Turtles who topped the charts in 1967 with "Happy Together."
Founding rhythm guitarist. Featured on many of the band's classic hits like "She'd Rather Be With Me" and "It Ain't Me Babe."
Joined the band while in high school. Left the band at age 21 and had a long career as an electrical contractor.
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN-- At 9 am today, CST, Bob Stroud is going to have his annual Gone But Not Forgotten Salute on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive. It streams and goes to noon. Of course, I have written about most if not all of these artists in this blog, but Bob always has interesting things to say about them and, of course, plays a song or two by them.
I don't know, but this year, two shows might be needed. Quite a few deaths.
Worth a listen.
2. STILL CHOPPIN'-- And are my arms, shoulders and especially my wrists really sore. That snow we got last week was really heavy and between just the regular amount of it on the driveway and especially that huge amount deposited at the foot of it by the street, my poor little snow blower was completely outgunned.
As a result, I have been out chopping ice most every day so far this week.
3. IF WE COULD JUST GET SNOW TO... If we could just get snow to stop falling on driveways, sidewalks, streets and roads, I would be a big fan of it. But never when I have to deal with it. It's really pretty on the yards and bushes this time of the year. And, of course there are those times where the snow attaches itself to trees and bushes that are unbelievably pretty. I call it "Nature's Done Been Painting."
Or, I wouldn't mind it if those folks who really love winter would come over and clear my driveway and sidewalks before they go out and have fun in it, I'd definitely be okay with that. But, whenever I ask a skier or snowmobiler to do that, I just get a blank stare and sometimes a "kind" word or two.
Snowy, Snowy. Stay Off My Stuff!! --RoadDog
STUDENT TEST ANSWERS: The people of India are divided into casts and outcasts.
BONES HILLMAN, 62
Died 7 November 2020
Real name Wayne Stevens. Joined Midnight Oil in 1987 and played bass guitar for them on their big hits.
"Bed Are Burning"
"Blue Sky Mine"
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DOMINIC GRANT, 71
Died 18 November 2020
Three guys and three gals. Big group in England. Had two Top Tens.
LEN BARRY, 78
Died 5 November 2020
Lead singer of the Doo-Wop group Dovells. As a solo performer had big hit with "1- 2- 3."
Real name Leonard Borisoff. Born and raised in Philadelphia. Formed and was lead singer of the Dovells. They charted two Top Tens:
"Bristol Stomp" (#2-1960)
"You Can't Sit Down" (#3-1963)
Then as a solo act:
"1- 2- 3" (#2-1965)
BILLY JOE SHAVER, 81
Died 28 October 2020
Country singer/songwriter
Real popular in Texas, like Jerry Jeff Walker. Not well-known elsewhere, but give a listen to his music on You Tube.
"Wacko from Waco"
"Honky Tonk Heroes" Waylon Jennings had a big hit with it.
"Blue Texas Waltz"
"Billy B. Damned"
JERRY JEFF WALKER, 78
Died 23 October 2020
Country singer/songwriter. Wrote the song "Mr. Bojangles."
Leading figure in the Country Outlaw Movement.
He also wrote one of my favorite country songs "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother." "He's 34 and drinking in a honky tonk."
Doesn't get much more country than that.
And, by the way, how do you spell "Mother." Jerry will tell you.
SPENCER DAVIS, 81
Died 19 October 2020
Vocalist and founding member of the Spencer Davis Group.
Welsh singer and musician. Part of the British Invasion of the 60s when he had several big hits:
"Keep On Running"
"Gimme Some Lovin' "
"I'm a Man"
"Somebody Help Me"
All these sung by the very young Steve Winwood.
One of my favorite bands back then, many, many years ago as you know.
TONY LEWIS, 62
Died 19 October 2020
Singer and bassist with the Outfield, nest-known for their 1986 hit "Your Love."
English rock band. Group formed in 1984 and remained active for three decades. They had more commercial success in the U.S. than their native U.K.
Their hits included "Your Love" which peaked at #6 in 1986.
Also:
"All the World in the World" (#19-1986)
"Since You've Been Gone" (#31-1987)
"For You" (#21-1990)
I always thought they were an American band.
