Music Deaths: Roger Hawkins, Drummer With Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section

ROGER HAWKINS, 75

Died 20 May, 2021

Drummer, session  musician with backing  band Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

His drumming can be heard on dozens of hit singles.

"When a Man Loves a Woman"--  Percy Sledge

"Mustang Sally"--  Wilson Pickett

"Respect"--  Aretha Franklin

"Chain of Fools"--  Aretha Franklin

"Think"--  Aretha Franklin

"Old Time Rock & Roll"--  Bob Seger

And these are just a few of them.  Look him up.

If these are not a soundtrack to my life, I don't know what is?

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of June 14, 1971-- Part 4: 'If Not For You'

That's right, fifty years ago.  If you remember these from back then, you must be kind of ___.

15.  *IF NOT FOR YOU--  Olivia Newton-John     #25     Bob Dylan wrote it.  I don't now who I had a bigger crush on back then, Linda or Olivia.   Her first hit.

14.  *DON'T PULL YOUR LOVE--  Hamilton, Joe Frank, & Reynolds      #4       Why did Frank have a first name and the other two didn't?   Dan Hamilton and Tommy Hamilton in case you're wondering.

13.  I'LL MEET YOU HALF WAY--  Partridge Family     #9     Co-written by Carole's hubby, Gerry Goffin.  Well, then there was also that Susan Dey.  Wow!  Their last Top Ten.

12.  *DON'T KNOCK MY LOVE--  Wilson Pickett       #13     Mr. Wicked Pickett shows off his Soul.   Went to #1 R&B.

11.  NATHAN JONES--  Supremes       #16    Definitely a different Motown sound on this one.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'll Just Lay Me Down And Cry For A Hundred Years."  Answer below.   --RoadDog

"Don't Pull Your Love"

Gone But Not Forgotten 2018-- Part 1: "Hound Dog"

On Sunday, January 13, 2018, Bob Stroud devoted his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive, to those musicians who died during this last year.  He says it is always a sad trip back, but at least we have all that great music to thank them for so that makes the trip a bit easier.

After the artist performing the song, I write the name of the person, their age and their connection.

LEGEND OF A MIND--  Moody Blues    Ray Thomas, 76.  He wrote this song and did vocals and the flute.
FUNKY BROADWAY--  Wilson Pickett    Rick Hall, 85, who started the studio at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where this song and so many others were made.
HOUND DOG--  Elvis Presley    D.J. Fontana, 87.  Drummer on this and over 450 songs of Elvis.

NO MATTER WHAT--   Badfinger     Geoff Emerick, 72,  producer of this song and so many of the Beatles and Badfinger.
UPTOWN--  Crystals    Barbara Alston, 74.  Sang lead.
LIVING THING--  Electric Light Orchestra    Hugh McDowell, 65.  Cellist for ELO

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Every Town I Go In."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  The one thing that unites all human beings regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is the fact that, deep down inside, we all believe we are above-average drivers and everyone else is a maniac.

If you click on the Music Deaths 2018 label below, you will see my list of the year's music deaths which is much longer.  When you get to the end of one page, hit "Older Posts."


"Funky Broadway"

Music Deaths: Bonny "Sir Mack" Rice Member of Falcons and Wrote "Mustang Sally"

BONNY "SIR MACK" RICE, 82

Died June 27, 2016.  Member of the Falcons 1957-1963.  Sang baritone on "You're So Fine" (#17-1959).

 Songwriter.  Wrote "Mustang Sally" (#23-1966) for fellow Falcons member Wilson Pickett. The song was originally called "Mustang Mama," but Aretha Franklin, who played keyboard on the demo suggested the name change.  It was originally a #15 R&B song for Rice in 1965, but far overshadowed by Pickett's version.

Also wrote "Respect Yourself" (#12-1971) for the Staple Singers and (#5-1987) for Bruce Willis.  Also wrote Johnnie Taylor's "Cheaper to Keep Her" (#15-1971)

Music Death: "Mustang Sally" Composer Mack Rice-- Part 1

From the June 29, 2016, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus by AP.

'MUSTANG SALLY' COMPOSER MACK RICE DIES

One of my all-time favorite songs.  A sixties classic by the Wicked Pickett.

MACK RICE, 82.  Died June 27, 2016.

Mack Rice, the composer of the '60s hit "Mustang Sallly" and co-writer of the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" has died in Detroit.

"Sir" Mack Rice was best known for writing "Mustang Sally," which he initially recorded but it was Wilson Pickett who really made it popular.  The two of them had been in a group called the Falcons.

His wife, Laura Rice, said, "When he wrote 'Mustang Sally' and he saw that royalty check, he really started writing.  He never thought 'Mustang Sally' would ever be as big as it became.  ...He used to tell me, 'Honey that Mustang has rolled a long time.'"

"You Better Slow That..."