Music Deaths: Norma Waterson, Folk Singer and Betty Davis, Soul Singer

NORMA WATERSON, 82

Died 30 January 2022

Folk singer.

English singer and songwriter better known as a member of the folk group Watersons.

This woman could sing.  Check out "Black Muddy River," "God Loves a Drunk" and "Movin' On Song." 

BETTY DAVIS, 77

Died 9 February 2022

Known for her controversial performance style and lyrics.    Described as combining "the gritty emotional  realism of Tine Turner, the futuristic fashion sense of David Bowie."

You've got to listen to her 1974 album "They Say I'm Different."  She sure was.  Soul and this gal get really get down.

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I'd never heard of these two ladies, but sure wish I had.

Music Deaths: Julie Felix, Folk Singer

JULIE FELIX, 81

Died March 22, 2020

English folk singer.  American-born, moved to Britain for her career.  resident performer on the Frost report on BBC, hosted by David Frost.

Listen to her on You Tube.  I especially liked "Early Morning Rain", "If I Could (El Condor Pasa)" and "Heaven Is Here."

Two UK charted hits in 1970 produced by Mickey Most.

Always with these performers you probably have never heard of before, give a listen on You Tube.  I have found some really good nuggets.

Music Deaths: Bob Shane, Founding Member of Kingston Trio

BOB SHANE, 85

Died 26 January 2020

Singer, songwriter of folk and pop music.  Founding member of the Kingston Trio.

Real name Robert Castle Shoen.  They had four albums in the the Top Ten in 1959.  Peak years for them were 1957 to 1967.

Biggest hit "Tom Dooley"  (#1-1958)

Also had hits with "Tijuana Jail"  (#12-1959 and "M.T.A."  (#15-1959)

Music Deaths: Vince Martin "Cindy, Oh Cindy"

VINCE MARTIN, 81

Died July 6, 2018

With the Tarriers who only had one chart hit, "Cindy, Oh Cindy" (#9-1956) .  But, this group hugely influenced  a generation of folk and folk rock artists.

Give it a listen on You Tube and you'll see what I mean.

Music Deaths: Weavers and Browns

RONNIE GILBERT, 88

Died June 6, 2015.  Contralto singer with the influential Weavers folk music group.  One of the members was Pete Seeger.  Their big hits were "Goodnight Irene" (#1-1950) and "On Top of Old Smoky" (#2-1951). The Red Scare of the 1950s got them blacklisted and ended their success.  But they had a big influence on Peter, Paul & Mary, the Kingston Trio and Bob Dylan.

JIM ED BROWN, 81  Died June 11, 2015.

Best known as lead singer of the Browns, a country group that had a hit in 1954 with "Looking Back to See" (#8-1954).  Charted hits on country charts 21 times from 1954 to 1968.    Their biggest hit was "The Three Bells" (#1 country and pop in 1959).

He began a solo career in 1965.  His biggest hit was "Pop a Top" (#3-1967).  He did a duo with Helen Cornelius "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You" (#1 country 1976) and "Lying in Love With You" (#2 country 1979).

Deaths: Pete Seeger

PETE SEEGER, 94. Died January 27, 2014. //// Folksinger, songwriter and social activist who popularized songs like "This Land Is Your Land" and "We Shall Overcome." Wrote "If I Had a Hammer" (playing it on 94.9 FM, the Surf out of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, right now) and "Turn, Turn, Turn." //// Definitely a favorite of mine.