Songs from artists who passed away too soon

[Bama fan]

I read that he disliked R&R, so only splished and splashed as an entrance to the recording world. Worked for him to have
the chance to become a crooner.

He wrote this song on a bet, along with Murray The K, a prominent disc jockey of that era. At least that is the legend! What an entertainer!

 

[Bigboote]

Both Bobby Fuller and Sam Cooke owned the copyrights to their own music, both had the same manager, both were murdered at young ages under suspicious circumstances. Sam Cooke remains the most important and copied singer today. Every pop singer you hear since him from Marvin Gaye, to Michael Jackson, to Justin Timberlake, Whitney, Christina, Luther, Ariana and any singer that bends a blue note bends it the way Sam did. Every singer that uses gospel influences in their music does it because Sam was the first. He was also the first African-American artist to own the copyright to his music. If James Brown is the godfather of hip-hop, Sam is the godfather of modern pop singers.

I didn't know Sam Cooke and Bobby Fuller shared a manager. Interesting. . .

Good points about Sam Cooke and James Brown. Probably the two most-imitated but never-equalled things in pop/rock/R&B music: James Brown's OW! and Sam Cooke's lilting extended OHOH. . .

 

[MilfordHusky]

Though he was mentioned earlier, I thought Marvin deserves a video:

 

[MilfordHusky]

The King of Pop

 

[MilfordHusky]

The King (at a young age)

 

[MilfordHusky]

Rick Wright died at 65. As someone who has passed that, I think it's too young:

 

[MilfordHusky]

A classic version of a great song with Prince and Tom Petty

 

[MilfordHusky]

Same song with George Harrison (check out the guys on the drums)

 

[MilfordHusky]

Four lads from Liverpool, half of whom are gone

 

[MilfordHusky]

Stunning performance at Live Aid

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think we've been forgetting about this guy. Very influential and died before 30. Left us with a bunch of songs that have been covered over and over again.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Harry Chapin and his classic "Taxi"

 

[MilfordHusky]

Mary Travers

 

[MilfordHusky]

Glenn Frey

 

[Bigboote]

Lowell George, died at 34:

 

[Bigboote]

Jaco Pastorius died at 35 after a violent confrontation.

 

[Bigboote]

Jim Hodder was Steely Dan's original drummer and sang lead on this song from the first album. He drowned at the age of 42.

 

[Carnac]

Walter Becker's Widow Details Swift Illness, Death

Jim Hodder was Steely Dan's original drummer and sang lead on this song from the first album. He drowned at the age of 42.

We also lost the c0-founder of Steely Dan, Walter Becker 9 months ago (Sept 2017) to Esophageal Cancer. Just four months after his diagnosis, Becker died at his New York City home "surrounded by his family, his music, and a blustery rainstorm — one of his favorite sounds — blowing outside the window." No static at all.

 

[Replicant]

Richard Manuel, lead singer and pianists for The Band. Dead at 42 from drinking induced suicide at the apex of the group's success. Bassist Rick Danko passes at 55, and Levon Helm 6 years ago at 71.

 

[bantamlaker]

Sandy Denny, lead singer and lovely voice of the British folk rock group Fairport Convention, died at 31 following an accident. Well loved by the Brits she is hardly remembered here unless you were into the music scene of the late 60’s, early 70’s. She also wrote the classic “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” which has been covered by Judy Collins, Eva Cassidy, Nina Simone,etc.

 

[Replicant]

Nicolette Larson, known for singing another great Neil Young song, dead at 45

 

[Replicant]

Dave Prater of Sam & Dave taken in a car crash at 51...

 

[Replicant]

Rick James, the original "Super Freak", dead at 56...

 

[Replicant]

Marvin Gaye's duet partner Tammie Terrell died at 24 of a brain tumor...they sang the famous version of Ashford & Simpson's (RIP Nick Ashford) "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"...

 

[Scud49]

California folk singer Kate Wolf, gone way too early at age 45: