re: Endless Sleep - The Obituary Thread

R.I.P.

So sad about Richard Tandy.

RIP

quote:

---

Clarence "Frogman" Henry

---

i mentioned in another thread how i saw the Stones at the Superdome in the summer of 1978 but that wasn’t the most interesting part of the trip

that was spending the night after the show drinking Chivas Regal with Frogman and his band at La Strada


RIP Frogman, TYFYS

David William Sanborn (July 30, 1945 — May 12, 2024) was an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blended jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. He released his first solo album Taking Off in 1975, but had been playing the saxophone since before he was in high school and was a session musician long before its release. He was active as a session musician, playing on several albums by various artists (see Discography).

One of the most commercially successful American saxophonists to earn prominence since the 1980s, Sanborn was described by critic Scott Yanow as "the most influential saxophonist on pop, R&B, and crossover players of the past 20 years." He is often identified with radio-friendly smooth jazz, but expressed a disinclination for the genre and his association with it.

Sanborn performed with blues musicians Albert King and Little Milton at the age of 14.He continued playing blues when he joined Paul Butterfield blues band in 1967.

Sanborn recorded on four Butterfield albums as a horn section member and soloist from 1967 to 1971. In the early morning of Monday, August 18, 1969, Sanborn appeared as a member of the band at the Woodstock Music Festival at Bethel, NY.

In 1972 Sanborn played on the track "Tuesday Heartbreak" on the Stevie Wonder album Talking Book. His work in 1975 with David Bowie on Young Americans and on the James Taylor recording of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" on the album Gorilla further brought to prominence his alto saxophone voice in popular music.

In the mid-70s Sanborn became active in the popular jazz fusion scene by joining the Brecker Brothers band where he became influenced by Michael Brecker, and it was with the brothers that he recorded his first solo album, Taking Off, nowadays regarded as something of a jazz/funk classic.

He has been a highly regarded session player since the late 1960s, playing with an array of well-known artists, such as James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Michael Stanley, Eric Clapton, Bobby Charles, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, Michael Franks, Kenny Loggins, Casiopea, Players Association, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, Tommy Bolin, Bob James, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Pure Prairie League, Kenny G, Loudon Wainwright III, George Benson, Joe Beck, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, Gil Evans, Carly Simon, Guru, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Kenny Garrett, Roger Waters, Steely Dan, Ween, the Eagles, Grateful Dead, Nena, Hikaru Utada, The Rolling Stones, Ian Hunter, and Toto.

Douglas Lloyd Ingle (September 9, 1945 – May 24, 2024) was an American musician, best known as the founder, organist, primary composer and lead vocalist for the band Iron Butterfly.
He wrote the band's hit song, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", first released in 1968, and was the last surviving member of that 1967–1969 lineup.

Ingle founded Iron Butterfly in San Diego in 1966, remaining with the group when they relocated to Los Angeles later that year, and became part of the group's classic lineup, featuring Ingle, drummer Ron Bushy, guitarist Erik Brann and bassist Lee Dorman. His work is featured on the Iron Butterfly albums Heavy (1968), In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968), Ball (1969) and Metamorphosis (1970). He also authored the band's biggest hit, also called "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". Though it was not recorded until their second album, it was written during Iron Butterfly's early days.

According to drummer Ron Bushy, organist-vocalist Doug Ingle wrote the song one evening while drinking a gallon of Red Mountain wine. When the inebriated Ingle then played the song for Bushy, who wrote down the lyrics for him, he was slurring his words so badly that what was supposed to be "in the Garden of Eden" was interpreted by Bushy as "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".

In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida became an enduring hit and pop-cultural reference point, appearing in the Simpsons and inspiring cover versions by artists as varied as Slayer, the Residents, High Contrast and Boney M.

Ingle was the last surviving member of the classic Iron Butterfly lineup, after the deaths of drummer Ron Bushy, bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Eric Brann between 2003 and 2021.



All 17 minutes...RIP..

LINK

quote:

---

Frank Ifield, music icon with ties to The Beatles, dies aged 86

The Beatles opened for Ifield before they came to fame.

---

quote:

---

Australian country singer, yodeller and guitarist Frank Ifield, who had four number-one hits in the UK, has died at the age of 86.

Ifield's UK number ones included cover versions of I Remember You, Lovesick Blues, The Wayward Wind and Confessin' That I Love You.

He is also known for his association with The Beatles, as the then up-and-coming band opened for him, bringing them to a wider audience.

A compilation album featuring tracks from both Ifield and The Beatles was released in 1964, entitled Jolly What! England's Greatest Recording Stars: The Beatles & Frank Ifield on Stage.

---

The Beatles sang this on stage in Hamburg. You can hear the influence on "Love Me Do".

Mark James was born Francis Rodney Zambon in Houston, Texas. Was sort of a big brother figure to B.J. Thomas when they were kids together in the 50s. Served with the Big Red One in Nam. RIP

Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music’s Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76

By Chris Willman LINK

Joe Bonsall, one of the mainstays of country music’s leading vocal group, the Oak Ridge Boys, for 51 years, died Tuesday at 76. The cause of death was complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Bonsall, who had been a familiar face in the group since 1973, announced his retirement from touring with the group in January, citing his illness, as the Oak Ridge Boys continued their farewell tour in his absence. Upon his concert retirement, it was reported that Bonsall, who provided a tenor voice in the group harmonies, still planned to record a new album with them this year.

The group was best known by crossover audiences for the 1981 smash “Elvira,” which not only hit No. 1 on the country chart but also found pop success, reaching No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The following year, “Bobbie Sue” also registered success in pop as well as country, hitting No. 12 on the Hot 100 along with topping the chart in the ensemble’s home format. Altogether the band had 17 No. 1 country songs and landed 34 in country’s top 10.

Bonsall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with three of his fellow group members in 2015. The Oak Ridge Boys were also elected into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

“For 50 years, Joe Bonsall was the Oak Ridge Boys’ sparkplug,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in a statement memorializing the singer. “He was as exciting a performer as any who ever hit a gospel or country stage. His tenor voice was high and clear, and his jovial spirit always provided a jolt of energy, immediately rousing audiences to come on in and take a load off. He certainly lightened our cares every time he sang.”

The origins of the Oak Ridge Boys go back to the 1940s, and the group took on that name in the mid-1960s, but the combo was primarily known as a gospel act before Bonsall joined in 1973. Johnny Cash helped them get signed to Columbia Records after he enlisted them as guests on his single “Praise the Lord and Pass the Soup,” but the group didn’t find major secular success until a subsequent signing to Dot/ABC and the release of a song called “Y’all Come Back Saloon” that went to No. 3 on the country chart in 1977. Subsequent No. 1 songs during that early period of success included “Trying to Love Two Woman,” “I’ll Be True to You,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” and “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free.”

Other chart-toppers during the group’s ’70s/’80s streak included “This Crazy Love, “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes,” “It Takes a Little Rain” and “No Matter How High.”

The Oak Ridge Boys registered their final No. 1 country hit with 1989’s “No Matter How High,” but continued to be a successful touring act — and to be welcomed as guests on country awards shows and at other special occasions — to the present day.

The group was also known to Paul Simon fans for the vocal accompaniment they provided on his 1977 hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

Bonsall had written 11 books, including a memoir due to be published this November, “I See Myself.”

In 2022, Bonsall said he had nearly died from pulmonary embolisms. ““I could have easily died last weekend but God is not through with me yet,” Bonsall tweeted. “I am home now after 6 days in the hospital battling pulmonary embolisms … my recovery could take awhile … thanks for the prayers and love shown!”

He recovered and was able to participate in the initial dates of what was dubbed “American Made: Farewell Tour,” beginning in September of 2023.

In January, Bonsall posted to X (formerly Twitter), “Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult… There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there and he needs your love and encouragement … his sound is different than mine but he brings a ton of talent to the table! The @oakridgeboys will finish the Farewell Tour without me but rest assured I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!”

“When I think of the Oak Ridge Boys and their place in Country Music history,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, “the image of Joe with his huge smile and boundless energy comes to mind so clearly. His commitment to serving others while developing Country Music into a worldwide sensation will never be forgotten and our industry has been made better because of him. Today, we lost an incomparable energy and voice in music. He will be missed greatly by all who were fortunate to know him.”

Said a death notice issued by Bonsall’s reps, “Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. He loved to play banjo. He loved working on the farm. And he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first—and we will see him again on the Promised Day.”

Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.

At his request, no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center

LINK

quote:

---

Joe Egan, the creative partner of Gerry Rafferty in Stealers Wheel, died at 77 on July 6.

Egan co-wrote the band’s most popular song, “Stuck in the Middle With You,” which became a Top 10 hit in both the U.S. and the U.K. in 1973 – reaching No. 6 in the Billboard Hot 100 – before a resurgence as a result of its use in 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs.

---

quote:

---

Egan and Rafferty formed folk-rock band Stealers Wheel in their hometown of Paisley, Scotland, in 1972. By the time their self-titled debut album had been released the same year, Rafferty had already left.

The success of “Stuck in the Middle” was a factor in his return; but while critically acclaimed, they failed to achieve commercial success. The band split after two more albums, 1973’s Ferguslie Park and 1975’s Right or Wrong. A brief reunion took place in 2008, but neither Egan nor Rafferty – who died in 2011 – took part.

---

Egan lipsyncing Rafferty's vocal