Death List 2014

It’s that time of the year when The Vinyl Word pays tribute to those musicians and entertainers who have died during the last 12 months. And as ever, there are many on the list, including several who have died just within the last few days.

The latest batch includes Alan Bown, leader of the Alan Bown Set, a group that I can remember seeing on a number of occasions during the sixties. They had several 45s released but their only LP was one side of London Swings Live at the Marquee Club (pictured) on Pye. Other recent deaths include those of Wendy Rene, who had several 45s released on Stax, both solo and with her vocal group the Drapels; Bob Montgomery, boyhood friend of Buddy Holly, who recorded with him in the early days; Raoul Cita, a member of the Harptones; Graeme Goodall, influential Australian recording engineer and record label owner who was a co-founder of Island records and set up the Doctor Bird and Pyramid labels; and soul singer Freddie Houston.

Here is 2014’s list as it stands currently. The Vinyl Word raises a glass to them all and apologies for those who I haven’t managed to include.

Lauren Bacall – Hollywood actress; Claire Barry – member of the Barry Sisters; Alexandra Bastedo – star of The Champions;  Franny Beecher – guitarist with Bill Haley’s Comets; Jackie Bernard – member of the Kingstonians; Acker Bilk – trad jazz clarinettist;  Jeanne Black – He’ll Have To Stay singer; Alan Bown – leader of Alan Bown Set; Jack Bruce – solo performer and bass player with Cream; Nick Charles – Memphis bluesman; Raoul Cita – member of the Harptones; Little Joe Cook – R & B singer; Bob Crewe – songwriter and record producer; Don Davis – Motown and Stax record producer; Lynsey de Paul – British singer/songwriter; Reather Dixon – member of the Bobbettes; Lee Dresser – rockabilly singer;  Phil Everly – one half of the classic duo; James Garner – Rockford Files star; Anna Gordy Gaye – sister of Berry and ex-wife of Marvin Gaye; Gerry Goffin – songwriting great; Graeme Goodall – ska/rocksteady record man;  James Govan – Memphis soul singer (pictured at the Rum Boogie Cafe in 2011); George Hamilton IV – country singer; Wayne Henderson – trombonist with the Crusaders; Rosetta Hightower – member of the Orlons;  Teenie Hodges – Hi Rhythm Section guitarist; John Holt – reggae and lovers rock singer; Freddie Houston - soul singer; Deon Jackson – Northern soul favourite;  Bobby Keys – Rolling Stones sax man; Glen A Larson – TV producer and member of the Four Preps; Freddie ‘Fingers’ Lee – UK wildman pianist; Hopeton Lewis – rocksteady pioneer;  Johnny Mann – leader of his eponymous singers; Cosimo Matassa – New Orleans rock and roll recording engineer;  Rik Mayall – anarchic UK comedian; Mighty Hannibal – R & B singer; Bob Montgomery – co-writer/singer with Buddy Holly; Idris Muhammed – New Orleans jazz drummer; Frances Nero – soul singer; Jimmy C Newman – Cajun country singer; Geoff Nugent – member of the Undertakers; Duffy Power – British R & B singer; Tommy Ramone – member of the Ramones;  Larry Ramos – member of the Association; Frank Reed – member of the Chi-Lites; Wendy Rene – soul singer;  Paul Revere – keyboard player and founder of the Raiders; Rudy Richard – Louisiana bluesman; Mickey Rooney – Hollywood child star & actor; Jimmy Ruffin – Motown soul star; Jim Russell – New Orleans record shop owner;  Joe Sample – Crusaders keyboardist; Dave Sampson – UK singer; Little Jimmy Scott – high pitched jazz/R & B singer;  Pete Seeger – legendary folk singer; Horace Silver – jazz man;  Arthur ‘Guitar Boogie’ Smith – blues guitarist: Alvin Stardust aka Shane Fenton aka Bernard Jewry – UK pop  singer; Henry Stone – Miami record man; Floyd Taylor – soul singer son of Johnnie; Shirley Temple – Hollywood child star; Tabby Thomas – Baton Rouge bluesman; Jay Traynor – original Jay of Jay & the Americans; Jerry Vale – MOR American singer; Cherry Wainer – fifties Hammond organ player; Little Joe Washington – bluesman;  Houston Wells – British country singer; Robin Williams – film and TV comedian;  Jesse Winchester – US folk singer; Johnny Winter – white Texas bluesman; Bobby Womack – soul superstar (pictured at the Jazz Cafe); Rusty York – rockabilly singer; Saul Zaentz – controversial record producer.