R.I.P. Johnny Otis
R & B pioneer Johnny Otis has died at the age of 90. Otis was one of the most important figures of the pre-rock era. He was a musician, songwriter, producer and label exec and was responsible for furthering the careers of many artists including Etta James, Hank Ballard, The Coasters, Esther Phillips, Big Mama […]
R.I.P Jerry Leiber and Nickolas Ashford
Two songwriting greats passed away today. Jerry Leiber was one half of the legendary songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller. Together with Mike Stoller he wrote such rock classics as Hound Dog, Kansas City, Jailhouse Rock, Charlie Brown, Stand By Me and There Goes My Baby. Jerry Leiber was 78 years old. Click here to […]
R.I.P. Clarence Clemons
Sad to read that Clarence Clemons, long-time sax player with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band passed away after complications from a stroke he suffered several days ago. “The Big Man” had been with Springsteen since 1971, appearing on his first album, 1973’s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ. Clemons was 69 years old. Click here to […]
R.I.P. Carl Gardner of The Coasters
We’re sad to hear that Carl Gardner, leader of 50s vocal group The Coasters, has died at age 83. The Coasters were one of the most successful groups of the 1950s thanks to hits like Charlie Brown, Yakety Yak, Along Came Jones, Poison Ivy and the double-sided hit Searchin’/Youngblood. Most of these featured Carl on […]