Obituary News

Bill Finegan, 1917-2008

Source: All About Jazz
June 5, 2008

Bob Brookmeyer sent this message today:

Bill Finegan passed peacefully on today with his son James and his daughter Helen by his side. He was a hero, a dear friend and one of the most gifted arrangers we have ever had. Somewhere an orchestra sounds better.

Finegan was an arranger who gave Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Ray McKinley and Tommy Dorsey some of their most substantial music. In 1952 he and Eddie Sauter formed the Sauter-Finegan ...

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Alton Kelley Artist Created Psychedelic Posters for Rock Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 4, 2008

Alton Kelley, a San Francisco graphic artist whose psychedelic posters and album covers captured the mood and music of the Grateful Dead, the Steve Miller Band, Journey and other top rock 'n' roll groups of the '60s and '70s, has died. He was 67.

Kelley died Sunday at his home in Petaluma, Calif., according to publicist Jennifer Gross. The cause was complications from osteoporosis. With his creative partner Stanley Mouse, Kelley helped launch a poster art revolution in the mid-1960s, ...

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Hugh Jarrett Elvis Presley's Back Up Singer Dies

Source: All About Jazz
June 4, 2008

Hugh Jarrett, 78, a member of Elvis Presley's backup singing group the Jordanaires, died Saturday at an Atlanta hospital from injuries suffered in a March car accident. The Jordanaires formed as a gospel quartet in 1948. Six years later Jarrett, who sang bass, joined the group, which caught Presley's attention after performing on “Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" TV show and live performances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. After Presley signed with RCA Records in 1956, the Jordanaires provided ...

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Mel Ferrer Star of Sun Also Rises Dies

Source: All About Jazz
June 3, 2008

Mel Ferrer, the tall, darkly handsome star of such classic films as Lili, War and Peace and The Sun Also Rises, as well as producer and director of movies starring his then-wife, Audrey Hepburn, has died at age 90. Ferrer died Monday at a Santa Barbara convalescent home, his son Mark Ferrer said on Tuesday. He had been in failing health for the past six months and had recently moved to the home from his nearby ranch in Carpinteria, his ...

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Bo Diddley Beat Marked Rock 'N' Roll

Source: Michael Ricci
June 3, 2008

Diddley's swaggering stage presence influenced artists including James Brown, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix. A primal guitar sound and stage swagger influenced music from Elvis to rap. But he never got the full rewards of a pioneer.

Primal rock and blues musician Bo Diddley, who helped cast the sonic template of rock more than 50 years ago with a signature syncopated rhythm that became universally recognized as “the Bo Diddley beat," died Monday. He was 79. The Bo Diddley Sound ...

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Bo Diddley Dead at 79

Source: All About Jazz
June 3, 2008

Legendary Guitarist Bo Diddley Dead at 79

Bo Diddley Bo Diddley, legendary guitarist and founding father of rock & roll, died on Monday (June 2) after months of prolonged health issues. He was 79.

Diddley died of heart failure in his Archer, Florida home. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa; he had returned to Florida for rehabilitation.

Not only was Diddley's voice and 5/4 rhythm approach instantly recognizable, ...

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Bo Diddley His Life and Times

Source: Michael Ricci
June 2, 2008

Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll whose distinctive ”shave and a haircut, two bits” rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79. Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla., spokeswoman Susan Clary said. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and ...

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Bo Diddley Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 2, 2008

Rock Pioneer Bo Diddley Dies at age 79 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A spokeswoman says rock pioneer Bo Diddley has died.

The spokeswoman says Diddley died of heart failure today. He had suffered a heart attack in August 2007, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation. Diddley was known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black ...

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