Obituary News

'I Go Crazy' Singer Paul Davis Dies

Source: All About Jazz
April 23, 2008

Paul Davis, a singer and songwriter whose soft rock hit “I Go Crazy" stayed on the charts for months after its release in 1977, died Tuesday. He was 60. Davis

Paul Davis' hits included “I Go Crazy," “ '65 Love Affair" and “Cool Night."

Davis died of a heart attack at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, the city where he grew up, cousin James Edwards said.

Davis' other popular hits included “65 Love Affair;" “You're Still New To Me," a ...

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Danny Federici, 58; Keyboardist Was an Original Member of E Street Band

Source: All About Jazz
April 23, 2008

Keyboardist Danny Federici, a low-profile but essential and original member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died Thursday at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after a three-year battle with melanoma, according to a statement released by Springsteen's publicist. He was 58.

“Danny and I worked together for 40 years," Springsteen said in the statement. “He was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure, natural musician. I loved him very much. We grew up together."

Federici ...

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Thomas Humphrey, Innovative Guitar Designer, Maker

Source: All About Jazz
April 23, 2008

Thomas Humphrey, 59, a guitar maker whose innovative techniques helped increase the volume and projection of the instrument, died of a heart attack April 16 at his home in Gardiner, N.Y., said his wife, Martha Costa Humphrey.

His best-known model, the Millennium, has a sloped face and raised fingerboard that makes it easier for musicians to reach the high notes. The body shape gives the guitar a large tone.

Humphrey had been making conventional guitars for about 15 years when ...

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Al Wilson Soul Singer Had Several '70s Hits

Source: All About Jazz
April 23, 2008

Al Wilson, 68, a soul singer and songwriter who had a number of 1970s hits, including “Show and Tell," died of kidney failure Monday April 21st at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana, said his son, Tony Wilson of Yucaipa.

Wilson was born June 19, 1939, in Meridian, Miss., where he sang in the church choir as a child. His family moved to San Bernardino in the 1950s, and he found work as a letter carrier, office clerk and janitor. ...

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Joe Feeney Tenor Starred on 'Lawrence Welk'

Source: All About Jazz
April 23, 2008

Joe Feeney, 76, an Irish American tenor who was one of the featured performers on Lawrence Welk's television programs, died April 16 at a Carlsbad hospice, said his son Chris, a member of the L.A. Opera company. Although he never smoked, the elder Feeney was diagnosed with emphysema about a year ago.

Joe FeeneyFeeney appeared on “The Lawrence Welk Show" from 1957 until production ended in 1982. His repertoire of popular numbers included traditional songs such as “Danny Boy" and ...

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Chris Gaffney, Hacienda Brothers, 1950-2008

Source: conqueroo
April 21, 2008

Chris Gaffney, a beloved husband, revered entertainer, precious father, dear uncle, trusted friend, cherished brother has succumbed to liver cancer Chris Gaffney passed away April 17, 2008 in the Orange County hospital in California with his wife Julie at his side. He suffered a fall at home last night and died in his sleep after being admitted to the hospital. Further details are unavailable at this time. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

“Chris Gaffney grew up in Arizona, ...

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George Butler, Executive at Prominent Jazz Labels, is Dead at 76

Source: Michael Ricci
April 20, 2008

George Butler, a prominent jazz record executive for the Columbia, Blue Note and United Artists labels from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, died on April 9 in Castro Valley, Calif. He was 76. His death was confirmed by his sister, Jacqueline Butler Hairston. Mr. Butler was best known for working to make jazz recordings dovetail with trends in popular music in the 1970s and 1980s, and for helping to encourage the Young Lions movement that began in the ...

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Sean Costello 1979 - 2008

Source: All About Jazz
April 18, 2008

Los Angeles, April 16, 2008-Delta Groove recording artist Sean Costello passed away in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, April 15th, one day before his 29th birthday. Sean was not only a member of the Delta Groove musical family, he was also a friend, and words cannot express the sorrow we feel at having to say goodbye so soon. Losing someone as young, vibrant, and talented as Sean, who had accomplished so much in just a few short years and still had ...

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