Sunday, January 6, 2008

Dead Page--Musicians Passing in 2007

Bob Stroud, on his Rock and Roll Roots show (every Sunday on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 and 96.9 FM from 7 to 10 AM) always features musicians who died the previous year on his first show of the year. He calls the show "Gone, But Not Forgotten." He will give the name, group, and play one or two songs they did.

The 2007 deaths.

John Peterson, 65- drummer in Beau Brummels, biggest hit "Laugh, Laugh." One of my favorite 60s songs.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett, 69- whose biggest hit "Monster Mash" keeps coming from the grave around every Halloween.

Lee Hazelwood, 78- songwriter, producer, and vocals on most of Nancy Sinatra's hits.

Denny Doherty, 66- the Mamas and Papas. The voice of the Papas.

Boots Randolph, 80- Nashville session saxophonist. "Yakety Sax." Every time I hear this song, I can't help think about Benny Hill.

Hughie Thomasson, 55- one of the founders of the Tampa Bay country rock band Outlaws, one of my favorites. Wrote most of their big songs: "Hurry Sundown, There goes Another Love Song, and Green Grass and High Tide." Bob said that he had his first job deejaying at a Tampa Bay radio station and met Hughie many times. He played with Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1996-2005 after the Outlaws broke up.

Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith, 68- drummer and vocalist with Sonny Charles and the Checkmates who had one big hit with the Phil Spectre-produced "Black Pearl" in 1969.

Brad Delp, lead singer for the group Boston, a suicide.

Ike Turner, 76- major mover in early R& B. Had the first Rock and Roll song in 1951 with "Rocket 88." Many hits with Tina Turner, especially on "proud Mary."

Dan Fogelberg, 56- from Peoria, Illinois

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