Americana Highways Obituaries – Jan-Feb 2024

Melanie (Safka) @ 76 – Iconic & respected American folk singer Melanie died on January 23. An artist who was prominent in the ’60s & early ’70s had released 31 albums & 20 charted hits in her career & sold over 80 million records. She was working on her 32nd LP “Second Hand Smoke,” at the time of her passing.

Ms. Safka, of Ukrainian ancestry, was 22 when she was one of only 3 women to perform solo live at Woodstock (1969). She was born in Astoria, Queens NY on February 3, 1947 & went to high school in New Jersey. She became a Greenwich Village folk singer who was awarded a contract for singles with Columbia Records.

When Clive Davis wouldn’t give her an album contract, she moved to Buddha Records. She soon had a top 10 hit with the intense & creative “Lay Down (Candles In the Rain),” with the Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song was also an international hit in 1970 throughout Europe. She had additional hits with the Jagger-Richards’ “Ruby Tuesday,” “Peace Will Come” & “What Have They Done To My Song, Ma?” “The Nickel Song,” “Brand New Key,” & excellent LP cuts like Jim Croce’s “Lover’s Cross,” & “Maybe Not For a Lifetime.”

In 1972, she was both Billboard’s #1 female artist & became UNICEF’s ambassador. She appeared with the likes of Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie & Dave Van Ronk. Sang with Johnny Cash on his show, appeared on the Johnny Carson Show & sang in ’72 with John Lennon on his “Give Peace a Chance.” She also sang with Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Rogers & the Everly brothers & performed at the Metropolitan Opera House (1974). About 8 years ago Melanie worked with Miley Cyrus in the studio.

In 1989 Ms. Safka won an Emmy Award for lyrics to the TV series song for “Beauty & the Beast.” Though her career slowed from its initial years she was never out of the spotlight. New CDs appeared; and live concerts took place. She lived near Nashville, TN. Her cause of death after a short illness was not disclosed. The hippie dream just got dimmer. RIP Melanie. B&W photo is an old 1977 publicity shot courtesy of Melanie Safka Estate. (If the photographer’s name is known let me know & I’ll credit by name).

Toby Keith @ 62 – Country singer passed away after battling from stomach cancer (February 5) in Oklahoma. Keith had hits with “Red Solo Cup,” “How Do You Like Me Now,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” & with Willie Nelson on the classic “Beer For My Horses.” Toby had been diagnosed with cancer in 2021. He had 3 children & had been married for nearly 40 years. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame as well as the Entertainer of the Year award 5 times at the ACM Awards. He was awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Trump in 2021. Great artist. Color image courtesy of Toby Keith.

Mary Weiss @ 75 – Queens, NY lead singer of the marvelous Shangri-Las, a female vocal group recording for the Red Bird label in the 60s that was exceptional & influential (the late Amy Winehouse especially). The group had some novelty hits that became rock classics (the # 1 single “Leader of the Pack,” “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” & “Remember (Walking In the Sand).”

But the group (Betty Weiss sang on several B-sides) also had a string of superb songs that were intense, dark & serious. There was “Dressed In Black,” “I Can Never Go Home Anymore,” “Love You More Than Yesterday,” “He Cried,” & the late career beauty “The Sweet Sounds of Summer,” (on Mercury Records). Mary produced a solo LP “Dangerous Game” in 2007. Mary had a signature rock voice & was always regarded as a pioneer for female rock/pop singers. Her voice was as distinct as Ronnie Spector’s (The Ronettes). Mary died January 19 — no cause of death listed. Color image courtesy of Jim Cooper/AP.

Mike Martt @ 67 – A late entry (Mike died Nov. 29) since many major media didn’t cover his death. Guitarist/singer-songwriter Mike Martt was born in Sunset Beach, CA & was in many punk bands (Thelonious Monster, Gun Club) throughout his career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du5ELkTSKlc

I heard his music when he was the leader of a magnificent Pogues-like band called the Low & Sweet Orchestra. On their single CD “Goodbye To All That” they had 3 marvelous songs: “The Truth Is All You Get,” “I Miss Her Anyway,” & “I Had To Leave a Friend Behind.” I enclose 2 because Mike was virtually unknown in most parts but was an excellent artist. He passed peacefully after a brief illness; no cause was given. RIP Mike – some of us won’t forget your music.

Jo-El Sonnier @ 77 – The Louisiana musician who ignited a revival in Cajun music with his accordion & despite having some minor hits in the 70s & higher charting titles in the 80s he scored one of his best with Richard Thompson’s “Tear-Stained Letter.” He released 30 albums through major labels, smaller labels & independent labels during a long career that started in 1967. Sonnier was nominated for a Grammy Award (he was nominated 5 times) with a Cajun-heavy “The Legacy” LP released on Rounder Records. In 2015 Sonnier won a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album. Jo-El died of a heart attack on January 13th just after performing in Austin, Texas. Color image courtesy of FB/Jo-El Sonnier Estate.

Margo Smith @ 84 – Dayton, Ohio country singer also known as the Tennessee Yodeler. Margo also played the piano & ukelele. Her recordings were popular in the 70s when she placed two #1 hits on the country charts “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You,” & “It Only Hurts For a Little While” (remakes of previous country standards). She also charted with “There I Said It” & recorded for Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox & Sugar Hill. She was nominated for numerous awards & won two: ASCAP Awards & CCMA Awards. In her later career, Smith became a little more risqué with 1979’s “Still a Woman.” But she became a Christian singer as well. She had one son & two daughters & survived by her husband Richard. She passed away after suffering complications from a stroke. Color image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Wayne Kramer @ 75 – (Wayne Stanley Kambes) was a pioneering Detroit-born hard rock-punk guitarist of the early MC5 band that came to prominence in the late 60s. Possessing a radical left-wing stance Kramer formed the band with the late Fred “Sonic” Smith (who later married & worked with Patti Smith until he passed away). The MC5 recorded 3 major label LPs – “Kick Out the Jams,” “Back In the USA,” & “High Time.” The group faced insurmountable challenges with their militant political stance. Their primary competition at that time was Iggy Pop & the Stooges. The MC5 existed off & on through the decades. Kramer was considered a punk pioneer. He also issued 5 solo albums & appeared on countless other artist’s recordings. Kramer died of pancreatic cancer at an L.A. hospital. Color image courtesy of photographer Frank Schwichtenberg.

Toni Stern @ 79 – lyricist for some of Carole King’s classic songs from her LPs “Tapestry” (1971) & “Writer” (1970). Toni wrote some of the most enduring words from these memorable albums & many songs like “It’s Too Late” are still remembered today. Toni met singer-songwriter Carole King in the late 60s after Carole stopped working with her former husband Gerry Goffin. Toni provided lyrics for some songs that were covered by other artists & then Toni began to work with Carole on her solo albums. Toni turned more toward poetry & publishing books after being frustrated by the music industry. Ms. Stern died at her home in California, no cause was published. 1970 color photo courtesy of Henry Diltz.

James Kottak @ 61 – Former Louisville, Kentucky-born Scorpions drummer (1996-2016) dismissed for problems with alcohol. He played also for Montrose, Dio, Warrant & Kingdom Come. He passed away on January 9th. Color image courtesy of Loudwire.com

Larry Collins @ 79 – was an award-winning Tulsa, Oklahoma-born rockabilly guitarist who started his career in 1954. He was part of the Collins Kids duo with his late older sister Lorrie (1942-2018). Collins co-wrote the 1972 hit “Delta Dawn” with Alex Harvey that Tanya Tucker took to the top of the charts. He passed away Jan 5, 2024, from natural causes. Color image courtesy of Larissa (Larry’s daughter).

Tony Clarkin @ 77 – guitarist, songwriter & co-founder of British melodic rock band Magnum. Tony died after a short illness. His career lasted 50+ years in music. Color image courtesy of SPV/Steamhammer.

Marlena Shaw @ 81 – A wonderful American R&B, soul & jazz vocalist out of New Rochelle, NY who began her career in early 1967 & continued to perform up to her passing (January 19). She recorded for 3 distinguished labels (Cadet, Blue Note & Verve Records). Ms. Shaw had hits with songs such as “California Soul,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “Woman of the Ghetto” & “Don’t Ask To Stay Until Tomorrow” (from the 1977 film “Looking For Mr. Goodbar”) & “Never Give Up On You.” Her music has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists & her voice has graced many TV commercials. No cause of death was released. Image courtesy of Marlena’s Facebook posting.
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