Americana Highways Obituaries – November 2024
Obituaries
Kris Kristofferson @ 88 – a pioneering, award-winning figure in the outlaw country genre. Kris was the songwriter who wrote “Me & Bobby McGee” a hit for Janis Joplin (who Kris dated) & “Why Me Lord,” a Gospel-oriented concert favorite of Elvis Presley. He wrote other hits like “For the Good Times,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” & “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Kris was also a member of the Highwaymen (between 1985-1995 with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings & Johnny Cash). Kris was born in Brownsville, Texas & was awarded in 1958 a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford. He swept floors at the Columbia Records studios in Nashville. Managed to get a demo tape for Johnny Cash & later became a film actor in several successful movies. Kris suffered from memory loss & Lyme disease in his final years & died peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Sept 28th. No official cause of death was announced. Color image courtesy of Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press.
Jack Jones @ 86 – easy listening-pop singer born in Hollywood, CA who won two Grammy Awards & had hits in the ‘60s on Kapp Records & then moved on to Capitol Records & later RCA Victor. His hits included “Wives & Lovers,” “I’m Indestructible,” “Lollipops & Rainbows” & “The Love Boat Theme.” Jones died in a California hospital after a two-year battle with leukemia. Color image courtesy of Jack Jones’ website gallery.
Phil Lesh @ 84 – Philip Chapman Lesh was a co-founder & bassist of The Grateful Dead. Phil was a proponent of their long-form improvisation music, electronic experiments & free-form interludes. In 1959 Jerry Garcia met Phil Lesh at a San Francisco house party. He was invited to join Garcia’s The Warlocks which subsequently became The Grateful Dead & lasted until Garcia died in 1995. No cause of Phil’s death was issued but he had suffered a variety of health issues through the years. Color image courtesy of Phil Lesh’s website gallery.
Quincy Jones @ 91 – Born in Chicago as Quincy Delight Jones Jr. the 7-decade award-winning veteran record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter & band leader. Early in his career, he produced 4 million-selling hits by pop singer Lesley Gore at Mercury Records (where Quincy was vice-president). Over the years Quincy also produced Frank Sinatra, many TV theme songs & film scores, Michael Jackson, Count Basie & the all-star charity song “We Are the World.” Jones played second trumpet in the studio band of the 1956 CBS Stage Show hosted by Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey that featured the first of 6 appearances by Elvis Presley who sang “Heartbreak Hotel.” Jones died in his Bel Air home on November 3rd with no cause of death issued but reports assumed he had pancreatic cancer. Color image courtesy of Art Streiber/August.
Nick Gravenites @ 85 – An American blues, rock & folk artist born in Chicago & famous for his work with the bands Electric Flag, Janis Joplin & guitarist Mike Bloomfield. Nick wrote the film score for the film “The Trip,” with Mike Bloomfield, they wrote the score for “Steelyard Blues.” Nick wrote songs for Janis Joplin (“Work Me Lord” & “Buried Alive In the Blues”) & between 1969-1972 when Janis had left Big Brother & The Holding Company, the band reformed & Nick became their lead singer. He produced the first Quicksilver Messenger Service album & produced the Brewer & Shipley hit “One Toke Over the Line,” & was nominated for a Grammy Award. Nick suffered from diabetes & dementia & died in California on September 18. He released his last album this year “Rogue Blues.” Color image courtesy of James Cacciatore.
James Darren @ 88 – Philadelphia’s James Darren was born James William Ercolani & became a singer/actor in the early 60s. He recorded for Colpix Records (Top 5 hit “Goodbye Cruel World” – 1962). He also starred in the TV series “The Time Tunnel” (1966-67). His film career began with 1959’s “Gidget” with Sandra Dee. Other films followed such as “The Guns of Navarone” with Gregory Peck, “The Gene Krupa Story” (with Sal Mineo), “All The Young Men,” & “Diamond Head” with Charlton Heston. He appeared in many popular TV shows through the years & directed some. His career had a lift in 1998 when he appeared in “Deep Space Nine.” Darren died from congestive heart failure in his sleep while at the hospital on Sept 2. Color image courtesy of Getty Images.
Sergio Mendes @ 83 – Mr. Mendes is a celebrated Brazilian musician & Grammy Award winner. Sergio had a slow start at Atlantic Records but hit gold with hits on A&M Records beginning in 1966 & single “Mas Que Nada” made him a global superstar with his band Brasil ‘66. Mendes mixed bossa nova with funk with jazz-inflected samba tones. His first A&M album went platinum. Sergio died from complications of long COVID at a hospital in L.A. on Sept 5. Color image courtesy of AP Photo/Chris Pizzello/File.
Blake Rhea @ 48 – bassist with Grammy-nominated soul blues group Southern Avenue – a band that performed this past summer with Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson & John Mellencamp. Blake was shot & killed in Memphis early on November 6 after a verbal altercation. The suspect was arrested. Color image courtesy of Signal Flow PR.
Caterina Valente @ 93 – Multi-language singer/guitarist & dancer Ms. Valente spoke 6 languages & sang in 13. She was born in Paris to Italian musician parents & sang in the USA alongside the likes of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Perry Como (appearing 8 times on his TV variety show), Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Count Basie, Buddy Rich & Woody Herman. Recordings with these artists are rare because of conflicting record label contracts. Valente also sang with Bill Haley & The Comets on a show in 1958. In 1959 she was nominated for a Grammy Award. Caterina died in Switzerland on September 9th. In 1962 Perry Como had a hit with a song called “Caterina” & I always wondered if the song was written about Ms. Valente but never found any evidence. B&W image courtesy of J. Walter Thompson/Photo by James J. Kriegsmann, NYC
Billy Edd Wheeler @ 91 – West Virginia songwriter, performer & author who is in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He wrote the classic country song “Jackson” a Grammy Award-winning single that was recorded by both duos Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood & Johnny Cash & June Carter. Billy also wrote the Kingston Trio’s “The Reverend Mr. Black,” & “High Flying Bird,” (Judy Henske), “It’s Midnight,” (Elvis Presley) & “Coward of the County,” (Kenny Rogers). B&W image courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
J.D. Souther @ 78 – The Detroit-born & Austin, TX-raised singer-songwriter/actor who despite his birthplace was a principal songwriter of the Southern California sound. He wrote multiple hits for other artists such as Linda Ronstadt & The Eagles (Best of My Love” “Victim of Love,” “Heartache Tonight,” “New Kid In Town” & “How Long”) & appeared on the Eagles album “Long Road Out of Eden.” Souther recorded two hits “You’re Only Lonely” & “Her Town Too,” a duet with James Taylor. He also played with The Eagles during their farewell tour in 2008. He appeared as a backup singer during the 1987 “Roy Orbison & Friends Black & White Night” concert & video. He died at his home in New Mexico, but no cause of death was given. Color image courtesy of Jeremy Cowart.
Pete Sinfield @ 80 – Lyricist for the classic, innovative debut King Crimson progressive rock album “In The Court of the Crimson King,” which included “21st Century Schizoid Man,” “Epitaph” & “In the Court of the Crimson King” & 4 subsequent KC albums. He also wrote lyrics for Emerson, Lake & Palmer (“I Believe In Father Christmas,” “Karn Evil 9,” & “C’est La Vie”). Pete was both a lyricist & producer of Italian prog rock band PFM (“Photos of Ghosts” & “The World Became The World”) & wrote 5 songs with Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker for his first solo album. He later became more commercially oriented when he wrote songs for mainstream artists (Celine Dion, Cher, Leo Sayer, Bucks Fizz & Cliff Richard). B&W image courtesy of King Crimson/Facebook.
Lou Donaldson @ 98 – was born in North Carolina & played alto sax influenced by the late Charlie Parker. His first recordings were in the early ‘50s with Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Blue Mitchell, Horace Silver & Art Blakey. Later he worked with Clifford Brown & Philly Joe Jones. He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame (2012) & named an NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts (2012). Color image courtesy of Mr. Donaldson’s website.
Roy Haynes @ 99 – Born in Boston Roy made his debut in 1941 & became one of the most recorded jazz drummers with an 8-decade career. He played jazz, bebop, jazz fusion & avant-garde jazz. He recorded albums that were nominated for Grammy Awards. He played with & for Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Stan Getz & Sarah Vaughan. He even appeared on stage with The Allman Brothers (2006). He died after a short illness on Nov. 12 in Long Island, NY. His parents were from Barbados. Color image courtesy of Jim Cooper/Associated Press.
Shel Talmy @ 87 – Sheldon Talmy was born in Chicago, IL & was the original producer of England’s The Who & The Kinks. His career spanned 1959-2024. He also was a songwriter & arranger. Famous for hits like “You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All Night,” “Tired of Waiting For You,” “A Well-Respected Man,” “Sunny Afternoon” “Dead End Street,” “Mr. Pleasant” & “Waterloo Sunset,” by The Kinks, “My Generation,” “The Kids Are Alright” & “I Can’t Explain” by The Who. “A Summer Song” by Chad & Jeremy, “Friday On My Mind” by The Easybeats & also played guitar or percussion on many of his productions. Talmy died from complications of a stroke on Nov. 13. 2016 color image of Shel courtesy of Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
Paul Kamanski @ 68 – Paul was a songwriter who wrote songs for the San Diego alt-country band The Beat Farmers (“Hollywood Hills” & “California Kid”). He passed away on October 5th from a heart attack. B&W image courtesy of Paul M. Bowers.
Cissy Houston @ 91 – was an American gospel & soul singer born in Newark, NJ & also became a session vocalist. She started in 1961 with Canadian rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins & eventually, she helped found the group The Sweet Inspirations. The group backed up Van Morrison, on hits by Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, & Dusty Springfield & was hired as a full-time backup singer to the performing Elvis Presley on his first live shows. Cissy sang as a backup solo singer on many artist’s records. In 1967 Cissy signed with Atlantic Records & started a solo career. Won 2 Grammy Awards. She was the mother of the late singer Whitney Houston & the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick & Dee Dee Warwick. Her cousin is Leontyne Price. Cissy died Oct 7 at home in Newark, NJ. She had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s. Color image of Cissy courtesy of Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File.
Libby Titus @ 77 – recording artist & singer born in Woodstock, NY in 1947. She had been married to Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen (since 1993) & was a partner of the late Band drummer Levon Helm (1969-1978). Her most famous song was “Love Has No Pride,” written by Eric Katz & covered by many artists. Titus wrote 5 songs with Burt Bacharach. Her songs appeared on albums by Carly Simon & Dr. John among others. She co-wrote songs on Fagen’s solo albums. Her daughter is singer Amy Helm (born 1970). No cause of death was issued. B&W image courtesy of GAB Archive/Redferns.
Bobby Hicks @ 91 – Newton, North Carolina bluegrass fiddler who had more than 50 years’ experience. He played with Bill Monroe & Ricky Skaggs & is a 10-time Grammy Award winner with over 10 albums in his repertoire. Bobby died of complications of heart disease on August 16th. Color image courtesy of Pat Franklin.
Russell Malone @ 60 – Albany, GA jazz guitarist who worked with Jimmy Smith, David Sanborn, Gary Burton, The Chieftains, Natalie Cole, B.B. King, Harry Connick, Jr. & Diana Krall among so many others. He played on albums nominated for Grammy Awards. Russell had been on tour as part of a trio when he died of a heart attack in Tokyo, Japan August 23rd. Color image courtesy of Gary Motley.
Pete Wade @ 89 – Norfolk, VA guitarist born Herman Bland Wade who worked as a session guitarist in Nashville on hits including Ray Price’s “Crazy Arms.” On George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” & Loretta Lynn’s “Fist City” & Wade was considered part of the Nashville A-Team. Wade died from complications of hip surgery in Hendersonville, TN on Aug 27th. Color image courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mark Moffat @ 74 – Australian producer & guitarist died Sept. 6 in Nashville, TN from pancreatic cancer. Mark relocated to Nashville in 1996. He assisted some fellow musicians like The Saints, Keith Urban, Tim Finn, Ross Wilson (Mondo Rock), Richard Clapton & O’Shea. Image courtesy of Picasa.
Scott Simon @ 75 – Kansas City, MO Screamin’ Scott Simon was a member of Sha Na Na who joined as early as 1970. He wrote many of their songs & had continued to tour with the band until 2022. He played on every album except for the first (1969). Simon died of sinus cancer in California, on Sept 5. Color image courtesy of David Livingston/Getty Images.
Herbie Flowers @ 86 – English-born musician who played bass, double bass & tuba. He played on recordings by Elton John, Camel, David Bowie (“Space Oddity”), Roy Harper, David Essex (“Rock On”), Al Kooper, Bryan Ferry, Harry Nilsson, Roger Daltry, Justin Hayward, Melanie, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr & Jeff Wayne’s Musical version of the War of the Worlds. Flowers created the most famous bassline for Lou Reed’s 1972 hit “Walk On the Wild Side,” from the LP “Transformer.” Herbie was also a member of the bands Blue Mink, T-Rex & Sky while being an active session musician. Flowers died on September 5. The cause of death was not available. 2006 color image courtesy of Richard Ecclestone/Redferns.
Will Jennings @ 80 – Lyricist, born in Texas & famous for hit songs such as “Up Where We Belong,” “Higher Love,” “Tears In Heaven,” “My Heart Will Go On,” “While You See a Chance” & “Valerie.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame & had 3 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards & two Academy Awards. Jennings wrote for & with a variety of artists: Stevie Winwood, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Joe Sample, Rodney Crowell, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow & Roy Orbison. After several years of declining health, Mr. Jennings died at home on Sept. 6, 2024. Color image courtesy of Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Tommy Cash @ 84 – Younger brother of the legendary Johnny Cash who was born in Arkansas in 1940. Tommy was also a country singer (1965-2016) who had been signed to several major labels during his career (Musicor, Epic & United Artists). In 1970 he had a pair of Top 10 singles. He died Sept 13. Color image courtesy of the Johnny Cash Museum.
David L. Davis @ 63 – The Alabama bluegrass musician (1984-2024) who played mandolin in the tradition of the Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe’s mandolin technique. Davis played in a band The Warrior River Boys formed by Gary Thurmond in 1960. When Thurmond became ill he turned the leadership over to Davis. The band recorded some albums for Rounder. David died Sept 15th as a result of an automobile accident in Alabama. Color image courtesy of David’s website gallery.
Gabriel Gonzalez @ 57 – Known as Gabriel “The Gun” Gonzalez he was born in Anaheim, CA & was the original trumpet player for the Gwen Stefani-fronted band No Doubt. Gabriel was in a motorcycle accident & died on Sept. 12. Color image courtesy of Gabriel’s Instagram.
Kenny Hyslop @ 73 – Scottish drummer born in 1951 who played for Midge Ure in Salvation which later became Slik. Kenny also played for The Skids (with members who went on to form Big Country) & in 1981 joined Simple Minds. He died Sept 15 of prostate cancer. B&W image courtesy of Erica Echenberg/Redferns.
Tito Jackson @ 70 – Born in Oct 1953, in Gary, Indiana as Toriano Adaryll Jackson. Tito was one of the most consistent members of The Jackson 5, a group he founded with his brothers including the youngest — Michael. When the group wound down, he turned to session work & became a producer. He began a solo career in 2003 as a blues musician & was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame as a member of the Jackson 5. On Sept 15 he suffered a heart attack & died while on a road trip in New Mexico. 2019 color image courtesy of Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File.
Freddie Salem @ 70 – Akron musician, producer, nightclub operator & former Outlaws guitarist. Mr. Salem passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Akron, Ohio in 1953. 1978 B&W portrait image courtesy of Arista Records/The Outlaws.
Benny Golson @ 95 – Philadelphia-born American bebop & hard bop jazz tenor sax player who also composed & arranged. He played & wrote in bands for Lionel Hampton & Dizzy Gillespie. He then launched a solo career & became in demand from the late 1960s through the 70s as an arranger for film & television. He formed The Jazztet with trumpet player Art Farmer in 1959 & revised it in 1982. His career spanned 1940-2024. He died after a short illness in Manhattan on Sept. 21. Color image courtesy of Benny’s website gallery & photographer Lisa Stein.
Nell Smith @ 17 – A young musical prodigy & Flaming Lips collaborator. She was preparing to release her first solo album when she was killed tragically on Oct 7th in what was described as a “car accident” in British Columbia. Color image courtesy of mrsimonraymonde/Instagram.
Johnny Neel @ 70 – Delaware-born vocalist, songwriter & musician whose career spanned 1964-2024 & played with The Allman Brothers & the Dickey Betts Band. As a songwriter, he wrote songs for the Allmans, Betts & Gov’t Mule, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Travis Tritt, the Oak Ridge Boys & others. As a studio musician, he played on recordings for Montgomery Gentry, Michael McDonald, David Allan Coe, Robert Gordon, Suzy Bogguss, Colin Raye & the Allmans. Neel died of heart failure Oct 6. Color image courtesy of Steve Eichner/WireImage.
Liam Payne @ 31 – Successful English singer/songwriter who was a member of the group One Direction. He also pursued a solo career signing with Republic Records in North America. He died Oct 16 in Buenos Aries, Argentina allegedly falling from the 3rd story balcony of his hotel. Payne had suffered from substance abuse & mental illness in the past but reports did not confirm if either played a role in his tragic death. Color image courtesy of Vianney Le Caer/Invision/The Associated Press.
Paul Di Anno @ 66 – born in England in 1958 as Paul Andrews was a heavy metal singer & was the lead vocalist for Iron Maiden (1978-1981). After his stint with the band, he issued solo albums & joined other bands Gogmagog, Battlezone, Killers, Rockfellas & Warhorse. Then with fellow Iron Maiden member Dennis Stratton, he joined Praying Mantis for their live 1990 recording of “Live At Last.” Di Anno had a busy career if not inconsistent. His vocal style was more guttural-punk-raspy. He had run-ins with the law & had been married five times. He had a few years of ill health & performed from a wheelchair on a few occasions. He passed away Oct 21 after severe complications developed. Color image courtesy of Paul’s Facebook Gallery.
Barbara Dane @ 96 – Michigan-born singer Barbara Jean Spillman became Barbara Dane when she started her folk-blues-jazz singing career. She also played guitar & was a producer & political activist. Her voice was always the central focus & she received accolades from many in the music industry throughout her career. In 1962 she appeared as the folk singer in an episode (“Captive Audience”) of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Louis Armstrong described her singing this way at the Pasadena Jazz Festival: “Did you get that chick? She’s a gasser!” She was as some critics were quoted – a true unsung hero of American music. She died in Oakland, CA Oct. 20th & suffered from heart failure. She died through assisted suicide at her home legally under CA provisions. Color portrait image courtesy of Barbara’s website gallery.
Colin Peterson @ 78 – Born in 1946 as Frederick Colin Peterson in Australia he was the original Bee Gees drummer from the ‘60s. He also was a record producer & child actor. With The Bee Gees he played on songs like “Holiday,” “Every Christian Lionhearted Man,” “New York Mining Disaster, 1941,” “To Love Somebody,” “Massachusetts,” “Words,” “I’ve Gotta Get a Message To You,” “I Started a Joke,” “Jumbo,” the Odessa album. Colin passed away Nov 18th no cause was issued. Color photo courtesy of John Elliott.
Dennis Bryon @ 76 – Born Dennis Ronald Bryon he was the second Bee Gees drummer (1973-81) to pass away 4 days after Colin Peterson (see above). Bryon was a Welsh drummer from Cardiff. Bryon & Ringo Starr are the only drummers to have 5 songs in the Top 10 on the Billboard chart simultaneously. He was a drummer for the Amen Corner before The Bee Gees & later worked with Barbara Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Jimi Hendrix, Andy Gibb, Dave Edmunds, Jimmy Ruffin & Steve Marriott. Dennis lived in Nashville & died there on Nov 14. No cause was issued. Four days earlier Bee Gees’ first drummer Colin Peterson passed away also. The 1967 image courtesy of Getty Images.
Vito Flick @ 87 – British session guitarist famous for his work on the James Bond theme & other James Bond music from the 1960s through the late 80s. One of the guitars is in the R&R Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Flick worked with many recording artists including Nancy Sinatra, Cliff Richard & Shirley Bassey. Some famous songs he played a distinctive guitar on include Peter & Gordon’s “A World Without Love,” Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual,” & “What’s New Pussycat,” Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” Herman’s Hermits hit “Silhouettes,” & the instrumental “Ringo’s Theme (This Boy),” as it appeared in The Beatles film “A Hard Day’s Night,” in 1964. The Walker Brothers’ “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore,” Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want To Be With You,” & B.J. Thomas’ “Hooked On a Feeling.”
Flick died November 14th of complications from Alzheimer’s disease in Los Angeles. The color image is courtesy of the Vito Flick Estate.
RIP. Thanks for allowing us to hear your musical contributions and travel our Americana Highways. You made listening worthwhile.
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Americana Highways Obituaries – November 2024