Archive for Singers

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Johnny Cash

Posted in Hendersonville Memory Gardens with tags , , , , on February 21, 2014 by Cade

cash2February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003

Four words that changed American music forever:

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.”

John Cash defied genre. Sure, he is most remembered as a rebel country artist who’s trademark black clothes earned him the nickname “The Man In Black.” But, throughout his iconic career, he crossed over into many other genres including rock, gospel, folk and blues, netting millions of diverse fans along the way. He is one of only two artists (that I know of) who are inductees in the Rock and Roll, Country Music and Gospel Halls of Fame (the other being some kid named Elvis.)  Johnny’s life ran the gambit of highs and lows. He struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol, infidelity and depression. On the flip side, he found a kindred in second wife, June Carter, re-embraced the Christian faith of his youth and enjoyed late career resurgences with both The Highwaymen – a supergroup of sorts with fellow “outlaws” Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson – and his final recording sessions with famed rock producer Rick Rubin. Continue reading →

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June Carter Cash

Posted in Hendersonville Memory Gardens with tags , , , on February 21, 2014 by Cade

cartercash1June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003

Valerie June Carter was destined to be a musician. Born in 1929 into a talented family of musicians, June quickly joined her parents, uncle, aunt, cousins and siblings onstage and a prosperous career was started. June was a multi-instrumentalist, singer, dancer and songwriter who toured the country with her family, often playing the onstage role of the comedic sister. She also trained as an actor under legendary acting coach, Lee Strasberg. As popular and famous as the Carter Family was in the country and Opry circles, it was her relationship to third husband, Johnny Cash, that skyrocketed June into the public eye. Continue reading →

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Eddie Rabbitt

Posted in Calvary Cemetery (TN) with tags , , on February 21, 2014 by Cade

rabbitt1November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998

Rumor has it, Eddie Rabbitt loved a rainy night. You could see it in his eyes. Yes, he loved a rainy night. Well, it made him high. That’s just a rumor, though.

Eddie was a country singer/songwriter who successfully crossed over to the pop charts in the late 1970’s and ’80’s. His hits like “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Drivin’ My Life Away” and “You and I” (duet with Crystal Gayle) chewed up the Billboard charts. He also recorded the title song from the AWESOME Clint Eastwood orangutan-caper film, Every Which Way But Loose. Before then, Rabbitt was known mostly as a writer whose songs were sung by folks like Elvis Presley and Ronnie Milsap. Continue reading →

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Tammy Wynette

Posted in Woodlawn Memorial Park (TN) with tags , , , on February 19, 2014 by Cade

wynette2May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998

Virginia “Tammy” Wynette Pugh was one of the most popular female country artists of all time. Her impact on women in the genre and her hits like the iconic “Stand By Your Man” earned her the nickname “The First Lady of Country Music.” While working as a hairdresser, Wynette signed to Epic records at the age of 24 and began churning out hit after hit. She married fellow country singer George Jones after Jones professed his love for her following an altercation between him and her second husband. The power couple would record a number of hits together, even after the marriage ended. Continue reading →

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George Jones

Posted in Woodlawn Memorial Park (TN) with tags , , , on February 18, 2014 by Cade

jones1September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013

Up until April of 2013, George Glenn Jones, nicknamed “The Possum,” was considered by many to be the greatest living country singer. Dying has a way of altering that claim, but the legend of The Possum continues. With more than 150 hits spanning his half-century-plus career, Jones’ influence and impact on country music can’t be overstated. He shot to super-stardom  in the early 1960’s with hits like “White Lightnin'” and “She Thinks I Still Care” and enjoyed success for the rest of the decade. Continue reading →

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Mario Lanza

Posted in Holy Cross Cemetery (CA) with tags , on December 16, 2013 by Cade

lanza1January 31, 1921 – October 7, 1959

A handsome tenor with an astounding voice, Mario Lanza took various stages and – ultimately – Hollywood by storm in the late 1940’s and ’50’s. His ability to bring heavy doses of charm and romanticism to his roles set him apart from many of his contemporaries. He was discovered by Louis B. Mayer at a 1947 performance at the famous Hollywood Bowl. Mayer immediately signed Lanza to a multi-year contract with MGM. He appeared in films like The Great Caruso, The Toast of New Orleans and Because You’re Mine churning out popular recordings from each.

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Minnie Riperton

Posted in Westwood Memorial Park with tags , on November 8, 2013 by Cade

riperton1November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979

Minnie Riperton rose to fame in the 1970’s as a singer-songwriter known mostly for her 1975 single “Lovin’ You.” Riperton had a solid career as a solo artist, working with artists like Stevie Wonder and Muddy Waters and fronting a couple of differently-styled groups. She was most noted for her unique vocal quality, specifically her ability to sing quite clearly in even the highest registers. Continue reading →

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George Harrison

Posted in Cremated with tags , , , , on October 26, 2013 by Cade

harrison1February 25, 1943 – November 29, 2001

In 1958, at the age of 15, George Harrison auditioned – for the second time – for a band made up of local lads from his native Liverpool. Two years later, the band was known as the Beatles. Three years after that, they were launched into international stardom and the rest was, quite literally, history. George was the lead guitar player for the group and developed into a significant songwriter over his 12 years with the band. His songs and instrumental work began to expand to include Eastern influences – specifically Indian music, culture and religion. By the time the Beatles broke up in 1970, Harrison was on course for a very successful solo career. Continue reading →

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Lou Rawls

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , on October 14, 2013 by Cade

rawls1December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006

Two things you should know about Lou Rawls: 1) He was a multi-Grammy award winning soul and R&B singer whose career spawned more than 60 albums and 18 Billboard Top 100 singles. And 2) He holds the distinction of being one of the only people represented on this blog who died twice.

While on tour with a young Sam Cooke in 1958, Rawls, then just 23, was in a severe car accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. Not content with that outcome, Rawls decided to come back and scrap it out for another 48 years. Continue reading →

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Kevin DuBrow

Posted in Pacific View Memorial Park with tags , on September 16, 2013 by Cade

dubrow1October 29, 1955 – November 25, 2007

As the lead singer for the popular Heavy Metal band, Quiet Riot, Kevin DuBrow became an ’80s music sensation. Quiet Riot had a monster hit with 1983’s “Cum On Feel The Noize” thanks, in part, to Kevin’s vocals. He was fired from the band in 1987 and worked on a number of solo projects before rejoining the band in the ’90s. He also had a gig as a Las Vegas DJ for a while. Dubrow died in 2007 at the age of 52 from an accidental cocaine overdose.  You can take the boy out of the ’80s… Continue reading →

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