November 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
February 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
December 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
October 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
April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988
Roy Kelton Orbison was a popular singer-songwriter in the 1960’s. His distinctive voice was at times powerful and soft, but was always unmistakable. He charted massive hits such as “Oh Pretty Woman,” “Only the Lonely” and “Crying.” Known for his cool, almost statuesque, presence on stage and his trademark dark clothes and sunglasses, Roy exuded an aura of mystique. This, along with his deeply emotional vocals, helped further his fame as an artist. Despite a decade or so of waning popularity, Orbison found new success in the 1980’s as he recorded a new solo album and formed the folk-rock supergroup the Traveling Wilburys with fellow legends George Harrison, ELO’s Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. Continue reading
January 18, 1913 – March 3, 1987
Danny Kaye was a actor, singer and comedian known for his physical comedy and rapid-patter nonsensical singing. Born in Brooklyn, David Daniel Kaminsky was destined to be an entertainer from an early age. As a teenager, he worked on vaudeville stages and in pantomime acts. He went on to star in films, television programs and on Broadway. He was given his own, short-lived radio program in 1945 which co-starred Eve Arden (with whom he also had a romantic relationship) and Harry James. Continue reading
January 22, 1960 – November 22, 1997
There were very few bands in the late 1980’s and early ’90’s that were bigger than INXS. The Australian group owed a decent portion of its success to its dynamic, sexy and troubled lyricist/lead singer, Michael Hutchence. Hutchence met keyboardist Andrew Farriss while in high school and joined Farriss’ band, Doctor Dolphin. Doctor Dolphin eventually became The Vegetables which eventually became INXS. INXS went on to sell millions of records across the world. Their biggest success, 1987’s Kick, was certified 6x Platinum in the United States. Hutchence mostly handled the success well…save a bit of depression from time to time. His personal life attracted rigorous tabloid attention, particularly in his native Australia. Continue reading
July 28, 1901 – July 3, 1986
Hubert Prior “Rudy” Vallée was a singer, radio host, actor and bandleader perhaps most widely regarded as the first “crooner.” Like many of his successors, his soft, smooth voice was one that would have been completely useless in the days before the invention of the microphone. But, as it were, when you come along during the height of radio, you don’t need to be that loud. Of course, not all live venues at the time had microphones, so Rudy would tend to improvise and sing through a megaphone – something that became a bit of a trademark. Continue reading
September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998
Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code. Replace the words “The Cowboy” with “Gene Autry” and you begin to get the picture of what kind of man he was. If that’s not enough, his headstone clarifies it with the following list:
May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002
Peggy Lee (born Norma Deloris Egstrom) was a popular vocalist, actress and songwriter known for her hit recordings “Fever” and “Why Don’t You Do Right” (made famous by Jessica Rabbit) among others. She was also a prolific lyricist and songwriter having written dozens of songs for many top composers and musicians. Lee spent several years as the singer in Benny Goodman‘s orchestra. She also wrote songs for – and voiced four characters in – the Disney classic animated film Lady and the Tramp and is said to be the inspiration for the Muppet, Miss Piggy. Continue reading
Celebrity Graveland 