Time catches up with us all, and sadly, several oldies music artists passed away in 2008. Here's a list, in alphabetical order, of the deceased and what they meant to music, especially rock and roll. If I've missed a nationally famous or important musical performer who passed away this year, feel free to e-mail me.
21. Yma Sumac
Died: November 1, Los Angeles, age 86 (colon cancer)
Best known song: "Bo Mambo" (1954)
Contributions to music: This Peruvian songbird's stunning, nearly-impossible vocal range -- four and a half to five octaves! -- made her a household word in the Fifties, when she helped pioneer the "exotica" genre with lushly orchestrated pop versions of ballads from her native South America. Her stunning looks, which were every bit as exotic as her music, only added to her popularity.
Best known song: "Bo Mambo" (1954)
Contributions to music: This Peruvian songbird's stunning, nearly-impossible vocal range -- four and a half to five octaves! -- made her a household word in the Fifties, when she helped pioneer the "exotica" genre with lushly orchestrated pop versions of ballads from her native South America. Her stunning looks, which were every bit as exotic as her music, only added to her popularity.
22. Jerry Wallace
Died: May 5, Corona, CA, age 80 (natural causes)
Best known song: "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" (1972)
Contributions to music: The man named "Mr. Smooth" for his vocal style scored several country hits in the late Fifties and early Sixties before switching to a more hardcore country sound and making a big dent on the country charts. After the hits dried up in 1980, Wallace went on to do voiceover work for commercials and some TV acting. His approach often cause him to be considered country music's equivalent of crooners like Nat King Cole.
Best known song: "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" (1972)
Contributions to music: The man named "Mr. Smooth" for his vocal style scored several country hits in the late Fifties and early Sixties before switching to a more hardcore country sound and making a big dent on the country charts. After the hits dried up in 1980, Wallace went on to do voiceover work for commercials and some TV acting. His approach often cause him to be considered country music's equivalent of crooners like Nat King Cole.
23. Dee Dee Warwick
Died: October 18, South Orange, NJ, age 63 (unknown)
Best known song: "Foolish Fool" (1969)
Contributions to music: Although not many people know of Dionne's kid sister Dee Dee, who never had big hits even in her heyday, she's well-loved by the "rare groove" crowd, proven to be a strong influence on generations of rock and soul singers: her "You're No Good" was later made a hit by Linda Ronstadt, "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" became a hit for the Supremes with the Temptations, and her 1969 classic "Foolish Fool," besides being covered by Sublime, served as the primary inspiration for Led Zeppelin's "D'yer Mak'er."
Best known song: "Foolish Fool" (1969)
Contributions to music: Although not many people know of Dionne's kid sister Dee Dee, who never had big hits even in her heyday, she's well-loved by the "rare groove" crowd, proven to be a strong influence on generations of rock and soul singers: her "You're No Good" was later made a hit by Linda Ronstadt, "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" became a hit for the Supremes with the Temptations, and her 1969 classic "Foolish Fool," besides being covered by Sublime, served as the primary inspiration for Led Zeppelin's "D'yer Mak'er."
24. Al Wilson
Died: April 21, Fontana, CA, age 68 (kidney failure)
Best known song: "Show And Tell" (1973)
Contributions to music: Although "Show And Tell" was his big pop hit (a song Johnny Mathis rejected, luckily for Wilson), this Mississippian and Johnny Rivers protege also recorded the definitive version of the parable "The Snake," a mainstay on Britain's Northern Soul scene, and waxed several classic country-soul albums in the style of O.C. Smith and Al Green.
Best known song: "Show And Tell" (1973)
Contributions to music: Although "Show And Tell" was his big pop hit (a song Johnny Mathis rejected, luckily for Wilson), this Mississippian and Johnny Rivers protege also recorded the definitive version of the parable "The Snake," a mainstay on Britain's Northern Soul scene, and waxed several classic country-soul albums in the style of O.C. Smith and Al Green.
25. Dennis Yost
Died: December 7, Hamilton, OH, age 64 (injuries from a fall)
Best known song: "Spooky" (1967)
Contributions to music: The lead singer and sometime drummer for the Classics IV, Yost can be heard on their quartet of hit Sixties adult-contemporary singles: "Spooky," "Stormy," "Traces," and "Everyday With You Girl." Before a severe accident in 2005 that ruined his health, Yost was also active in "Truth In Music" legislative efforts and donor-registration awareness.
Best known song: "Spooky" (1967)
Contributions to music: The lead singer and sometime drummer for the Classics IV, Yost can be heard on their quartet of hit Sixties adult-contemporary singles: "Spooky," "Stormy," "Traces," and "Everyday With You Girl." Before a severe accident in 2005 that ruined his health, Yost was also active in "Truth In Music" legislative efforts and donor-registration awareness.
