Time catches up with us all, and sadly, several oldies music artists passed away in 2007. 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.
11. Bobby "Boris" Pickett
Died: April 25, Los Angeles, CA, age 69 (leukemia)
Best known song: "Monster Mash" (1982)
Contributions to music: If you're only going to be known for one song, this is not a bad one to have: "Monster Mash" was a graveyard smash at the time, but the novelty record (built around Pickett's dead-on Boris Karloff imitation) is now practically the official anthem of Halloween. (You novelty fans may have also heard some of his voiceover work on the 1975 parody "Star Drek.")
Best known song: "Monster Mash" (1982)
Contributions to music: If you're only going to be known for one song, this is not a bad one to have: "Monster Mash" was a graveyard smash at the time, but the novelty record (built around Pickett's dead-on Boris Karloff imitation) is now practically the official anthem of Halloween. (You novelty fans may have also heard some of his voiceover work on the 1975 parody "Star Drek.")
12. Bill Pinkney
Died: July 4, Daytona Beach, FL, age 81 (heart attack)
Best known song: "White Christmas," The Drifters (1954)
Contributions to music: That deep bass-tenor voice you hear on the Drifters' famous proto-doo-wop recording of "White Christmas" was Pinkney's; although not one of the original members of the group, he was there for the big early hits, including "Money Honey," and stewarded the Drifters name recently while defending it against several bogus "Drifters" touring acts that contained no actual recording members.
Best known song: "White Christmas," The Drifters (1954)
Contributions to music: That deep bass-tenor voice you hear on the Drifters' famous proto-doo-wop recording of "White Christmas" was Pinkney's; although not one of the original members of the group, he was there for the big early hits, including "Money Honey," and stewarded the Drifters name recently while defending it against several bogus "Drifters" touring acts that contained no actual recording members.
13. Boots Randolph
Died: July 3, Nashville, TN, age 80 (brain hemorrhage)
Best known song: "Yakety Sax" (1963)
Contributions to music: The man born Homer Louis Randolph had one big instrumental hit with "Yakety Sax," which you've heard if you've ever seen Benny Hill being chased around by policemen and angry women. But Boots was the country saxophonist in Nashville for three decades, and also played wild solos on many songs that crossed over to pop, like Roy Orbison's "Mean Woman Blues" and Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"!
Best known song: "Yakety Sax" (1963)
Contributions to music: The man born Homer Louis Randolph had one big instrumental hit with "Yakety Sax," which you've heard if you've ever seen Benny Hill being chased around by policemen and angry women. But Boots was the country saxophonist in Nashville for three decades, and also played wild solos on many songs that crossed over to pop, like Roy Orbison's "Mean Woman Blues" and Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"!
14. Freddie Scott
Died: June 4, New York, NY, age 74 (heart attack)
Best known song: "Hey Girl" (1963)
Contributions to music: "Hey girl, I want you to know..." That exquisite soul smash, from the pen of Goffin and King, remains Scott's only big pop hit, even if he is well-regarded in R&B and Northern Soul circles. But he left one more big footprint on pop culture, anyway -- his 1968 single "(You) Got What I Need" was the basis for Biz Markie's 1990 rap novelty "Just A Friend."
Best known song: "Hey Girl" (1963)
Contributions to music: "Hey girl, I want you to know..." That exquisite soul smash, from the pen of Goffin and King, remains Scott's only big pop hit, even if he is well-regarded in R&B and Northern Soul circles. But he left one more big footprint on pop culture, anyway -- his 1968 single "(You) Got What I Need" was the basis for Biz Markie's 1990 rap novelty "Just A Friend."
15. Zola Taylor
Died: April 30, Los Angeles, CA, age 69 (stroke)
Best known song: "The Great Pretender," The Platters (1955)
Contributions to music: As the only female in the Platters, Zola was brought in to transform the all-male group, to soften its sound and make them appealing to white pop audiences. Taylor was no ornament, however: her gorgeous vocals were an essential part of the group's sound. Still, it didn't hurt that she was beautiful enough to be portrayed by Halle Berry (in Why Do Fools Fall In Love, a biopic of Frankie Lymon; Taylor was Lymon's second wife).
Best known song: "The Great Pretender," The Platters (1955)
Contributions to music: As the only female in the Platters, Zola was brought in to transform the all-male group, to soften its sound and make them appealing to white pop audiences. Taylor was no ornament, however: her gorgeous vocals were an essential part of the group's sound. Still, it didn't hurt that she was beautiful enough to be portrayed by Halle Berry (in Why Do Fools Fall In Love, a biopic of Frankie Lymon; Taylor was Lymon's second wife).
16. Willie Tee
Died: September 11, Baton Rouge, LA, age 63 (colon cancer)
Best known song: "Teasin' You" (1962)
Contributions to music: His '62 hit is this New Orleans mainstay's claim to fame, a beach/shag music perennial that practically defines "New Orleans Soul." But he was also a talented jazz-soul organist, and also the heart and soul behind the 1974 Wild Magnolias album, a landmark moment in street-parade funk. His work has been sampled by countless rap superstars.
Best known song: "Teasin' You" (1962)
Contributions to music: His '62 hit is this New Orleans mainstay's claim to fame, a beach/shag music perennial that practically defines "New Orleans Soul." But he was also a talented jazz-soul organist, and also the heart and soul behind the 1974 Wild Magnolias album, a landmark moment in street-parade funk. His work has been sampled by countless rap superstars.
17. Hank Thompson
Died: November 6, Ft. Worth, TX, age 82 (lung cancer)
Best known song: "The Wild Side of Life" (1952)
Contributions to music: Along with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Hank Thompson invented the genre of music known as Honky Tonk Swing, a direct precursor to rockabilly and thus rock and roll.
Best known song: "The Wild Side of Life" (1952)
Contributions to music: Along with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Hank Thompson invented the genre of music known as Honky Tonk Swing, a direct precursor to rockabilly and thus rock and roll.
18. Porter Wagoner
Died: October 28, Nashville, TN, age 80 (lung cancer)
Best known song: "A Satisfied Mind" (1955)
Contributions to music: Porter's importance to country music cannot be overstated: he scored 81 chart hits, hosted his own national music show for two decades, and introduced the world to his protege, Dolly Parton. Together, Porter and Dolly were one of the all-time great duets, but Wagoner could also revisit his bluegrass and gospel roots quite effectively. One of his last TV appearances had him being interviewed by Borat; typically, he took it all in good-natured stride.
Best known song: "A Satisfied Mind" (1955)
Contributions to music: Porter's importance to country music cannot be overstated: he scored 81 chart hits, hosted his own national music show for two decades, and introduced the world to his protege, Dolly Parton. Together, Porter and Dolly were one of the all-time great duets, but Wagoner could also revisit his bluegrass and gospel roots quite effectively. One of his last TV appearances had him being interviewed by Borat; typically, he took it all in good-natured stride.
19. Eldee Young
Died: February 12, Bangkok, Thailand, age 71 (heart attack)
Best known song: "Soulful Strut" (1968)
Contributions to music: Young was one-half of Young-Holt Unlimited, an offshoot of the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("The In Crowd") who scored one of rock's great instrumental smashes with the groovy little jazz-soul number mentioned above. His upright bass playing is essential to both cuts.
Best known song: "Soulful Strut" (1968)
Contributions to music: Young was one-half of Young-Holt Unlimited, an offshoot of the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("The In Crowd") who scored one of rock's great instrumental smashes with the groovy little jazz-soul number mentioned above. His upright bass playing is essential to both cuts.
