Recent music deaths

It's been a long time since I caught up with significant music deaths but, as ever, there have been plenty.

The latest is Papa Don Shroeder, aged 77, a Pensacola based DJ and record producer who did as much as anyone in promoting southern soul artists in the 1960s. He introduced Mighty Sam McClain to the world, producing such records as 'Sweet Dreams', 'Fannie Mae' and 'Papa True Love'. His 'Mighty Soul' LP from 1969 is a classic, Not only that but he produced James and Bobby Purify's 'I'm Your Puppet' and 'Shake A Tailfeather' and was the man behind Oscar Toney Jr's wonderful soul sides. Later he produced Carl Carlton's version of 'Everlasting Love'. For a more detailed tribute to Papa Don read Red Kelly's excellent post.   https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=red%20kelly&epa=SEARCH_BOX
Another major soul figure who has died is Jackie Moore whose 1970 hit 'Precious Precious' is superb. She had success throughout the seventies with soul and disco recordings, the most successful being 'Sweet Charlie Babe' and 'This Time Baby'.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIaIRRcKkfU
The music death that has attracted the most attention in recent weeks is that of Ginger Baker, the maverick drummer who was one third of Cream. He was a member of Blues Incorporated and the Graham Bond Organisation and after Cream broke up was a member of Blind Faith and his own Ginger Baker's Air Force. He had a great interest in African music and recorded with Nigerian Fela Kuti. He was also noted for his self destructive lifestyle.
It's Rhythm Riot time again (not that I will be there since they stopped booking original US acts) and one of the stars of recent years was Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins. She made a big impression in 2013 with her aggressive guitar style learned over several decades with the likes of Piano Red, B B King and Ray Charles.
Other music deaths over the last couple of months have included Robert Hunter of Grateful Dead, Ric Osacek of The Cars, singer Eddie Money, Barrie Masters of Eddie and the Hot Rods, Larry Junstrom of Lynyrd Skynyrd and reggae artist Glen Brown. The Vinyl Word raises a glass to them all.