Latest music deaths

Here's a catch up on some of the music deaths that have occurred over the last few weeks. The latest is that of Texas born Ray Hildebrand (82), better known as Paul of Paul and Paula who, with his singing partner, Jill Jackson, had a number of couples related hits in the early sixties. Their first smash 'Hey Paula' was recorded under their real names of Ray and Jill, but Shelby Singleton of Philips Records decided the song made more sense if they were named Paul and Paula. The song reached number one in the US in 1962 and number eight in the UK but the follow ups - all in the same relationship theme - had decreasing success.These included 'Young Lovers', a top ten hit in the US and the UK, 'First Quarrel', 'Something Old Something New' and 'First Day Back At School'. They recorded three albums, included a Christmas themed one called 'Holiday For Teens' but Ray left the group in 1965, midway through one of Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tours. He went on to record Christian music, with occasional reunions with Jill as Paul and Paula on oldies shows.

Another death is that of musician, songwriter and record producer Bobby Eli, aged 77. Bobby was a founding member and lead guitarist with Philadelphia studio band MFSB but was present on recordings by numerous artists - from Teddy Pendergrass to David Bowie and Elton John. He wrote several big hits including 'Just Don't Want To be Lonely' by the Main Ingedient and 'Sideshow' and 'Three Ring Circus' by Blue Magic. He also recorded tracks by the likes of Harold melvin and the Blue Notes, the Whispers and the Dells.

Another highly influential music figure who has died is Jerry Moss, aged 88. He was the 'M' of A and M Records, having teamed up with trumpeter and band leader Herb Alpert to form the influential label in 1962. The labels early releases by Herb's Tijuana Brass were quickly augmented by records by numerous pop, jazz and folk artists, including the Carpenters, Captain and Tenille and Gallagher and Lyle, and also British artists such as Joe Cocker, Humble Pie and Cat Stevens.

Another death is that is Sixto Rodriguez (81), who recorded a couple of albums in the early seventies ('Cold Fact' and 'Coming From Reality') but then faded from sight. He was unaware that his music had become popular in various countries, including South Africa and Australia, and gained much greater fame when he became the subject of an award winning documentary film 'Searching For Sugar Man'. which detailed the efforts of two South African fans to track him down. As a result of his new found fame he appeared on TV shows in the US and the UK and performed in the US, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and also at the Glastonbury and Montreux festivals in 2013. The film suggested that he had been cheated out of royalties by music executive and producer Clarence Avant who, by coincidence, has also died, aged 92. Known as the 'Black Godfather' Clarence managed several acts including Little Willie John and Kim Weston and became a leading West Coast music man. He helped to form Venture Records, run by former Motown producer Mickey Stevenson, and Sussex, the label that Sixto Rodriguez recorded for. He moved into broadcasting buying the first African American radio station in LA and was involved, with Al Bell, in the sale of Stax to Gulf and Western.