More music deaths - updated

There have been a couple more deaths which are worthy of mention. Terry Kirkman, who has died aged 83, is hardly a household name but he was a founder member and vocalist of the Association, one of the better American soft pop groups of the sixties. He joined up with fellow band member Jules Alexander in LA in 1963 and played with Frank Zappa. They formed the Inner Tubes, which included Mama Cass Elliot and David Crosby at one time, before forming the Association in 1965. The latter band had success with 'Cherish' (written by Kirkman) and 'Along Came Mary' as well as songs such as 'Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies', 'Windy', 'Never My Love' and 'Time For Livin', culminating with 'Darling Be Here Soon' in 1972, after which Kirkman left the group. They appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and other Kirkman songs included 'Requiem For The Masses' about the Vietnam War. He rejoined the reformed Association in 1979 and made occasional guest appearances thereafter.

Another recent death is that of David McCallum, at the age of 90, who memorably played the role of Illya Kuryakin in 'The Man From Uncle', one of the most successful sixties TV series. He became a major sex symbol and even had a record dedicated to him, 'Love Ya Illya' by Alma Cogan, under the name Angela and her Fans. He had a recording career himself, largely instrumental but also singing, or rather talking his way (with female backing) through 'Communication'. He made four albums for Capitol and one of his tracks 'The Edge' was sampled by Dr Dre and was included in the soundtrack of 'Grand Theft Auto IV' and 'Baby Driver'. Later acting roles included 'The Great Escape', 'Colditz', 'Sapphire and Steel' and 'NCIS'. RIP to them both.

Another death I am sad to report is that of Stephen Ackles, a Norwegian piano player who appeared at one of Keith Woods' shows in London in 2016 (pictured below). He was just 57. Here is what I wrote at the time: 'Next up was Stephen Ackles, a new name to me but very popular in his native Norway and further afield apparently, as there were quite a few of his fans in the house. Stephen is a very proficient Jerry Lee Lewis piano player, who performed accurate versions of numbers such as High School Confidential, Great Balls Of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On and You Win Again. But he showed that he is more than that with Johnnie Ray's Cry, featuring a great guitar break from John Spencely, and a Cajun flavoured Bettina, featuring Claire Hamlin on organ. Other Jerry Lee favourities included Mexacali Rose, No Headstone On My Grave and Rockin' My Life Away, featuring a great sax break by Alex Bland. At the end of his set Stephen introduced two other piano players to the stage who have a show in a theatre near Leicester Square soon. I didn't catch their names and it wasn't entirely clear why they were there, apart from plugging their show. Nevertheless Stephen went down well, ably supported once again by the house band.'

Aaron Neville 'Tell It Like It Is'

I have always loved Sam Cooke's voice. He is and always will be my favourite singer. But if anyone can come close to matching him in terms of beauty and intensity it is Aaron Neville. Aaron has the voice of an angel which is in marked contrast to his muscular body. He had huge success as a solo artist, including his 1967 hit 'Tell It Like It Is', and went on to be the heart and soul of the greatest of all New Orleans groups the Neville Brothers. Now Aaron has written his autobiography, appropriately called 'Tell It Like It Is'. It tells of his poor beginnings, his struggles against drug addiction, his time in jail and his eventual breakthrough. He describes his voice as 'the strength of my father, the tenderness of my mother and the innocence of my childhood', but anyone who has witnessed Aaron singing acapella knows that it goes beyond that. One of the driving forces behind me going to New Orleans for the first time in 1989 was the great Neville Brothers album 'Yellow Moon'. I saw the brothers perform and Aaron singing solo. I loved the band's late night performances at Tipitina's which seemed to be endless. Hearing Aaron perform in the gospel tent at Jazzfest was inspiring, even to a non-believer like me. Over the years I've seen Aaron many times, both solo and with his brothers. He never failed to move me, even on songs that I would ordinarily dismiss as being too cliched such as 'Ave Maria'. On my recent trip to New Orleans this spring I held out hope that he would perform at Jazzfest, perhaps at the tribute show to Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, which attracted the likes of irma Thomas and Jon Cleary. But it was not to be. His book makes clear that he retired after the COVID pandemic and that he will not be performing again. He says that 'I don't want to be onstage singing and not sounding like Aaron Neville.' He seems to be happily retired with his wife, dog and cats in New York's Hudson Valley. And at the age of 82 we can't really expect him to come out of retirement. It's a shame, but we still have his beautiful voice recorded forever. So I am grateful for the memories and the records and wish him a long and happy retirement.

Here's a photo of Aaron at the Porretta Soul Festival in 2006.

Katherine Anderson of the Marvelettes RIP

Very sorry to hear that the last surviving original member of the Marvelettes, Katherine Anderson Schaffner, has died at the age of 79. The group had one of Motown's earliest major hits, 'Please Mr Postman', and other big hits including 'Beechwood 4-5789', 'Playboy', 'Locking Up My Heart', 'As Long As I Know He's Mine', 'You're My Remedy', 'Too Many Fish In the Sea', 'Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead', 'Don't Mess With Bill' and 'My Baby Must Be A Magician'. Formed in 1960 in Inkster, Michigan, the Marvelettes' early hits were written by the likes of Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye as well as Holland, Dozier and Holland, and, despite being slightly over shadowed by the Supremes, continued to make fantastic records throughout the sixties. Original lead singer Gladys Horton died in 2011 and she and Katherine fought to get back ownership of the group's name when other copycat groups emerged. When I went to the Detroit A Go-Go festival in 2019 Katherine was the only original member of the group still performing. I wrote at the time: 'Next came the Marvelettes, with one original member, Katherine Anderson Schaffner seated on a throne and three younger members dressed in long green gowns. I enjoyed them a lot and their versions of 'Please Mr Postman', 'I'll Keep On Holding On', an acapella version of 'Locking Up My Heart' (a personal favourite) and 'Your Love Can Save Me' were a delight.' Afterwards I had a chance to chat to Katherine at the St Regis Hotel and she and the others were delightful (see photos below).

Taildragger RIP - updated

Another venerable bluesman has passed away. This time it's Taildragger - real name James Yancey Jones - who has been playing the Chicago blues since the 60s. He was 82. Taildragger was given his nickname by Howlin' Wolf, who he played with, because of his habit of turning up late. He had an eventful life: he was married six times, and was convicted of second degree murder for killing another blues musician, Boston Blackie, in 1993. He recorded four albums - his first being in 1996 when he was already 56. This first one, 'Crawlin' Kingsnake', released on St George's records, was named after his earlier nickname of Crawlin' James, named because of his habit of crawling around on stage. Later albums were 'American People' in 1998 and 'Live At Rooster's Lounge', both on Delmark, and 'Longtime Friends in The Blues' with Bob Corritore. Originally from Arkansas he moved to Chicago where he not only played with Howlin' Wolf but with many other bluesmen including Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell and Willie Kent. I saw Taildragger at Antone's in Austin (pictured above) last year when he was one of the blues artists taking part in the Eastside Kings Blues festival. I wrote at the time: 'Looking smart in a wide brimmed hat and brown suit he sat for his act as he was clearly none too mobile, but his deep voice was excellent. Numbers included 'Trouble', 'Where Did That Woman Go' and 'Be Careful' and backing by guitarist Hash Brown and harmonica player Keith Dunn was excellent.'

Another more publicised death is that of Jimmy Buffett, aged 76. He was a singer/songwriter who began his career in New Orleans and had a major hit in 1977 with 'Margaritaville' which eventually led to him creating a huge network of restaurants and hotels. He recorded 30 albums featuring various musical styles including country, rock, calypso and folk, and appeared in dozens of movies. But somehow he never appealed to me, although I did enjoy some good nights of music in Margaritaville in New Orleans (and elsewhere) over the years.

Just heard via Noah Schaffer that doo-wop singer Larry Chance has died at the age of 82. With his group the Earls Larry had a big hit in 1962 with 'Remember Then' and smaller hits with 'Never'. 'I Believe' and 'Life Is But A Dream'. I saw Larry at the Long Island Doowop festival on several occasions including 2016 (pictured above) and he always put on a good show. RIP.