Kris Kristofferson RIP

Singer, songwriter, actor, athlete, military man. Kris Kristofferson, who has died aged 88, was all of these, and a lot more. Born into a military family he was a successful athlete when he attended Pomona Collage in California and won a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University where he won a boxing Blue and played rugby for the college. He came into contact with Larry Parnes who got him a recording contract with Top Rank under the name Kris Carson, although no records were released. He joined the US Army and rose to the rank of Captain, but left in 1965 to pursue a career in music and struggled for several years to make a name for himself in Nashville, giving tapes of his songs to June Carter, while also working as a helicopter pilot in Louisiana. His songwriting blossomed with 'Help Me Make It Through the Night' and 'Me and Bobby McGee', and a number of his songs were recorded by country artists, including Johnny Cash, Roy Drusky, Ray Stevens, Jerry Lee Lewis, Faron Young and Roger Miller. He signed with Monument records and released an album - 'Me and Bobby McGee' - which took off when the song was recorded by Janis Joplin. After four successful albums his recording career was put to one side as he concentrated on acting, appearing in such films as 'Cisco Pike', 'Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid' and 'A Star Is Born', which won him a Golden Globe award for Best Actor. He recorded an album with his second wife Rita Coolidge and although his record sales slumped somewhat he continued to write songs for other artists. In the eighties he teamed up with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to form the Highwaymen, which prompted two successful albums. His career continued through to 2019 when he appeared in Hyde Park supporting Barbra Streisand as part of the Barclays Summertime Concert series. Kris always had a fairly rough voice but as a songwriter he was in the top tier, with countless memorable songs over the years. RIP

Cleo Sylvestre aka Honey B Mama RIP

I was shocked to read today that Cleo Sylvestre, a friend of the Woodies and a singer who has appeared at a Tales From The Woods show, has died at the age of 79. A couple of months ago I asked her if she would agree to an interview about her life and she said yes. Sadly it didn't happen. But she had a fascinating life and I have no doubt it would have been an interview full of interest. She was the first black woman to play a leading role in the National Theatre in London, but that was just one of many remarkable incidents in her life. In 1964 she recorded a version of 'To Know Him Is To Love Him' which was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham and backed by the Rolling Stones. She had a relationship with Brian Jones after he left the Stones and by her own account was due to be part of a new group he was forming, a plan that was ended with his death. She went on to have a successful career as an actress with the Young Vic and in regional theatres. She also appeared in numerous TV shows including Dr Who, Up The Junction and Poor Cow, and parts in Coronation Street, Crossroads, Grange Hill and many others. She was artistic director of the Rosemany Branch theatre and her one woman show The Marvellous Adventure of Mary Seacole was well received. She was awarded an MBE in 2023 for her services to drama and charity. In recent years she returned to singing and appeared as Honey B Mama, Hackney's Queen of the Blues. At the 2021 Tales From The Woods show at the 100 Club (pictured above) she sang Bessie Smith's 'Jailhouse Blues', 'Sweet Home Chicago', 'Midnight Special' and 'Let's Work Together'. A few weeks ago she appeared on BBC's Antiques Roadshow, with treasured mementos from her early career, including a hand-made Christmas card from Jimmy Page. RIP Cleo. She will be missed by many, not least those in the Woodies community who got to know her in recent years.

Tito Jackson RIP

The latest music death is that of Tito Jackson at the young age of 70. Tito was, of course, an original member of the Jackson 5 so his early career is well documented, and his death has been widely reported. His solo career began in 2004 and he appeared at Under The Bridge in London in 2015. Renowned music journalist Seamus McGarvey contributed a review of his show to The Vinyl Word (and provided the photo above). Here's what he wrote: 'Tito opened with a great piece of rocking blues featuring good vocals and some nifty guitar work in the shape of 'I Gotta Play' from his first solo album, and a nicely paced version of T-Bone Walker's 'T-Bone Shuffle', the band hitting just the right tempo and Tito playing some easy strolling guitar. With some jokes about his voice not being as high-flying as his late brother Michael's, along with Denise Pearson and Haydon Eshun (Ultimate Kaos) Tito launched into a selection of The Jacksons hits from 'I Want You Back' to 'ABC' and 'Dancing Machine' from their Motown days, on to numbers from the brothers' or Michael's days with Epic including 'This Place Hotel', 'Black Or White' and 'Blame It On The Boogie'. Both Denise and Haydon were in good voice and danced energetically, while Tito himself remained well to the fore and kept it all moving along. For the final section of the show, Tito returned to his solo role and featured songs from his forthcoming album, demonstrating versatility across a range of musical styles. The numbers included a fine funky piece called 'Jammer St.' with Tito playing some nice solo guitar, the medium stepping 'So Far So Good' and the punchy 'Get It Baby'. He changed the pace for a country number, 'On My Way Home To You' which, as he explained, was 'where I started back in the day', and a medium-tempo reggae-styled number called 'Home Is Where the Heart Is', once again featuring some tasteful guitar picking. Despite all of this being new material, Tito managed to get the crowd onside and singing along, ending with another medium-stepper, 'We Made It', before the full line-up was reassembled for the closing 'Shake Your Body'. Despite loud calls for 'more!' and much chanting of 'Ti-To! Ti-To!', that was it; the end of a well-balanced 75-minute set, and an entertaining evening.' RIP Tito.

Another death. at the age of 93, is that of Caterina Valente, an Italian/French/German multilingual singer who enjoyed success across Europe and the US in the late fifties and early sixties. She appeared with many of the established artists of the era including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Dean Martin.

Frankie Beverly and Jimmy Gilmer RIP

Music deaths are coming through thick and fast at the moment with two more being brought to my attention today. Frankie Beverly, who has died aged 77, was a big name in the soul and funk world and his band Maze had a huge following. Born in Philadelphia he joined a doowop group before forming a band called the Butlers (later Frankie Beverly and the Butlers), who recorded several singles from 1963 onwards, including 'If That's What You Want' in 1967, which bcame a Northern Soul favourite. The band caught the attention of Kenny Gamble and changed their name to Raw Soul, and subsequently to Maze when they met up with Marvin Gaye's sister in law. They became well known on the London funk scene in the early eighties and had a minor hit with 'Joy and Pain'. I saw them at the New Orleans Jazzfest last year but, good though they were musically, I wasn't over impressed. I wrote: 'I waited for quite a while for Maze featuring Frankie Beverly along with a big crowd which was 99 per cent African American but was a bit disappointed when they did come on. Frankie's vocals were muffled and he barely acknowledged the audience facing the band instead. But the crowd seemed happy enough and were singing along.'

Another death, at the age of 83, is that of Jimmy Gilmer, who had a big h1t in 1963 with 'Sugar Shack' along with the Fireballs, a group which was formed in the late fifties and recorded at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico. Their early hits included 'Torquay', 'Bulldog' and 'Quite A Party'. Jimmy wasn't an original member but, with his name added to that of the Fireballs, he followed up 'Sugar Shack' with 'Daisy Petal Pickin', which was a hit, and other singles including 'Ain't Gonna Tell Nobody' and 'Look At Me'. Th Fireballs backed several other artists during the sixties, recording with Norman Petty, but were probably best known for adding backing tracks to early home demo recordings by Buddy Holly which became hits. in 1967 the Fireballs had a further hit with 'Bottle of Wine. Jimmy was still a member of the group but didn't feature in the band's name. The group disbanded in 1969.

Johnny Thunder RIP

Just heard of the death, at the age of 92, of R and B and soul singer Johnny Thunder (not to be confused with Johnny Thunders). Under his real name of Gil Hamilton he recorded the original version of 'Tell Her' in 1962 (better known as 'Tell Him' by the Exciters) which was written and produced by Bert Berns. The following year he linked up with Teddy Vann, changing his name to Johnny Thunder, and recorded a version of the children's song 'Loop De Loop' for the Diamond label which was a big hit in the US. It was covered, rather pathetically, by Frankie Vaughan in the UK. Other Johnny Thunder records, released on Stateside in the UK, included 'Jailer Bring Me Water', 'More More More Love Love Love' and 'My Prayer' but none of them were major hits. He recorded a duet with Ruby Winters ('Make Love To Me') and had some success on Calla with 'I'm Alive', written by Tommy James, which received high praise from Bob Dylan and which enjoyed a new lease of life when it was used in a Samsung mobile phone ad.

Zoot Money RIP

Sorry to hear of the death, at the age of 82, of singer and keyboardist Zoot Money. Zoot - real name George Bruno Money - was one of the few British R and B artists of the sixties who really got the feel and mood of the music. His first band, his Big Roll Band, first appeared at Bournemouth's Downstairs Club in 1961 and quickly established themselves as a leading R and B band, playing regularly at the Flamingo in London. Their debut single was 'The Uncle Willie' and other early 45s included 'Good', 'Please Stay', 'Something Is Worrying Me', 'Let's Run For Cover' and, their biggest hit 'Good Time Operator'. Zoot joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated in 1966 and his Big Roll Band adopted a psychedelic approach, becoming Dantalian's Chariot and having some success with 'Madman Running Through the Fields'. In 1968 Zoot moved to the US and joined with Eric Burdon's New Animals and recorded a solo LP called 'Welcome To My Head'. He continued to have a successful career as a composer and keyboard contributor to albums by Alan Price and Humble Pie. In recent years he toured quite extensively and I was lucky enough to see him on several occasions. He appeared in a Tales From The Woods show in 2017 (pictured above) and I wrote at the time: 'The next set, by Zoot Money, playing his Hammond organ, brought back memories of smoky sixties nights at the Flamingo and was a joy. Zoot demonstrated his love of Ray Charles with 'Hide Nor Hair' and 'It Should've Been Me', and did a great version of Sam and Dave's 'You Don't Know Like I Know'. Alex (Bland) and Dave (Priseman)'s horn breaks were a match for the Memphis originals on that one. Zoot had a light hearted moan about others making it big back in the day on the back of three minute 45s. His band's biggest hit 'Big Time Operator' showed that on his day he was more than a match for some of the other sixties heroes. He rocked through Robert Parker's 'Barefootin', and brought a jazzy feel to Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Rock and Roller', giving John Spencely a chance to show off a different side to his always first class guitar work. Finally, Zoot sang 'If Age Brings Wisdom', a jazzy number with a wistful lyric: 'When will I find it?' was the essence. This was a highly enjoyable set and Zoot remains a master of the Hammond, well supported by Claire (Hamlin)'s piano work.' I last saw Zoot in 2021 (photo below) when he stood in for Georgie Fame as a guest artist with the Manfreds. On that occasion he was again in good form and sang and played 'It Never Rains But It Pours', 'Big Time Operator', Sam Cooke's 'Bring It On Home To Me' and 'It Should Have Been Me'. RIP Zoot - one of the very best UK artists of the sixties and one who enjoyed rather less success than he should have.

Another death is that of Sergio Mendez, a Brazilian musician who brought the bossa nova to a worldwide audience with his band Brasil '66. Among his best known recordings were 'Mas Que Nada', 'The Look of Love' and 'Fool On The Hill'. Also bass guitar and tuba player Herbie Flowers, who played on records by numerous artists including Elton John, David Bowie and Lou Reed and who was a member of Blue Mink, T Rex and Sky. His most lasting legacy was the bass intro to Lou Reed's 'Walk On The Wild Side'.

James Darren and Pat Lewis RIP

Two more deaths to report sadly. James Darren, who has died aged 88, had a long career as an actor and a singer. Born in Philadelphia, he appeared in several movies for Columbia in the late fifties before really making his name in 'Gidget' in 1959 with Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. He put himself forward to sing the title track of the film and this led to him recording a series of successful records for Colpix in the early sixties. These included a vocal version of 'Because They're Young' (made as a video jukebox film), the million selling 'Goodbye Cruel World', 'Her Royal Majesty', 'Conscience', 'Mary's Little Lamb', 'Hail To the Conquering Hero' and 'Pin a Medal On Joey'. His movie career included roles in 'The Gene Krupa Story', 'All The Young Men' (with Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier), 'The Guns Of Navarone' and Gidget follow ups such as 'Gidget Goes Hawaiian' and 'Gidget Goes To Rome'. When his Columbia movie contract expired he recorded for Warner Brothers, having a minor hit with 'All', and went on to have a lengthy career in TV series such as 'T J Hooker' and 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'.

Another death which has had a big impact on the Northern Soul community is that of Pat Lewis at the age of 76. In the early sixties, living in Detroit, she formed a group called the Adorables with her sister Dianne plus friends Betty and Jackie Winston, who sang background vocals for the Golden World label. She recorded 'Can't Shake It Loose' as a solo artist in 1966 and sang with the Andantes at Motown. She signed for Solid Hit Bound Records and recorded 'Look At What I Almost Missed', 'Warning' and 'No One To Love' among others. In the late eighties she joined Ian Levine's stable of soul singers recording up to 50 tracks as a solo artist or a member of the Andantes. She continued to record with Levine after the label closed and visited the UK on several occasions. Sadly I didn't see any of those, but had the opportunity of seeing Pat perform when I went to Detroit A-Go Go in 2019. She sang 'Can't Shake It Loose' at a pre festival event at the St Regis Hotel and also took part in the main festival (pictured above) where she sang the song again and 'I'll Wait'. She was recognised for her role in supporting Phil Dick to put the shows on, receiving a 'Spirit of Detroit' award (pictured below). The Vinyl Word raises a glass to them both.