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Home • Interviews • Writing A Song • Obituaries International Songwriters Association The Obituaries Songwriter-Composer-Publisher Obituaries 2024 Names In Blue Denote An ISA Hall Of Fame Member Mimis Plessas Greek-born composer and pianist who released more than 100 albums including the multi million-selling "O Dromos", and who worked with such stars as Nana Mouskouri, Vicky Leandros and Giannis Poulopoulos while also composing music for 104 movies and 70 stage plays. At the age of 99, on the 5th October 2024, in Kallitechnoupoli, Attica, Greece, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Marvin Schlachter American-born record company executive at Scepter, Wand, Prelude, GRT, Janus, Chess and Pye (US), who helped nurture the careers of Dionne Warwick (whom he introduced to Burt Bacharach and Hal David), the Shirelles, Tammi Terrell, Chuck Jackson, The Kingsmen and B.J. Thomas, and who would later play a major part in the popularising of disco music by bringing France Joli, Johnny-O, Cynthia and James 'D-Train' Williams to a national audience. At the age of 90, on the 5th October 2024, in New York City, USA, of intestinal cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Jack Colwell Australian-born singer-songwriter, musician and choirmaster, whose only album "Swandream" (produced by Sarah Blasko) was critically acclaimed. and who worked with such acts as Patrick Wolf, Owen Pallett and Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins. At the age of 34, on the 3rd October 2024, in Sydney, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Lucas Coly French-born American-based rapper-songwriter, whose tracks "I Just Wanna", "Break Ya Back" and "My Lil Shawty" scored millions of views on the Vine platform. At the age of 27, on the 2nd October 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, by suicide. © Jim Liddane Click here Ken Tobias Canadian-born singer-songwriter who scored a number of Top 10 hits in Canada, incuding "I Just Want to Make Music", "Every Bit of Love", "Give a Little Love" and "Dream #2" (each of which won a SOCAN Classics Award), while one of his songs "Stay Awhile" was also covered by The Bells, going on to sell more than two million copies and reaching the US Top 10. At the age of 79, on the 2nd October 2024, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, from brain cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Martin Lee English-born singer-songwriter and lead singer with Brotherhood of Man, whose compositions for the band include the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest winner "Save Your Kisses For Me", along with such other hits as "Lady", "My Sweet Rosalie", "Angelo", "Beautiful Lover" and "Figaro". At the age of 77, on the 29th September 2024, in London, UK, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Kris Kristofferson American-born three-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, actor and International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. Kris Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, into a military family, with his father being a US Army Air Corps officer. He moved frequently during his childhood and developed a strong sense of discipline and duty, which later influenced his early career choices. Kris excelled academically and athletically, eventually attending Pomona College in California, where he graduated with a degree in literature in 1958. He went on to study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he continued to pursue writing, poetry, and his growing interest in music. Upon finishing his studies, Kris, influenced by family expectations, joined the US Army and became a helicopter pilot. He served as a captain, but his passion for music never waned during this time. In the mid-1960s, he made a life-changing decision to leave his military career and pursue songwriting in Nashville. This move was met with resistance from his family, but he remained determined to make his mark in the music industry. In Nashville, Kris worked various odd jobs to support himself, including as a janitor at Columbia Recording Studios and as a commercial helicopter pilot. He famously landed a helicopter on Johnny Cash’s front lawn in a bold attempt to get Cash to listen to his demo tapes - a story that has since become legendary in the world of country music. Kristofferson’s persistence paid off when his songwriting began to attract attention from major country artists. In 1969, Roger Miller recorded Kristofferson’s song “Me and Bobby McGee,” which became a hit and brought Kristofferson into the spotlight as a songwriter. The song would later be immortalised by Janis Joplin, whose version became a posthumous number-one hit in 1971, establishing Kristofferson as a major songwriting talent. Throughout the 1970s, Kristofferson’s songs became some of the most covered and revered in country music. Hits like “For the Good Times", recorded by Ray Price, "Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down", made famous by Johnny Cash and "Help Me Make It Through the Night", sung by Sammi Smith, along with songs covered by Ray Price ("For the Good Times"), Waylon Jennings ("The Taker"), and Bobby Bare ("Come Sundown"), all helped cement Kristofferson’s reputation as a master lyricist. His ability to write about human vulnerability, heartache, and existential themes with poetic precision set him apart from many of his contemporaries in country music. "Help Me Make It Through the Night" has become one of the most covered songs in the history of music publishing, having been covered by more than 470 singers since the first version emerged in May 1970 by the soul singer Percy Sledge. Since then it has been recorded by such diverse names as Peggy Lee, Bill Anderson, Glen Campbell, Conway Twitty, Dorothy Squires, Bobby Bare, Bryan Adams, Joan Baez, Skeeter Davis, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Brian Ferry and Telly Savalas, with the most recent release (by Billy Dean) appearing just a few weeks before Kristofferson's passing. In addition to his songwriting success, Kris embarked on a solo recording career. His 1970 debut album "Kristofferson" (later re-released as "Me and Bobby McGee") introduced his raw, gravelly voice and storytelling style to the public. Although his voice was unconventional by Nashville standards, it resonated with fans who appreciated his gritty, authentic approach to songwriting. His 1971 album "The Silver Tongued Devil and I" further established him as a major recording artist, and he quickly became known for his countercultural appeal, blending country, folk, and rock influences. Kristofferson’s success in music also led to a prolific career in acting. He made his film debut in "The Last Movie" (1971), directed by Dennis Hopper, and soon began to appear in more prominent roles. In 1976, he starred opposite Barbra Streisand in "A Star Is Born", a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. This marked the height of his acting career, and Kristofferson would go on to appear in ninety films over the next several decades, including "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid", "Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore", "Heaven’s Gate" and the Blade trilogy (1998-2004), where he played the role of Whistler. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Kristofferson remained active in both music and film, though his commercial success in music began to wane. However, his impact on the industry remained intact, and he became an influential figure for the emerging outlaw country movement alongside artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash. Together, they challenged the polished, mainstream sound of Nashville, advocating for a more rebellious, authentic approach to country music. Kristofferson’s role in this movement was pivotal, both as a solo artist and through his collaborations with Nelson and others. In 1985, he, Nelson, Jennings, and Cash formed the supergroup The Highwaymen, which became one of the most iconic collaborations in country music history. Kris's work continued to be celebrated well into the later years of his career. In 2004, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring influence on the genre. In 2007, he received the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding contributions to songwriting. Despite health challenges in the 2010s, including a misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (later revealed to be Lyme disease), Kris continued to perform and record music. He released several albums during this time, including "Closer to the Bone" (2009) and "Feeling Mortal" (2012), which reflected a sense of introspection and reflection on aging and mortality. His live performances, often accompanied only by his guitar, showcased his raw, unfiltered style and his ability to connect with audiences through his deeply personal lyrics. Kris officially retired from touring in 2020, bringing to a close a career that spanned more than five decades. His legacy as a songwriter, lyricist, and actor remains profound, influencing generations of musicians and artists across genres. Known for his poetic lyricism, honesty, and willingness to tackle difficult subjects in his songs, Kristofferson’s work transcended the boundaries of country music, earning him a lasting place in American cultural history. At the age of 88, on the 28th September 2024, in Maui, Hawaii, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Hugh Prestwood American-born three-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, whose hits included Judy Collins's "Hard Time For Lovers", Crystal Gayle's "The Sound of Goodbye", Trisha Yearwood's "The Song Remembers When", Randy Travis's "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart", Michael Johnson’s "The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder" and Shenandoah's "Ghost In This House", along with songs covered by such acts as Conway Twitty, The Judds, Shelby Lynne, John Conlee, Jimmy Buffett, Jerry Douglas, James Taylor, Baillie & The Boys, Jerry Jeff Walker, Vern Gosdin, Suzy Bogguss, Bobbie Cryner, Stephanie Bentley, Ty England, Collin Raye, Gene Watson, Barbara Mandrell, Sammy Kershaw, Lee Greenwood, Don Williams, Alison Krauss, Rumer and Tanya Tucker. At the age of 82, on the 22nd September 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, following a stroke. © Jim Liddane Click here Sayuri Japanese-born singer-songwriter whose hits include "Mikazuki", "Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna", "Furaregai Girl", "Parallel Line", "Tsuki to Hanataba", "Kokai no Uta" and "Sekai no Himitsu". At the age of 28, on the 20th September 2024, in Tokyo, Japan, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here J D Souther American-born singer-songwriter and actor, who wrote several classic songs recorded by Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles. J.D. Souther was born John David Souther on November 2, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. His father John who sang professionally with big bands under the stage name, Johnny Warren, left the road to become an agent for MCA Records, moving the family to Amarillo, Texas, where J D became heavily influenced by the country music of the region, as well as rock and roll and jazz. This eclectic mix of influences would later inform his unique songwriting style, which blended country, rock, and pop elements. After high school, Souther recorded two singles with Norman Petty in nearby Clovis, before moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. It was in Los Angeles that he became deeply involved in the burgeoning music scene, which was populated by artists such as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Jackson Browne. Souther formed a close friendship with Glenn Frey, who would later become a founding member of the Eagles. Together, they formed a duo called Longbranch Pennywhistle, releasing one album in 1969. Although the album didn’t achieve commercial success, it laid the groundwork for Souther’s future collaborations and established him as a talented songwriter. Souther's most significant contributions came through his association with the Eagles, one of the most successful rock bands of all time. He co-wrote some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “Victim of Love.” His ability to craft poignant, introspective lyrics combined with catchy melodies made him a key figure behind the Eagles' success. “New Kid in Town” earned Souther and the Eagles a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement of Voices in 1977, while “Heartache Tonight” topped the charts and became a defining hit for the band. In addition to his work with the Eagles, Souther had a successful solo career, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1972. The album featured a blend of country rock and folk influences, showcasing Souther’s distinctive voice and songwriting style. Although his solo career didn’t reach the same commercial heights as his work with the Eagles, he earned critical acclaim for his contributions to the country rock genre. His 1979 album "You’re Only Lonely" was his most commercially successful release, with the title track becoming a top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song remains one of Souther’s signature pieces, capturing the melancholy yet hopeful essence of his songwriting. Souther was also a founding member of the short-lived supergroup Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, which he formed in 1973 with Chris Hillman of The Byrds and Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield. The band released two albums, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band (1974) and Trouble in Paradise (1975). Despite the promise of the group’s lineup, internal tensions and creative differences led to its dissolution after just a couple of years. However, the band’s work remains a key part of Souther’s legacy, contributing to the development of the country rock sound. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Souther continued to collaborate with other prominent artists, including Linda Ronstadt, with whom he shared a close personal and professional relationship. He wrote or co-wrote several of Ronstadt’s hits, including “Faithless Love,” “Simple Man, Simple Dream,” and “Prisoner in Disguise.” Souther’s work with Ronstadt further solidified his reputation as one of the most gifted songwriters of his era, particularly in the realm of emotional, introspective ballads. Despite his early success, Souther’s output slowed considerably after the 1980s. He took a step back from the music industry and pursued other interests, including acting. Souther appeared in several television shows and films, including roles in "Thirtysomething", "Postcards from the Edge", and "Nashville". His acting career, though not as prominent as his music, added another dimension to his creative portfolio. In the 2000s, Souther experienced something of a career revival. He released If the World Was You in 2008, his first studio album in 25 years. The album marked a departure from his earlier country rock sound, incorporating more jazz influences, which reflected Souther’s lifelong love of the genre. Critics praised the album for its sophistication and maturity, recognizing Souther’s continued evolution as an artist. Despite his relative retreat from the spotlight compared to some of his contemporaries, J.D. Souther remained a highly respected figure in the music industry. His influence on the Eagles, his collaborations with Linda Ronstadt, and his solo work have left an enduring mark on American music. Souther’s songs continue to resonate with listeners, and his contributions to the Southern California sound of the 1970s are an integral part of rock history. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. At the age of 78, on the 17th September 2024, at his home outside Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA of undisclosed causes as he was preparing to go on tour. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Billy Edd Wheeler American-born singer-songwriter and Grammy award-winner, whose hits as a solo vocalist include "Ode to the Little Brown Shack Out Back", "I Ain't the Worryin' Kind", "West Virginia Woman" and "Daddy" (with Rashell Richmond), while as a songwriter, he scored numerous chart-topping hits including "Jackson" for Johnny Cash and June Carter, "The Reverend Mr. Black" for the Kingston Trio, "It’s Midnight" for Elvis Presley, and "Coward of the County" for Kenny Rogers. His songs have been recorded by almost 170 performers, including such stars as Judy Collins, Jefferson Airplane, Bobby Darin, Richie Havens, Neil Young, Hazel Dickens, Florence and the Machine, Kathy Mattea and Nancy Sinatra, while he also penned eight plays and musicals including the still-running "Hatfields & McCoys", along with several novels ("Star of Appalachia"), eight books of poetry and an autobiography titled "Hotter Than A Pepper Sprout". At the age of 91, on the 16th September 2024, in Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Tito Jackson American-born singer-songwriter and guitarist, who as a member of the Jackson 5 (later the Jacksons) scored hits with "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", "I'll Be There", "Mama's Pearl", "Sugar Daddy", "Dancing Machine", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "State of Shock" (with Mick Jagger) and "Torture". A three-time Grammy nominee, Tito's compositions include "Everybody" and "We Can Change The World" for The Jacksons, and "Special Love" for his sister La Toya Jackson (later covered by Betty Wright). At the age of 70, on the 15th September 2024, of a heart attack while driving between Santa Fe, New Mexico and his home at Claremore, Oklahoma, USA. © Jim Liddane Click here Tommy Cash American-born singer-songwriter and brother of country music icon Johnny Cash, who released 23 solo albums and scored 18 hits in including "The Sounds of Goodbye", "Six White Horses", "One Song Away", "Rise and Shine", "The Tears on Lincoln's Face", "So This Is Love" and "I Recall A Gypsy Woman", while his compositions were also recorded by such acts as Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Faron Young, Kitty Wells, Johnny Russell, Cal Smith, Norma Jean and Gergette Jones. At the age of 84, on the 13th September 2024, in Henderson, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jimmy Gilmer American-born singer-songwriter and lead singer with Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs, whose hits included "Sugar Shack" (the biggest-selling record of 1963), "Daisy Petal Picking" and "Bottle Of Wine", before he left to pursue a music publishing career, eventually becoming vice-president at CBS Songs in Nashville. At the age of 83, on the 7th September 2024, in Amarillo, Texas, USA, of complications brought on by Alzheimers Disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Alfredo Garrido Spanish-born songwriter, singer and record producer, who although specialising in music productions for children ("Marco", "Vickie el Vikingo", "La Abeja Maya", "Tarzán" and "Mazinger Z") via his position at Philips-Polygram, also wrote and produced hits for such acts as Greta Y Los Garbo, ?Los Chichos, ?Nino Bravo, Paco de Lucía and Plácido Domingo. At the age of 91, on the 7th September 2024, in Madrid, Spain, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Will Jennings American-born three-time Grammy Award winner, and two-time Academy Award-winner, whose hits include "Tears in Heaven" (with Eric Clapton), "Up Where We Belong" (for the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman"), and "My Heart Will Go On" (for the movie "Titanic"). Will Jennings, was born on June 27, 1944, in Kilgore, Texas, and his early life laid the foundation for his later work. He grew up in an environment rich with music, which fostered his early passion for songwriting. After attending Tyler Junior College, Jennings pursued higher education at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he earned a degree in education. Initially, Jennings worked as a teacher, but his passion for music ultimately led him to pursue songwriting full-time. In the 1970s, Jennings moved to Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of the country music industry, to immerse himself in the music scene. His early work included collaborations with country music artists, which helped him establish his reputation as a talented lyricist. It was during this period that Jennings began to gain recognition for his ability to craft lyrics that were both deeply emotional and widely relatable. Jennings’ big break came when he collaborated with the famous jazz and pop musician Steve Winwood. He co-wrote several songs with Winwood, including the hit single "Higher Love," which became a defining track of the 1980s. "Higher Love" not only topped the charts but also earned Jennings his first Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1987. This collaboration marked the beginning of Jennings’ successful career in mainstream music and opened the door to further opportunities in the industry. One of Jennings’ most significant contributions to music came in 1997 when he wrote the lyrics for "My Heart Will Go On," the iconic theme song for James Cameron's blockbuster film "Titanic". The song, performed by Celine Dion, became a global phenomenon, topping charts worldwide and winning numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. "My Heart Will Go On" remains one of the best-selling singles of all time and solidified Jennings’ status as one of the most successful songwriters in the world. Throughout his career, Jennings worked with a wide range of artists, including Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Joe Sample, Rodney Crowell, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow and Roy Orbison while his songwriting versatility allowed him to adapt to different musical styles, from rock to pop to country. For example, Jennings co-wrote Eric Clapton's Grammy-winning song "Tears in Heaven," which was written in memory of Clapton’s son. The song's poignant lyrics and emotional depth further showcased Jennings’ talent for capturing profound human experiences in his work. In addition to his success in the music industry, Jennings was also recognised for his contributions to film soundtracks. His work included writing lyrics for songs featured in movies such as "An Officer and a Gentleman", "The Polar Express", and "The Bodyguard". His ability to create songs that enhanced the emotional impact of films made him a sought-after collaborator in Hollywood. Despite his many achievements, Jennings remained relatively private, focusing more on his craft than on public attention. His humility and dedication to his work earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of music fans around the world. Jennings' career spanned several decades, and his influence on popular music is undeniable. His songs continue to be celebrated for their emotional resonance, lyrical depth, and universal appeal. As a songwriter and lyricist, Jennings left a lasting legacy, one that continues to inspire new generations of musicians and songwriters. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. At the age of 80, on the 6th September 2024, in Tyler, Texas, USA of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Mark Moffatt Australian-born Grammy Award-nominated producer and music publisher who performed with the Australian band The Monitors scoring such hits as "Singing In The 80s" and "Nobody Told Me", before going on to produce more Australian hit singles than any other producer. Moving to Nashville in 1996, he quickly established himself as a producer, session musician and mentor for incoming Australian acts including soon-to-be superstar Keith Urban, and was awarded the Country Musical Association's Global Achievement Award for his work in that area. At the age of 74, on the 6th September 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of pancreatic cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Herbie Flowers English-born songwriter, bassist and former member of T Rex, Blue Mink,and Sky, whose hit compositions include "Count Me In", "Our World", "Randy", "Stay with Me", "The Banner Man" and "You're The One" (all for Blue Mink), "Beautiful Memories" for Shooter, "Carillon" for Sky, "Dance, Dance, Dance" for Madeline Bell, "Grandad" for Clive Dunn and "Show Your Face" for Sandie Shaw. Herbie's songs were covered by such acts as Bing Crosby, The Chanter Sisters, Roger Cook, Nana Mouskouri, Peters & Lee, The Brothers Four and The Barron Knights, while he also recorded David Bowie, Elton John, David Essex, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Brian Ferry, Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, Cliff Richard, Allan Clarke, Marc Almond, Roger Daltrey, Albert Hammond, Steve Harley, Al Kooper, Melanie, Olivia Newton-John, Paul Young, Jon Anderson, Colin Blunstone, Gene Pitney, Leo Sayer, Mike Read, Jeff Wayne, Justin Hayward, Donovan, Alvin Stardust, Captain Sensible, Sally Oldfield, Tim Rose and Lou Reed (contributing the legendary bassline on Reed’s "Walk on the Wild Side"). At the age of 86, on the 5th September 2024, in Ditchling, East Sussex, UK, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Sergio Mendes Brazilian-born Grammy Award-winning musician and composer who released more than fifty albums and whose Top 50 hits include the Oscar-nominated "Real in Rio", "Mas que Nada", "Day Tripper", "The Look of Love", "The Fool on the Hill", "Scarborough Fair", "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", "Never Gonna Let You Go", "Rainbow's End" and "Alibis". At the age of 83, on the 5th September 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of long COVID. © Jim Liddane Click here Rich Homie Quan American-born rapper-songwriter whose hits both as a solo act and as part of the Rich Gang include "Type of Way", "Ride Out.", "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" and the platinum-selling "Lifestyle". At the age of 34, on the 5th September 2024 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here James Darren American-born actor, singer and songwriter, whose Top 40 hits include "Gidget", "Goodbye Cruel World", "Her Royal Majesty", "Conscience", "Mary's Little Lamb", "Pin A Medal On Joey" and "All", and who starred in such cinematic productions as "Gidget" (1959), "The Gene Krupa Story" (1959), "All the Young Men" (1960), "Because They're Young" (1960), "The Guns of Navarone" (1961), "Diamond Head" (1962), "Venus In Furs (1969), "City Beneath The Sea" (1971), "T. J. Hooker" (1983-1986), and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1998-1999). At the age of 88 on the 2nd September 2004, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, USA of issues relating to the function of his aortic valve. © Jim Liddane Click here Ned Egan Irish-born songwriter ("Lukes Song") and author ("Memories of a Leprechaun"), whose songs were recorded by amongst others, Patsy Watchorn and The Dublin City Ramblers. At the age of 84, on the 31st August 2024, in Waterford, Ireland, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Phil Swern English-born songwriter-producer and radio producer also known as "The Collector", (a nickname which he achieved when it turned out that he owned the world's only complete collection of every UK Top 40 chart hit since records began in 1952), who produced "Pick Of The Pops" for BBC Radio 1, and "Sounds Of The 60s" for Radio 2, along with Horace Faith's recording of "Black Pearl" for Trojan Records, the Pearls, Polly Brown and R&J Stone. At the age of 76, on the 31st August 2024, in London, UK, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Danielle Moore English-born singer-songwriter and frontwoman for Crazy P, who released eight studio albums since they were formed in 1998. At the age of 51, on the 30th August 2024, in Nottingham, UK, suddenly, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Mohamad Ali Bahmani Iranian-born songwriter who worked with such star vocalists as Naser Abdollahi, Homayoun Shajarian, and Alireza Ghorbani, while also providing material for a number of hit television series. At the age of 82, on the 30th August 2024, in Teheran, Iran, following a brain hemorrhage. © Jim Liddane Click here Fatman Scoop American-born rapper-songwriter whose hits include "Where U @?", "Be Faithful", "It Takes Scoop" and "U Sexy Girl", along with "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott and "It's Like That" by Mariah Carey. At the age of 53, on the 30th August 2024, in Hamden, Connecticut, USA, of a heart attack, having collapsed on stage at the Town Center Park in Hamden. © Jim Liddane Click here Pete Wade American-born guitarist and songwriter whose guitar work featured prominently on such county classics as Ray Price’s "Crazy Arms", Sonny James’s "Young Love". Loretta Lynn’s "Fist City", Lynn Anderson’s "Rose Garden", Crystal Gayle’s "Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", George Jones’s "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and John Anderson’s "Swingin’", and who is reputed to have played on more hit records than any other Nashville session guitarist. At the age of 89, on the 27th August 2024, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA, of complications following hip surgery. © Jim Liddane Click here Paul Dwayne Canadian-born French-speaking singer-songwriter who released seven albums between 1998 and 2011. At the age of 60, on the 26th August 2024, in Campbellton. New Brunswick, Canada, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Catherine Ribeiro French-born singer-songwriter and actress whose hits include "Dieu Me Pardonne", "Le Chasseur" and "Jour De Fête". At the age of 82, on the 23rd August 2024, in Martigues, France, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Russell Stone English-born singer-songwriter and former member of both the James Last Orchestra and Brotherhood Of Man, who along with his American wife Joanne, scored a major hit in 1976 with his song "We Do It", released under tha name R&J Stone. At the age of 78, on the 21st August 2024, in Munich, Germany, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Ken Biddy American-born music publisher and owner of the Copperfield Music Group comprising Penny Annie Music (BMI), Top Brass Music (ASCAP), and Biddy Baby Music (SESAC), and whose songs have been recorded by such country acts as the Chuck Wagon Gang (who alone sold more than 40 million records), Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers and Lee Ann Womack. At the age of 84, on the 21st August 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of congestive heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Tim Hinkley English-born singer-songwriter and session musician, who worked with such acts as George Harrison (with whom he wrote "Heart And Soul"), Johnny Hallyday, Steve Marriott, Alvin Lee, Al Stewart, Roger Chapman, Humble Pie, Whitesnake, Dr. Feelgood, Roger Daltrey, Thin Lizzy, Alexis Korner, Elkie Brooks, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lee Dorsey, Carla Thomas, Ben E. King, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Tom Waits, Bad Company, Whitesnake, Tim Buckley, Al Stewart and Thin Lizzy. At the age of 78, on the 21st August 2024, in London, UK of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Charles Blackwell English-born songwriter, arranger and record producer whose million-selling compositions include "Come Outside" for Mike Sarne, "Tchin Tchin" for Richard Anthony, "Only You Can Do It" for Francoise Hardy and "Avignon" for David Hasselhoff, along with movie scores for "A Place To Go", "Some Girls Do" and "What's New Pussycat?", while his production credits include hits for John Leyton, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, P.J. Proby, Kathy Kirby, Jet Harris, Karl Denver, Shirley Bassey, Billy Fury, Adam Faith, Paul Anka, Brigitte Bardot, Lulu, Vera Lynn, Dionne Warwick, Gene Pitney, Brook Benton and Del Shannon. At the age of 84, on the 16th August 2024, in London, UK, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Bobby Hicks Ten-time Grammy Award-winning American-born bluegrass instrumentalist and compposer who played with Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner and Ricky Skaggs. At the age of 91, on the 16th August 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, from complications of heart disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Joe Chambers American-born singer-songwriter and founding member of the Chambers Brothers, whose hits include his eleven-minute composition "Time Has Come Today", as well as "I Can't Turn You Loose" and "Love, Peace And Happiness". At the age of 81, on the 15th August 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jack Russell American-born singer-songwriter and founder of the band Great White, who in a career stretching 43 years, released more than 45 band and solo albums. At the age of 63, on the 15th August 2024 in Los Angeles, California, USA, of complications brought on by Lewy body dementia. © Jim Liddane Click here Greg Kihn American-born singer-songwriter, radio personality with KUFX and author of such award-winning books as "Horror Show", "Shade of Pale", "Big Rock Beat", and "Mojo Hand", and whose hits with the Greg Kihn Band included "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)", "Jeopardy" and Lucky". At the age of 76, on the 13th August 2024 in San Francisco, California, USA, of complications brought on by Alzheimers disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Eoin French (Talos) Irish-born songwriter and former member of Hush War Cry, who under the name Talos, released three highly-acclaimed albums, "Wild Alee" which was nominated for the Choice Music Prize, "Far Out Dust" (2019) and "Dear Chaos" (2022). At the age of 37, on the 11th August 2024 in Cork, Ireland of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Maurice Williams American-born singer-songwriter and lead vocalist with Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, who at the age of 15, penned what would some years later become the group's biggest hit "Stay". Born on April 26, 1938, in Lancaster, South Carolina, USA, Maurice wrote the song on the same evening his then girl-friend told him that her parents would never allow her to stay out on a date after 10pm. The next day, he formed an ad-hoc group, and brought them to a small local record label. At a time when black songwriters were routinely ripped off by the music industry, Williams was lucky to find a mentor, Ernie Young of Excello Records. who insisted that songwriters should always retain full ownership of their song copyrights. This altruistic advice ensured what Maurice would later describe as "my pension for life". "Stay", which reached #1 in the USA in 1960, went on to sell more than 15 million records and would later feature in such hit movies as "Dirty Dancing" and "American Hot Wax". By then, the tune had also charted for The Hollies (1963), The Four Seasons (1964 - Maurice's own favourite version) and Jackson Browne (1978), with each release selling more than one million copies. Other covers would include recordings by Helen Shapiro, Dee Dee Sharpe, Lou Christie, The Dave Clark Five, Jan & Dean, Andrew Gold, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper. Altough it became his signature tune, "Stay" however was not Maurice's first taste of success, because while still in High School, he had also penned and recorded "Little Darling", another song dedicated seemingly to the same teenage sweetheart who had inspired "Stay". His own version barely made the Top 40, but soon afterwards, the song was covered by the Diamonds, going on to become a #2 hit for the Canadian group in 1957. It was subsequently recorded by such acts as Elvis Presley, The Monkees, The Four Seasons, Sha Na Na, Joan Baez, Tommy Steele, Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders and Classics 1V and is nowadays regarded as a doo-wop classic, even if some of the covers seemed to parody rather than honour the genre. Maurice scored just one more major hit when his 1968 recording of "May I" was covered by Bill Deal & The Rhondels, but the perennial inclusion of both "Stay" and "Little Darling" in movies, on TV and in oldies compilation albums meant that - with various lineups of The Zodiacs - he could tour regularly until shortly before his death. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. At the age of 86, on the 5th August 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, of heart failure. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Shaun Martin American-born seven-time Grammy Award-winning composer, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumental musician, who was both a member of the jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy and musical director for gospel star Kirk Franklin. At the age of 45, on the 3rd August 2024 in Dallas, Texas, USA from complications following a stroke suffered in 2023. © Jim Liddane Click here Onyeka Onwenu Nigerian-born singer-songwriter, actress, and politician who scored numerous hits both for EMI and Polygram with such songs as "One Love", "Wait for Me", "Iyogogo" and "Winnie Mandela" before embarking on a movie career followed by a venture into politics which eventually led to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. At the age of 72, on the 30th July 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria following a heart attack suffered while performing at a friend's birthday party. © Jim Liddane Click here Terry Noland American-born singer-songwriter, guitarist and school-mate of Buddy Holly, who as a member of the Four Teens recorded in Norman Petty's Clovis, New Mexico studios before moving to New York in 1958 in an attempt to emulate Holly's success. However, following a number of well-received but poor-selling singles on both Brunswick and Coral including "Hypnotized" (covered by The Drifters), "Puppy Love" and "Teenage Teardrops" - Terry quit the music industry in 1962 to become a very successful property developer in Oklahoma. At the age of 85, on the 29th July 2024, in Oklahoma City, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Mick Underwood English-born drummer and former member of The Outlaws, The Herd, Episode Six, Quatermass and Gillan, who worked with such acts as Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Ritchie Blackmore, Gene Vincent, Screaming Lord Sutch and Jet Harris. At the age of 78, on the 28th July 2024, in London, England, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Pat Collier English-born producer, songwriter and founder of The Vibrators ("Automatic Lover"), and owner of Alaska Studios and Perry Vale Studios, where he worked with such acts as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Katrina and the Waves, Robyn Hitchcock and many more. At the age of 72, on the 27th July 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Martin Phillipps New Zealand -born singer-songwriter, guitarist and leader of the Chills, whose hits include "Pink Frost", "I Love My Leather Jacket", "Heavenly Pop Hit", "Male Monster from the Id" and "Come Home". At the age of 61, on the 27th July 2024, in, Auckland, New Zealand of complications from liver failure caused by hepatitis C. © Jim Liddane Click here Kelly Nelon American-born Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter, actor and and Southern Gospel star who recorded more than sixty slbums as part of both the Rex Nelon Singers and latterly The Nelons. At the age of 64, on the 26th July 2024, in Campbell County, Wyoming, USA following an air-crash which killed seven people, including Kelly's husband Jason Clark and her daughter Amber, both members of the Nelons, and all of whom were enroute to a performance in Alaska, USA. The only surviving member of the group Autumn Nelon was travelling in a separate plane. © Jim Liddane Click here Pascal Danel French-born singer-songwriter whose scored more than 60 hit singles, including "La Plage aux Romantiques" and the internationally-acclaimed platinum-seller "Neiges du Kilimandjaro". At the age of 80, on the 25th July 2024, in Paris, France, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Shafin Ahmed Bangladeshi-born singer-songwriter, record producer and politician who was the lead singer and bassist for the popular Bangladeshi rock band Miles. At the age of 63, on the 24th July 2024, in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, of heart and kidney failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Malome Vector Lesotho-born South African-based singer-songwriter whose first release "Dumelang" (featuring Blaq Diamond) went double-platinum. At the age of 32, on the 24th July 2024. near Bloemfontein, South Africa, following a car accident. © Jim Liddane Click here Dick Asher American-born, former Deputy President of Columbia Records, Vice-President at Warner Communications, and President and Chief Executive of Polygram Records Inc, who worked wih such stars as Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Bob Dylan, while campaigning fearlessly against payola. At the age of 92, on the 23rd July 2024, in Boca Raton, Florida, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here John Mayall English-born musician, songwriter, producer, and a pioneering figure of British blues who founded the legendary John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians inthe world. At the age of 90, on the 23rd July 2024, at his home in Laurel Canyon, California, USA, of undisclosed causes. Click here Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir American-born founder, lead singer and last surviving member of The Four Tops, one of the most commercially successful American pop music groups of the 1960s which helped propel the Motown label to international fame. At the age of 88, on the 22nd July 2024, at his home in Detroit, Michigan, USA of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Evelyn Thomas American-born singer whose hi-NRG dance hits include "High Energy", "Masquerade", "Standing at the Crossroads", Reflections", and "Weak Spot". At the age of 70, on the 21st July 2024, in Chicago, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Sandy Posey American-born singer and songwriter whose twelve US hits included "Born A Woman", "Single Girl", "What a Woman in Love Won't Do" and "I Take It Back", and who later toured as a backing singer for Elvis Presley. At the age of 80, on the 20th July 2024, at her home in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA, of complications brought on by dementia. © Jim Liddane Click here Jerry Miller (81), American-born songwriter, suitarist and vocalist who co-founded Moby Grape, and later led the Jerry Miller Band. A ntive of Tacoma, Washington, he teamed up with Bobby Fuller (of "I Fought The Law Fame"), and in later years, was a member of The Bobby Fuller Four, before moving to San Francisco in 1966 and forming Moby Grape with Don Stevenson and Bob Mosley. Jerry went on to write their three best-known songs "Hey Grandma", "8.05" and "Murder In My Heart For The Judge". In later years, he founded The Rhythm Dukes, and worked with such names as Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, The Doors and Eric Clapton (who named him "best guitar player in the world"). On 20th July 2024, in Tacoma, Washington, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jerry Fuller (85), American-born songwriter, singer, producer, and International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. Born in Forth Worth, Texas on the 19th November 1938 to Clarence (a vocalist with Bob Wills) and Lola (a club singer), Jerry had a stint as one of The Fuller Brothers with his brother Bill. In 1959, he moved to Los Angeles where he signed with Challenge Records scoring two hits "Betty My Angel", and a rockabilly version of "The Tennessee Waltz" which hit the US Top 40 in 1960. By now a prolific staff writer for the Challenge subsidiary Four Star Music, Bob penned "Travelin' Man" intending to send it to Sam Cooke. However Ricky Nelson's guitarist Joe Osborne heard the song before it got to Cooke and persuaded Ricky to record it that same evening. "Travelin' Man" got to #1 in the USA and went on to sell more than six million copies. As a consequence, Jerry found himself as Ricky Nelson's main songwriter, penning more than two dozen songs for him including such hits as "It's Up To You", "Young World" and "A Wonder Like You". At the same time, be was also on the road singing lead with the touring version of the studio group The Champs, who had scored with "Tequila", alongside such names as Dave Burgess, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts. In 1963, following a stint in the US Army, Challenge transferred him to New York to run their East Coast operation. Here he discovered The Knickerbockers who went on the top the charts with "Lies", and having left Challenge to become a producer for Columbia, discovered and recorded Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, writIng and producing their four biggest hits 'Woman, Woman," "Young Girl," "Lady Willpower," and "Over You,". He also paired O.C. Smith, a jazz singer, with a country song "Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp," and followed this up with O.C.'s Grammy nominated, "Little Green Apples". At Columbia, he also worked with Mac Davis, (whom he had discovered), Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, and Billy Joe Royal. In 1971, he quit Columbia to set up his own Moonstone Productions,taking Johnny Mathis with him. Jerry then produced five hit albums with Mathis. scoring with such singles as "Make It Easy On Yourself", "Take Good Care Of Her", "Soul And Inspiration", "Just Once In My Life", and "Show And Tell". He was also responsible for "Loving Her Was Easier" by Roger Miller, "Show And Tell" by Al Wilson, and following a move into country music, "That's All She Wrote", "To Make A Long Story Short", and "Feet" for Ray Price, along with Reba McEntire's "I Still Long To Hold You Now And Then" and "That Makes Two Of Us", Freddie Hart's "Toe To Toe", Connie Cato's "I Won't Take It Lyin' Down", Jacky Ward's "Travelin' Man", Dobie Gray's "That's One To Grow On" and John Anderson's "Eye Of A Hurricane". Jerry once worked out that he had more than 1100 songs published, include recordings by such stars as Gene Vincent, Bobby Vee, Sam Cooke, James Darren, Lawrence Welk, Billy J. Kramer, Lou Rawls, Johnny Crawford, The Ventures, Ronnie McDowell, The Four Preps, The Kingston Trio, Hank Snow, Roy Clark, Cher, Ray Charles, Don McLean, Roger Whittaker, Dottie West, Frankie Laine, Lynn Anderson, Ivory Joe Hunter, Eddy Arnold, Toby Beau, Barbara Mandrell, Andre Kostelanetz, Art Farmer, Marty Robbins, Vanessa Williams,Slim Whitman, Billy Eckstein, Lee Greenwood, Johnny Lee, Pat Boone, Steve Wariner, Mark Lindsay, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Lettermen, Kimberly Springs, Al Hirt, Matthew Morrison, Lulu, Tommy Overstreet, Percy Sledge, and many more. During Jerry's career, his songs and/or productions sold more than 120 million records, including 28 Gold or Platinum discs, over 40 Top Ten hits and more than 250 chart entries, along with 12 BMI Achievement Awards and 5 BMI Million-Air Awards. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 18th July 2024, in Sherman Oaks, California, USA. of complications from lung cancer. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane John Sharkey (78), American-born musician, songwriter and founder member of Syndicate of Sound, whose 1966 million-selling recording "Little Girl" led to tours with such acts as The Yardbirds, Mitch Ryder, Neil Diamond, Paul Revere & The Raiders, the Association, Janice Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and The Rascals. On 18th July 2024, in San Francisco, California, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Dave Loggins (76), American-born singer-songwriter and four-time Grammy nominee, who scored a million-seller with both his 1973 hit "Please Come To Boston" and his 1984 duet with Anne Murray "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do". Born on November 10, 1947 in Mountain City, Tennessee, Dave (a cousin of singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins), wrote songs for Three Dog Night, Jimmy Buffett, Tanya Tucker, Restless Heart, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, Gary Morris, Billy Ray Cyrus, Alabama, Toby Keith, Don Williams, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Smokey Robinson, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Juice Newton. He also penned "Augusta", which was taken up by CBS in 1982 to introduce its annual coverage of the Augusta Masters Golf Tournament and is now the longest-running sports theme in television history. Loggins' most famous song, "Please Come to Boston," exemplified his strengths as a songwriter. The song is a poignant narrative of longing and the search for belonging, with each verse offering a snapshot of a life lived in different cities, all underscored by the yearning for a deeper connection. The melody is simple yet haunting, perfectly complementing the lyrics and enhancing the emotional impact of the song. Loggins had a gift for writing lyrics that feel personal and intimate, often drawing on themes of love, loss, and introspection. His work was characterised by a thoughtful and reflective quality, making his songs resonate on a personal level with listeners. This ability to tap into universal emotions was one of his greatest strengths. However, while Loggins' songwriting was consistently solid, his work could occasionally fall into a pattern of predictability, with certain songs adhering closely to the conventions of the soft rock and country genres. This sometimes led to a perception that his work, while heartfelt, lacked the boldness or innovation seen in some of his contemporaries. Despite this, Dave Loggins' songwriting is marked by a genuine emotional depth and a strong sense of place, which earned him a lasting place in the hearts of many listeners. His ability to connect with his audience through well-crafted, emotionally resonant songs mad him a respected figure in the world of songwriting, particularly within the country and soft rock genres. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 11th July 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. of cancer. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Tommy Drennan (82), Irish-born singer-songwriter who scored hits in Ireland throughout tbe 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Born in Limerick, Ireland, Tommy started out as a clasically-trained singer but who having moved to work in Dublin, joined The Freshmen in 1963. The following year, he returned to Limerick to head up local band The Monarchs alongside Ray Heraty, Bryan Meehan, Brendan Moynihan, John "The Man" Frawley and Frank Hogan. This band toured Ireland nightly, scoring such hit singles as "Boolavogue", "Kevin Barry", "Molly", "I Really Don't Want To Know", "Connemara Cradle Song", "Pearly Shells" (with vocals by John Frawley), "Sean South Of Garryowen", "Come Home Rollin' Stone", "Where Were You When I Needed You", "Little Boy Lost", "Love Is A Beautiful Song", "Share My World" and "Taxes By The Score". Their final hit, "O Holy Night", merged Tommy's 1953 childhood recording of the Placide Cappeau/Adolphe Adams hymn with the Monarchs 1972 arrangement, and remained at Number 1 in Ireland for five weeks. In 1972, Tommy formed The Top League alongside vocalist Sean O'Dowd, and the new outfit scored hits with "The Promise And The Dream", "Love And The Country", and "Beautiful Peace". Three years later however, he left to form The Tommy Drennan Band, to work mainly in the cabaret and corporate entertainment industries, although he continued to release hit records including "If Dreams Came True", "You Light Up My Life", "Sunshine Lover" and "Julie". He also found time to gift his knowledge to up-and-coming performers through his involvement with both the Ennis Performing Arts Organisation (which he co-founded with Pearl Kiely) and Limerick's Expressive Arts Theatre School. On 1tth July 2024, in Limerick City, Ireland. Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane © Jim Liddane Click here Joe Egan (77), Scottish-born singer-songwriter and co-founder with school friend Gerry Rafferty of Stealer's Wheel. Joe penned the band's hits "Stuck In The Middle With You", "Everything Will Turn Out Fine" and "Star", and after the band broke up in 1975, went on to release several solo albums. He retired from the music business in 1995. On 6th July 2024, in Paisley, Scotland, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Mary Martin (85), Canadian-born Grammy Award-winning manager and record label executive who was involved in the careers of such acts as Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Peter, Paul and Mary, Emmylou Harris, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan and Clint Black. On 4th July 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark Germino (73), American-born singer-songwriter and poet, who released nine albums between 1986 and 2021, and whose songs were recorded by such names as Paul Craft, Confederate Railroad, Loretta Lynn. Kenny Chesney, Kathy Mattea, Steve Earle Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and Emmylou Harris. On 3rd July 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Rusty Golden (65), American-born songwriter, vocalist, pianist and son of William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys. Although Rusty started playing drums as a teenager, he switched to piano having seen Elton John in concert and soon emerged as a much-admired session musician in Nashville, backing such acts as Larry Gatlin (with whom he toured) and Marty Stuart. He also formed The Boys Band which had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Please Don’t Stop Me Baby". Along with his brother Chris, he later set up The Goldens who recorded for both Epic and Capitol/SBK scoring such hits as "Put Us Together Again", "Sorry Girls", "Take Me Back To The Country" and "Keep The Faith". After the duo split, both brothers released a number of solo singles and albums, while Rusty continued his work as a session pianist. In 2020, William Lee Golden reunited with his two sons to form William Lee Golden & The Goldens which toured extensively and released three albums. On 1st July 2024, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Peter Collins (73), English-born producer who started out as a singer-songwriter with a Magnet Records recording deal but when that did not produce hits, turned instead to producing such acts as Nik Kershaw, Musical Youth, Tracey Ullman, The Lambrettas, Alvin Stardust and Gary Moore. In 1875, he moved to Canada where he produced four hit albums for Rush, going on further success with Alice Cooper, Desmond Child and Queensrÿche. Other acts for whom he produced million-sellers include Tom Jones, Air Supply, The Belle Stars, Jermaine Stewart, Billy Squier, Indigo Girls, Janes Wiedlin, Suicidal Tendencies, Nanci Griffith, Bon Jovi, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Systematic, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Rick Astley, Kenny Loggins and Stray Cats. On 30th June 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of pancreatic cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Kinky Friedman (79), American-born singer-songwriter, author, humorist, politician and leader of Kinky Friedman & The Texas Jewboys, whose humorous but frequently controversial songs include "They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore", "Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In the Bed" (for which he received the "Male Chauvinist Pig Of The Year Award" from the National Organisation for Women) and "Asshole From El Paso" which was a parody on Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee". Born November 1st 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, Kinky Friedman toured with Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson, claimed (probably incorrectly) to have been the first Jewish performer to appear on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, and released 18 albums before going on to pen 19 (mainly detective) novels which sold more than seven million copies. A friend of both George W Bush and Bill Clinton, he decided to run as an independent against Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry in 2006 but was defeated and in 2010, sought but barely failed to win the Democratic nomination for the same post. Kinky Friedman was a unique and provocative figure in the world of songwriting, known for his sharp wit, satirical edge, and fearless approach to addressing social and political issues through his music. His songwriting stood out for its humor, irreverence, and biting commentary, often challenging the norms of both country music and society at large. Friedman's work was characterised by its clever wordplay and willingness to tackle controversial subjects, often with a mix of cynicism and dark humour. His lyrics often blurred the line between comedy and critique, making his work as thought-provoking as it was entertaining. However, his penchant for controversy and his often provocative language could be polarising, frequently alienating listeners who found his approach too abrasive or confrontational. Additionally, his reliance on satire and humour, while effective, could sometimes overshadow the emotional depth of his work, leading to a perception of his songs as more novelty than substance. Despite this, Kinky Friedman's songwriting was undeniably original and influential and his willingness to push boundaries and address taboo subjects with a sharp, satirical edge, earned him a cult following and a lasting place in the annals of country music - and beyond. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 37th June 2024, in Medina, Texas, USA, of complications brought on by Parkinson's disease. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Tom Prasada-Rao (66), Ethiopian-born American-based singer-songwriter whose songs include "See Myself In You" (recorded by Randy Travis), and "$20 Bill", a tribute to the murdered George Floyd. A folk-circuit favourite, he toured with Peter, Paul & Mary, Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mark Heard, Eva Cassidy and Chris Biondo. On 19th June 2024, in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, from cancer of the salivary gland. © Jim Liddane Click here Paul Spencer (53), English-born songwriter and producer who along with fellow DJs Scott Rosser and Stephen Spencer formed Dario G, whose hits include "Sunchyme", "Carnaval de Paris", "Sunmachine", "Voices", "Dream To Me" and "Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven)". On 17th June 2024, in Crewe, UK, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Buzz Cason (84), American-born singer-songwriter, music publisher and record producer who in 1956 founded what is now recognised as Nashville's first rock and roll band, the Casuals, which outfit later backed Brenda Lee for several years. Born November 27, 1939 in Nashville, Tennessee, he adopted the name Garry Miles and had a Top 20 hit in 1960 with a cover of the Gary Mills UK hit "Look For A Star" (penned by Tony Hatch), and later joined The Crickets for a brief period having produced their 1964 UK hit "La Bamba". Meanwhile, one of his early songs "Soldier of Love" which had charted for Arthur Alexander, was recorded for the BBC by The Beatles, and would later be covered by Pearl Jam. In 1966, Buzz penned his biggest hit - "Everlasting Love" which became a worldwide success for three acts, Robert Knight, Carl Carlton and Love Affair, eventually selling more than two million copies. It also became the only song to reach the US Top 40 in each decade between 1960 and 2010. Other pop hits included "Sandy" for Ronnie & The Daytonas of which he was a member for a time, "Tennessee" and "Popsicle" (both for Jan & Dean) and "Rainbow Valley" (Love Affair). In 1970, following a stint as backing singer for Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers and Elvis Presley, he opened Creative Workshop, a recording studio in Berry Hill. whose clients included Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Faces, The Doobie Brothers, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris. In 1987, Buzz formed BC & The Dartz, a rockabilly unit which recorded and toured up until the Covid pandemic and in recent years, he recorded and worked with his sons Taylor and Parker under the name Cason & Sons. In a career which lasted more than 65 years, his songs were recorded by such names as U2, Gloria Estefan, Jamie Cullum, Arthur Alexander, The Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Pearl Jam, Ronnie & The Daytonas, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Dion, Martina McBride, The Oak Ridge Boys, T.G. Sheppard, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Tommy Overstreet, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mel Tillis, Freddy Weller, Alan Jackson and Placido Domingo. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 16th June 2024.in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, following a heart attack. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Angela Bofill (70), American-born singer-songwriter whose 14 hits on the US R&B charts include "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", "Angel Of The Night", "Under The Moon And Over The Sky", "What I Wouldn't Do (For The Love Of You)" and "I Try". On 13th June 2024, in Vallejo, California, USA, following a series of strokes. © Jim Liddane Click here Joe Scaife (68), American-born producer-songwriter, vocalist and music publisher who produced "Achy Breaky Heart" for Billy Ray Cyrus and "80's Ladies" for K.T. Oslin. The son of Cecil Scaife who worked at Sun Records in Memphis alongside such talent as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis before moving to Nashville in the 1960s, Joe went on to produce or engineer hit albums for Montgomery Gentry, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dr. Hook, Gretchen Wilson, Alabama. Ty Herndon, Glen Campbell, Sammy Kershaw, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Waylon Jennings, Sawyer Brown, Tom Jones, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and The Jordanaires, frequently providing background vocals on those sessions. On 12th June 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Francoise Hardy (80), French-born singer-songwriter and actress whose hits included "Tous les garçons et les filles", "C'est à l'amour auquel je pense", L'amour s'en va", "Je veux qu'il revienne", "Comment te dire adieu" and "True Love Ways". In a career spanning fifty years, she released more than thirty albums and sold over ten million records. In 1963, she represented Monaco at the Eurovision song contest. On 11th June 2024, in Paris, France, of laryngeal cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark James (83), American-born Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and record producer whose hit songs include "Suspicious Minds", "Always On My Mind", "Raised On Rock", "It's Only Love" and "Moody Blue" (all recorded by Elvis Presley), "Sunday Sunrise" (a hit for both Brenda Lee and Anne Murray), "Roller Coaster" (Blood Sweat & Tears and David Cassidy), "The Eyes Of A New York Woman" and "Hooked On A Feeling" (B J Thomas), and "Where Do We Go From Here" (The Partridge Family). Born November 29, 1940, in Houston, Texas, Mark's songs have also been recorded by such acts as Floyd Cramer, Faron Young, Roger Whittaker, Val Doonican, Pet Shop Boys, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, The Stylistics. Michael Ball, Chris de Burgh, B.B. King, Jon Bon Jovi, Julio Iglesias, Michael Bublé, José Feliciano, LeAnn Rimes, Loretta Lynn, Susan Boyle, Shirley Bassey, Herb Alpert, The Shadows, Percy Sledge, Lou Rawls, Helen Reddy, The Box Tops, Johnny Winter, Dee Dee Warwick, Roy Clark, Thelma Houston, Billie Jo Spears, Jonathan King, Ray Peterson, Fine Young Cannibals, Billy Swan, Ronan Keating and James Last. His songwriting was characterised by its emotional depth, memorable melodies, and the ability to craft narratives that resonated on both personal and universal levels, combining poignant lyrics with powerful, catchy melodies. "Suspicious Minds", for instance, blended tension and passion with a driving rhythm that captured the complexity of romantic relationships, while "Always On My Mind" stands as a timeless expression of regret and longing. One of James' strengths lay in his versatility; he wrote across genres, seamlessly blending elements of rock, pop, country, and soul. His ability to adapt his songwriting to different styles and artists remains a testament to his skill and understanding of music and although some might argue that his biggest hits, are so iconic that they sometimes overshadow the rest of his catalogue leading to a perception of his songwriting as being somewhat uneven, the emotional impact and enduring popularity of his most famous songs cement his place as a master songwriter, whose work will continue to resonate with audiences across generations. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 8th June 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Karar Ramadan (26), Swedish-born rapper-songwriter known professionally as C.Gambino, who scored 22 Top 40 hits in Sweden between 2019 and 2024 including his 2023 Number 1 "Automatic". On 4th June 2024, in Gothenburg, Sweden, of gunshot wounds following a shooting. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark D Ross (58), known professionally as Brother Marquis, American-born rapper-songwriter who as a member of 2 Live Crew scored such gold albums as "The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are", Move Somethin'", "Banned In The USA", "Back At Your Ass For Ehe Nine-4" and the platinum album "As Nasty as They Wanna Be", along with hit singles like "Me So Horny", "Banned in the USA", "Do the Bart" and "Pop That Coochie", some of which were denied radio play due to alleged obscenity. One of the band's records became the first album in history to be judged legally obscene (although this decision was later overturned), while their parody of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" led the US Supreme Court to determine that commercial parodies were fair use. On 3rd June 2024, in Gadsden, Alabama, USA, following a heart attack. © Jim Liddane Click here Tony Bramwell (78), English-born record label executive and childhood friend of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. When the Beatles left Liverpool to move to London, he went with them to act as their road manager, before joining Brian Epstein's NEMS in 1962 as head of promotion. In later years, he produced many of the Beatles videos, eventually becoming joint MD of Apple Records. On 2nd June 2024, in Liverpool, England, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Harry van Hoof (81), Netherlands-born songwriter and arranger who conducted the Dutch entry at the Eurovision Song Contest on fifteen different occasions between 1972 and 1994. As a songwriter, his most successful composition was "How Do You Do" which became an international hit for Mouth & MacNeal, reaching the US Top 10 and selling more than two million copies, but he also played a major part in the success of Teach-In, who won the Eurovision in 1975 with "Dinge-Dong". In a sixty-year career, Harry worked with a wide variety of acts across Europe, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Metropole Orchestra (which he led for twenty years) and the Anita Kerr Singers. On 1st June 2024, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, following a heart attack. © Jim Liddane Click here Ed Mann (70), American-born drummer and pianist who was heavily involved with the various Frank Zappa bands playing on thirty two of their albums, while also releasing five solo albums of his own material. Although primarly associated with Zappa, Ed also worked extensively as a studio and touring musician with such acts as Kenny Loggins, Tammy Wynette, Los Lobos and the London Symphony Orchestra. On 1st June 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Geoff Follin (58), English-born composer of music for video games. who worked alongside his brothers Tim and Mike on such productions as "Batman Forever", "The New Zealand Story", "Terminator 2", "Silver Surfer", "Spot: The Video Game", "Solstice II", "Spider-Man & the X-Men In Arcade's Revenge", "Plok", "The Incredible Crash Dummies", "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: Taito" and "Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball". On 28th May 2024, in London, UK, of pancreatic cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here John Schweers (78), American-born songwriter whose million-selling hits included Charley Pride’s "Amazing Love", Ronnie Milsap’s "Daydreams About Night Things", Dave & Sugar’s "Golden Tears" and Trace Adkins’ "I Left Something Turned On At Home". Born January 12, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, over a fifty-year period, his songs were recorded by Nashville royalty, including Charley Pride (who signed John to his publishing company), Tom T. Hall (who had advised him to move to Nashville), Eddy Arnold, Alabama, David Frizzell, Shelly West, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, David Wills, Johnny Russell, Mel Street, Susan Raye, Barbara Mandrell, Sylvia, Ronnie Milsap, Jim Ed Brown, George Jones, Mel McDaniel, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, The Kendalls, Don Williams, The Osmond Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Jeannie C. Riley, Charlie Louvin, Roy Clark, Daron Norwood, George Strait, Marty Raybon, Con Hunley, Don Everly, Buck Owens, Travis Tritt, Larry Stewart, Neal McCoy, Johnny Rodriguez and Jeanne Pruett. His songwriting was marked by a deep understanding of human emotion and the nuances of everyday life, which he translated into lyrics that were relatable yet profound. Schweers had a gift for simplicity, often using straightforward language to convey complex feelings, making his songs accessible to a wide audience. His compositions showcased his ability to blend heartache with a sense of resilience, a combination that resonated deeply with listeners. His knack for capturing the essence of the human experience in just a few verses made him a standout in the world of country music songwriting. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 28th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Ghigo Agosti (87), Italian-born singer-songwriter who helped popularise rock and roll in 1950s Italy, scoring with such self-penned hits as "Coccinella" and "Stazione Del Rock" as well as covers of "Peppermint Twist", "Memphis Tennessee", "Daydream", "In The Midnight Hour" and "Whiter Shade of Pale". Frequently performing with visiting acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Isaac Hayes and Elton John, Agosti retired in the 1970s to become a photo-journalist, travelling internationally for Virgin Music Italy and various magazines, before returning to music in 1990. On 27th May 2024, a his home outside Pavia, Italy, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Richard D Sherman (95), American-born songwriter who alongside his brother Robert, wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history, creating such Disney hit musicals as "Mary Poppins", "The Happiest Millionaire", "The Sword In The Stone", "The Jungle Book", "The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Snoopy Come Home", "Bedknobs And Broomsticks", "The Slipper And The Rose" and "Charlotte's Web". His songs included the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee" along with "A Spoonful Of Sugar", "Feed The Birds", "I Wanna Be Like You", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Jolly Holliday" as well as such teen hits as "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess" (both for Annette Funicello), "You’re Sixteen" (for Johnny Burnette and covered later by Ringo Starr) and "Let’s Get Together" (for Hayley Mills). Born on June 12, 1928 in New York City, and the son of hit songwriter Al Sherman whose own hits included "Livin' In The Sunlight, Lovin' In The Moonlight", Richard won two Academy Awards, three Grammy Awards and 23 gold and platinum albums in a career which spanned 65 years, His work was marked by a rare blend of simplicity and sophistication. Songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "A Spoonful of Sugar" from Mary Poppins are perfect examples of his knack for creating infectious, whimsical tunes that delight both children and adults. At the same time, his songs often carry underlying messages that resonate on a deeper level, whether it's the importance of optimism, as seen in "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book, or the longing for a place of belonging in "Chim Chim Cher-ee". One of the most remarkable aspects of Sherman's songwriting was his ability to enhance storytelling through music. His songs were never just interludes in the films but integral components of the narrative, often advancing the plot or deepening character development. This synergy between music and story was a hallmark of his talent, making his work enduringly popular across generations. Some might argue that the pervasive optimism and lightheartedness in many of his songs, while charming, could occasionally feel overly sentimental or simplistic. Additionally, the association with Disney's family-friendly brand led some to overlook the technical mastery and complexity underlying his compositions, but despite these potential critiques, Richard M. Sherman's songwriting is universally regarded as a pinnacle of the craft, particularly in the realm of musical theatre and film. His ability to create songs that were both timeless and deeply connected to the emotions and imaginations of his audience will ensure his place as one of the great songwriters of the 20th century. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 25th May 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of heart failure. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Pat Rolfe (77), American-born music publishing executive who after leaving high school, worked at Hill & Range Music in Nashville, eventually rising to the position of Vice President at Chappell Music, before finally moving to hold the same position at ASCAP (the American Society Of Articts, Composers and Publishers). In a fifty-year career, Pat Rolfe worked with hundreds of luminaries including Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Phil Spector, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley and Wynonna Judd. On 24th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Doug Ingle (78), American-born songwriter, organist and lead vocalist for Iron Butterfly, who wrote the band's iconic song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", On 24th May 2024, in San Diego, California USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Chaarlie Colin (58), Grammy Award-winning American-born singer-songwriter, bassist and co-founder of Train, whose hits include "Meet Virginia", "I Am", "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", "She's On Fire" and "Calling All Angels". On 22nd May 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, following a fall. © Jim Liddane Click here Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (71), Polish-born film and television composer who scored such movies as "Total Eclipse", "Washington Square", "Aimee And Jaguar", "Unfaithful", "Soldier’s Girl", "The Visitor", "City Island", "Get Low", "Paul, Apostle Of Christ" and "Finding Neverland" for which he won an Oscar in 2004. On 21st May 2024, in Krakow, Poland, of complications brought on by Multiple System Atrophy. © Jim Liddane Click here Frank Ifield (86), English-born singer-songwriter of Australian parentage, who having started his career in Australia, returned to London in 1959 to score a string of hits including "I Remember You", "Lovesick Blues", "The Wayward Wind", "Confessin' That I Love You"."Nobody's Darlin' But Mine", "Mule Train", "Don't Blame Me", "Angry At The Big Oak Tree", "I Should Care", "Paradise", "No One Will Ever Know" and "Call Her Your Sweetheart". Ifield also finished second to Ronnie Carroll in the 1962 UK Eurovision Song Contest heats and was one of the few non-American acts to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where he was introduced on stage by his idol and fellow-yodeller Hank Snow. On 18th May 2024, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here John Koerner (85), American-born singer-songwriter and guitarist with the Minneapolis folk act Koerner, Ray & Glover, and whose output was much admired by John Lennon, David Bowie and the emerging Bob Dylan (who performed with him on several occasions). On 18th May 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Randy Fuller (80), American-born singer-songwriter and guitarist who as a member of the Bobby Fuller Four, scored American hits with "Let Her Dance", "I Fought The Law" and "Love's Made A Fool Of You". Following his brother Bobby's mysterious death in Los Angeles in 1966, Randy put together the Randy Fuller Four, but in 1969 joined The New Buffalo Springfield, before reforming his own band a few years later. He continued to tour and record with the original Bobby Fulller Four drummer DeWayne Quirico until his retirement in 2023. On 16th May 2024, in El Paso, Texas, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here John Hawken (84), English-born keyboardist and songwriter who found success as a member of such bands as The Nashville Teens ("Google Eye" and "Tobacco Road"), Renaissance, Illusion, Spooky Tooth, The Strawbs, Third World War, Trifle and Vinegar Joe, and whose notable compositions include "Autumn" and "Heroine's Theme". On 15th May 2024, in Metuchen, New Jersey, USA, from melanoma. © Jim Liddane Click here Bud Logan (83), American-born singer. guitarist, songwriter and record producer who took over as lead vocalist of The Blue Boys, following the death of Jim Reeves in 1964. Having scored a number of hits with them inclduing "My Cup Runneth Over" from the Broadway show "I Do I Do", he went solo, later teaming up with Wilma Burgess and garnering several more smashes including "The Best Day Of The Rest Of Our Love". In 1977, he became John Conlee's record producer, the pair hitting the charts an amazing 32 times - 23 of those inside the Billboard Country Top 10 and seven of which got to Number 1. He went on to produce a string of hits for amongst others, T. Graham Brown, Charlie Rich, Johnny Lee, B.J. Thomas and Ernest Tubb for whom he wrote "Till My Getup Has Gotup And Gone". On 13th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of heart failure, © Jim Liddane Click here David Sanborn (78), American-born saxophonist and composer wo worked with hundreds of artists including Ray Charles, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Loggins, Loudon Wainwright, George Benson, Elton John, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, the Eagles, the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones, and supplied sound-tracks for dozens of movies including the "Lethal Weapon" series. In addition, he was the recipient of six Grammy awards, and also produced eight million-selling solo albums and one platinum album. On 12th May 2024, in Tarrytown, New York, from prostate cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Wayland Holyfield (82), American-born songwriter who in a fifty-four year career, scored more than forty US Top Ten Country hits. including such classics as Bobby Rusells's "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer", Don Williams' You’re My Best Friend", "She Never Knew Me" and "Til The Rivers All Run Dry", Crystal Gayle's "I’ll Do It All Over Again", Mel Street's "If I Had A Cheating Heart", Ronnie Milsap's "Nobody Likes Sad Songs", Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance" as well as the Arkansas State Song "Arkansas (You Run Deep In Me)". Wayland, who was born on March 15, 1942 in Conway County, Arkansas, also scored hits with Conway Twitty, Charley Pride, Randy Travis, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, The Judds, Barbara Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Mark Chesnutt, John Anderson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Gary Allan, Johnny Rodriguez, and Ernest Tubb while also becoming the first Nashville songwriter to be elected to the national ASCAP Board of Directors One of Wayland's greatest strengths was his consistency. He had a knack for writing songs that feel authentic and grounded, with a clear understanding of the genre's roots. His songs often conveyed a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, making them appealing across generations of country music fans, and he had a talent for writing songs that suited a wide range of vocalists, allowing them to bring their own emotional depth to his work. However, some might argue that Holyfield's adherence to traditional country themes and structures, while part of his appeal, can also limit the innovation in his songwriting. His work is often deeply rooted in the conventions of classic country, which can lead to a perception of predictability. For some listeners, this adherence to tradition might have come across as lacking in experimentation or modern relevance but this is to miss the point, namely that Wayland Holyfield's songwriting was marked by its warmth, accessibility, and emotional truth. His ability to create songs that felt both personal and universal earned him a place among the most esteemed songwriters in country music. His work will always resonate because it speaks to the core of human experience, wrapped in the familiar and comforting sounds of classic country. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 6th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Ron Kavana (73), Irish-born singer-songwriter, actor, journalist and film-maker, who worked with such acts as Big Jay McNeely, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Dr. John, Elvis Costello, Sinead O’Connor, Doug Sahm, Flaco Jiminez, Alexis Korner, Memphis Slim, Champion Jack Dupree, as well as the Pogues for whom he wrote "Every Man Is A King (In The US of A)" and "Young Ned Of the Hill", while also producing ten award-winning solo albums. On 4th May 2024, in Cork, Ireland, of renal failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Duane Eddy (86), American-born Grammy Award-winning guitarist and composer, whose hits include "Rebel-'Rouser", "Ramrod","Cannonball", "The Lonely One", "Peter Gunn", "Yep!", "Forty Miles of Bad Road", "Some Kind-a Earthquake", "Shazam!", "Because They're Young", "Kommotion", "Pepe", "Ring of Fire", "My Blue Heaven", "Caravan", "Deep In The Heart Of Texas", "The Ballad Of Paladin", "(Dance With The) Guitar Man", "Boss Guitar", and "Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar". Born April 26, 1938 in Corning, New York, Duane Eddy's guitar style was defined by its deep, resonant "twang" that left an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll. Emerging in the late 1950s, Eddy pioneered a sound that was both raw and cinematic, using a combination of heavy reverb, tremolo picking, and his distinctive use of the low strings to create a sound that was instantly recognisable. Eddy's playing was minimalist yet powerful, often relying on simple, memorable riffs rather than complex solos. This approach allowed him to craft tunes that were as much about mood and atmosphere as they were about melody. Tracks like "Rebel Rouser" and "Peter Gunn" demonstrate his ability to convey emotion and narrative with just a few notes, making his music feel larger than life. Some guitarists argued that his reliance on a limited set of techniques - especially his signature "twang" - made his work feel somewhat repetitive over time, but it was this very consistency that solidified his style as a distinct and influential force in rock and roll. Eddy's contribution to the genre lay not in any display of technical virtuosity (although he was a superb musician), but in his ability to evoke a timeless, almost primal feeling through his guitar. Still performing well into his 80s, famous guitarists influenced by him included George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, the Ventures, Bruce Springsteen and Mark Knopfler. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. On 30th April 2024, in Franklin, Tennessee, USA, of cancer. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Robin George (68), English-born singer-songwriter and record producer whose song "Heartline" hit the Uk and US charts in 1985. He also worked with such acts as David Byron, Phil Lynott, Glenn Hughes, Robert Plant, Asia, Roy Wood, The Climax Blues Band and Magnum. and produced Diamond Head's single "Sweet & Innocent", along with albums by Quartz and Witchfinder General. On 26th April 2024, in Malaga, Spain, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Mike Pinder (82), English-born keyboardist, songwriter, member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, founding member of the Moody Blues and the musician who most helped to popularise the Mellotron. His compositions for the band include "And My Baby's Gone", "A Simple Game", "Boulevard De La Madeleine", "Melancholy Man" and "People Gotta Go", while his songs have been covered by such acts as The Four Tops, The Mike Morton Congregation and Vicky Leandros. On 24th April 2024, near San Jose, Northern California, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Chan Romero (82), American-born singer-songwriter whose song "The Hippy Hippy Shake" was covered by more than 70 acts including The Beatles, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Mud, Billy Fury, Shane MacGowan and The Popes and The Georgia Satellites. On 20th April 2024, in Cathedral City, California, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Larry Page (86), English-born singer, manager, record producer. music publisher and record label owner who as a vocalist in 1957, unsuccessfully covered Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" in the UK, but in later years went on to manage The Kinks and The Troggs while owning Page One Records and Penny Farthing Records. He also produced several million-selling hits including "Wild Thing" for the Troggs, "Beautiful Sunday" for Daniel Boone and the Chelsea Football Club song "Blue Is The Colour". On 18th April 2024, in Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Dickey Betts (80), American-born singer-songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, whose most famous songs include "Rambling Man", "Jessica", "Straight From The Heart" and ""No One To Run With" (all written by Betts). On 18th April 2024, in Osprey, Florida, USA, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Rico Wade (52), American-born Grammy Award-winning songwriter, record producer and member of the Atlanta-based production and songwriting trio Organized Noize, who produced Outkast, Goodie Mob, TLC, and En Vogue, and was responsible for such hits as TLC’s "Waterfalls", En Vogue’s "Don't Let Go (Love)", and Ludacris’ "Saturday (Oooh! Ooooh!)". On 12th April 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, of cardiac arrest. © Jim Liddane Click here Park Bo-ram (30), Korean-born singer-songwriter and actress, whose hits during a ten-year career include "Beautiful", "Celepretty". "Sorry" and "Ordinary Love". On 11th April 2024, in Seoul, Korea, of cardiac arrest. © Jim Liddane Click here Clarence "Frogman" Henry (87), American-born singer-songwriter whose hits include "Aint's Got No Home", "(I Don’t Know Why I Love You) But I Do", "You Always Hurt The One You Love", "Lonely Street", "On Bended Knees" and "A Little Too Much", and who opened for The Beatles during their 1964 USA tour. On 7th April 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana,USA, of undisclosed causes following surgery. © Jim Liddane Click here John "Bucky" Wilkin (77), American-born singer-songwriter, record producer and music publisher who scored a number of hits under the name Ronnie & The Daytonas including "GTO", "California Bound", "Sandy", "Somebody To Love Me", "Dianne Dianne" and "I’ll Think Of Summer". Born April 26th, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he also charted with "Tiger-A-Go-Go", performed by Buzz & Bucky, a duo featuring himself and singer-songwriter Buzz Cason. Although Ronnie & The Daytonas became a major name in the mid-1960's, the band as such never existed. Wilkin sang lead in the studio alongside Buzz Cason and Bobby Russell, while if obliged to appear live on stage or on television, he would simply line-up a few session musicians who were keen to party. When his label finally demanded publicity pictures, he had a group of school friends pose for the photos which were later also used on the "band's" album covers. He co-wrote with Kristofferson, travelled with Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda to make a movie in Peru for which he penned all of the songs, and would occasionally disappear for months on end, travelling across America in a large RV. The son of International Songwriters Association Hall of Famer Marijohn Wilkin, who had penned such hits as "The Long Black Veil", "One Day At A Time (Sweet Jesus)" and "Waterloo", Bucky first appeared on TV at the age of eight, playing guitar alongside Brenda Lee. When Ronnie & The Daytons hit the top some years later, he and his mother used the money to set up Buckhorn Music, whose first signing was Kris Kristofferson. Meanwhile John's own songs were being recorded by such stars as Bobby Goldsboro, Bobby Vee, Ray Charles, Bobbie Gentry, Southern Pacific, The Beach Boys, Wayne Newton, The Hondells and The Swinging Blue Jeans, When not writing or touring with the Daytonas, John was in demand in Nashville as a session guitarist, playing on albums by Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Colter, Dory Previn and many more. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 6th April 2024, in Linden, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Crawford Bell (80), Irish-born singer-songwriter, musician and owner of C B Recording Studios, who during a 64-year career emerged from the showband scene to work alongside such stars as Van Morrison, Nathan Carter, Brendan Quinn and Daniel O'Donnell, touring Ireland, Scotland, England, Europe, USA and Canada. On 4th April 2024, in Carryduff, County Down, Northern Ireland, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jerry Abbott (81), American-born singer-songwriter and record producer, whose hits include "I Want A Little Cowboy" and whose songs have been recorded by such country stars as Emmylou Harris and Freddy Fender. He was also the father of Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell who founded Pantera, a band which he managed and produced before they signed with Atco. On 2nd April 2024, in Denton, Texas, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Casey Benjamin (46), Grammy Award-winning American-born saxophonist, keyboardist, and songwriter. who worked with such stars as Betty Carter, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and Beyonce. On 30th March 2024, in Queens, New York City, USA, of a pulmonary thromboembolism, © Jim Liddane Click here Louis Gossett Jr. (87), American-born Academy Award-winning actor and singer-songwriter, whose song "Handsome Johnny" was recorded by several acts including Ritchie Havens, Peter Tosh and The Flaming Lips. On 29th March 2024, in Santa Monica, California, USA, of complications brought on by prostate cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark Spiro (68), American-born singer-songwriter and record producer who wrote songs for such acts as Julian Lennon, Kansas, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cheap Trick, Anne Murray, Heart, REO Speedwagon, Selena, Laura Branigan, Bad English and Lita Ford. In addition, he released eleven solo albums between 1986 and 2021 as well as producing albums for his daughters Ruby and Summer Spiro who work under the group name Ruby Summer. He also contributed music to several movies including "Top Gun", "Far Away Places" and "Voyage Of The Rock Aliens". On 28th March 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Chris Cross (71), English-born bass guitarist, songwriter and member of Ultravox, who co-wrote such hits as "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", "Hymn", The Voice", "New Europeans", "Vienna" and "Slow Motion". On 25th March 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Humphrey Campbell (66), Surinamese-born Dutch-based singer-songwriter and record producer who represented The Netherlands in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden, with "Wijs Me De Weg", before going on to become the senior vocal lecturer at the Amsterdam Conservatory Of Music. On 25th March 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, of cancer, © Jim Liddane Click here Erv Woolsey (80), American-born music industry executive and ,music publisher who managed such stars as George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Ronnie Milsap, having earlier worked with Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender, Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boy, Lee Greenwood and the Amazing Rhythm Aces. On 20th March 2024, in Clearwater, Florida, USA, of complications following heart surgery. © Jim Liddane Click here Kevin Toney (70), American-born twice Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer whose compositions include such hits as "Rock Creek Park" and "Unfinished Business", and who worked with Frank Sinatra, Patti Austin, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Whitney Houston, Gloria Gaynor, James Ingram, Enrique Iglesias, Michael McDonald, Bill Withers, and Stevie Wonder. On 18th March 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Steve Harley (76), English-born singer-songwriter and leader of the band Cockney Rebel, whose hits include "Judy Teen", "Mr. Soft", "Mr. Raffles (Man It Was Mean)", "Here Comes the Sun", "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" and the #1 hit "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" which reached the UK charts on five separate occasions between 1974 and 2015. On 17th March 2024, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Dick Allix (78), English-born drummer and songwriter with Vanity Fare, who scored hits with ""I Live for the Sun", "Hitchin' a Ride", "Early in the Morning" and "(I Remember) Summer Morning", and who went on to found the Professional Darts Corporation in 1992 which nowadays operates the televised World Championship, Premier League, World Cup of Darts, World Grand Prix and World Matchplay. On 13th March 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Eric Carmen (74), American-born singer-songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist and leader of the Rsaspberries. whose hits (mainly penned by Eric) included "Go All the Way", "I Wanna Be with You", "Let's Pretend" and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)". These early songs are quintessential examples of his talent for merging the energy of rock with the accessibility of pop, delivering infectious melodies paired with emotionally charged lyrics. His ability to tap into the youthful exuberance and angst of romantic relationships helped define the power pop genre. However, In 1975, Eric left the band and embarked on a solo career, scoring such hits as "All by Myself", Never Gonna Fall in Love Again". She Did It". "It Hurts Too Much", "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips", "Hungry Eyes" and "Make Me Lose Control". His solo career further showcased his versatility and depth as a songwriter. Hits like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" revealed his classical influences, particularly in the way he incorporated lush, orchestral arrangements and grand, sweeping melodies. "All By Myself," in particular, stands out as a masterpiece of pop balladry, with its introspective lyrics and dramatic shifts between soft, introspective verses and powerful, soaring choruses. In addition to his own recording career, Eric. who was born on August 11, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, was a prolific songwriter whose composjtions were recorded by such stars as Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Michael Ball, Carmen McRae, Hank Williams, Jr, Rosemary Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Brotherhood of Man, Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt, Frankie Valli, Olivia Newton-John, Patti LaBelle, Smokie, John Travolta, Dana, Shaun Cassidy and Showaddywaddy. It has been said that Carmen’s songwriting, especially in his solo work, occasionally verged on the overly sentimental or melodramatic, with lyrics that sometimes wandered into cliché territory, the reality is that his ability to fuse rock energy with classical sensibilities and his knack for writing memorable, emotionally resonant songs have cemented his reputation as a significant and influential songwriter. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 10th March 2024, in Gates Mills, Ohio, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Karl Wallinger (66), English-born songwriter, musician and record producer, who worked with World Party, Sinéad O’Connor and the Waterboys, and whose hit songs include "Ship Of Fools", "Way Down Now" and "She's The One" (covered by Robbie Williams, Andy Williams and Chesney Hawkes). On 10th March 2024, in Hastings, Sussex, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Steve Lawrence (87), American-born singer, songwriter and actor, who with his wife Eydie Gorme dominated the charts and television channels for fifty years, and whose admiration for the great songwriters helped to maintain the popularity of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern in a rock & roll era. Grammy Award and Emmy Award winner and father of the ASCAP Award-winning songwriter David Lawrence. On 7th March 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of complications brought on by Alzheimers disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Dimos Moutsis (86), Greek-born singer-songwriter and politician, whose work also includes hits penned for Rebetika Sotiria Belou and Anna Mouskouri. He was a colleague of former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. On 6th March 2024, in Athen, Greece, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here B B Seaton (79), Jamaican-born singer-songwriter and leader of the Gaylads, whose hits both as a band member and as a soloist include "Accept My Apology", "Sweet Caroline", "Lean On Me", "Thin Line Between Love and Hate", "My Jamaican Girl", "Joy in The Morning" and "Hard to Confess". On 4th March 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jim Beard (64), American-born pianist and composer whose work with Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny and others, led to seven Grammy nominations, including a win in 2007. On 2nd March 2024, in New York City, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Johnny Johnson (80), American-born singer, songwriter and founder-vocalist of Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon, whose hits include "Breakin' Down The Walls Of Heartache", "Let's Hang On", "Sweet Inspiration", "(Blame It) On The Pony Express" and "You". On 2nd March 2024, in Rochester, New York, USA of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Cat Janice (31), American-born singer-songwriter whose song "Dance You Outta My Head" which (released as she was dying in a hospice) reached #2 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales, going on to become an international Tik-Tok hit. On 28th February 2024, in Annandale, Virginia, USA, of sarcoma cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Peter Morgan (46), American-born singer-songwriter, son of Jamaican reggae singer Denroy Morgan, and founder of Morgan Heritage, whose album "Strictly Roots" won the 2016 Grammy for best reggae album,going on to win again in 2019 with the album "Avrakedabra". On 25th February 2024, New York City, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Shinsadong Tiger (40), Korean-born record producer and songwriter whose hits include T-ara's "Roly Poly", Apink's "No No No" and "Remember", Exid's "Up and Down" and "DDD", and Momoland's "Bboom Bboom". On 23rd February 2024, in Seoul, Korea. of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here John "Duff" Lowe (81), English-born pianist who was a member of the Quarrymen alongside John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and who performed on the group's 1958 vanity recording of "That'll Be The Day" and "In Spite Of All The Danger". On 21st February 2024, in Liverpool, UK, of natural causes. © Jim Liddane Click here David Libert (81), American-born singer-songwriter and co-founder of The Happenings, who scored such hits as "See You In September", "Go Away Little Girl", "My Mammy", "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "I Got Rhythm", and who went on to become tour manager for Alice Cooper before opening the David Libert Agency, which became involved with such acts as George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band, The Runaways, Brian Auger, Sheila E, and Vanilla Fudge. He also penned songs for The Tokens, The Chiffons and Gerry & The Pacemakers. On 20th February 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Bobby Tench (79), Trinidadian-born British-based singer-songwriter and guitarist who worked with Freddie King, Van Morrison, Ginger Baker, The Jeff Beck Group, Humble Pie, The Streetwalkers, Linda Lewis, Eric Burdon, Thin Lizzy, Hummingbird and Gass. On 20th February 2024, in London, UK, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Judi Pulver (77), American-born singer-songwriter who penned the turntable hit "Dancing On The Moon", before going on to become a successful music sales executive at both "The Hollywood Reporter" and "Variety". On 20th February 2024, in Santa Monica, California, USA, of lung cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Cynthia Strother (88), American-born singer-songwriter and one half of The Bell Sisters whose self-penned hit "Bermuda" reached the US Top 10 in 1952. On 16th February 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Benny Lanzarone (85), American-born composer, arranger and music director, who penned music for "Dynasty", "Happy Days", "The Tracey Ullman Show", "The Love Boat", "The Jay Leno Comedy Hour", "Mr. Belvedere", "Vegas", "Matt Houston", "The Colbys", "Hotel", "Laverne and Shirley" and "Mork and Mindy". He also toured with Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark and Art Garfunkel, and worked with Bob Crewe. On 16th February 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of lung cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Ron Gilbert (75), American-born singer-songwriter, co-founder of the Blues Magoos, and writer of their biggest hits including "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet". On 16th February 2024, in Los Angeles. California, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Kerry "Fatman" Hunter (53), American-born drummer and composer with the Grammy Award-winning band The Nightcrawlers, and for whom Brent Rose penned the tune "Fatman". On 12th February 2024, in New Orleans, Mississippi, USA, having been knocked down by a drunk driver. © Jim Liddane Click here Randy Sparks (90), American-born singer-songwriter and founder of The New Christy Minstrels, who penned "Green Green", "Today", and the John Denver hit "Saturday Night in Toledo, Ohio", and whose songs were also covered by Burl Ives, Debbie Reynolds, Trini Lopez, Bobby Darin, Brian Hyland, Johnny Rivers, Roger Whittaker, Bill Anderson, Robert Goulet, Bobby Goldsboro, Glen Campbell, and Andy Williams. On 11th February 2024, in San Diego, California, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Jimmy Van Eaton (86), American-born drummer and songwriter who played on Jerry Lee Lewis’ "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," Billy Lee Riley’s “Red Hot,” Bill Justis’ "Raunchy” and “Lonely Weekends” by Charlie Rich, as well as on hits by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Warren Smith, Carl Mann and Charlie Feathers. On 10th February 2024, in Muscle Shoals, Aabama, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Tony Middleton (89), American-born singer, songwriter and actor, who co-wrote "Church Bells May Ring", which was a hit both for his own group The Willows, and also for The Diamonds before going on to become a doo-wop classic, recorded by The Four Seasons, Sunny Gale, The Cadets and The Shirelles. On 3rd February 2024, in New York City, USA, of chronic kidney disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Mojo Nixon (66), American-born musician, singer-songwriter, actor and radio DJ, best known for the songs "Elvis Is Everywhere" and "Don Henley Must Die". On 7th February 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following a heart attack suffered while performing on the the Outlaw Country Cruise. © Jim Liddane Click here Toby Keith (61), American-born singer-songwriter, record producer, actor and businessman, whose hits include "Who’s Your Daddy?", "Made In America", "Should Have Been A Cowboy", "As Good as I Once Was" and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)", earning him an estimated $550 million fortune and countless music industry awards. Born July 8, 1961 in Clinton, Oklahoma, Keith's music often celebrated blue-collar values, patriotism, and personal resilience, resonating with a broad audience. His unapologetic, sometimes controversial stance, particularly in songs like "American Soldier," earned him both ardent fans and critics, but his authenticity was never in question. In addition, Keith became known for his deep, resonant voice and straightforward, relatable lyrics. Beyond his music, Keith proved to be a savvy businessman, expanding his influence with ventures like his own record label, Show Dog Nashville. He was also a major philanthropist, operating notably through the Toby Keith Foundation, which supports children with cancer and also offers assistance ro military personnel and their families. In addition to his career in music, Keith ventured into acting, appearing in films such as "Broken Bridges" and "Beer For My Horses". International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 5th February 2024, in Oklahoma City, USA, of stomach cancer. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member, Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Nicky Graham (79), South African-born British-based musician, songwriter, record producer, and former member of The End, keyboardist for David Bowie as well as a producer for both Polydor and CBS Records. His successes include hits for The Nolans, Let Loose, Ant & Dec, David Essex, Barbara Dickson, Bonnie Tyler Shakin's Stevens, Andy Williams, Bros, Shirley Bassey and Code Red. On 3rd February 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Frank Farian (82), songwriter, vocalist and one of the most successful producers of all time whose productions sold more than 850 million copies. Frank Farian was born Franz Reuther in Kirn, Germany on July 18, 1941, his father having been killed in battle six weeks before his birth. Leaving school at 18, Frank trained as a chef before forming his first band Frankie Boys Schatten five years later. They recorded a single "Shouting Ghost" which failed to chart, followed by more successful cover versions of such US hits as "Yakety Yak" (1964) and "Under the Boardwalk" (1965). Two years later, Frankie himself scored with a solo version of the Otis Redding song "Mr. Pitiful" and over the next ten years, released a number of successful German singles including "Gipsy" (1968), "Dana My Love" (1968), "Speedy Jack" (1970), "Gold in Acapulco" (1972), "Atlantica" (1975) and "My Decision" (1975). His biggest hit, which sold more than a million copies, was a cover of the Austin Roberts 1976 US hit "Rocky". That same year, Farian recorded the Prince Buster 1964 hit "Al Capone" re-titled as "Baby Do You Wanna Bump", but decided instead to put it out under the group name Boney M, "featuring Bobby Farrell". In fact Farrell did not sing on this, or indeed any of the band’s subsequent releases, but instead lip-synced on stage to Farian's pre-recorded vocals. Boney M went on to have a string of hits worldwide including "Daddy Cool", "Ma Baker", "Belfast", "Sunny", "Rasputin", "Brown Girl in the Ring", "Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord", "Little Drummer Boy", and "Rivers of Babylon", all featuring Farian's lead vocals. After ten years, the band dissolved, although due to the failure of Farian to register the band name in a number of territories, versions of it re-formed from time to time with different line-ups over the next twenty years. Farian now launched a new "super-group" called Far Corporation (originally christened the Frank Farian Corporation), featuring ex-Toto stars Steve Lukather, David Paich, Bobby Kimball and Simon Phillips along with Irish vocalist Robin McAuley. They went on to score a number of hits including covers of Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion", Free's "Fire and Water" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" but disbanded following the relative failure of their third album "Solitude". Meanwhile, Farina had formed a third group, this time to record a cover of "Girl You Know It's True", a song originally recorded by the Maryland-based act Numarx. The recording, featuring session singers Brad Howell, John Davis, Charles Shaw, Jodie Rocco and Linda Rocco, was then played by Farian to two singer-dancers, Rob Pilatus, a German-born performer of African-American descent, and Fabrice Morvan, a French teenager whose family came from Guadeloupe. Neither was highly educated, and seemingly were under the impression that they would be re-recording the vocals before release. Instead, the single was released without their input, and the duo soon found themselves touring Europe under the band name Milli Vanilli, lip-syncing to Farian's pre-recorded tracks. Efforts by the duo to insist that Farian should allow them to handle the vocals on subsequent releases fell on deaf ears, and the deception continued for close on two years. The act was Farian's most successful venture, going on to earn five gold discs, including three consecutive US #1s, "Baby Don't Forget My Number", "Blame It on the Rain", and "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You". In all, they sold more than ten millions records, while the album from which the tracks were taken, spent 78 weeks on the American charts, seven of them at #1. In February 1990, Milli Vanilli were named as winners of the Best New Artist award at the 32nd Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. However, by now, suspicions were being raised in the USA, where an MTV executive, having interviewed the duo, had already said that Pilatus and Morvan simply did not possess sufficient English-language skills to have sung on the hits. Weeks later, at a performance in Bristol, Connecticut, the pre-recorded track jammed, causing Pilatus to panic and run off the stage. Meanwhile Charles Shaw, annoyed at the fact that on the American version of the album, Pilatus and Morvan had been named as the lead vocalists, issued a statement, (subsequently withdrawn), that he had been the actual vocalist. Unable to stem the bad publicity, Farian announced that he had fired both Pilatus and Morvan, confirming that they had never performed the vocals either on their recordings, or at any of their public appearances. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences now became involved, demanding that the Grammy Award be returned, Arista Records stopped all Milli Vanilli sales and deleted the album from their catalogue, and the duo found themselves stranded in the USA, facing a storm of abuse from music fans, along with 26 lawsuits alleging fraud. Farina himself, however, was not sued, going on to release a follow-up Milli Vanilli album titled "The Moment of Truth" which this time pictured the real vocalists on the cover, although this failed to sell. In 1997, apparently upset by his abrupt firing of Pilatus and Morvan, Farian offered to record a third Milli Vanilli album to be titled "Back And In Attack" but with Pilatus and Morvan handling all the lead vocals. However Pilatus was by now suffering from depression and drug addiction, and was found dead in a Frankfurt hotel room a few days before the album could be completed. Subsequently, Farian went on to found the German-American band La Bouche who scored international hits with "Be My Lover", "Sweet Dreams", "You Won't Forget Me" and "S.O.S". He also formed a second duo Le Click, which topped the charts with "Tonight Is the Night", "Call Me" and "Don't Go", as well as producing an album for Meatloaf. In 2006, a musical "Daddy Cool", featuring the songs of such Farian acts as Boney M, Milli Vanilli and La Bouche opened on London's West End, running for six months before embarking on a UK tour. It subsequently toured Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain. In later years, having sold more an estimated than 800 million records, Farian retired to live in Miami, Florida. Although still criticised by some in the American music industry, he claimed that he could never quite understand their point of view, pointing out that what he had done was normal industry practice, referencing the numerous star bands (some American) whose members had not always perfomed on their hit recordings. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. In Miami, Florida, USA, on January 23, 2024, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Margo Smith (84), American-born singer-songwriter known as "The Tennessee Yodeler", who in a career spanning 50 years, scored two consecutive US Country #1 hits, before transitioning to the Christian Music market. On 23rd January 2024, in Franklin, Tennessee, USA, following a stroke. © Jim Liddane Click here Melanie (76), American-born singer-songwriter, who made her debut at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, before going on to write and record such classic hits as "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" and "Brand New Key". Melanie was born Melanie Safka, on February 3, 1947, in Astoria, Queens, New York. Raised in the Bronx, she came from a musically inclined household. Her father Fred, was a jazz musician, and her mother, Pauline, sang jazz professionally under the name Polly Altomare. Together, they nurtured Melanie's early interest in the arts and played a pivotal role in shaping her passion for music from an early age. Melanie's education primarily took place in New Jersey to where her family had moved, first at Long Branch High School where she was bullied by some students on account of her radical or “hippie” views, and later at Red Bank Regional High School in Red Bank from which she graduated in 1964. She intended to embark immediately on a folk music career but parental pressure obliged her to first obtain an academic qualification, so she enrolled at the New York Academy of Fine Arts to study acting, while performing in the evening at the various folk clubs and coffee houses in Greenwich Village, captivating audiences with her distinctive voice and poignant lyrics. During the burgeoning folk scene, Melanie collaborated with artists such as Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie, which contributed to her growing prominence within the folk community. These collaborations not only expanded her musical horizons but led to a recording contract with Columbia, although her first two singles for the label, failed to chart and she would soon sign with Buddah Records. In 1968, she married record producer Peter Schekeryk, with whom she had three children, all of whom subsequently pursued careers in music. The couple's collaborative efforts extended beyond their personal life, as Schekeryk, who died in 2010, played a crucial role in Melanie's career, producing all bar one of her albums. Her breakthrough came with her performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, where she delivered an unforgettable set. The audience, lighting candles during her performance, inspired her to pen her first hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)", which reached #6 in the USA, and her follow-ups, such as "Peace Will Come (According to Plan)", "Ruby Tuesday", "What Have They Done to My Song Ma" (later covered by The New Seekers), and "The Nickel Song" all charted, while albums such as "Affectionately Melanie" (1969) and "Candles in the Rain" (1970), which showcased an evolving style, blending folk, pop, and rock elements, brought her to national attention, earning her a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1970. While she did not secure a win, the nomination underscored her impact on the music scene. She also embarked on a series of appearances at such festivals as the Powder Ridge Rock Festival (where she was the only act to ignore a court injunction against the holding of the event), the Strawberry Fields Festival held at Mosport Park, Ontario, Canada, the Isle of Wight Festival at Afton Down in the UK and the 1971 Glastonbury Festival, held in Glastonbury, England. In 1971, she left Buddah and set up her own label Neighborhood Records, and soon after scored her biggest "Brand New Key" (sometimes called "The Roller Skate Song"), which sold over four million copies worldwide despite being banned by a number of radio stations, topping the charts in the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. A few years later, a parody of that song titled "I've Got A Brand New Combine Harvester" by the Wurzels, also topped the UK charts. Subsequent hits included "Ring the Living Bell", "Someday I'll Be a Farmer", "Together Alone", "Do You Believe", "Bitter Bad" and a cover of the Shirelles "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", and although the singles hits dried up in the mid-80s, her albums continued to sell, while she remained in hreat demand for festivals worldwide, appearing alongside such icons as Arlo Guthrie and Judy Collins. In a career spanning 50 years, she released a total of 41 albums (13 of which were live), along with 14 compilation albums and 59 singles. Her final studio album "Somewhere Under the Rainbow" came out in 2019, while two live albums "Live at Woodstock" and "Melanie Live at Drury Lane" were issued the following year. At the time of her death, she was completing an album of covers to be titled "Second Hand Smoke", which would include Radiohead’s “Creep,” the Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin,” Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” and David Bowie’s “Everyone Says Hi.” International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member, In Nashville, Tennessee, USA, on January 23, 2024, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Toni Stern (79), American-born songwriter who collaborated with Carole King, and whose songs were recorded by Carole King, The Monkees, Helen Reddy, The Carpenters, The Shirelles, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, The Isley Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare, Barbra Streisand and many more. On 17th January 2024, in Santa Ynez, California, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Laurie Johnson (86), composer, bandleader, conductor and arranger, who wrote scores for dozens of film and television series. Laurie Johnson was born in Hampstead, London, UK on February 7 1927, into a family with a strong musical tradition. His parents, Harold and Ethel Johnson, recognised their son's musical aptitude early on and encouraged his passion for the arts. After grammar school, he began his formal education in music at the Royal Academy of Music in London under Ralph Vaughan Williams, who helped him hone his skills in composition, arrangement, and orchestration. Having left the Academy, he spent four years serving in the band of the Coldstream Guards, frequently participating in major ceremonial events, before embarking on a career penning arrangements for the Ted Heath Band and later for many of Britain’s leading dance bands and recording orchestras. This work brought him to the attention of the UK movie industry, and he was soon writing and conducting scores for such films as "The Good Companions" (1957), "The Moonraker" (1958), "Girls at Sea" (1958), "No Trees in the Street" (1959), "Tiger Bay" (1959), and "Operation Bullshine" (1959). In 1959, he also penned his first television theme, for the TV drama "No Hiding Place". The same year, he was asked to act as composer and music director for the musical "Lock Up Your Daughters", winning an Ivor Novello Award alongside Lionel Bart who had penned the lyrics. The following year, he signed with the prestigious KPM Music Library in London, providing (whether as a composer, conductor or arranger), literally thousands of pieces to the Library, many of which are still being used today in such shows as "SpongeBob SquarePants". He also scored a Top 10 hit in 1961 with "Sucu Sucu", the theme from the television series "Top Secret" and went on to hit the UK album charts with such releases as "The New Big Sound of the Laurie Johnson Orchestra" (1963) and "The Big New Sound Strikes Again" (1965). His television scores included "Echo Four Two" (1961), "Top Secret" (1961), "Animal Magic" (1962), "Riviera Police" (1965), "The Avengers" (1965), "This Is Your Life" (1969), "Red Gauntlet" (1970), "Shirley's World" (1971), "Jason King" (1971), "Thriller" (1973), "The New Avengers" (1976), "The Professionals" (1977) and "W1A" (2014), while his contribution to such theatre productions as "Pieces of Eight" (1959) and "The Four Musketeers" (1967) enhanced to his reputation. In addition, he also co-owned the production company Avengers Mark One Productions Ltd which produced several of these TV series. Between 1960 and 1990. Laurie worked prolifically in the movie industry, providing themes for such films as "I Aim at the Stars" (1960), "Spare The Rod" (1961), "What a Whopper " (1961), "Siege of the Saxons" (1963), "Bitter Harvest" (1963), "Dr. Strangelove" (1964), "First Men in the Moon" (1964), "East of Sudan" (1964), "The Beauty Jungle" (1964), "You Must Be Joking!" (1965), "Hot Millions" (1968), "Mister Jerico" (1970), "And Soon the Darkness" (1970), "The Firechasers" (1971), "Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter" (1972), "The Belstone Fox" (1973), "The Maids" (1974), "Hedda" (1975), "Diagnosis: Murder" (1975), "It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet" (1976), "A Hazard of Hearts" (1987), "It's Alive III: Island of the Alive" (1987), "The Lady and the Highwayman" (1989) and "A Ghost in Monte Carlo" (1990). In 1997, at the age of 70, and having seen his work being used in more than 400 movies or TV shows, he announced his retirement from composing, before announcing the formation of The London Big Band with Jack Parnell as conductor, Vince Hill as vocalist, trumpeter Kenny Baker and saxophonist Tom Whittle. The band released several albums, one of which produced the hit single "Theme From The Professionals" (1997), and three years later, he also went on to publish a well-received autobiography titled "Noises in the Head". International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. In Stanmore, North London, UK, on January 16, 2024, from natural causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Copyright International Songwriters Association, Songwriter Magazine and Jim Liddane: All Rights Reserved 2023 Songwriter Obituaries Obituaries Prior To 2023 ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967) internationalsongwriters@gmail.com Cookies Policy • Privacy Policy • Copyright Legal Notice This site is published by the International Songwriters Association, and will introduce you to the world of songwriting. It will explain music business terms and help you understand the business concepts that you should be familiar with, thus enabling you to ask more pertinent questions when you meet with your accountant/CPA or solicitor/lawyer. However, although this website includes information about legal issues and legal developments as well as accounting issues and accounting developments, it is not meant to be a replacement for professional advice. 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