From Thursday 1 September 2022
R.I.P.
Any song by an artist that has passed over to join the great band in the sky. It may be any solo artist, member of a band, any genre, or any nationality. It may be the original song by the artist, or a cover version of the song.
It may also be a song recorded in the dedication of a departed artist. Please remember to share why you chose your song.
G.
Karen
Pretty Woman • It Must Have Been Love • Roxette
Posting early as my weekend in Cape Town is about to begin….
The original artist for my song choice has passed on as well as the singer of this cover version…..
Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died aged 61, her manager has confirmed.
The Swedish star achieved global success in the 1990s with hits like Joyride, The Look and It Must Have Been Love, from the film Pretty Woman.
A statement said the singer had died on Monday, 9 December “following a 17-year long battle with cancer”.
“You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years,” her bandmate Per Gessle said. “Things will never be the same.”
Chrisna
The Traveling Wilburys – End Of The Line
Based on the accomplishments of their members, Traveling Wilburys were the most super of supergroups. The lineup was Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne of ELO, all future members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Roy Orbison died in December 1988 just two months after their first album was released.
Wilfred
(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay feat. Jack Johnson | Otis Redding 50th Anniversary
Seems ’67 was quite the year.
My artist is Otis Redding. His incredible June 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, which brought soul music to an astonished and electrified white rock audience, was a landmark boundary-breaking moment in pop music history. Just months later, on December 10, Redding died in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin, where he was scheduled to perform that night.
He was 26 years old.
My video is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his classic song “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”
The artists are from San Francisco Bay, the streets of Barcelona, the seas of Jamaica and beyond.
Sue
David Bowie – Starman • Guardians of the Galaxy Edition
The British artist I have chosen to remember is different from my usual section. However, apart from his lengthy and illustrious career, I admire him for declining a CBE and a Knighthood. This he did on the basis that it was not what he spent his if working for and ” It is just not me”
I have chosen a David Bowie song released in 1972 ( the year I came to live in JHB.) It is also 50 years since it was first released. ” Star Man” Enjoy!!!.
Deborah
Gwynneth Ashley Robin ‘Little Jimmy’
Gwynneth Ashley Robin was just over a year older than I was, and when I was in primary school in Rhodesia, Gwynneth was huge.
Discovered by Jody Wayne while she was singing at her father’s pleasure resort near Randfontein, Jody took her under his wing and helped her to secure a recording contract with Teal Records.
Jody Wayne wrote most of her songs and penned “Little Jimmy” a tribute to the youngest Osmond in the clan, hoping for a successful spin-off due to the Osmond-mania that was sweeping Rhodesia in the early 70s. The song was a massive hit for 12-year-old Gwynneth – garnering two Gold Discs, one locally and one for sales in Rhodesia, where the single sold 33 000 copies, a record in that country at the time.
Gwynneth received the 1974 Springbok (mini-SARIE) Award as South Africa’s Most Promising Female Vocalist.
On 21 May 1976 Gwynneth and the members of her backing group were tragically killed in a light aircraft accident at Penge in the Eastern Transvaal. She was only 15.
Liezel
Linkin Park – Easier to run
For many years Linkin Park created a space for me to experience my own particular life poetry. Their lyrics transported me into a place where I could vent, feel, “be” in so many aspects of my life. There are few experiences like blasting Linkin in the car whilst driving in anger, numbness, pain …
For this I will always be grateful to Chester Bennington, who sadly took his own life when the “demons” in his depression got too much for him. It’s a tragic loss, his poetry screams his pain and disillusionment with life and still provides a quiet echo to those who understand…
Geraldine
Leonard Cohen – Tower Of Song (Live in London)
Leonard Cohen, the Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, depression, sexuality, loss, death, and romantic relationships.
Although Jewish he spent five years atop Mount Baldy, as a monk. His fellow monks named him Jikan, the silent one, although in lighter moments he became known as Bad Monk.
Cohen’s final performance, 21 December 2009 in London, featured the 79 year-old singer playing an astounding twenty eight songs.
He passed away at the age 82 on 10 Nov. 2016.
I love the way he presented The tower of Song in this concert. With passion, humor and his golden voice. Always the gentleman.
R.I.P Leonard, you were one of a kind!!
Errol
Mills Brothers – Be My Life’s Companion
These four brothers started singing in their local Methodist church while they were still at school. They made their first professional appearance in 1928, with active performances until 1982. They made more than 2,000 recordings, sold more than 50 million albums, and amassed more than 3 dozen gold records. Dean Martin, who often performed with them, said they had the greatest influence on his singing career.
I grew up with all their song and albums – just great harmonious music. It still counts among my most favourite music.
Here are The Mills Brothers with their 1958 recording ‘Be my life’s companion’. Listen to the words – worth remembering…