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STAX
INFOS
page 27
MEMPHIS
MUSIC HALL OF FAME'S INAUGURAL CLASS INDUCTED
(November 29,
2012)
Steve
Cropper (center), guitarist for Booker T. & the M.G.'s talks
with the sons of the
late Otis Redding, Otis Redding III (left) and Dexter Redding
before the inaugural induction
ceremony for the Memphis Music Hall of Fame at the Cannon Center
for the Performing Arts.
(photo from The Commercial Appeal, Memphis)
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame's inaugural class was inducted during a ceremony on november 29, 2012 at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Outside the theater, the children of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and iconic radio deejay Dewey Phillips laughed together, and the sons of Otis Redding reminisced with their father's guitarist and songwriting partner, Steve Cropper. Others meeting for the first time, like ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill and Booker T. & the MG's rhythm man Lewie Steinberg, talked shop like old friends. Go to this link for more infos: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/nov/29/no-headline---hall_fame/. There is also a great page with photos about Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton here: http://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/jimstewartestelleaxton/.
DUCK
DUNN JUST DIED
(May
13, 2012)
Donald " Duck" Dunn
1941-2012
photo (c)
Patrick Montier, april 2003
Bass player and songwriter Donald "Duck" Dunn, a member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame band Booker T. and the MGs and the Blues Brothers band, has died in Tokyo on may 13. He was 70.
Dunn was in Tokyo for a series of shows. News of his death was posted on the Facebook site of his friend and fellow musician Steve Cropper, who was on the same tour. Cropper said Dunn died in his sleep.
Miho Harasawa, a spokeswoman for Tokyo Blue Note, the last venue Dunn played, confirmed he died alone early Sunday. She had no further details.
Dunn, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1941, performed on recordings with Eric Clapton, Neil Young and many others, and specialized in blues, gospel and soul. He played himself in the 1980 hit movie "The Blues Brothers."
He received a lifetime achievement Grammy award in 2007 for his work with Booker T. and the MGs.
http://staxrecords.free.fr/dunn.htm
From our correspondent in Japan, Masahiro Sumori:
"Cotton Club Tokyo has uploaded a
short video of STAX revue at the venue on May 8. You can see Duck
Dunn standing. I was at this very show and he looked OK to me.
http://www.cottonclubjapan.co.jp/jp/sp/2012/0508_stax/
I heard from others who went to later shows (at Blue Note Tokyo)
that Duck was sitting throughout the sets, and had to be helped
getting on and getting off the stage.
Before the very last show, the 2nd set on May 12, I heard that
the other members told him he didn't need to play if he was
feeling that bad, but he insisted on playing as it was the last
one of the tour. Turned out to be the last one of his life. Sad.
Sad, indeed".
CHARLES
"SKIP" PITTS DIES
(May
1, 2012)
(c) Patrick
Montier, may 2003
Charles
"Skip" Pitts
1947-2012
See
Wikipedia page for complete details on his career at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Pitts
ANDREW
LOVE DIES
(April
13, 2012)
Andrew Love, April
2003 (c) Patrick Montier
From The Commercial Appeal, Memphis:
Saxophonist Andrew Love, one-half of the renowned Memphis Horns, has died. The 70-year-old musician passed away at his home on Thursday night, from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Love and his longtime partner, trumpeter Wayne Jackson, made their early reputation as part of the team of players at Stax Records in the 1960s before branching out out on their own, working with local recording institutions like Hi Records and American Studios, and eventually becoming the most in-demand horn section in the world. The pair would provide memorable parts for hit records by Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, James Taylor, and U2, among others. In total, the duo played on 83 gold and platinum albums and 52 No. 1 records during the course of their career.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2002 -- Love's family went public with his condition earlier this year -- the musician's final days were peaceful. "He was still up and somewhat alert. He was responding and responsive up until the very end," said his wife of 43 years, Willie Love. "His decline was very brief."
In February, the Memphis Horns were recognized by the Grammys with a Lifetime Achievement Award during ceremonies in Los Angeles. Due to his health, Love was unable to attend. But just two weeks ago, Jackson and his wife, Amy, paid a visit to Love, taking photos and posing with their new trophies.
In a statement, Jackson recalled the pair's tight bond and enduring friendship. "He was the best man I knew. He was a great husband and father," said Jackson. "He was a fabulous musician, and he left behind for us a wealth of (music) so we can continue to be amazed by him. I will miss him."
For Andrew Love, music began at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, where his father, Roy, was the pastor for more than 50 years. He continued his musical education at Booker T. Washington High School and Langston University in Oklahoma, before returning to Memphis and joining the Stax house band in 1965. At Stax, Love's and Jackson's signature horn sounds and arrangements -- for the likes of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and others -- help fuel the label's golden era.
The tall, laid-back Love and the diminutive, fiery Jackson were a study in opposites, but their musical connection was instant, birthing a deep professional and personal partnership that lasted until the end. "I always call Wayne 'the other half','" said Willie Love during an interview with The Commercial Appeal in February. "I may be the better half, but he's the other half. Andrew and Wayne just complemented each other so well."
Although Stax wanted the duo to work exclusively for the label, in 1969 Jackson and Love incorporated as The Memphis Horns, and went freelance. For the next 30 years they would become the pre-eminent set of horns in popular music. Their familiar brass sounds would help define classic records like Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds," Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man."
They were in high demand on the road as well, touring with the Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett and Robert Cray, among others. As the '80s and '90s rolled on, they continued to color hits for music stars such as Willie Nelson and Steve Winwood. Even after Jackson decided to relocate to Nashville in 1996, they remained in demand -- recording with Sting, Bonnie Raitt and Marc Knopfler.
Following his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2002, Love continued working briefly before retiring from performing the following year. Love's condition worsened and four years ago his wife Willie elected to quit her job as an accountant to care for him full time.
In addition to his wife, Love is survived by his brother, Roy Love, and children, Vincent Thompson, Terri Lawrence, Angela Parker and Andre Love.
THE
MEMPHIS HORNS GRAMMY AWARDS CEREMONY
(February
17, 2012)
(courtesy Graziano Uliani)
On
saturday february 11, The Memphis Horns received a Grammy Award
in Los Angeles for their lifetime achievement. On the photo,
thanks to Graziano Uliani (l to r), Amy Jackson, Wayne Jackson,
Andrea Love (Andrew's son), Pee Wee Love (Andrew's wife). Read
more here: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/05/memphis-horns-grammy-lifetime-achievement-award/
WAYNE
JACKSON & ANDREW LOVE GRAMMY
(December
22, 2011)
On February 11. 2012, Wayne and Andrew will receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the Special Merit Award Ceremony in Los Angeles. They will join fellow 2012 recipients The Allman Brothers, Glen Campbell, George Jones and Diana Ross. Says Wayne, "This honor is beyond my wildest dreams. "
J.
BLACKFOOT DIES
(December
1, 2011)
Memphis soul singer J. Blackfoot, a member of Stax vocal group the Soul Children and a longtime solo artist, died Wednesday, november 30 in Memphis at 65. He was born John Colbert in Greenville, Miss.
INDEX -- NEWS -- INFOS -- STAX TODAY -- FOCUS -- ADS -- LISTS -- LINKS -- PHOTOS -- CONTACT