Posted by Pete Smith on January 1, 2008, 3:21 am
81.132.17.23
“The Advertiser” (UK) 28 December 2007
The end of any year causes us to look back and reflect upon both the positive and negative aspects of that past twelve months. 2007 certainly had its share of downs with no fewer than 13 [an unlucky number in many readers’ lives] important country figures leaving us. January 1st took Del Reeves [emphysema]. `Girl On The Billboard` was probably his most memorable hit. Del was 74. January 6 saw the passing of Sneaky Pete Kleinow, former pedal steel guitarist for the Flying Burrito Brothers (Alzheimer's disease) at the age of 72.On January 13 Doyle Holly died aged 70 (prostate cancer). Doyle was a member of Buck Owens' Buckaroos, he also had a string of minor hits in the early- to mid-1970s. February 2 saw the passing (natural causes) of ace harmonica player and percussionist Terry McMillan at the age of 53. Henson Cargill left us on March 24 aged 66 (complications from surgery). Henson was probably best known for his 1968 smash "Skip A Rope." And other social comment songs. On April 17 Glenn Sutton, 69, suffered a fatal heart attack. A songwriter and producer best known for the hit "Rose Garden" (Lynn Anderson) and a mover of the countrypolitan sound of the late 1960s/early 1970s. Sax player Boots Randolph (“Yakety Sax”) died on July 3. Boots was a member of Nashville's famed "A-Team" of musicians. A subdural hematoma caused his death. On September 25 the Emerson Drive bass player Patrick Bourque committed suicide. He was just 29. October 28 took one of country music’s most flamboyant and talented personalities – Porter Wagoner, at the age of 80. Porter, always the rhinestone-suited country music icon, was a television programme host during the 1960s and 1970s and, of course, duet partner of Dolly Parton. Porter died of lung cancer. Western swing lost one of its best loved sons on November 6 when Hank Thompson succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 82. Hank enjoyed many hits including "The Wild Side of Life," and "A Six Pack to Go”. A heart condition took novelty hitmaker Jim Nesbitt on 29 November. Jim’s hits included “Please. Kennedy," "A Tiger in My Tank" and "Runnin' Bare." He was 75. A heart attack took the 54 year old Shenandoah bass player Ralph Ezell on November 30.
On the positive side, during 2007 I reviewed 208 albums, 200 by independent artists. These reviews prove that REAL country music is still alive and well thanks mainly to the independent artists. And of course as 2007 turns into 2008 all country fans will remember the tragic loss in 1953 of Hank Williams. It is inconceivable to imagine the last half century without Hank’s influence. Please enjoy a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year. My resolution, as with every new year - make every day independents day!
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