No. That hurts.

'The Godfather of Go-Go' Chuck Brown.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

Spookily, Alan Blyth, the obituary author, died several years earlier...

Obviously, much more famous for his gargantuan contribution to classical music, though he appeared in a handful of films, and of course his recordings have featured on several soundtracks.

Dear Grim Reaper,

I understand you have a job to do and that maybe it's not your fault that Adam Yauch, Donna Summer, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, each a giant in their genre of music, showed up on your list in succession. I would like to point out, in case you might have overlooked someone on your list, that Dave Matthews, a giant in the genre of crap rock, still lurks among us. Just trying to help.

Sincerely,

Matt

Should we have a "Passages: Forthcoming, Wishlist and Random Speculation" thread?

Don't forget Duck Dunn, Levon Helm and Chris Ethridge, all involved with groups and works that were massively influential. (Stax's house band, the Band, country-rock blueprint Gilded Palace of Sin).

This is probably the worst run of pop music deaths in quite a while, maybe the worst since John Entwistle, Dee Dee Ramone, Jam Master Jay, Joe Strummer, etc. all died the same year.

Very sad...just put on his Winterreise CD in his honor. Then onto his amazing Lear.

And it's not even June

I love you.

Yeah, but these things always happen in threes, so the Reaper would have to start a new trio. In addition to Mathews, perhaps the Reaper can also take John Mayer and that guy from Maroon 5?

My mother will be crestfallen

Some of the early-career Bee Gees stuff was great. This track, for example, is unbelievable.

I'm partial to this one. James Carr also does a wonderful cover of it. RIP!

And this superb edit of Love You Inside Out give you a chance to explore what the Bee Gees were good at. Sink into the strings.

Yes, their finest moment, for sure. Janis Joplin took it places, too.

Nice call on the James Carr connection. Had he been given the material ( and been a less troubled soul), he could have been recognized as one of the greatest deep soul singers.

His finest moment, for me is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLbJ1xb0k5c

Compare it to Otis - James Carr was the real deal.

Paul Willemen.

It has been a bad year so far for music deaths. Some of Donna Summer's 70s work with Moroder was excellent, especially this mighty extended version of I Feel Love.

I somehow wonder if the irony of playing "Staying Alive" as a tribute has been lost on the radio schedulers. Although it does give me the chance to link to the use of that music in one of the undisputably greatest films of all time!

I couldn't believe the 'stayin' alive' puns after he woke from his coma, but if you have a hit song with that kind of title, it's inevitable.

My favorite version of To Love Somebody -- The Sweet Inspirations (Cissy Houston's group).

Yeah, James Carr was the real deal.
But there are lots of lesser-known soul singers I champion.
Sam Baker out of Nashville (Sound Stage 7 records)
Check out I Love You, or It's All Over. Just classic, albeit unknown, soul.
Here's a link to an MP3 of Sam Baker's Sometimes You Have To Cry. Give a listen. Fantastic stuff.

Darrell Banks like Carr had late 60's success, until Banks was shot by a policeman fooling around with his girlfriend. Or some such.
Barbara Lynn is much under-appreciated.

Probably the two soul singers I listen to the most are Arthur Alexander and Howard Tate who are only half-forgotten. (And Jerry Butler, who remains well-known)

From Robin Gibb's solo work Juliet is one of my favorites.

I'm also under the impression that Howard Tate WANTED to remain forgotten. He wasn't into the fame...

Back on topic, didn't The Bee Gees write "To Love Somebody" hoping Otis would record it...which didn't happen because of his death?

Great names! And here's one for you in case you may have missed him: O.V. Wright, who recorded out of Royal Studio in Memphis for producer Willie Mitchell.

An excellent summation of singers who should be much more celebrated for their talent.

If you have a few hours to spare, jump soul-deep into this site: http://www.sirshambling.com/

A labour of love if there ever was one.