On July 3rd, 1940, singer, songwriter, and pianist-Fontella (Marie) Bass was born in St. Louis, Missouri. TOV covered the artist’s death in the December 26th post. Please refer to it for more information. Fontella was a pioneering female artist, who sought proper payments for her royalties with much fervor. At the height of her career (mid 60's to early 70's), when most artists were only concerned with their advances and tour budgets, Fontella was assuring that her hits would continue to pay her an equitable amount for the rest of her life. She was self-managed for the most part with any manager she did hire being more of a face or liaison for her to translate her demands to the record company, promoter, radio DJ or venue owner. Hats off to her for taking a stance that advocated for moral practices in regards to royalty payments.
She was shunned by many people in the industry as a result. Fontella started playing piano around age three, and was playing at churches when by 5. She started singing when she was 6 and was touring with the church choir when she was 9. During her teens she got into secular music and started working at Showboat Club as a pianist. She was discovered by Little Milton who had his then bandleader-Oliver Sain hire her. She only played piano at first, but a chance opportunity led her to becoming the singer and pianist. She signed with Bobbin Records and released a few sides (produced by Ike Turner). She worked with artists like Maurice White and Minnie Riperton in the mid and late 60s. She’s most known for the 1965 hit-Rescue Me. Fontella was 72 when she passed.
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On July 3rd, in 1969, we lost a seminal rock musician, pianist, singer, guitarist, arranger, harmonica player, songwriter, drummer, producer, sitarist, rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, Mellotron player, composer, saxophonist, co-founding member and original bandleader of the Rolling Stones-Brian Jones (Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones). He’s most noted for inventing a style of guitar playing where the rhythm and lead guitarist share parts of playing lead and rhythm. Although this may sound minor, in terms of recorded music, and the strict formats that existed during the early 60s, having two separate guitarist play lead and rhythm simultaneously was quite groundbreaking and stands as a staple for rock ‘n’ roll groups that have rhythm and lead guitarists.
To add, this gave the Rolling Stones a unique sounds that other British rock bands like the Beatles, the Byrds and the Animals weren’t doing. Jones also named the band after a Muddy Waters’ song-Rolling Stone. Once they decided that they were gonna stop being a skiffle band (British folk) and be more of a blues based band (1962), he coined them the Rolling Stones. As far as the groups songwriting procedures went, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards were the major part of the songwriting team-the meat of the sandwich…Jones was the bread and condiments, he put their ideas together in a way that made the listener move, complimenting the drafts that Jagger & Richards produced. Jones was an avid jazz fan, especially of Cannonball Adderley. You can hear his sense of jazz in the arrangements he did for the band during the 60s. He was 27 when he passed.
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On July 3rd, in 1971, we lost a pop culture icon, rock ‘n’ roll mogul, poet, songwriter, 60s counterculture spokesperson, rebel, alleged criminal/social deviant, founding member and lead singer of the Doors-Jim (Douglas) Morrison. TOV covered the artist’s birthday on the December 8th post. Please refer to it for more information. Where do we start when it comes to an artist as remarkably original as Jim Morrison? He belongs to the 27 club with other prominent artist that have passed at the same age-Robert Johnson, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.
He represented a sense of rebellion that went far beyond the James Dean stature, to a more profound way of thinking about the reasons why the rebellion is necessary-like corrupt politicians, brainwashing propaganda and the American power structure treating its citizens like children incapable of exercising their true freedoms without creating anarchy and chaos. Jim was a poet, a spiritual man that expanded his mind through the use of LSD and mushrooms, meeting his spirit guide along the way. He was himself, regardless of the location and circumstances…this is a freedom that few people have experienced. He penned songs like Break on Through (To the Other Side) and Riders of the Storm that clearly communicate his feelings about the state of the ‘physical’ world and what can be done to 'heal' it. Simply put, Morrison was on another plane. His voice wasn’t the best, his demeanor wasn’t always accepted, but his ability to be who he was to the fullest is undeniable. He was 27 when he passed.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On July 3rd, in 1950, jazz pianist, songwriter, actress and composer-Hazel Scott made history when she became the first Black woman to have a TV show on a major network-The Hazel Scott Show. The 15-minute program aired it’s first episode on the DuMont Television Network. It wasn’t a variety show like most popular programs at the time. It was a performance-based program, pre-MTV Unplugged. She sang and played piano on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 645pm to 7pm. She got good ratings, and critics seemed to like it. However, it was discontinued on September 29th, the same year it debuted (1950).
On July 3rd, in 1972, we lost a seminal bluesman, slide guitar innovator, educator, songwriter, multi-label recording artist and singer-Mississippi Fred McDowell. The TN native got his start playing guitar and singing at local venues/parties. He’s considered one of the originators of the North Hill Country Blues sound. He was largely a local artist until the 50s during the 'new interest' in folk and blues. He remained true to the country blues sound and preferred not to be associated with rock ‘n’ roll. He worked closely with Bonnie Raitt, teaching her some slide guitar skills. He also toured Europe on the American Folk Blues Festival (1965). He was 66 he passed.
On July 3rd, in 1995, neosoul musician, guitarist, songwriter, producer, singer, pianist, arranger and composer-D’Angelo released his debut LP-Brown Sugar (EMI Records). The four-time Grammy nominated critically acclaimed album was certified platinum less than a year after it hit the shelves. It features production from D’Angelo, Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest and Raphael Saadiq of Tony Toni Tone. All four of the singles released for the LP charted-Brown Sugar, Cruisin’, Lady and Me & Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine. The LP solidified D’Angelo’s place in the 90s R&B/neosoul market. It's a classic LP!
On July 3rd, in 2000, we lost seminal entertainer, dancer, choreographer, educator and actor-Harold Nicholas of the infamous Nicholas Brothers. Most 70s/80s babies know Nicholas as the feisty choreographer in the Robert Townsend film-The Five Heartbeats (1990). However, Nicholas' filmography dates back to the early 30s when he first appeared in the 1932 movie-Pie Pie Blackbird. Aside from performing at well-known nightclubs worldwide, he also appeared in over 50 movies. His style of dance with his brother Fayard influenced modern, jazz, hip hop and urban dancers. Some of the moves they created are still being used today. He was 79 when he passed.
For more information on any musician or event reviewed in posts, or for additional information on The Wandering Eyes Blog overall, use the search bar and search the artist or event using keywords. It’s like a Google search for the site. A wide variety of information, covering several topics exists on this site going back to 2013 when it was created. PEACE