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Home • Interviews • Writing A Song • Obituaries International Songwriters Association The Obituaries Songwriter Obituaries (January to June 2024) Names In Blue Denote An ISA Hall Of Fame Member Peter Collins (73), English-born producer who started out as a singer-songwriter with a Magnet Records recording deal but when that did not produce hits, turned instead to producing such acts as Nik Kershaw, Musical Youth, Tracey Ullman, The Lambrettas, Alvin Stardust and Gary Moore. In 1875, he moved to Canada where he produced four hit albums for Rush, going on further success with Alice Cooper, Desmond Child and Queensrÿche. Other acts for whom he produced million-sellers include Tom Jones, Air Supply, The Belle Stars, Jermaine Stewart, Billy Squier, Indigo Girls, Janes Wiedlin, Suicidal Tendencies, Nanci Griffith, Bon Jovi, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Systematic, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Rick Astley, Kenny Loggins and Stray Cats. On 30th June 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of pancreatic cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Kinky Friedman (79), American-born singer-songwriter, author, humorist, politician and leader of Kinky Friedman & The Texas Jewboys, whose humorous but frequently controversial songs include "They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore", "Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In the Bed" (for which he received the "Male Chauvinist Pig Of The Year Award" from the National Organisation for Women) and "Asshole From El Paso" which was a parody on Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee". Born November 1st 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, Kinky Friedman toured with Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson, claimed (probably incorrectly) to have been the first Jewish performer to appear on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, and released 18 albums before going on to pen 19 (mainly detective) novels which sold more than seven million copies. A friend of both George W Bush and Bill Clinton, he decided to run as an independent against Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry in 2006 but was defeated and in 2010, sought but barely failed to win the Democratic nomination for the same post. Kinky Friedman was a unique and provocative figure in the world of songwriting, known for his sharp wit, satirical edge, and fearless approach to addressing social and political issues through his music. His songwriting stood out for its humor, irreverence, and biting commentary, often challenging the norms of both country music and society at large. Friedman's work was characterised by its clever wordplay and willingness to tackle controversial subjects, often with a mix of cynicism and dark humour. His lyrics often blurred the line between comedy and critique, making his work as thought-provoking as it was entertaining. However, his penchant for controversy and his often provocative language could be polarising, frequently alienating listeners who found his approach too abrasive or confrontational. Additionally, his reliance on satire and humour, while effective, could sometimes overshadow the emotional depth of his work, leading to a perception of his songs as more novelty than substance. Despite this, Kinky Friedman's songwriting was undeniably original and influential and his willingness to push boundaries and address taboo subjects with a sharp, satirical edge, earned him a cult following and a lasting place in the annals of country music - and beyond. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 37th June 2024, in Medina, Texas, USA, of complications brought on by Parkinson's disease. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Tom Prasada-Rao (66), Ethiopian-born American-based singer-songwriter whose songs include "See Myself In You" (recorded by Randy Travis), and "$20 Bill", a tribute to the murdered George Floyd. A folk-circuit favourite, he toured with Peter, Paul & Mary, Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mark Heard, Eva Cassidy and Chris Biondo. On 19th June 2024, in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, from cancer of the salivary gland. © Jim Liddane Click here Paul Spencer (53), English-born songwriter and producer who along with fellow DJs Scott Rosser and Stephen Spencer formed Dario G, whose hits include "Sunchyme", "Carnaval de Paris", "Sunmachine", "Voices", "Dream To Me" and "Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven)". On 17th June 2024, in Crewe, UK, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Buzz Cason (84), American-born singer-songwriter, music publisher and record producer who in 1956 founded what is now recognised as Nashville's first rock and roll band, the Casuals, which outfit later backed Brenda Lee for several years. Born November 27, 1939 in Nashville, Tennessee, he adopted the name Garry Miles and had a Top 20 hit in 1960 with a cover of the Gary Mills UK hit "Look For A Star" (penned by Tony Hatch), and later joined The Crickets for a brief period having produced their 1964 UK hit "La Bamba". Meanwhile, one of his early songs "Soldier of Love" which had charted for Arthur Alexander, was recorded for the BBC by The Beatles, and would later be covered by Pearl Jam. In 1966, Buzz penned his biggest hit - "Everlasting Love" which became a worldwide success for three acts, Robert Knight, Carl Carlton and Love Affair, eventually selling more than two million copies. It also became the only song to reach the US Top 40 in each decade between 1960 and 2010. Other pop hits include "Sandy" for Ronnie & The Daytonas of which he was a member for a time, "Tennessee" and "Popsicle" (both for Jan & Dean) and "Rainbow Valley" (Love Affair). In 1970, following a stint as backing singer for Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers and Elvis Presley, he opened Creative Workshop, a recording studio in Berry Hill. whose clients include Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Faces, The Doobie Brothers, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris. In 1987, Buzz formed BC & The Dartz, a rockabilly unit which recorded and toured up until the Covid pandemic and in recent years, he recorded and worked with his sons Taylor and Parker under the name Cason & Sons. In a career which lasted more than 65 years, his songs were recorded by such names as U2, Gloria Estefan, Jamie Cullum, Arthur Alexander, The Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Pearl Jam, Ronnie & The Daytonas, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Dion, Martina McBride, The Oak Ridge Boys, T.G. Sheppard, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Tommy Overstreet, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mel Tillis, Freddy Weller, Alan Jackson and Placido Domingo. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 16th June 2024.in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, following a heart attack. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Angela Bofill (70), American-born singer-songwriter whose 14 hits on the US R&B charts include "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", "Angel Of The Night", "Under The Moon And Over The Sky", "What I Wouldn't Do (For The Love Of You)" and "I Try". On 13th June 2024, in Vallejo, California, USA, following a series of strokes. © Jim Liddane Click here Joe Scaife (68), American-born producer-songwriter, vocalist and music publisher who produced "Achy Breaky Heart" for Billy Ray Cyrus and "80's Ladies" for K.T. Oslin. The son of Cecil Scaife who worked at Sun Records in Memphis alongside such talent as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis before moving to Nashville in the 1960s, Joe went on to produce or engineer hit albums for Montgomery Gentry, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dr. Hook, Gretchen Wilson, Alabama. Ty Herndon, Glen Campbell, Sammy Kershaw, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Waylon Jennings, Sawyer Brown, Tom Jones, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and The Jordanaires, frequently providing background vocals on those sessions. On 12th June 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Francoise Hardy (80), French-born singer-songwriter and actress whose hits include "Tous les garçons et les filles", "C'est à l'amour auquel je pense", L'amour s'en va", "Je veux qu'il revienne", "Comment te dire adieu" and "True Love Ways". In a career spanning fifty years, she released more than thirty albums and sold over ten million records. In 1963, she represented Monaco at the Eurovision song contest. On 11th June 2024, in Paris, France, of laryngeal cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark James (83), American-born Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and record producer whose hit songs include "Suspicious Minds", "Always On My Mind", "Raised On Rock", "It's Only Love" and "Moody Blue" (all recorded by Elvis Presley), "Sunday Sunrise" (a hit for both Brenda Lee and Anne Murray), "Roller Coaster" (Blood Sweat & Tears and David Cassidy), "The Eyes Of A New York Woman" and "Hooked On A Feeling" (B J Thomas), and "Where Do We Go From Here" (The Partridge Family). Born November 29, 1940, in Houston, Texas, Mark's songs have also been recorded by such acts as Floyd Cramer, Faron Young, Roger Whittaker, Val Doonican, Pet Shop Boys, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, The Stylistics. Michael Ball, Chris de Burgh, B.B. King, Jon Bon Jovi, Julio Iglesias, Michael Bublé, José Feliciano, LeAnn Rimes, Loretta Lynn, Susan Boyle, Shirley Bassey, Herb Alpert, The Shadows, Percy Sledge, Lou Rawls, Helen Reddy, The Box Tops, Johnny Winter, Dee Dee Warwick, Roy Clark, Thelma Houston, Billie Jo Spears, Jonathan King, Ray Peterson, Fine Young Cannibals, Billy Swan, Ronan Keating and James Last. His songwriting was characterised by its emotional depth, memorable melodies, and the ability to craft narratives that resonated on both personal and universal levels, combining poignant lyrics with powerful, catchy melodies. "Suspicious Minds", for instance, blended tension and passion with a driving rhythm that captured the complexity of romantic relationships, while "Always On My Mind" stands as a timeless expression of regret and longing. One of James' strengths lay in his versatility; he wrote across genres, seamlessly blending elements of rock, pop, country, and soul. His ability to adapt his songwriting to different styles and artists remains a testament to his skill and understanding of music and although some might argue that his biggest hits, are so iconic that they sometimes overshadow the rest of his catalogue leading to a perception of his songwriting as being somewhat uneven, the emotional impact and enduring popularity of his most famous songs cement his place as a master songwriter, whose work will continue to resonate with audiences across generations. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 8th June 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Karar Ramadan (26), Swedish-born rapper-songwriter known professionally as C.Gambino, who scored 22 Top 40 hits in Sweden between 2019 and 2024 including his 2023 Number 1 "Automatic". On 4th June 2024, in Gothenburg, Sweden, of gunshot wounds following a shooting. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark D Ross (58), known professionally as Brother Marquis, American-born rapper-songwriter who as a member of 2 Live Crew scored such gold albums as "The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are", Move Somethin'", "Banned In The USA", "Back At Your Ass For Ehe Nine-4" and the platinum album "As Nasty as They Wanna Be", along with hit singles like "Me So Horny", "Banned in the USA", "Do the Bart" and "Pop That Coochie", some of which were denied radio play due to alleged obscenity. One of the band's records became the first album in history to be judged legally obscene (although this decision was later overturned), while their parody of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" led the US Supreme Court to determine that commercial parodies were fair use. On 3rd June 2024, in Gadsden, Alabama, USA, following a heart attack. © Jim Liddane Click here Tony Bramwell (78), English-born record label executive and childhood friend of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. When the Beatles left Liverpool to move to London, he went with them to act as their road manager, before joining Brian Epstein's NEMS in 1962 as head of promotion. In later years, he produced many of the Beatles videos, eventually becoming joint MD of Apple Records. On 2nd June 2024, in Liverpool, England, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Harry van Hoof (81), Netherlands-born songwriter and arranger who conducted the Dutch entry at the Eurovision Song Contest on fifteen different occasions between 1972 and 1994. As a songwriter, his most successful composition was "How Do You Do" which became an international hit for Mouth & MacNeal, reaching the US Top 10 and selling more than two million copies, but he also played a major part in the success of Teach-In, who won the Eurovision in 1975 with "Dinge-Dong". In a sixty-year career, Harry worked with a wide variety of acts across Europe, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Metropole Orchestra (which he led for twenty years) and the Anita Kerr Singers. On 1st June 2024, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, following a heart attack. © Jim Liddane Click here Ed Mann (70), American-born drummer and pianist who was heavily involved with the various Frank Zappa bands playing on thirty two of their albums, while also releasing five solo albums of his own material. Although primarly associated with Zappa, Ed also worked extensively as a studio and touring musician with such acts as Kenny Loggins, Tammy Wynette, Los Lobos and the London Symphony Orchestra. On 1st June 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Geoff Follin (58), English-born composer of music for video games. who worked alongside his brothers Tim and Mike on such productions as "Batman Forever", "The New Zealand Story", "Terminator 2", "Silver Surfer", "Spot: The Video Game", "Solstice II", "Spider-Man & the X-Men In Arcade's Revenge", "Plok", "The Incredible Crash Dummies", "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: Taito" and "Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball". On 28th May 2024, in London, UK, of pancreatic cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here John Schweers (78), American-born songwriter whose million-selling hits include Charley Pride’s "Amazing Love", Ronnie Milsap’s "Daydreams About Night Things", Dave & Sugar’s "Golden Tears" and Trace Adkins’ "I Left Something Turned On At Home". Born January 12, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, over a fifty-year period, his songs were recorded by Nashville royalty, including Charley Pride (who signed John to his publishing company), Tom T. Hall (who had advised him to move to Nashville), Eddy Arnold, Alabama, David Frizzell, Shelly West, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, David Wills, Johnny Russell, Mel Street, Susan Raye, Barbara Mandrell, Sylvia, Ronnie Milsap, Jim Ed Brown, George Jones, Mel McDaniel, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, The Kendalls, Don Williams, The Osmond Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Jeannie C. Riley, Charlie Louvin, Roy Clark, Daron Norwood, George Strait, Marty Raybon, Con Hunley, Don Everly, Buck Owens, Travis Tritt, Larry Stewart, Neal McCoy, Johnny Rodriguez and Jeanne Pruett. His songwriting was marked by a deep understanding of human emotion and the nuances of everyday life, which he translated into lyrics that were relatable yet profound. Schweers had a gift for simplicity, often using straightforward language to convey complex feelings, making his songs accessible to a wide audience. His compositions showcased his ability to blend heartache with a sense of resilience, a combination that resonated deeply with listeners. His knack for capturing the essence of the human experience in just a few verses made him a standout in the world of country music songwriting. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 28th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Ghigo Agosti (87), Italian-born singer-songwriter who helped popularise rock and roll in 1950s Italy, scoring with such self-penned hits as "Coccinella" and "Stazione Del Rock" as well as covers of "Peppermint Twist", "Memphis Tennessee", "Daydream", "In The Midnight Hour" and "Whiter Shade of Pale". Frequently performing with visiting acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Isaac Hayes and Elton John, Agosti retired in the 1970s to become a photo-journalist, travelling internationally for Virgin Music Italy and various magazines, before returning to music in 1990. On 27th May 2024, a his home outside Pavia, Italy, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Richard D Sherman (95), American-born songwriter who alongside his brother Robert, wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history, creating such Disney hit musicals as "Mary Poppins", "The Happiest Millionaire", "The Sword In The Stone", "The Jungle Book", "The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Snoopy Come Home", "Bedknobs And Broomsticks", "The Slipper And The Rose" and "Charlotte's Web". His songs include the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee" along with "A Spoonful Of Sugar", "Feed The Birds", "I Wanna Be Like You", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Jolly Holliday" as well as such teen hits as "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess" (both for Annette Funicello), "You’re Sixteen" (for Johnny Burnette and covered later by Ringo Starr) and "Let’s Get Together" (for Hayley Mills). Born on June 12, 1928 in New York City, and the son of hit songwriter Al Sherman whose own hits include "Livin' In The Sunlight, Lovin' In The Moonlight", Richard won two Academy Awards, three Grammy Awards and 23 gold and platinum albums in a career which spanned 65 years, His work was marked by a rare blend of simplicity and sophistication. Songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "A Spoonful of Sugar" from Mary Poppins are perfect examples of his knack for creating infectious, whimsical tunes that delight both children and adults. At the same time, his songs often carry underlying messages that resonate on a deeper level, whether it's the importance of optimism, as seen in "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book, or the longing for a place of belonging in "Chim Chim Cher-ee". One of the most remarkable aspects of Sherman's songwriting was his ability to enhance storytelling through music. His songs were never just interludes in the films but integral components of the narrative, often advancing the plot or deepening character development. This synergy between music and story was a hallmark of his talent, making his work enduringly popular across generations. Some might argue that the pervasive optimism and lightheartedness in many of his songs, while charming, could occasionally feel overly sentimental or simplistic. Additionally, the association with Disney's family-friendly brand led some to overlook the technical mastery and complexity underlying his compositions, but despite these potential critiques, Richard M. Sherman's songwriting is universally regarded as a pinnacle of the craft, particularly in the realm of musical theatre and film. His ability to create songs that were both timeless and deeply connected to the emotions and imaginations of his audience will ensure his place as one of the great songwriters of the 20th century. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 25th May 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of heart failure. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Pat Rolfe (77), American-born music publishing executive who after leaving high school, worked at Hill & Range Music in Nashville, eventually rising to the position of Vice President at Chappell Music, before finally moving to hold the same position at ASCAP (the American Society Of Articts, Composers and Publishers). In a fifty-year career, Pat Rolfe worked with hundreds of luminaries including Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Phil Spector, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley and Wynonna Judd. On 24th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Doug Ingle (78), American-born songwriter, organist and lead vocalist for Iron Butterfly, who wrote the band's iconic song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", On 24th May 2024, in San Diego, California USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Chaarlie Colin (58), Grammy Award-winning American-born singer-songwriter, bassist and co-founder of Train, whose hits include "Meet Virginia", "I Am", "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", "She's On Fire" and "Calling All Angels". On 22nd May 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, following a fall. © Jim Liddane Click here Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (71), Polish-born film and television composer who scored such movies as "Total Eclipse", "Washington Square", "Aimee And Jaguar", "Unfaithful", "Soldier’s Girl", "The Visitor", "City Island", "Get Low", "Paul, Apostle Of Christ" and "Finding Neverland" for which he won an Oscar in 2004. On 21st May 2024, in Krakow, Poland, of complications brought on by Multiple System Atrophy. © Jim Liddane Click here Frank Ifield (86), English-born singer-songwriter of Australian parentage, who having started his career in Australia, returned to London in 1959 to score a string of hits including "I Remember You", "Lovesick Blues", "The Wayward Wind", "Confessin' That I Love You"."Nobody's Darlin' But Mine", "Mule Train", "Don't Blame Me", "Angry At The Big Oak Tree", "I Should Care", "Paradise", "No One Will Ever Know" and "Call Her Your Sweetheart". Ifield also finished second to Ronnie Carroll in the 1962 UK Eurovision Song Contest heats and was one of the few non-American acts to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where he was introduced on stage by his idol and fellow-yodeller Hank Snow. On 18th May 2024, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here John Koerner (85), American-born singer-songwriter and guitarist with the Minneapolis folk act Koerner, Ray & Glover, and whose output was much admired by John Lennon, David Bowie and the emerging Bob Dylan (who performed with him on several occasions). On 18th May 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Randy Fuller (80), American-born singer-songwriter and guitarist who as a member of the Bobby Fuller Four, scored American hits with "Let Her Dance", "I Fought The Law" and "Love's Made A Fool Of You". Following his brother Bobby's mysterious death in Los Angeles in 1966, Randy put together the Randy Fuller Four, but in 1969 joined The New Buffalo Springfield, before reforming his own band a few years later. He continued to tour and record with the original Bobby Fulller Four drummer DeWayne Quirico until his retirement in 2023. On 16th May 2024, in El Paso, Texas, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here John Hawken (84), English-born keyboardist and songwriter who found success as a member of such bands as The Nashville Teens ("Google Eye" and "Tobacco Road"), Renaissance, Illusion, Spooky Tooth, The Strawbs, Third World War, Trifle and Vinegar Joe, and whose notable compositions include "Autumn" and "Heroine's Theme". On 15th May 2024, in Metuchen, New Jersey, USA, from melanoma. © Jim Liddane Click here Bud Logan (83), American-born singer. guitarist, songwriter and record producer who took over as lead vocalist of The Blue Boys, following the death of Jim Reeves in 1964. Having scored a number of hits with them inclduing "My Cup Runneth Over" from the Broadway show "I Do I Do", he went solo, later teaming up with Wilma Burgess and garnering several more smashes including "The Best Day Of The Rest Of Our Love". In 1977, he became John Conlee's record producer, the pair hitting the charts an amazing 32 times - 23 of those inside the Billboard Country Top 10 and seven of which got to Number 1. He went on to produce a string of hits for amongst others, T. Graham Brown, Charlie Rich, Johnny Lee, B.J. Thomas and Ernest Tubb for whom he wrote "Till My Getup Has Gotup And Gone". On 13th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of heart failure, © Jim Liddane Click here David Sanborn (78), American-born saxophonist and composer wo worked with hundreds of artists including Ray Charles, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Loggins, Loudon Wainwright, George Benson, Elton John, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, the Eagles, the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones, and supplied sound-tracks for dozens of movies including the "Lethal Weapon" series. In addition, he was the recipient of six Grammy awards, and also produced eight million-selling solo albums and one platinum album. On 12th May 2024, in Tarrytown, New York, from prostate cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Wayland Holyfield (82), American-born songwriter who in a fifty-four year career, scored more than forty US Top Ten Country hits. including such classics as Bobby Rusells's "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer", Don Williams' You’re My Best Friend", "She Never Knew Me" and "Til The Rivers All Run Dry", Crystal Gayle's "I’ll Do It All Over Again", Mel Street's "If I Had A Cheating Heart", Ronnie Milsap's "Nobody Likes Sad Songs", Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance" as well as the Arkansas State Song "Arkansas (You Run Deep In Me)". Wayland, who was born on March 15, 1942 in Conway County, Arkansas, also scored hits with Conway Twitty, Charley Pride, Randy Travis, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, The Judds, Barbara Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Mark Chesnutt, John Anderson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Gary Allan, Johnny Rodriguez, and Ernest Tubb while also becoming the first Nashville songwriter to be elected to the national ASCAP Board of Directors One of Wayland's greatest strengths was his consistency. He had a knack for writing songs that feel authentic and grounded, with a clear understanding of the genre's roots. His songs often conveyed a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, making them appealing across generations of country music fans, and he had a talent for writing songs that suited a wide range of vocalists, allowing them to bring their own emotional depth to his work. However, some might argue that Holyfield's adherence to traditional country themes and structures, while part of his appeal, can also limit the innovation in his songwriting. His work is often deeply rooted in the conventions of classic country, which can lead to a perception of predictability. For some listeners, this adherence to tradition might have come across as lacking in experimentation or modern relevance but this is to miss the point, namely that Wayland Holyfield's songwriting was marked by its warmth, accessibility, and emotional truth. His ability to create songs that felt both personal and universal earned him a place among the most esteemed songwriters in country music. His work will always resonate because it speaks to the core of human experience, wrapped in the familiar and comforting sounds of classic country. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 6th May 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Ron Kavana (73), Irish-born singer-songwriter, actor, journalist and film-maker, who worked with such acts as Big Jay McNeely, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Dr. John, Elvis Costello, Sinead O’Connor, Doug Sahm, Flaco Jiminez, Alexis Korner, Memphis Slim, Champion Jack Dupree, as well as the Pogues for whom he wrote "Every Man Is A King (In The US of A)" and "Young Ned Of the Hill", while also producing ten award-winning solo albums. On 4th May 2024, in Cork, Ireland, of renal failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Duane Eddy (86), American-born Grammy Award-winning guitarist and composer, whose hits include "Rebel-'Rouser", "Ramrod","Cannonball", "The Lonely One", "Peter Gunn", "Yep!", "Forty Miles of Bad Road", "Some Kind-a Earthquake", "Shazam!", "Because They're Young", "Kommotion", "Pepe", "Ring of Fire", "My Blue Heaven", "Caravan", "Deep In The Heart Of Texas", "The Ballad Of Paladin", "(Dance With The) Guitar Man", "Boss Guitar", and "Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar". Born April 26, 1938 in Corning, New York, Duane Eddy's guitar style was defined by its deep, resonant "twang" that left an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll. Emerging in the late 1950s, Eddy pioneered a sound that was both raw and cinematic, using a combination of heavy reverb, tremolo picking, and his distinctive use of the low strings to create a sound that was instantly recognisable. Eddy's playing was minimalist yet powerful, often relying on simple, memorable riffs rather than complex solos. This approach allowed him to craft tunes that were as much about mood and atmosphere as they were about melody. Tracks like "Rebel Rouser" and "Peter Gunn" demonstrate his ability to convey emotion and narrative with just a few notes, making his music feel larger than life. Some guitarists argued that his reliance on a limited set of techniques - especially his signature "twang" - made his work feel somewhat repetitive over time, but it was this very consistency that solidified his style as a distinct and influential force in rock and roll. Eddy's contribution to the genre lay not in any display of technical virtuosity (although he was a superb musician), but in his ability to evoke a timeless, almost primal feeling through his guitar. Still performing well into his 80s, famous guitarists influenced by him include George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, the Ventures, Bruce Springsteen and Mark Knopfler. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. On 30th April 2024, in Franklin, Tennessee, USA, of cancer. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Robin George (68), English-born singer-songwriter and record producer whose song "Heartline" hit the Uk and US charts in 1985. He also worked with such acts as David Byron, Phil Lynott, Glenn Hughes, Robert Plant, Asia, Roy Wood, The Climax Blues Band and Magnum. and produced Diamond Head's single "Sweet & Innocent", along with albums by Quartz and Witchfinder General. On 26th April 2024, in Malaga, Spain, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Mike Pinder (82), English-born keyboardist, songwriter, member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, founding member of the Moody Blues and the musician who most helped to popularise the Mellotron. His compositions for the band include "And My Baby's Gone", "A Simple Game", "Boulevard De La Madeleine", "Melancholy Man" and "People Gotta Go", while his songs have been covered by such acts as The Four Tops, The Mike Morton Congregation and Vicky Leandros. On 24th April 2024, near San Jose, Northern California, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Chan Romero (82), American-born singer-songwriter whose song "The Hippy Hippy Shake" was covered by more than 70 acts including The Beatles, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Mud, Billy Fury, Shane MacGowan and The Popes and The Georgia Satellites. On 20th April 2024, in Cathedral City, California, USA of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Larry Page (86), English-born singer, manager, record producer. music publisher and record label owner who as a vocalist in 1957, unsuccessfully covered Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" in the UK, but in later years went on to manage The Kinks and The Troggs while owning Page One Records and Penny Farthing Records. He also produced several million-selling hits including "Wild Thing" for the Troggs, "Beautiful Sunday" for Daniel Boone and the Chelsea Football Club song "Blue Is The Colour". On 18th April 2024, in Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Dickey Betts (80), American-born singer-songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, whose most famous songs include "Rambling Man", "Jessica", "Straight From The Heart" and ""No One To Run With" (all written by Betts). On 18th April 2024, in Osprey, Florida, USA, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Rico Wade (52), American-born Grammy Award-winning songwriter, record producer and member of the Atlanta-based production and songwriting trio Organized Noize, who produced Outkast, Goodie Mob, TLC, and En Vogue, and was responsible for such hits as TLC’s "Waterfalls", En Vogue’s "Don't Let Go (Love)", and Ludacris’ "Saturday (Oooh! Ooooh!)". On 12th April 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, of cardiac arrest. © Jim Liddane Click here Park Bo-ram (30), Korean-born singer-songwriter and actress, whose hits during a ten-year career include "Beautiful", "Celepretty". "Sorry" and "Ordinary Love". On 11th April 2024, in Seoul, Korea, of cardiac arrest. © Jim Liddane Click here Clarence "Frogman" Henry (87), American-born singer-songwriter whose hits include "Aint's Got No Home", "(I Don’t Know Why I Love You) But I Do", "You Always Hurt The One You Love", "Lonely Street", "On Bended Knees" and "A Little Too Much", and who opened for The Beatles during their 1964 USA tour. On 7th April 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana,USA, of undisclosed causes following surgery. © Jim Liddane Click here John "Bucky" Wilkin (77), American-born singer-songwriter, record producer and music publisher who scored a number of hits under the name Ronnie & The Daytonas including "GTO", "California Bound", "Sandy", "Somebody To Love Me", "Dianne Dianne" and "I’ll Think Of Summer". Born April 26th, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he also charted with "Tiger-A-Go-Go", performed by Buzz & Bucky, a duo featuring himself and singer-songwriter Buzz Cason. Although Ronnie & The Daytonas became a major name in the mid-1960's, the band as such never existed. Wilkin sang lead in the studio alongside Buzz Cason and Bobby Russell, while if obliged to appear live on stage or on television, he would simply line-up a few session musicians who were keen to party. When his label finally demanded publicity pictures, he had a group of school friends pose for the photos which were later also used on the "band's" album covers. He co-wrote with Kristofferson, travelled with Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda to make a movie in Peru for which he penned all of the songs, and would occasionally disappear for months on end, travelling across America in a large RV. The son of International Songwriters Association Hall of Famer Marijohn Wilkin, who had penned such hits as "The Long Black Veil", "One Day At A Time (Sweet Jesus)" and "Waterloo", Bucky first appeared on TV at the age of eight, playing guitar alongside Brenda Lee. When Ronnie & The Daytons hit the top some years later, he and his mother used the money to set up Buckhorn Music, whose first signing was Kris Kristofferson. Meanwhile John's own songs were being recorded by such stars as Bobby Goldsboro, Bobby Vee, Ray Charles, Bobbie Gentry, Southern Pacific, The Beach Boys, Wayne Newton, The Hondells and The Swinging Blue Jeans, When not writing or touring with the Daytonas, John was in demand in Nashville as a session guitarist, playing on albums by Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Colter, Dory Previn and many more. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 6th April 2024, in Linden, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Crawford Bell (80), Irish-born singer-songwriter, musician and owner of C B Recording Studios, who during a 64-year career emerged from the showband scene to work alongside such stars as Van Morrison, Nathan Carter, Brendan Quinn and Daniel O'Donnell, touring Ireland, Scotland, England, Europe, USA and Canada. On 4th April 2024, in Carryduff, County Down, Northern Ireland, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jerry Abbott (81), American-born singer-songwriter and record producer, whose hits include "I Want A Little Cowboy" and whose songs have been recorded by such country stars as Emmylou Harris and Freddy Fender. He was also the father of Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell who founded Pantera, a band which he managed and produced before they signed with Atco. On 2nd April 2024, in Denton, Texas, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Casey Benjamin (46), Grammy Award-winning American-born saxophonist, keyboardist, and songwriter. who worked with such stars as Betty Carter, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and Beyonce. On 30th March 2024, in Queens, New York City, USA, of a pulmonary thromboembolism, © Jim Liddane Click here Louis Gossett Jr. (87), American-born Academy Award-winning actor and singer-songwriter, whose song "Handsome Johnny" was recorded by several acts including Ritchie Havens, Peter Tosh and The Flaming Lips. On 29th March 2024, in Santa Monica, California, USA, of complications brought on by prostate cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Mark Spiro (68), American-born singer-songwriter and record producer who wrote songs for such acts as Julian Lennon, Kansas, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cheap Trick, Anne Murray, Heart, REO Speedwagon, Selena, Laura Branigan, Bad English and Lita Ford. In addition, he released eleven solo albums between 1986 and 2021 as well as producing albums for his daughters Ruby and Summer Spiro who work under the group name Ruby Summer. He also contributed music to several movies including "Top Gun", "Far Away Places" and "Voyage Of The Rock Aliens". On 28th March 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Chris Cross (71), English-born bass guitarist, songwriter and member of Ultravox, who co-wrote such hits as "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", "Hymn", The Voice", "New Europeans", "Vienna" and "Slow Motion". On 25th March 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Humphrey Campbell (66), Surinamese-born Dutch-based singer-songwriter and record producer who represented The Netherlands in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden, with "Wijs Me De Weg", before going on to become the senior vocal lecturer at the Amsterdam Conservatory Of Music. On 25th March 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, of cancer, © Jim Liddane Click here Erv Woolsey (80), American-born music industry executive and ,music publisher who managed such stars as George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Ronnie Milsap, having earlier worked with Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender, Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boy, Lee Greenwood and the Amazing Rhythm Aces. On 20th March 2024, in Clearwater, Florida, USA, of complications following heart surgery. © Jim Liddane Click here Kevin Toney (70), American-born twice Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer whose compositions include such hits as "Rock Creek Park" and "Unfinished Business", and who worked with Frank Sinatra, Patti Austin, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Whitney Houston, Gloria Gaynor, James Ingram, Enrique Iglesias, Michael McDonald, Bill Withers, and Stevie Wonder. On 18th March 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Steve Harley (76), English-born singer-songwriter and leader of the band Cockney Rebel, whose hits include "Judy Teen", "Mr. Soft", "Mr. Raffles (Man It Was Mean)", "Here Comes the Sun", "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" and the #1 hit "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" which reached the UK charts on five separate occasions between 1974 and 2015. On 17th March 2024, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, of cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Dick Allix (78), English-born drummer and songwriter with Vanity Fare, who scored hits with ""I Live for the Sun", "Hitchin' a Ride", "Early in the Morning" and "(I Remember) Summer Morning", and who went on to found the Professional Darts Corporation in 1992 which nowadays operates the televised World Championship, Premier League, World Cup of Darts, World Grand Prix and World Matchplay. On 13th March 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Eric Carmen (74), American-born singer-songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist and leader of the Rsaspberries. whose hits (mainly penned by Eric) include "Go All the Way", "I Wanna Be with You", "Let's Pretend" and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)". These early songs are quintessential examples of his talent for merging the energy of rock with the accessibility of pop, delivering infectious melodies paired with emotionally charged lyrics. His ability to tap into the youthful exuberance and angst of romantic relationships helped define the power pop genre. However, In 1975, Eric left the band and embarked on a solo career, scoring such hits as "All by Myself", Never Gonna Fall in Love Again". She Did It". "It Hurts Too Much", "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips", "Hungry Eyes" and "Make Me Lose Control". His solo career further showcased his versatility and depth as a songwriter. Hits like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" revealed his classical influences, particularly in the way he incorporated lush, orchestral arrangements and grand, sweeping melodies. "All By Myself," in particular, stands out as a masterpiece of pop balladry, with its introspective lyrics and dramatic shifts between soft, introspective verses and powerful, soaring choruses. In addition to his own recording career, Eric. who was born on August 11, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, was a prolific songwriter whose composjtions were recorded by such stars as Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Michael Ball, Carmen McRae, Hank Williams, Jr, Rosemary Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Brotherhood of Man, Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt, Frankie Valli, Olivia Newton-John, Patti LaBelle, Smokie, John Travolta, Dana, Shaun Cassidy and Showaddywaddy. It has been said that Carmen’s songwriting, especially in his solo work, occasionally verged on the overly sentimental or melodramatic, with lyrics that sometimes wandered into cliché territory, the reality is that his ability to fuse rock energy with classical sensibilities and his knack for writing memorable, emotionally resonant songs have cemented his reputation as a significant and influential songwriter. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 10th March 2024, in Gates Mills, Ohio, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Karl Wallinger (66), English-born songwriter, musician and record producer, who worked with World Party, Sinéad O’Connor and the Waterboys, and whose hit songs include "Ship Of Fools", "Way Down Now" and "She's The One" (covered by Robbie Williams, Andy Williams and Chesney Hawkes). On 10th March 2024, in Hastings, Sussex, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Steve Lawrence (87), American-born singer, songwriter and actor, who with his wife Eydie Gorme dominated the charts and television channels for fifty years, and whose admiration for the great songwriters helped to maintain the popularity of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern in a rock & roll era. Grammy Award and Emmy Award winner and father of the ASCAP Award-winning songwriter David Lawrence. On 7th March 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of complications brought on by Alzheimers disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Dimos Moutsis (86), Greek-born singer-songwriter and politician, whose work also includes hits penned for Rebetika Sotiria Belou and Anna Mouskouri. He was a colleague of former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. On 6th March 2024, in Athen, Greece, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here B B Seaton (79), Jamaican-born singer-songwriter and leader of the Gaylads, whose hits both as a band member and as a soloist include "Accept My Apology", "Sweet Caroline", "Lean On Me", "Thin Line Between Love and Hate", "My Jamaican Girl", "Joy in The Morning" and "Hard to Confess". On 4th March 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Jim Beard (64), American-born pianist and composer whose work with Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny and others, led to seven Grammy nominations, including a win in 2007. On 2nd March 2024, in New York City, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Johnny Johnson (80), American-born singer, songwriter and founder-vocalist of Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon, whose hits include "Breakin' Down The Walls Of Heartache", "Let's Hang On", "Sweet Inspiration", "(Blame It) On The Pony Express" and "You". On 2nd March 2024, in Rochester, New York, USA of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Cat Janice (31), American-born singer-songwriter whose song "Dance You Outta My Head" which (released as she was dying in a hospice) reached #2 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales, going on to become an international Tik-Tok hit. On 28th February 2024, in Annandale, Virginia, USA, of sarcoma cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Peter Morgan (46), American-born singer-songwriter, son of Jamaican reggae singer Denroy Morgan, and founder of Morgan Heritage, whose album "Strictly Roots" won the 2016 Grammy for best reggae album,going on to win again in 2019 with the album "Avrakedabra". On 25th February 2024, New York City, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Shinsadong Tiger (40), Korean-born record producer and songwriter whose hits include T-ara's "Roly Poly", Apink's "No No No" and "Remember", Exid's "Up and Down" and "DDD", and Momoland's "Bboom Bboom". On 23rd February 2024, in Seoul, Korea. of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here John "Duff" Lowe (81), English-born pianist who was a member of the Quarrymen alongside John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and who performed on the group's 1958 vanity recording of "That'll Be The Day" and "In Spite Of All The Danger". On 21st February 2024, in Liverpool, UK, of natural causes. © Jim Liddane Click here David Libert (81), American-born singer-songwriter and co-founder of The Happenings, who scored such hits as "See You In September", "Go Away Little Girl", "My Mammy", "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "I Got Rhythm", and who went on to become tour manager for Alice Cooper before opening the David Libert Agency, which became involved with such acts as George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band, The Runaways, Brian Auger, Sheila E, and Vanilla Fudge. He also penned songs for The Tokens, The Chiffons and Gerry & The Pacemakers. On 20th February 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Bobby Tench (79), Trinidadian-born British-based singer-songwriter and guitarist who worked with Freddie King, Van Morrison, Ginger Baker, The Jeff Beck Group, Humble Pie, The Streetwalkers, Linda Lewis, Eric Burdon, Thin Lizzy, Hummingbird and Gass. On 20th February 2024, in London, UK, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Judi Pulver (77), American-born singer-songwriter who penned the turntable hit "Dancing On The Moon", before going on to become a successful music sales executive at both "The Hollywood Reporter" and "Variety". On 20th February 2024, in Santa Monica, California, USA, of lung cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Cynthia Strother (88), American-born singer-songwriter and one half of The Bell Sisters whose self-penned hit "Bermuda" reached the US Top 10 in 1952. On 16th February 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Benny Lanzarone (85), American-born composer, arranger and music director, who penned music for "Dynasty", "Happy Days", "The Tracey Ullman Show", "The Love Boat", "The Jay Leno Comedy Hour", "Mr. Belvedere", "Vegas", "Matt Houston", "The Colbys", "Hotel", "Laverne and Shirley" and "Mork and Mindy". He also toured with Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark and Art Garfunkel, and worked with Bob Crewe. On 16th February 2024, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of lung cancer. © Jim Liddane Click here Ron Gilbert (75), American-born singer-songwriter, co-founder of the Blues Magoos, and writer of their biggest hits including "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet". On 16th February 2024, in Los Angeles. California, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Kerry "Fatman" Hunter (53), American-born drummer and composer with the Grammy Award-winning band The Nightcrawlers, and for whom Brent Rose penned the tune "Fatman". On 12th February 2024, in New Orleans, Mississippi, USA, having been knocked down by a drunk driver. © Jim Liddane Click here Randy Sparks (90), American-born singer-songwriter and founder of The New Christy Minstrels, who penned "Green Green", "Today", and the John Denver hit "Saturday Night in Toledo, Ohio", and whose songs were also covered by Burl Ives, Debbie Reynolds, Trini Lopez, Bobby Darin, Brian Hyland, Johnny Rivers, Roger Whittaker, Bill Anderson, Robert Goulet, Bobby Goldsboro, Glen Campbell, and Andy Williams. On 11th February 2024, in San Diego, California, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Jimmy Van Eaton (86), American-born drummer and songwriter who played on Jerry Lee Lewis’ "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," Billy Lee Riley’s “Red Hot,” Bill Justis’ "Raunchy” and “Lonely Weekends” by Charlie Rich, as well as on hits by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Warren Smith, Carl Mann and Charlie Feathers. On 10th February 2024, in Muscle Shoals, Aabama, USA, of heart failure. © Jim Liddane Click here Tony Middleton (89), American-born singer, songwriter and actor, who co-wrote "Church Bells May Ring", which was a hit both for his own group The Willows, and also for The Diamonds before going on to become a doo-wop classic, recorded by The Four Seasons, Sunny Gale, The Cadets and The Shirelles. On 3rd February 2024, in New York City, USA, of chronic kidney disease. © Jim Liddane Click here Mojo Nixon (66), American-born musician, singer-songwriter, actor and radio DJ, best known for the songs "Elvis Is Everywhere" and "Don Henley Must Die". On 7th February 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following a heart attack suffered while performing on the the Outlaw Country Cruise. © Jim Liddane Click here Toby Keith (61), American-born singer-songwriter, record producer, actor and businessman, whose hits include "Who’s Your Daddy?", "Made In America", "Should Have Been A Cowboy", "As Good as I Once Was" and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)", earning him an estimated $550 million fortune and countless music industry awards. Born July 8, 1961 in Clinton, Oklahoma, Keith's music often celebrated blue-collar values, patriotism, and personal resilience, resonating with a broad audience. His unapologetic, sometimes controversial stance, particularly in songs like "American Soldier," earned him both ardent fans and critics, but his authenticity was never in question. In addition, Keith became known for his deep, resonant voice and straightforward, relatable lyrics. Beyond his music, Keith proved to be a savvy businessman, expanding his influence with ventures like his own record label, Show Dog Nashville. He was also a major philanthropist, operating notably through the Toby Keith Foundation, which supports children with cancer and also offers assistance ro military personnel and their families. In addition to his career in music, Keith ventured into acting, appearing in films such as "Broken Bridges" and "Beer For My Horses". International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. On 5th February 2024, in Oklahoma City, USA, of stomach cancer. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member, Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Nicky Graham (79), South African-born British-based musician, songwriter, record producer, and former member of The End, keyboardist for David Bowie as well as a producer for both Polydor and CBS Records. His successes include hits for The Nolans, Let Loose, Ant & Dec, David Essex, Barbara Dickson, Bonnie Tyler Shakin's Stevens, Andy Williams, Bros, Shirley Bassey and Code Red. On 3rd February 2024, in London, UK, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Frank Farian (82), songwriter, vocalist and one of the most successful producers of all time whose productions sold more than 850 million copies. Frank Farian was born Franz Reuther in Kirn, Germany on July 18, 1941, his father having been killed in battle six weeks before his birth. Leaving school at 18, Frank trained as a chef before forming his first band Frankie Boys Schatten five years later. They recorded a single "Shouting Ghost" which failed to chart, followed by more successful cover versions of such US hits as "Yakety Yak" (1964) and "Under the Boardwalk" (1965). Two years later, Frankie himself scored with a solo version of the Otis Redding song "Mr. Pitiful" and over the next ten years, released a number of successful German singles including "Gipsy" (1968), "Dana My Love" (1968), "Speedy Jack" (1970), "Gold in Acapulco" (1972), "Atlantica" (1975) and "My Decision" (1975). His biggest hit, which sold more than a million copies, was a cover of the Austin Roberts 1976 US hit "Rocky". That same year, Farian recorded the Prince Buster 1964 hit "Al Capone" re-titled as "Baby Do You Wanna Bump", but decided instead to put it out under the group name Boney M, "featuring Bobby Farrell". In fact Farrell did not sing on this, or indeed any of the band’s subsequent releases, but instead lip-synced on stage to Farian's pre-recorded vocals. Boney M went on to have a string of hits worldwide including "Daddy Cool", "Ma Baker", "Belfast", "Sunny", "Rasputin", "Brown Girl in the Ring", "Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord", "Little Drummer Boy", and "Rivers of Babylon", all featuring Farian's lead vocals. After ten years, the band dissolved, although due to the failure of Farian to register the band name in a number of territories, versions of it re-formed from time to time with different line-ups over the next twenty years. Farian now launched a new "super-group" called Far Corporation (originally christened the Frank Farian Corporation), featuring ex-Toto stars Steve Lukather, David Paich, Bobby Kimball and Simon Phillips along with Irish vocalist Robin McAuley. They went on to score a number of hits including covers of Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion", Free's "Fire and Water" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" but disbanded following the relative failure of their third album "Solitude". Meanwhile, Farina had formed a third group, this time to record a cover of "Girl You Know It's True", a song originally recorded by the Maryland-based act Numarx. The recording, featuring session singers Brad Howell, John Davis, Charles Shaw, Jodie Rocco and Linda Rocco, was then played by Farian to two singer-dancers, Rob Pilatus, a German-born performer of African-American descent, and Fabrice Morvan, a French teenager whose family came from Guadeloupe. Neither was highly educated, and seemingly were under the impression that they would be re-recording the vocals before release. Instead, the single was released without their input, and the duo soon found themselves touring Europe under the band name Milli Vanilli, lip-syncing to Farian's pre-recorded tracks. Efforts by the duo to insist that Farian should allow them to handle the vocals on subsequent releases fell on deaf ears, and the deception continued for close on two years. The act was Farian's most successful venture, going on to earn five gold discs, including three consecutive US #1s, "Baby Don't Forget My Number", "Blame It on the Rain", and "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You". In all, they sold more than ten millions records, while the album from which the tracks were taken, spent 78 weeks on the American charts, seven of them at #1. In February 1990, Milli Vanilli were named as winners of the Best New Artist award at the 32nd Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. However, by now, suspicions were being raised in the USA, where an MTV executive, having interviewed the duo, had already said that Pilatus and Morvan simply did not possess sufficient English-language skills to have sung on the hits. Weeks later, at a performance in Bristol, Connecticut, the pre-recorded track jammed, causing Pilatus to panic and run off the stage. Meanwhile Charles Shaw, annoyed at the fact that on the American version of the album, Pilatus and Morvan had been named as the lead vocalists, issued a statement, (subsequently withdrawn), that he had been the actual vocalist. Unable to stem the bad publicity, Farian announced that he had fired both Pilatus and Morvan, confirming that they had never performed the vocals either on their recordings, or at any of their public appearances. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences now became involved, demanding that the Grammy Award be returned, Arista Records stopped all Milli Vanilli sales and deleted the album from their catalogue, and the duo found themselves stranded in the USA, facing a storm of abuse from music fans, along with 26 lawsuits alleging fraud. Farina himself, however, was not sued, going on to release a follow-up Milli Vanilli album titled "The Moment of Truth" which this time pictured the real vocalists on the cover, although this failed to sell. In 1997, apparently upset by his abrupt firing of Pilatus and Morvan, Farian offered to record a third Milli Vanilli album to be titled "Back And In Attack" but with Pilatus and Morvan handling all the lead vocals. However Pilatus was by now suffering from depression and drug addiction, and was found dead in a Frankfurt hotel room a few days before the album could be completed. Subsequently, Farian went on to found the German-American band La Bouche who scored international hits with "Be My Lover", "Sweet Dreams", "You Won't Forget Me" and "S.O.S". He also formed a second duo Le Click, which topped the charts with "Tonight Is the Night", "Call Me" and "Don't Go", as well as producing an album for Meatloaf. In 2006, a musical "Daddy Cool", featuring the songs of such Farian acts as Boney M, Milli Vanilli and La Bouche opened on London's West End, running for six months before embarking on a UK tour. It subsequently toured Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain. In later years, having sold more an estimated than 800 million records, Farian retired to live in Miami, Florida. Although still criticised by some in the American music industry, he claimed that he could never quite understand their point of view, pointing out that what he had done was normal industry practice, referencing the numerous star bands (some American) whose members had not always perfomed on their hit recordings. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. In Miami, Florida, USA, on January 23, 2024, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Margo Smith (84), American-born singer-songwriter known as "The Tennessee Yodeler", who in a career spanning 50 years, scored two consecutive US Country #1 hits, before transitioning to the Christian Music market. On 23rd January 2024, in Franklin, Tennessee, USA, following a stroke. © Jim Liddane Click here Melanie (76), American-born singer-songwriter, who made her debut at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, before going on to write and record such classic hits as "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" and "Brand New Key". Melanie was born Melanie Safka, on February 3, 1947, in Astoria, Queens, New York. Raised in the Bronx, she came from a musically inclined household. Her father Fred, was a jazz musician, and her mother, Pauline, sang jazz professionally under the name Polly Altomare. Together, they nurtured Melanie's early interest in the arts and played a pivotal role in shaping her passion for music from an early age. Melanie's education primarily took place in New Jersey to where her family had moved, first at Long Branch High School where she was bullied by some students on account of her radical or “hippie” views, and later at Red Bank Regional High School in Red Bank from which she graduated in 1964. She intended to embark immediately on a folk music career but parental pressure obliged her to first obtain an academic qualification, so she enrolled at the New York Academy of Fine Arts to study acting, while performing in the evening at the various folk clubs and coffee houses in Greenwich Village, captivating audiences with her distinctive voice and poignant lyrics. During the burgeoning folk scene, Melanie collaborated with artists such as Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie, which contributed to her growing prominence within the folk community. These collaborations not only expanded her musical horizons but led to a recording contract with Columbia, although her first two singles for the label, failed to chart and she would soon sign with Buddah Records. In 1968, she married record producer Peter Schekeryk, with whom she had three children, all of whom subsequently pursued careers in music. The couple's collaborative efforts extended beyond their personal life, as Schekeryk, who died in 2010, played a crucial role in Melanie's career, producing all bar one of her albums. Her breakthrough came with her performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, where she delivered an unforgettable set. The audience, lighting candles during her performance, inspired her to pen her first hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)", which reached #6 in the USA, and her follow-ups, such as "Peace Will Come (According to Plan)", "Ruby Tuesday", "What Have They Done to My Song Ma" (later covered by The New Seekers), and "The Nickel Song" all charted, while albums such as "Affectionately Melanie" (1969) and "Candles in the Rain" (1970), which showcased an evolving style, blending folk, pop, and rock elements, brought her to national attention, earning her a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1970. While she did not secure a win, the nomination underscored her impact on the music scene. She also embarked on a series of appearances at such festivals as the Powder Ridge Rock Festival (where she was the only act to ignore a court injunction against the holding of the event), the Strawberry Fields Festival held at Mosport Park, Ontario, Canada, the Isle of Wight Festival at Afton Down in the UK and the 1971 Glastonbury Festival, held in Glastonbury, England. In 1971, she left Buddah and set up her own label Neighborhood Records, and soon after scored her biggest "Brand New Key" (sometimes called "The Roller Skate Song"), which sold over four million copies worldwide despite being banned by a number of radio stations, topping the charts in the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. A few years later, a parody of that song titled "I've Got A Brand New Combine Harvester" by the Wurzels, also topped the UK charts. Subsequent hits include "Ring the Living Bell", "Someday I'll Be a Farmer", "Together Alone", "Do You Believe", "Bitter Bad" and a cover of the Shirelles "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", and although the singles hits dried up in the mid-80s, her albums continued to sell, while she remained in hreat demand for festivals worldwide, appearing alongside such icons as Arlo Guthrie and Judy Collins. In a career spanning 50 years, she released a total of 41 albums (13 of which were live), along with 14 compilation albums and 59 singles. Her final studio album "Somewhere Under the Rainbow" came out in 2019, while two live albums "Live at Woodstock" and "Melanie Live at Drury Lane" were issued the following year. At the time of her death, she was completing an album of covers to be titled "Second Hand Smoke", which would include Radiohead’s “Creep,” the Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin,” Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” and David Bowie’s “Everyone Says Hi.” International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member, In Nashville, Tennessee, USA, on January 23, 2024, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Toni Stern (79), American-born songwriter who collaborated with Carole King, and whose songs were recorded by Carole King, The Monkees, Helen Reddy, The Carpenters, The Shirelles, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, The Isley Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare, Barbra Streisand and many more. On 17th January 2024, in Santa Ynez, California, USA, of undisclosed causes. © Jim Liddane Click here Laurie Johnson (86), composer, bandleader, conductor and arranger, who wrote scores for dozens of film and television series. Laurie Johnson was born in Hampstead, London, UK on February 7 1927, into a family with a strong musical tradition. His parents, Harold and Ethel Johnson, recognised their son's musical aptitude early on and encouraged his passion for the arts. After grammar school, he began his formal education in music at the Royal Academy of Music in London under Ralph Vaughan Williams, who helped him hone his skills in composition, arrangement, and orchestration. Having left the Academy, he spent four years serving in the band of the Coldstream Guards, frequently participating in major ceremonial events, before embarking on a career penning arrangements for the Ted Heath Band and later for many of Britain’s leading dance bands and recording orchestras. This work brought him to the attention of the UK movie industry, and he was soon writing and conducting scores for such films as "The Good Companions" (1957), "The Moonraker" (1958), "Girls at Sea" (1958), "No Trees in the Street" (1959), "Tiger Bay" (1959), and "Operation Bullshine" (1959). In 1959, he also penned his first television theme, for the TV drama "No Hiding Place". The same year, he was asked to act as composer and music director for the musical "Lock Up Your Daughters", winning an Ivor Novello Award alongside Lionel Bart who had penned the lyrics. The following year, he signed with the prestigious KPM Music Library in London, providing (whether as a composer, conductor or arranger), literally thousands of pieces to the Library, many of which are still being used today in such shows as "SpongeBob SquarePants". He also scored a Top 10 hit in 1961 with "Sucu Sucu", the theme from the television series "Top Secret" and went on to hit the UK album charts with such releases as "The New Big Sound of the Laurie Johnson Orchestra" (1963) and "The Big New Sound Strikes Again" (1965). His television scores include "Echo Four Two" (1961), "Top Secret" (1961), "Animal Magic" (1962), "Riviera Police" (1965), "The Avengers" (1965), "This Is Your Life" (1969), "Red Gauntlet" (1970), "Shirley's World" (1971), "Jason King" (1971), "Thriller" (1973), "The New Avengers" (1976), "The Professionals" (1977) and "W1A" (2014), while his contribution to such theatre productions as "Pieces of Eight" (1959) and "The Four Musketeers" (1967) enhanced to his reputation. In addition, he also co-owned the production company Avengers Mark One Productions Ltd which produced several of these TV series. Between 1960 and 1990. Laurie worked prolifically in the movie industry, providing themes for such films as "I Aim at the Stars" (1960), "Spare The Rod" (1961), "What a Whopper " (1961), "Siege of the Saxons" (1963), "Bitter Harvest" (1963), "Dr. Strangelove" (1964), "First Men in the Moon" (1964), "East of Sudan" (1964), "The Beauty Jungle" (1964), "You Must Be Joking!" (1965), "Hot Millions" (1968), "Mister Jerico" (1970), "And Soon the Darkness" (1970), "The Firechasers" (1971), "Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter" (1972), "The Belstone Fox" (1973), "The Maids" (1974), "Hedda" (1975), "Diagnosis: Murder" (1975), "It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet" (1976), "A Hazard of Hearts" (1987), "It's Alive III: Island of the Alive" (1987), "The Lady and the Highwayman" (1989) and "A Ghost in Monte Carlo" (1990). In 1997, at the age of 70, and having seen his work being used in more than 400 movies or TV shows, he announced his retirement from composing, before announcing the formation of The London Big Band with Jack Parnell as conductor, Vince Hill as vocalist, trumpeter Kenny Baker and saxophonist Tom Whittle. The band released several albums, one of which produced the hit single "Theme From The Professionals" (1997), and three years later, he also went on to publish a well-received autobiography titled "Noises in the Head". International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. In Stanmore, North London, UK, on January 16, 2024, from natural causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Copyright International Songwriters Association, Songwriter Magazine and Jim Liddane: All Rights Reserved Earlier Songwriter Obituaries ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967) internationalsongwriters@gmail.com Cookies Policy • Privacy Policy • Copyright Legal Notice This site is published by the International Songwriters Association, and will introduce you to the world of songwriting. It will explain music business terms and help you understand the business concepts that you should be familiar with, thus enabling you to ask more pertinent questions when you meet with your accountant/CPA or solicitor/lawyer. However, although this website includes information about legal issues and legal developments as well as accounting issues and accounting developments, it is not meant to be a replacement for professional advice. 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