SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY - BEST SONGWRITERS (Below)
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THOSE WE LOST IN 2008 (Unofficial List)
January 15 - Brad Renfro, actor (Mark Shay in "The Client") age 25
January 17 - Bobby Fischer, world class chess champion, age 64
January 18 - Lois Nettleton, actor (Evelyn in "Crossing Jordan") age 80
January 19 - Suzanne Pleshette,actress ("Bob Newhart Show" and "Rome Adventure"), age 70
January 20 - John Stewart Musician,Songwriter (was a member of the Kingston Trio)
January 22 - Heath Ledger, actor (A Knight's Tale" and "Brokeback Mountain") age 28
January 26 - Christian Brando, son of actor Marlon Brando, age 49
February 1 - Shell Kepler, actress (Amy Vining on "General Hospital" ) age 49
February 2 - Barry Morse, actor (Lt. Philip Gerard on "The Fugitive") age 89
February 5 - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, taught transcendentalist meditation to the Beatles, age 96
February 10 - Roy Scheider, actor ( Police Chief Brodie in "Jaws") age 75
February 12 - Van Johnson actor (major star at MGM during WWII and after)
February 13 - David Groh, actor (Rhoda's hubby Joe, on "Rhoda") age 68
February 27 - William F. Buckley, author and conservative commentator, age 82
February 28 - Mike Smith Musician (was the lead vovalist for The Dave Clark Five) age 64
March 18 - Arthur C. Clarke, writer ("2001: A Space Odyssey") age 90
March 19 - Paul Scofield, actor ("A Man for All Seasons") age 86
March 24 - Richard Widmark, actor ("How the West Was Won," "Madigan" ) age 93
April 5 - Charlton Heston,actor (Moses in "The Ten Commandments") age 84
April 18 - Joy Page, Actress (appeared in Casablanca as the newlywed) age 83
May 5- Jerry Wallace,1950's Musician (1950's country singer) age 79
May 8- Eddy Arnold, C&W Musician (baritone voice helped to create the Nashville sound) age 89
May 24- Dick Martin,Comedian (developed Rowan & Martin's Laugh In with Dan Rowan) age 86
May 26 - Sidney Pollock,Director (directed The Way We Were and many others) age 73
May 29- Harvey Korman,Actor (best known for his role on the Carol Burnett Show)age 81
June 2- Bo Diddley,musician (one of the founding fathers of "Rock & Roll") age 79
June 7- Jim McKay,sportscaster (anchored ABC Wide World of Sports)
June 13 - Tim Russert, political journalist and host of NBC's "Meet the Press"
June 17 - Cyd Charisse, Dancer - stylized dance on screen (performed with Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly)
June 22 - George Carlin, Comedian (best known for his use of off color language) age 71
July 4 - Sen. Jesse Helms, Politician, (5 term Senator from N Carolina and outspoken conserative) age 86
July 12 - Tony Snow,Reporter, Press Secretary (White House spokesman until cancer forced his retirement) age 53
July 22- Estelle Getty, actress (best known for her role on The Golden Girls) age 85
August 9 - Bernie Mac, Comedian (starred in his own sitcom titled The Bernie Mac Show) age 50
August 10- Isaac Hayes, Musician (famous for writing the musical theme to Shaft) age 65
August 18- Pervis Jackson, Musician (was the bass voice of the Spinners)) age 70
September 2 - Jerry Reed, Musician, Actor (co-starred in Smokey & the Bandit) age 71
September 15 - Richard Wright, Musician,(Pianist played with Pink Floyd) age 65
September 26- Paul Newman, Actor,race car driver, philanthropist (starred in 50 films best known for Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid) age 83
October 15- Edie Adams,Comedian/Actress ( known as the Pitch-girl for Muriel Cigars) age 81
October 17- Levi Stubbs,Singer ( front man for the Four Tops) age 72
October 19- Richard Blackwell, Fashion Critic (best known for his "Ten Worst Dressed Women" yearly list) age 86
October 24- Merl Saunders, Musician/Keyboardist (played with The Grateful Dead) age 74
October 25 - Estelle Reiner, Actress (Wife of Carl and Mother of Rob Reiner) age 94
December 1 - Paul Benedict, Actor (best known as the quirky neighbor on the Jeffersons), age 70
December 25 - Eartha Kitt, Singer (smooth purrr like voice, sang Santa Baby and many others), age 81
DELANEY BRAMLETT 1939-2008
Dead People - Gone but not forgotten
www.fiftiesweb.com/dead/dead-people.htm - 14k
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THE BEST SONGWRITERS OF ALL TIME
Once again, it's our pick of the top songwriters. It may not be the same as your list of the best songwriters.
Presenting
(In random order)
Paul McCartney
THE BEST SONGWRITERS OF ALL TIME
Once again, it's our pick of the top songwriters. It may not be the same as your list of the best songwriters.
Presenting
(In random order)
Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartneyPaul McCartney is a key figure in contemporary culture as a singer, composer, poet, writer, artist, humanitarian, entrepreneur, and holder of more than 3 thousand copyrights. He is in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for most records sold, most #1s (shared), most covered song, "Yesterday," largest paid audience for a solo concert (350,000+ people, in 1989, in Brazil). He is considered one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
He was born James Paul McCartney on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool General Hospital, where his mother, Mary, was a medical nurse and midwife. His father, Jim, was a cotton salesman and a pianist leading the Jim Mac's Jazz Band in Liverpool. Young Paul McCartney was raised non-denominational. He studied music and art, and had a happy childhood with one younger brother, Michael. At age 11, he was one of only four students who passed the 11+ exam, known as "the scholarship" in Liverpool, and gained a place at Liverpool Institute for Boys. There he studied from 1953 to 1960, earning A level in English and Art.
At the age of 14, Paul McCartney was traumatized by his mother's sudden death from breast cancer. Shortly afterward, he wrote his first song. In July 1957 he met John Lennon during their performances at a local church fête (festival). McCartney impressed Lennon with his mastery of guitar and singing in a variety of styles. He soon joined Lennon's band, The Quarrymen, and eventually became founding member of The Beatles, with the addition of George Harrison and Pete Best. After a few gigs in Hamburg, Germany, the band returned to Liverpool and played regular gigs at the Cavern during 1961...Read more @ Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney Official Site
Paul McCartney - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Lennon was an English rock musician, singer, writer, songwriter, artist, actor and peace activist who gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles. Lennon along with Paul McCartney formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and "wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history".
In his solo career, Lennon wrote and recorded many songs such as "Give Peace a Chance" and "Imagine". Lennon revealed his rebellious nature and wit on television, in films such as A Hard Day's Night, in books such as In His Own Write, and in press conferences and interviews. He was controversial through his work as a peace activist, artist, and author.
John Lennon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Solo career
Discography
SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO DELANEY BRAMLETT (1 July 1939 – 27 December 2008 )
Delaney Bramlett, who co-wrote songs such as “Superstar” and worked with a who’s-who of rock royalty, died Saturday. He was 69. - Bramlett’s Web site, http://www.delaneybramlett.com/.
Bramlett was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi and after a stint in the United States Navy, moved to Los Angeles, California. There he established himself as a singer-songwriter, writing with fellow musicians Joey Cooper, Mac Davis and Jackie DeShannon. Bramlett also became a regular on the U.S. television show Shindig! as member of the show's house band, the Shindogs. During this time, he also worked with J.J. Cale, who was his first guitar player, and Leon Russell and released some unsuccessful solo singles.
Bramlett's musical history spans four decades. Known as a songwriter, singer and musician, he has also mentored other musicians, including Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Leon Russell, George Harrison, and J.J. Cale.
Over the years, some of his songs have reached "standard" status, such as "Superstar" originally titled, "Groupie Superstar" which was co-written with Leon Russell and has been covered by scores of artists, (recorded most recently in 2006 by Usher and in the past by Luther Vandross, The Carpenters and many others).
Bramlett's other hits included "Let It Rain," which was co-written with and recorded most notably by Eric Clapton; and "Never Ending Song Of Love" which has appeared on the soundtracks of the films, RV and A Good Year. "Never Ending Song of Love" has been recorded by more than 100 artists, including Ray Charles, and Patty Loveless and Dwight Yoakum. Read more @ Delaney Bramlett - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
More links:
Delaney's Biography
Delaney bramlett
CMT.com : Delaney Bramlett : Biography
Paul Mustapha Abdi Anka, (born July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor of Lebanese origin. He became a naturalized US citizen in 1990.
Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hits songs like "Diana," "Lonely Boy," and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder." He went on to write such well known music as the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for which he was paid $5,000 per episode and Tom Jones' biggest hit "She's A Lady," and the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra's signature song "My Way." Paul Anka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Songwriters Hall of Fame - Paul Anka Song List
NEIL SEDAKA
Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American pop singer, pianist, and songwriter often associated with the Brill Building. He teamed up with Howard Greenfield to write hits for himself and others. Sedaka's voice is tenor and alto.
The best-known Billboard Hot 100 hits of his early career are "The Diary" (#14, 1958), a song that he offered to Little Anthony and the Imperials; "Oh! Carol" (#9, 1959); "You Mean Everything to Me" (#17, 1960); "Calendar Girl" (#4, 1960); "Stairway to Heaven" (#9, 1960); "Little Devil" (#11, 1961); "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" (#6, 1961); "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (#1, 1962); and "Next Door To An Angel" (#5, 1962). "Oh! Carol" refers to Sedaka's Brill Building compatriot and former girlfriend Carole King. King responded with her answer song, "Oh, Neil", which used Sedaka's full name. A Scopitone exists for "Calendar Girl". Sedaka wrote another hit, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, for his then close friend Annette Funicello Neil Sedaka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Other links
1 Career beginnings, 1960s success
2 1970s comeback
3 Other musical works
4 Personal life
5 Pop culture references
6 Discography
7 Autobiography
JIM STEINMAN
James Richard "Jim" Steinman (born November 1, 1947 in New York City, New York) is an American record producer, composer, and lyricist responsible for several hit songs. He has also worked as an arranger, pianist, and singer. His work has included songs in the adult contemporary, rock and roll, dance/techno, pop, musical theater, and film score genres.
His work includes the Meat Loaf albums Bat out of Hell and Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell, and producing albums for Bonnie Tyler. His most successful chart singles include Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart", Air Supply's "Making Love out of Nothing at All", Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That)", Barry Manilow's "Read 'Em and Weep" and Celine Dion's version of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (originally written for and performed by Steinman's band Pandora's Box).
Jim Steinman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ROGER HODGSON
Roger Hodgson has been recognized as one of the most gifted composers, song writers and lyricists of our time. As the legendary voice of Supertramp and composer of the band’s greatest hits, he gave us ”Give a Little Bit“, ”The Logical Song“, ”Dreamer“, ”Take the Long Way Home“, ”Breakfast In America“, ”It’s Raining Again“, ”School“, and ”Fools Overture“ and so many others that have become the soundtrack of our lives. His trademark way of setting beautiful introspective lyrics to upbeat melodies resonated and found its way into the hearts and minds of people from cultures around the world. His songs have remarkably stood the test of time and earned Roger and Supertramp an adoring worldwide following.
During the time that Roger led the band, Supertramp sold well over 60 million albums... Bio
Roger Hodgson, former vocalist and songwriter from Supertramp.
Bernie Taupin is best known for his 30-year collaboration with pop star Elton John, although he has released several solo albums and has written lyrics for others. Taupin's association with John has made him one of the most prolific lyricists of the 20th century. Although Taupin continues writing lyrics for John, he has also formed his own acoustic rock band. In 1996, he and four other musicians became the Farm Dogs, fulfilling a lifelong dream to have his own band. The group has released two albums, Last Stand In Open Country (1996) and Immigrant Sons (1998).
Born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England, on May 22, 1950, Taupin was raised in a rural community where men had limited employment opportunities. One either became a farmer, as his father had temporarily, or went to work in a factory in a neighboring town. Read More @ Bernie Taupin Biography
Bernie Taupin - Biography
In 1967, he answered an advertisement for talent placed in the New Musical Express by Liberty records A&R man Ray Williams. Thus began the famous and well-loved songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The pair have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. The team broke up for a time between 1977 and 1979, and John worked with other lyricists, including Gary Osborne and Tom Robinson; John and Taupin got back together on (at first) an occasional basis in 1980, with Taupin contributing only three or four sets of song lyrics per album. However, the two soon renewed their partnership on a full-time basis, and from 1982 forward, Taupin was again John's primary lyricist, a position he holds to this day. (John often uses other lyricists on specific theatrical or film projects, such as 1993's The Lion King which featured lyrics by Tim Rice. But virtually every original lyric on Elton's regular albums from 1982 on is by Taupin.)
Taupin's lyrics include such memorable tunes as "Rocket Man", "Tiny Dancer", "Candle in the Wind", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Daniel (song)", and 1970's "Your Song", their first hit.
The 1991 film documentary Two Rooms described the John/Taupin writing style, which involves Taupin writing the lyrics on his own and John then putting them to music, with no further interaction between the two. This however was a process that was to change considerably over the years as their collaborations became far more intimate in their creation.
Taupin and John had their first Broadway musical open in March 2006 with Lestat: The Musical.
Taupin wrote lyrics for ten songs by John on his album The Captain & The Kid (sequel to Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy) and appeared on the cover with him for the first time marking their 40th anniversary of working together.
On 25 March 2007, Taupin made a surprise appearance at John's 60th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, briefly discussing their 40-year songwriting partnership.
Bernie Taupin Pictures, Biography, Discography, Filmography, News ...
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