Tag Archives: American music

RIP Norman Gimbel (1927 – 2018)

This happened in 2018 but I’ve only just found out.

“¿Quién será?”

Norman Gimbel was an American lyricist of popular songs, television and movie themes known for the lyrics of such songs as “¿Quién será?” (1953), “Meditation” (1961), “How Insensitive” (1963), “Água de Beber” (1963), “Summer Samba” (1964), “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964) and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1972).

Meditation”
“How Insensitive”
“Água de Beber”
“Summer Samba”
“The Girl from Ipanema”
“Killing Me Softly with His Song”

RIP Timmy Thomas (1944 – 2022)

Timmy Thomas was an American singer-songwriter best known for his composition “Why Can’t We Live Together” (1972).

“Why Can’t We Live Together” is known for its early use of drum machine technology.

At 1:00 you can hear the mambo preset from the Lowrey AR-4 (Automatic Rhythm) drum machine built in to the Lowrey organ

That drum machine appears to be the mambo preset from the Lowrey AR-4 (Automatic Rhythm) drum machine built in to the Lowrey organ.

“Hotline Bling” (2015) by Drake

Hotline Bling” (2015) by Drake heavily samples the song.

RIP Richard Pratt (? – 2022)

Richard Pratt was an American singer and co-founder of the American band Blue Magic.

Welcome to the Club” (1974)

Blue Magic was one of the more popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The group was one of the earliest acts produced by Norman Harris. Backed by the MFSB house band, they are known for such recordings as “Welcome to the Club” (1974).

That song is featured on Grass Roots: Ashley Beedle (1999).