Ernest Wilson was a Jamaican singer; known for interpreting such songs as “I Know Myself” (1974), a Channel One production and “Undying Love” (Studio One, 1968), released on in an extended mix on Studio One Showcase Vol. 1 (1999).
Tag Archives: RIP
RIP William Shelby (1954 – 2021)
William Shelby was an American musician known for his work with Dynasty and Lakeside.
Dynasty is best known for their musical composition “I Don’t Want To Be A Freak (But I Can’t Help Myself) ” (1979).
Lakeside is best known for their musical composition “Fantastic Voyage” (1980).
I did not have time to research if Shelby was involved with these two recordings.
However, while researching “I Don’t Want To Be A Freak (But I Can’t Help Myself) ” (1979) I stumbled upon these other specimina of African-American musical compositions from the 1970s and 1980s that feature the word “freak” in their title: “I Want’a Do Something Freaky To You” (1975) is by Leon Haywood; “Le Freak” (1978) by Chic; “Super Freak” (1981) by Rick James and “I Need a Freak” (1983) by Sexual Harassment.
RIP George Butler (1943 – 2021)
George Butler was a British-American filmmaker best known for directing Pumping Iron (1977) and Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985).
Both films are cult items.
Pumping Iron II: The Women is also famous for its soundtrack which includes Jahsonic favourite Peech Boys.
RIP Alan Hawkshaw (1937 – 2021)
Alan Hawkshaw (1937 – 2021) was a British composer and musician, particularly of library music, working extensively for the KPM production music company in the 1950s to the 1970s, composing such songs as “Grange Hill”.
With the studio group Love De-Luxe he scored a number 1 single on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with “Here Comes That Sound Again” in 1979.
In the 1970s, he worked for Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg as a musical director, arranger and pianist, including on L’homme à tête de chou (1976).
One of his best-known compositions is “Blarney’s Stoned” which was used as the theme tune for Dave Allen’s television shows.
In 1977, he composed “New Earth Parts 1 & 2” for Hank Marvin’s Guitar Syndicate (1977) LP project.
This was subsequently sampled over 30 years later by Jay-Z for his song “Pray”.
Also, during the late 1970s, music by Hawkshaw appeared in several films by Radley Metzger, including Barbara Broadcast (1977) and Maraschino Cherry (1978).
RIP Paddy Moloney (1938 – 2021)
Paddy Moloney was an Irish musician, best-known for his work with the The Chieftains.
He also arranged “Women of Ireland” for the film Barry Lyndon (1975).
RIP Olivier Libaux (1964 – 2021)
Olivier Libaux was a French record producer and musician best known for his work with the cover band Nouvelle Vague. The band was known for its bossa nova covers of new wave songs.
In his solo career he released songs such as “Ils Sont Marrant les Gens” on the album Imbécile (2007), which means “people are funny”.
Question: did Olivier Libaux commit suicide?
RIP Melvin Van Peebles (1932 – 2021)
Melvin Van Peebles was an American writer, actor and film director best known for his film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971).
I would advise against watching that movie since it’s historically significant but just not very good.
Instead, I advise to watch Classified X (1998), a film on African-American cinema and the African-American representation in Hollywood.
RIP Pee Wee Ellis (1941 – 2021)
Pee Wee Ellis was an American composer, musician and saxophonist, best-known for co-writing “Cold Sweat” (1967) and “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” (1968) with James Brown and writing “The Chicken” (1969).
RIP Julz Sale (c. 1960 – 2021)
RIP Richard H. Kirk (1956 – 2021)
Richard H. Kirk was an English musician working within electronic music. With Cabaret Voltaire, he released compositions such as “Nag Nag Nag” (1979).