RIP Mike Melvoin & Billy Strange

[grooverider]

The passing of two of the best:
Mike Melvoin passed away on Wed. Feb. 22nd in Burbank, CA. Mr. Melvoin played keyboards on such classics as: Frank Sinatra"s "That's Life", Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable", the Jackson 5's "ABC", The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations", John Lennon's "Stand By Me", Barbra Steisand's "Evergreen" and Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson's all star collaboration, "We Are The World".
One of his daughters is Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa, who backed Prince. His son, Jonathan, who has passed on, was a member of the Smashing Pumpkins band.
Billy Strange passed away on the same (!) day as Mr. Melvoin in Nashville. A songwriter, arranger and guitarist, a member of the justly famous "Wrecking Crew". Most famously played on Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walking" and on a song written by Van Dyke Parks' brother, C. Carson Parks, Frank & Nancy Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid", Co-wrote Chubby Checker's "Limbo Rock". He worked with Phil Spector, the Beach Boys on "Pet Sounds", Elvis, Rick Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Dean Martin, The Partridge Family and Willie Nelson.
I don't know if either Mr. Melvoin or Mr. Strange ever worked with Burt Bacharach, but I fear that we may not see musicians of this caliber again. Does our current musical environment encourage this form of artistry? The LA Times newspaper recently reported that due to budget cuts, district office is thinking of eliminating music classes at the elementary level!

[steveo_1965]

RIP Billy Strange, My friend(on the Billy Strange Forum)....