Deaths 2014

Originally posted on 2014-11-28 08:34:20

Radio PD Michael Tee has died. We knew about it earlier this week but wanted to wait to report after the holidays. Tee had been struggling with cancer and was getting better when things took a turn for the worse.

Originally posted on 2014-11-28 08:34:20

Originally posted on 2014-11-11 13:14:18

The rap community as well as the music industry lost one of the great pioneers early this morning. Big Bank Hank, 57, died of cancer this morning. He was a member of the Sugarhill Gang and he was a member of one of the first groups to be signed with an independent record label and be promoted nationally with their smash 1979 hit Rapper's Delight. The song was also the first rap song to be played on Black radio stations across the nation. The late Sylvia Robinson was the founder of Sugarhill Records when she noticed that kids were going crazy for the relatively new genre of music in 1979 and she cashed in on it, literally according to some groups from the label who stated the Robinson family did not disburse the income from their smash hit records to the artists fairly. source TMZ

Originally posted on 2014-11-11 13:14:18

Originally posted on 2014-11-04 00:34:18

This was actually one of my favorite radio shows, it was very funny. Two brothers who called themselves the "Click and Clack" team for 25 years brought great entertainment on a subject that you usually don't associate with humor (but quite often rage). Car Talk on NPR was the jovial show that made fun of caller's cars and warned them about getting ripped off and what repairs were needed.  One of the hosts Tom Magliozzi, 77, died Monday of complications from Alzheimers. The network reported the death Monday afternoon. His brother Ray, the surviving member of the team stated “We can be happy he lived the life he wanted to live; goofing off a lot, talking to you guys every week, and primarily, laughing his ass off." We're not sure what the network will do with the show at this point but we'll keep you posted. 

Originally posted on 2014-11-04 00:34:18

Originally posted on 2014-10-13 00:43:09

The social networks were ablaze over the weekend that industry vet Augie Johnson was found dead by his fiance. Johnson was legendary in the music industry as well as LA for helping up and coming musicians get into the industry as well as his business ventures. We are waiting to hear from his fiance with more details. He was a founding member of Side Effect the group with the smash hit Always There. We have posted a few videos that help to tell his story. He was at the Legends and Icons picnic this past Sunday (see pics)AUGIE’S SIDE EFFECT:  The birth of the singing group Side Effect began in the year 1972 with founder and leader Augie Johnson and members, Lomita Johnson, Jim Gilstrap, Gregory Matta and Louis Patton. It only took a few months before the group signed their first record deal with a company called Avenue of America-Gas Records, with whom they recorded their first album, “Effective”.Side Effect continued to evolve. They changed female lead vocalists, from Lomita Johnson to Sylvia Nabors, and soon joined At-Home Productions, a company headed by Wayne Henderson of the “Jazz Crusaders”. One month later, they signed with Fantasy Records and recorded four albums: “What You Need” (including the hit singles“Always There” & “Keep that Same Old Feeling”), “Going Bananas”, & “Rainbow Vision”. Vocalist Sylvia Nabors did an excellent job on the first album, but by the time “What You Need” was recorded Helen Lowe, (now gospel superstar Helen Baylor), was the new vocalist.After these four albums were completed, Side Effect left Fantasy Records and was picked up by Elektra Records. In 1990, members of Side Effect formed an all male groupwhich they named “Flawless” under the direction and management of Mick Fleetwood (of superstar group Fleetwood Mac) and Dennis Duston. In early 1995, Side Effect reunited and immediately signed with the Dog House Record Label. The leader Augie Johnson continues to add great talent to the group, featuring female lead singers on each album. The newly revived group has added vocalists Ricky Abernathy, Milton Ellis and Anthony Hicks. Their current CD "About Time"; has been well received by music enthusiasts throughout the world.Side Effect and its members have worked with/performed for superstars such as: Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Gloria Trevi (known as the “Mexican Madonna”), Elton John, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Fleetwood Mac, Bobby Caldwell, Lance Bass of *NSYNC, Joe Walsh (Eagles), Leonardo DiCaprio, Sylvester Stallone and a host of others.Movie credits for Side Effect include: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Power Of One (James Earl Jones), Gabriel’s Fire (ABC TV). They are also featured in the Adam Sandler movie “I Now Pronounce YouChuck and Larry”. TV & Radio Commercial credits include: California Cooler, Cheerios and Mitsubishi.National Anthem performance credits include: Don Dixon Productions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, Top Rank Promotions, Iraq Star Foundation and the San Diego Chargers.www.facebook.com/augiessideeffect Email: Rnbebop@yahoo.com

Originally posted on 2014-10-13 00:43:09

Originally posted on 2014-10-06 00:50:47

Radio Facts is sad to report that Elton Bernard Anderson, 35, aka "D J Beezy" Evening host on The BEAT (103.7-FM) Shreveport , was pronounced dead at University Health this weekend following a horrific accident in which he was ejected from the vehicle he was driving after crashing into another vehicle then thrown 30 feet over a bridge to his death. KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather  

Originally posted on 2014-10-06 00:50:47

Originally posted on 2014-08-19 09:44:30

Radio Facts is shocked to learn that Service Broadcasting's Michael Erickson has succumbed to cancer. Erickson was the OM of Service Broadcasting and a great supporter of Radio Facts . KRNB PD Kevin Garner states: "He won his fight to live life to the very end. He was passionate about KRNB/KKDA, his wife, daughter & 49ers. ME, we have the plan & will continue to make you proud."UPDATE: Services UPDATE: Here is a press release from the station...Dallas, Texas (August 19, 2014)… Yesterday our organization, Service Broadcasting, the Dallas-Ft. Worth and Bay Area communities, and the radio world at-large lost one of our elite leaders, Michael Erickson. Michael was a proven winner whose passion for developing people and ideas was simply unmatched. Over the years, Michael transformed our business and made all of our team better broadcasters and better human beings, as he did with everyone he touched throughout his career. We will miss his boundless energy, laughter in the hallways and his endless insights about radio and life. As we endeavor to go forward, we are all so grateful for the moments we shared with Michael. He always gave freely of his time and knowledge to anyone ready to be enlightened, from interns to CEOs. To his credit, he was one of the best communicators and collaborators one could ever hope to work for and with. He was elegant at the art of execution and remained focused, engaged, and committed to every goal he set for himself until his last breath. Our hearts go out to the loved ones he has left behind, especially his dedicated wife Patti, daughter Katie and the entire Erickson family. Geo Cook quotes: “Michael was a great mentor, fierce competitor and compassionate friend. He made an impact on me personally and professionally that I cannot totally express in words. I will miss him and his presence dearly..”

Originally posted on 2014-08-19 09:44:30