Legendary R&B Singer Percy Sledge Dies at Age 74

We have lost another music great …

Legendary R&B singer Percy Sledge has passed away at the age of 74 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Percy Sledge is most known for his 1966 hit, ‘When a Man Loves a Woman,’ that topped the R&B and Billboard pop charts, where  it spent 13 weeks in 1966, peaking at No. 1. Amazingly he never received a dime of song writing or air play royalties for the song.  Although it was reported that the singer had died of natural causes; however, he was in hospice care for cancer. His family released the following statement through his manager, Mark Lyman, Percy Sledge died at his home after a yearlong struggle with cancer. The cause of death was liver failure. Percy was married twice and is survived by his second wife, Rosa Sledge, whom he married in 1980, and his 12 children, two of whom became singers.

One of the best songs ever, ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’

Percy Sledge, the R&B belter whose biggest hit, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” became a cornerstone of soul music, died Tuesday. He was 73.

Sledge died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said Stephanie Price of the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. Sledge died of natural causes, said East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. William Clark. He had been in hospice care for cancer, Clark added.

In a career that started in the 1960s, Sledge had a number of hits, including “Take Time to Know Her,” “Warm and Tender Love” and “It Tears Me Up” among them.

But his first and biggest hit, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” towered over them all.

NY Times Obit – Single Session Launched Percy Sledge, No. 1 Hit, and a Sound.

Sledge, who died Tuesday, grew up singing in nearby cotton fields of northwest Alabama and never had been in a studio before that day. He didn’t even know how to work a microphone during that first session, Johnson said.

Johnson had to twirl the volume dials on the recording machine just to keep Sledge’s untrained voice at the correct levels during the session, but it worked. The track would become a No. 1 hit in 1966 and establish Sledge as a rhythm-and-blues singer of the first order.

“It gave us chills,” Johnson said.

Afterward, Sledge became a star and helped his native northwest Alabama establish itself as a recording Mecca that drew Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Allman Brothers, Bob Seger and other top-shelf stars of the 1960s and ’70s in search of the “Muscle Shoals Sound.”

Johnson, now 72, said it all began when Sledge sang “When a Man Loves a Woman,” with its haunting lyrics and his mournful, blue-eyed style.

“Everything lined up for this,” said Johnson, who played rhythm guitar for the great Muscle Shoals studio group called “The Swampers.”

Rap Mogul Marion ‘Suge’ Knight Arrested on Suspicion of Murder, Hit & Run … Held on $2 Million Bail (Update: Deceased Victim is Terry Carter)

Rap mogul Marion ‘Suge’ Knight was arrested last night on suspicion of murder after he allegedly ran over two men with his truck following an argument on a film set in Compton, California. Knight turned himself in to the police with his attorney present. According to the e Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a confrontation began about 3 p.m. Thursday when ‘Suge’ Knight and two unidentified men began arguing on the set of “Straight Outta Compton.” As per accounts, Knight is believed to have followed the men in his truck and run them over in the parking lot, One witness appears to infer that it was an intentional act as he claimed that Knight’s red truck hit the men, then backed over them before leaving the scene. One of the victims died at the scene while the other suffered undisclosed injuries and was taken to the hospital. The incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Knight’s attorney confirmed that his client was behind the wheel, but is saying it was an accident as Knight was attacked by two people and trying to escape.

Notorious former rap music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight has been arrested on suspicion of murder after he allegedly ran over two men with his truck following an argument on a film set in Compton, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed. He is being held in lieu of $2-million bail.

Knight, 49, arrived at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood station with his attorney around 12:30 a.m. to be interviewed by homicide detectives as a person of interest in the case, according to authorities and his lawyer.

The interview concluded around 3:30 a.m., Knight’s attorney, James E. Blatt, told The Times.

The confrontation began about 3 p.m. Thursday when Knight and two unidentified men began arguing on the set of “Straight Outta Compton,” a biopic about the group N.W.A., said Capt. John Corina of the Sheriff’s Department’s detectives unit.

About 20 minutes after the alleged argument, the victims were at Tam’s Burgers near Central and East Rosecrans avenues, authorities said. Knight is believed to have followed the men in his truck and run them over in the parking lot, Corina said.

Witnesses said the truck hit the men, then backed over them before leaving the scene.

One of the victims, 55, died, and the other, 51, suffered undisclosed injuries, Corina said. At least one of the victims was a member of the film crew, he said.

UPDATE I: TMZ – The victim is Terry Carter, who we’re told is a friend of Suge’s who arrived with him at the scene.

Multiple witnesses tell us a movie shoot — involving Ice Cube and Dr. Dre — was going down when Suge pulled up in his car. We’re told security told Suge to leave and that’s when trouble began.

A fight broke out between Suge and 2 men. Suge got back into his car, took the wheel and threw the vehicle in reverse … and ran over a man who suffered fatal injuries.

It’s unclear at this point if the victim was connected to the movie. A source close to Cube tells us production had wrapped when the fight went down … and he and Dre were not on set.

Sources connected with Suge tell TMZ … the 2 men who fought Suge were the instigators. Our sources say Suge was scared because he’s in frail health — in addition to being shot 6 times last summer, he recently almost died from a blood clot.

The victim is Terry Carter, who we’re told is a friend of Suge’s who arrived with him at the scene — he works at a local tow truck company in Compton — and witnesses say he’s “an OG in the neighborhood.”

Our sources say Carter was in the process of walking to the passenger door of Suge’s vehicle, but happened to be in the rear when Suge gunned it.

Two other men were also hit … including Cle “Bone” Sloan — who’s appeared in “Training Day” and “End of Watch” — and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Both men are in the hospital.

UPDATE II: A timeline of ‘Suge’ Knight’s legal and medical troubles.

‘Suge’ Knight is no stranger to trouble. The co-founder of Death Row Records has had perennial legal troubles.

• 1996: Knight was sent to prison for nearly five years for badly beating a rival with rapper Tupac Shakur at a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel. The beating came shortly before Shakur suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
• 2002: Knight was jailed for violating his probation by associating with gang members in Los Angeles.
• 2003: He went back to jail on a parole violation after punching a parking lot attendant outside a Hollywood nightclub.
• 2005: Knight was shot in the leg during an MTV Video Music Awards pre-party in Miami. No arrests were made.
• 2006: Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy, and a Los Angeles judge ordered a trustee to take it over because of gross mismanagement.
• 2009: Knight was hospitalized for treatment of facial injuries following a fight at a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• 2013: The rap music figure was arrested on an outstanding warrant and later released after being pulled over for a traffic violation in Los Angeles.
• 2014: Ahead of the MTV Video Music Awards, Knight was shot during an altercation at a Hollywood nightclub at a party not affiliated with the cable network.
• 2014: Knight was charged with robbery involving a camera theft in Beverly Hills. He pleaded not guilty and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted because of his criminal history.

Musician Joe Cocker Dies at Age 70 after Battle with Lung Cancer … Rest in Peace

Sadly, one of my favorite singers of all times has passed away … A Classic Rocker.

Singer Joe Cocker, known for his raspy voice and incredible music ballads that included “You Are So Beautiful,”  “Up Where We Belong,”  and his Beatles cover “With a Little Help From My Friends” has passed away at the age of 70 from lung cancer. Cocker’s singing career lasted more than 40 years as he was propelled to super-stardom when he released his version of With A Little Help From My Friends that went to number one in 1968. Many of you younger folks  remember it as the theme song to the TV show, the Wonder Years. However, it was much, much more than that as Cocker would perform the anthem song at Woodstock in 1969, see video below. On a personal note, I was too young to attend Woodstock, but that does not mean my older sister didn’t. Which might explain why my early introduction to music as a youngster, growing up listening to the Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplanes, Lynrd Skynrd, The Who, the Stones, Don McLean, Simon & Garfunkel, The Mama’s and the Papa’s, CCR, Bob Dylan and of course Joe Cocker.

Joe Cocker is survived by his wife, Pam, of Crawford; his brother Victor Cocker of Norfolk, England; his step daughter, Zoey Schroeder of Stevenson Ranch, CA and two grandchildren, Eva & Simon Schroeder. What a voice, take a listen HERE, we are going to miss you Joe, God bless and Rest in Peace.

The Sheffield-born singer had a career lasting more than 40 years, with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong.

His agent Barrie Marshall said Cocker, who died after battling lung cancer, was “simply unique”.

Known for his gritty voice, Cocker – a former gas fitter – began his singing career in the pubs and clubs of Sheffield in the 1960s before hitting the big time.

He was propelled to pop stardom when his version of With A Little Help From My Friends reached number one in 1968.

He performed the song at the famous Woodstock Festival in New York state a year later.

‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ – 1969 Woodstock

Joe Cocker Obit:

“Joe Cocker is a legendary artist of rock and blues history and yet he was one of the most humble men I’ve ever met. His iconic voice will forever be etched in our memories and our thoughts go out to Joe’s wife Pam and his family at this difficult time. Joe will live on in the hearts of millions of fans around the world.” Edgar Berger, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, International, who had signed Joe Cocker to Sony Music Entertainment.

Joe Cocker was born May 20, 1944 in Sheffield, England where he lived until his early 20’s. An outstanding interpreter of songs, his successes include a Number One single in the UK in November 1968 with his version of the Beatles’ ‘A Little Help from My Friends’. Joe’s career took off considerably after he performed this song at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969.

Joe enjoyed long walks in the mountains with his dogs, fly fishing in the Black Canyon, playing snooker with friends and growing tomatoes in his greenhouse year-round.

Joe Cocker is survived by his wife, Pam, of Crawford; his brother Victor Cocker of Norfolk, England; his step daughter, Zoey Schroeder of Stevenson Ranch, CA and two grandchildren, Eva & Simon Schroeder.

A private memorial is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Cocker

Kids’ Foundation, P.O. Box 404, Crawford, CO. 81415. Read More

‘You Are So Beautiful’

Musician Joe Cocker dead at age 70.

Cocker, a song interpreter more than a songwriter, first became known through his hit cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” and a characteristically manic performance at the first Woodstock festival in 1969. His raucous “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour of 1970 produced a film and a recording that went gold.

He had a top 10 hit in 1975 on the aching ballad “You Are So Beautiful,” with his voice cracking on the final emotional note and won his first Grammy Award in 1983 for his “Up Where We Belong” duet with Jennifer Warnes, which was the theme of the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

Cocker, who received an Order of the British Empire in 2011 for his contribution to music, released 40 albums and continued to tour after the hits dried up.

Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes: ‘Up Where We Belong’

AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Arrested in New Zealand for Attempting to Arrange a Murder, Threatening to Murder and Drug Possession (Update: Tauranga Crown Solicitor Withdraws Attempt to Procure Murder Charge)

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap …

60 year old Phil Rudd, the longtime drummer of AC/DC, has been arrested in New Zealand for allegedly trying to have two men killed and charged with attempting to “procure” a murder. Rudd was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis and threatening to kill. According to the charges by police, Rudd had tried to get two men killed,  their names and that of the intended hitman were all suppressed by the judge. Rudd has yet to enter a plea and is due back in court again on November 27.

AC/DC – Guns For Hire

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested in New Zealand on Thursday morning local time and charged with attempting to procure a murder, as first reported by Stuff.co.nz. A member of the Tauranga Central division of New Zealand Police confirmed Rudd’s arrest to Rolling Stone, but did not provide any additional details. According to Stuff, Rudd allegedly tried to have two as-yet-unidentified men killed and was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.

The longtime drummer appeared in Tauranga District Court on Thursday afternoon local time and was released on bail. He is due back for his next hearing on November 27th and faces up to 10 years in prison on the murder-for-hire charge if convicted. New Zealand police have yet to reveal any details behind Rudd’s arrest or who were the intended victims. According to New Zealand news outlet The Sun, Rudd was “accused of procuring murder” between September 25th and 26th.

The drug charges pertain to a raid on the 60-year-old drummer’s house conducted by police on Thursday.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd on New Zealand murder plot charge, Band comments:

AC/DC are due to release a new album later this year.

A statement on the band’s website said: “We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment.

“Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year.”

UPDATE I: Phil Rudd, AC/DC drummer, has most serious charge in alleged New Zealand murder-for-hire plot withdrawn.

A New Zealand crown solicitor withdrew the most serious charge against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd on Thursday, dropping the attempting to procure murder charge in an alleged murder plot involving “working girls.”

A disheveled Rudd, 60, appeared “thunderstruck” in Tauranga District Court on Wednesday, hours after his waterfront mansion was raided by police and faced several charges, including threatening to kill as well as possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

Paul Mabey, Rudd’s attorney, said in a statement that an overzealous New Zealand police investigation pushed their case without consulting Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones, who agreed Thursday to strike the attempting to procure murder charge.

“The charge alleging an Attempt to Procure Murder should never have been laid,” Mabey said. “The Crown Solicitors opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn — within 24 hours of Mr. Rudd’s first appearance in court.”

Kanye West Demands Concert Fans Stand up at Sydney Show, Even Those Handicapped in Wheelchairs

Kanye West said to stand up … SM says to Kanye West, SHUT UP!!!

In a concert in Australia, this arrogant, egotistical stopped his concert and said he would not continue. even pressuring two individuals that were in wheelchairs. But once West’s minions gave the okay and confirmed that they were in a wheel chair, he went on with what passes for music these days. Wow, how big of you Kanya. Why does anyone give this no talent, narcissist any of their hard earned money is beyond me.

A village is missing their idiot.

New York Daily News:

Kanye West said to stand up!

The outspoken rapper demanded his fans get up out of their seats during his show at Qantas Credit Union Arena in Sydney, Australia Friday night. When West noticed that there were a few fans still seated, he halted the show until they also obliged.

“I can’t do this show until everybody stand up,” he insisted. “Unless you got a handicap pass, and you get special parking and s–t.”

Turns out one or maybe two of the fans still seated were in fact in wheelchairs. It’s unclear from the YouTube video posted Saturday how many disabled concertgoers were there, but West asked the audience to confirm that they could not get up.