Community: Music

Billy Joe Shaver, the outlaw country music pioneer who wrote some of the genre’s greatest songs, died Wednesday in Waco, Texas, after suffering a stroke. He was 81. Connie Nelson, a friend of Shaver’s, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone.

Shaver’s hard-lived career classics included “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Old Five and Dimers Like Me” and “Live Forever.” He wrote ten out of the 11 songs on Waylon Jennings’ 1973 outlaw country breakthrough Honky Tonk Heroes; Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley all recorded his songs; and in 2010, Willie Nelson called him “the greatest living songwriter.”

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This is not an exercise. Vote! him out.

Jerry Jeff Walker, the singer-songwriter known for penning the hit “Mr. Bojangles” and as a pillar of Texas’ country music scene, has died, according to published reports. He was 78.

Walker’s death was reported early Saturday by ABC affiliate KTRK-TV Houston, among other outlets. Walker died Oct. 23, according to Pitchfork.
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Walker is best known as the tunesmith behind “Mr. Bojangles,” which was a hit for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970 and for Sammy Davis Jr. in 1972 and has been covered by countless performers. Walker first recorded the song in 1968 for his album of the same name.
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You might recognize him from An American Werewolf in London [ dosmovies.com/film/American_Were... or perhaps his Dr. Pepper commercials { }.

Spencer Davis, whose namesake '60s beat band -- The Spencer Davis Group -- had the iconic hit, "Gimme Some Lovin'" ... has died.

A family source tells TMZ the Welsh musician died peacefully Monday in a California hospital of heart failure after a battle with pneumonia. Davis had an extraordinary career that spanned 6 decades ... ... and the source emphasized how much he'll be missed by his friends, family and loved ones.
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Tony Lewis, the singer of ’80s pop-rock band The Outfield, has died at the age of 62. According to a statement, Lewis died at his home near London on Oct. 20. No cause of death was given.

“Tony Lewis, singer of the ‘80s rock band The Outfield, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away,” reads the statement. ... “Tony’s music touched people around the globe for decades. Lewis and the late John Spinks took the ‘80s by storm with The Outfield’s infectious pop songs, including ‘Your Love,’ ‘All The Love’ and ‘Say It Isn’t So.’ ‘Your Love’ reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart in 1986 and is still widely known today, with features in various TV spots and commercials, gaining millions of streams each month.” The “Your Love” video currently boasts more than 300 million views on YouTube.
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Former AC/DC bass guitarist Paul Matters has died.

Matters was briefly in the band in 1975 while recording the album, "High Voltage." He was replaced by Mark Evans just weeks later apparently at the request of Bon Scott, the band's lead vocalist.

He Who Must Not Be Named has some villainous competition out there, according to the dark wizard's former cohort Draco Malfoy Tom Felton.

Yes, giving Lord Voldemort a run for his, er, Galleons is none other than A Babysitters Guide to Monster Hunting's Grand Guignol, also known as the boogeyman and Felton's latest character.

Herbert Kretzmer, whose English lyrics for a then little-known French musical Les Miserables helped turn the show into a blockbuster production, has died at the age of 95.

High-profile theater figures including lyricist Tim Rice first shared the news and his agent has since confirmed it to The New York Times. ... Kretzmer passed away on Wednesday at his home in London, days after his 95th birthday.
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St. Louis has lost one of its singing legends. Kim Massie passed away, according to several people who were close with her.

Massie was a jazz and blues singer whose soulful voice moved thousands.

She performed regularly in the St. Louis area for decades, but the stage lights often found her at the now-shuttered Beale on Broadway. ... Massie was the first person to ever perform at the blues bar, and on its grand finale night in January 2019, she was the last to shut it down.
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