Those We Lost In 2024

Groove Innerviews

We lost some big names in music in ’24. No doubt, the big league players that come to mind are Super Producer Extraordinaire Quincy Jones, country star Toby Keith and Brazilian Samba Godfather Sergio Mendez.

But some of the more unsung performers we lost last year included; Duane Eddy, a giant among guitarists and pioneer in sound. Eddy heard Gene Autry, “The Singing Cowboy” as a child and he immediately wanted to learn to play guitar.

Born in 1938 in Corning, New York, Eddy passed away last April of cancer. Eddy enjoyed success as a teen with his boyhood chum Jimmy Delbridge with the duo recording and performing as Jimmy And Duane. Problem was Eddy hated his singning voice so developed a “twangy” guitar sound and a new style was born.

Eddy had instrumental hits that showcased his character sound which no doubt had an influence on the “surfer sound” to come. Eddy first hit with Moovin ‘N’ Groovin in 1957 and then the hits began, Rebel Rouser, Cannonball and Forty Miles Of Bad Road.

But his signature tune was his cover of The Peter Gunn Theme in 1959. Duane would receive a Grammy for it in 1987 when it was remade in a collaboration with English funk/techno group Art Of Noise.

Tyka Nelson born in 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away last November reportedly after being sick since June. Her father was jazz pianist John L. Nelson, her mother Mattie Shaw sang briefly in her husband’s jazz combo. Her brother was Prince, the late rock legend who passed away in 2016 of an accidental fetanyl overdose,

Tyka released her debut album Royal Blue in 1988. Her then famous brother wanted to produce but she refused, instead opting to try to make it on her own merits. Nelson suffered from drug addiction for a good part of her life with her famous brother often footing the bill for rehabilitation. Nelson then began recording as a gospel artist and was known to have somewhat of an under-rated voice.

Karl Wallinger was a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Wales in 1957, He led the Welsh, English, Scottish and Irish band The Waterboys in the early 80’s. He later led the more funk oriented band World Party which included a young Sinead O’Connor as a backup vocalist. Wallinger died of a stroke at his home in Hastings, England in March.

Clarence “Frogman” Henry, born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1937. A prolific piano player from a young age, he idolized fellow Big Easy ivory ticklers Professor Longhair and Fats Domino. His throaty voice earned him the nickname “Frogman”. Henry had a huge hit in 1995 with Ain’t Got No Home which showcased hos “froglike” voice. He opened for the The Beatles in 1964 when they toured Canada and the U.S. Henry died last April at age 87 after having an undisclosed surgery.

Duke Eatmon can be heard daily on CBC Radio with Sabrina Marandola on the Let’s Go! drive show from 3 to 6pm.