R.I.P.

We lost one of the all-time greatest rock n’ rollers on Saturday, February 13th as Dale Hawkins left us after 73 years of rockin‘. He died in Little Rock, AR following several fights with colon cancer. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he was just going back into treatment after his cancer had made a comeback. Dale was a very strong fighter and he had lived through things that probably would have killed a weaker man. He was a charming, happy, southern gentleman. I tried to get in touch with him when I heard that he had fallen ill again, but it was too late. He was too sick to talk. I have so much respect for him. He made me feel like I knew him and I only spoke to him a few times. Not many people can make you feel so welcome and so comfortable and I’ll never forget that about Dale Hawkins. I only wish I could have said goodbye. Goodbye, Dale.

For some biographical info, click HERE.

To listen to my interview with the late Dale Hawkins, click HERE.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vzBznukA60]

–MTC

RIP, Reggie Walker.

He passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the age of 68 from what’s been reported as a massive heart attack. We will always remember Reggie as the fantastic bass singer from the Delroys regional hit, “Bermuda Shorts” in 1957!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccbGzayOuhc]

Well, we lost another from rock n’ roll’s first wave. The great Bobby Charles passed away early today. Offbeat.com posted a good obit, so I’m passing it on below.

http://www.offbeat.com/2010/01/14/bobby-charles-passed-away/

Bobby Charles Passed Away

14 January 2010 — by Alex Rawls

Songwriter Bobby Charles passed away this morning; the cause has yet to be determined. The writer of “Walking to New Orleans” and “See You Later Alligator” had struggled with ill-health for years, including back problems and a bout with cancer that was in remission. Those problems led him to miss a scheduled appearance at the Ponderosa Stomp in 2004 and Jazz Fest in 2007. Evidently he fell recently and was bedridden as a result. It was after that fall that he died.
Charles had completed work on a new album, which is due out next month.
More when we know more.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyJFK5PbZGs]