In Memoriam|

From Tommy Nuhulu on Fb, 9/07/15: My apologies to all who are seeing me post more than my fair share of me saying farewell to friends I’ve lost, but lately, I seem to be losing more than my fair share. I may not have known this man near as long or as close as the recent others, but he touched me. Deeply.

I am very sad to hear the news of my friend Howard Sherman passing away. He was a true music lover who actively supported artists, including myself. I will miss his enthusiasm and lust for life. He was a good man who always wore a smile that was contagious and sincere. Condolences to all who loved him. Rest happy and in peace, my friend.

From Carla Jordan, on Fb, 9/07/15: Sometimes a kick in the gut and an abrupt slap in the face would be easier to handle than waking up to find out that one of the best supporters of musicians and venues has left all of us… and he has left us with an immense void in our small corner of the world. Howie, Howie, Howie… what an amazing soul, brilliant smile, deep hearty laugh, and that sparkle in your eyes and those big bear hugs… And those bowling shirts! And the love for the cars! We love you man….

I just spoke with his daughter Letitia in Oklahoma. We’ll be having a Celebration of Life for Howard Sherman at Ziggie’s Live Music on Saturday September 26 at 4pm. This is an all ages event and will include a jam hosted by John Weeks. Please send any photos you have of Howard to Carla@ZiggiesLiveMusic.com and we’ll include as many as we can in a slide show. Several members of his family will be coming in to town as well. To his children Letitia, Kenny, Aaron and Haleigh, grand children, and great grand children and to Annett Gardner Olroyd – please accept our love, condolences and warmth during this incredibly difficult time.

From Michael Hossler: It seems unbelievable to me that my friend, one of the kindest people I know, has left us. Howard Sherman was larger than life to me. When I needed a friend, he was always there for me, as I know he was for many others. His large easy laugh was infectious. He loved life almost more than possible. Good bye buddy.

Annett Gardner Olroyd, you know you are loved here in Colorado. Please reach out to us if you need anything. Our hearts are with you.

Dan Treanor: I woke this morning to the terrible news that my dear friend Howard Sherman passed away suddenly last night. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Howard isn’t with us any more. Howard was a true blue guy, a man of his word, fine sense of humor, a radiant smile that lit up a room, a great supporter of live music and a kind and gentle soul. My heart is broken for Annett and Howie’s family. He loved them and was greatly loved by them. I’ll keep in my heart the precious times we had together. The books he gave me to read. The last time I saw Howie and Annett, they stopped by the house to give me a book he had found about family life in WWII. This was Howie’s birthday gift to me. Among many things, Howard and I shared a love of history. We had a great time hanging out back in the studio. Howie making me laugh like always. Annett just sitting there smiling at the two of us. Diago, just checking it all out. Then they were gone, heading back to Arizona. Howard, you were a good friend. You will be missed. the world has just become a lesser place without you. RIP, my friend.

https://www.facebook.com/HotRod.Howie

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DON GRIFFIN OF ‘THE MIRACLES’ DIES IN DENVER AUTO ACCIDENT

A world renown R&B/Jazz guitarist with The Miracles and Anita Baker, Don Griffin died Thursday night, September 3rd 2015 in a car accident in Denver, Colorado.

Brother of Miracles’ lead singer Billy Griffin, Don played lead and rhythm guitar on The Miracles’ double platinum album “City Of Angels”, their platinum single, “Love Machine” and Anita Baker’s 1986 album, “Rapture”.

In 1972 after Smokey Robinson left The Miracles to become VP of Motown, Don’s brother Billy was drafted by Motown to succeed Robinson as the group’s new lead singer.

Billy Griffin then brought in a host of young funk musicians to completely re-vamp The Miracles’ 1960’s sound from “Doo Wop and Ballads” to an up-tempo dance-R&B Renaissance.
Younger brother Don Griffin’s guitar-genius and innovative musical ideas were always at the forefront of this earth quaking, soul shaking re-birth.

Don Griffin, born in Baltimore, MD, exuded early virtuoso tendencies as a 17 year old phenom attending The Peabody Conservatory of Music.

In the spring of 1974, Griffin was suddenly plucked from fame school obscurity in Baltimore to first guitar in The Miracles’ back up band, called “The Miracle Workers”. After the international success of “Love Machine” in 1976 …

Don Griffin’s over whelming popularity with the young female audience who dominated the Miracles’ live concert events, made it clear to the group that Don must be featured down front, in the “foot lights” along side the other legendary stars.

So in 1977 when the Miracles left Motown Records to sign with Columbia/Sony, Don joined his brother Billy and became a full fledged 5th member of the iconic soul group on their Columbia / Sony album “Love Crazy”.

After the Miracles disbanded in 1979, The Griffin Brothers formed a writing trio and a production team with composer, John Barnes, Solely for writing and producing new 80s material for their three solo projects.

In 1981, Don formed a dance band with John Barnes and jazz artist, Gerald Albright called “Madagascar”. Clive Davis immediately signed the group to Arista Records and released the single, “Baby Not Tonight”.

In 1983, Don once again found himself touring with his brother to promote Billy Griffin’s 1st solo project for Sony.

The two brother’s wrote and recorded Billy’s platinum single “Hold Me Tighter In The Rain” with producer John Barnes.

Then in 1986, Anita Baker asked her good friend Billy Griffin if she could steal “Brother Don” away” and take him on the road as her new lead and rhythm guitar-man.

Don became Baker’s funky right hand as they performed together for sold out crowds performing “Sweet Love and “Rapture” across the national landscape.

Recently (in 2015), Don Griffin was preparing repertoire and rehearsing a new funk band in Denver for a Las Vegas engagement this coming Christmas season.

Don is survived by his son, Brandon, brother Billy Griffin and his sister Diane Pruitt.

Billy Griffin on Fb, 9/07/15

https://www.facebook.com/don.griffin.79

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DENNIS GREENE OF SHA NA NA DIES

Frederick “Dennis” Greene (January 11, 1949 – September 5, 2015) was an American singer who was a member of Sha Na Na who were formed in 1969 at Columbia University in New York as the Columbia Kingsmen. The name change to Sha Na Na occurred because of another group with a similar name, which was known for the song Louie Louie.

The television show Sha Na Na aired from 1978 to 1981. Greene choreographed most of the moves for the show, on which he was known simply as Denny. Denny was portrayed in the series as the most intelligent member of Sha Na Na. He sang lead in the song “Tears on My Pillow” when he appeared with Sha Na Na in the movie Grease, in 1978.

Greene was born in New York, New York and raised in Harlem and the Bronx. He received his high school diploma from the Hotchkiss School. He obtained a BA degree from Columbia University in 1971. After he left Sha Na Na, he earned an M.A. from Harvard University in 1984. He then attended law school, which he had been interested in doing since childhood, graduating with a JD from Yale Law School in 1987.

After Greene graduated from Yale Law School, he worked as Vice President of Production and Features at Columbia Pictures. Following that, he was President at Lenox/Greene films. He has taught at Florida A&M University and the University of Oregon, as well as being a visiting professor at several other universities including Ohio State University, Seton Hall University, and the University of Connecticut.

Greene also served on the board of directors for the Society of American Law Teachers and is listed in Who’s Who Among African-Americans.

From December 2007 until his death, Greene was a Professor of Law at the University of Dayton School of Law, teaching classes such as Torts, Entertainment Law, and Constitutional Law.

Greene died in Columbus, Ohio on September 5, 2015.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_“Dennis”_Greene

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Other Notable Musicians’ Deaths…

September 2015

8: Teri Harangozó (hu), 72, Hungarian singer.

7: Susan Allen, 64, American harpist, brain cancer; Guillermo Rubalcaba, 88, Cuban pianist, bandleader and composer.

5: Frederick Dennis Greene, 66, American singer (Sha-Na-Na), actor, movie studio executive and law professor, esophageal cancer; Jacques Israelievitch, 67, French-born Canadian violinist; Aadesh Shrivastava, 51, Indian composer and singer, cancer.

4: Graham Brazier, 63, New Zealand musician and songwriter (Hello Sailor), heart attack; Rico Rodriguez, 80, Cuban-born British trombonist (The Specials).

3: Don Griffin, 60, American singer and guitarist (The Miracles), traffic collision.

2: Boudjemaâ El Ankis, 88, Algerian musician; Brianna Lea Pruett, 32, American singer and songwriter.

1: Bouteldja Belkacem, 67-68, Algerian singer and composer; Boomer Castleman, 70, American singer-songwriter and guitarist, inventor of the palm pedal, cancer.

From http://www.wikipedia.com

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