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Motown artists and instrumentalists who died before their time (MJ-related of course) Here is a list of the great Motown legends that died before their time (excluding those who died after reaching 60):
Shorty Long ("Here Comes the Judge", "Function at the Junction", "Devil with the Blue Dress On") - died on June 29, 1969 at the age of 29 from a boating accident in Detroit. William "Benny" Benjamin (The Funk Brothers drummer) - died from a stroke after battles with alcoholism and heroin addiction on April 20, 1969 at 44. Tammi Terrell (nee Thomasina "Tammy" Winifred Montgomery) (Marvin Gaye's beloved duet partner, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough") - died of brain cancer on March 16, 1970 at 24. Paul Williams (Co-founder of the Temptations) - died in August 1973 at 34 from suicide. Eldridge "Al" Bryant (original Temptations member) - died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 26, 1975 at the age of 36. Florence "Flo" Ballard (Founder of the Supremes) - died of a blood clot on February 22, 1976 at 32. Georgeanna Tillman (The Marvelettes) - died of complications from lupus in 1980 at 36. Sandra Tilley (The Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas) - died of a brain tumor in September of 1981 at 36. James Lee Jamerson (The Funk Brothers) - died from cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 47 on August 2, 1983. Marvin Gaye (The Prince of Motown) - died from gunshot wounds following a physical final battle with his father on April 1, 1984 at the age of 44. Eddie "Bongo" Brown (The Funk Brothers) - died on December 28, 1984 at the age of 52. O'Kelly Isley, Jr. (The Isley Brothers) - died of a heart attack on March 31, 1986 at the age of 48. David Ruffin (The Temptations) - died from a crack overdose on July 1, 1991 at the age of 50. Mary Wells (The Queen of Motown; "My Guy") - died from throat cancer on July 26, 1992 at the age of 49. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations) - died from lung cancer on October 17, 1992 at the age of 52. Marv Johnson ("Come to Me", "You've Got What It Takes") - died of a heart attack on May 16, 1993 at the age of 54. Robert White (The Funk Brothers) - died on October 27, 1994 at 58. Melvin Franklin (nee David Melvin Franklin) (The Temptations) - died of a brain seizure on February 23, 1995 at the age of 52. Robert "Bobby" Louis DeBarge, Jr. (Switch) - died of AIDS on August 16, 1995 at the age of 39. Ronald "Ronnie" White (The Miracles) - died of leukemia on August 26, 1995 at the age of 56. Lawrence Payton (The Four Tops) - died of cancer on June 20, 1997 at 59. Rick James (The King of Punk-Funk) - died of an accidental overdose on August 6, 2004 at the age of 56. Harry McGilberry (The Temptations) - died of a drug overdose in 2006 at 56. Milan Williams (The Commodores) - died of cancer at 58 in 2006. Michael Joseph Jackson (The Jackson 5) - died of cardiac arrest at 50 on June 25, 2009. ---- If I'm missing any, let me know and I'll add them. [Edited 8/1/09 18:06pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:07pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:07pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:10pm] | |
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this is depressing  "we make our heroes in America only to destroy them" | |
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mimi07 said: this is depressing
It is, I get sad thinking about how they died. All of the people listed had rough lives. I don't know much about Shorty tho. Sounds like Shorty (and Ronnie, Melvin and Larry) were lot of fun. | |
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Timmy84 said: Here is a list of the great Motown legends that died before their time (excluding those who died after reaching 60):
Shorty Long ("Here Comes the Judge", "Function at the Junction", "Devil with the Blue Dress On") - died on June 29, 1969 at the age of 29 from a boating accident in Detroit. William "Benny" Benjamin (The Funk Brothers drummer) - died from a stroke after battles with alcoholism and heroin addiction on April 20, 1969 at 44. Tammi Terrell (nee Thomasina "Tammy" Winifred Montgomery) (Marvin Gaye's beloved duet partner, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough") - died of brain cancer on March 16, 1970 at 24. Paul Williams (Co-founder of the Temptations) - died in August 1973 at 34 from suicide. Eldridge "Al" Bryant (original Temptations member) - died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 26, 1975 at the age of 36. Florence "Flo" Ballard (Founder of the Supremes) - died of a blood clot on February 22, 1976 at 32. Georgeanna Tillman (The Marvelettes) - died of complications from lupus in 1980 at 36. Sandra Tilley (The Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas) - died of a brain tumor in September of 1981 at 36. James Lee Jamerson (The Funk Brothers) - died from cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 47 on August 2, 1983. Marvin Gaye (The Prince of Motown) - died from gunshot wounds following a physical final battle with his father on April 1, 1984 at the age of 44. Eddie "Bongo" Brown (The Funk Brothers) - died on December 28, 1984 at the age of 52. O'Kelly Isley, Jr. (The Isley Brothers) - died of a heart attack on March 31, 1986 at the age of 48. David Ruffin (The Temptations) - died from a crack overdose on July 1, 1991 at the age of 50. Mary Wells (The Queen of Motown; "My Guy") - died from throat cancer on July 26, 1992 at the age of 49. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations) - died from lung cancer on October 17, 1992 at the age of 52. Marv Johnson ("Come to Me", "You've Got What It Takes") - died of a heart attack on May 16, 1993 at the age of 54. Robert White (The Funk Brothers) - died on October 27, 1994 at 58. Melvin Franklin (nee David Melvin Franklin) (The Temptations) - died of a brain seizure on February 23, 1995 at the age of 52. Robert "Bobby" Louis DeBarge, Jr. (Switch) - died of AIDS on August 16, 1995 at the age of 39. Ronald "Ronnie" White (The Miracles) - died of leukemia on August 26, 1995 at the age of 56. Lawrence Payton (The Four Tops) - died of cancer on June 20, 1997 at 59. Rick James (The King of Punk-Funk) - died of an accidental overdose on August 6, 2004 at the age of 56. Harry McGilberry (The Temptations) - died of a drug overdose in 2006 at 56. Milan Williams (The Commodores) - died of cancer at 58 in 2006. Michael Joseph Jackson (The Jackson 5) - died of cardiac arrest at 50 on June 25, 2009. ---- If I'm missing any, let me know and I'll add them. [Edited 8/1/09 18:06pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:07pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:07pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:10pm] Hey Tim, are all of the funk brothers dead? "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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shorttrini said: Timmy84 said: Here is a list of the great Motown legends that died before their time (excluding those who died after reaching 60):
Shorty Long ("Here Comes the Judge", "Function at the Junction", "Devil with the Blue Dress On") - died on June 29, 1969 at the age of 29 from a boating accident in Detroit. William "Benny" Benjamin (The Funk Brothers drummer) - died from a stroke after battles with alcoholism and heroin addiction on April 20, 1969 at 44. Tammi Terrell (nee Thomasina "Tammy" Winifred Montgomery) (Marvin Gaye's beloved duet partner, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough") - died of brain cancer on March 16, 1970 at 24. Paul Williams (Co-founder of the Temptations) - died in August 1973 at 34 from suicide. Eldridge "Al" Bryant (original Temptations member) - died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 26, 1975 at the age of 36. Florence "Flo" Ballard (Founder of the Supremes) - died of a blood clot on February 22, 1976 at 32. Georgeanna Tillman (The Marvelettes) - died of complications from lupus in 1980 at 36. Sandra Tilley (The Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas) - died of a brain tumor in September of 1981 at 36. James Lee Jamerson (The Funk Brothers) - died from cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 47 on August 2, 1983. Marvin Gaye (The Prince of Motown) - died from gunshot wounds following a physical final battle with his father on April 1, 1984 at the age of 44. Eddie "Bongo" Brown (The Funk Brothers) - died on December 28, 1984 at the age of 52. O'Kelly Isley, Jr. (The Isley Brothers) - died of a heart attack on March 31, 1986 at the age of 48. David Ruffin (The Temptations) - died from a crack overdose on July 1, 1991 at the age of 50. Mary Wells (The Queen of Motown; "My Guy") - died from throat cancer on July 26, 1992 at the age of 49. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations) - died from lung cancer on October 17, 1992 at the age of 52. Marv Johnson ("Come to Me", "You've Got What It Takes") - died of a heart attack on May 16, 1993 at the age of 54. Robert White (The Funk Brothers) - died on October 27, 1994 at 58. Melvin Franklin (nee David Melvin Franklin) (The Temptations) - died of a brain seizure on February 23, 1995 at the age of 52. Robert "Bobby" Louis DeBarge, Jr. (Switch) - died of AIDS on August 16, 1995 at the age of 39. Ronald "Ronnie" White (The Miracles) - died of leukemia on August 26, 1995 at the age of 56. Lawrence Payton (The Four Tops) - died of cancer on June 20, 1997 at 59. Rick James (The King of Punk-Funk) - died of an accidental overdose on August 6, 2004 at the age of 56. Harry McGilberry (The Temptations) - died of a drug overdose in 2006 at 56. Milan Williams (The Commodores) - died of cancer at 58 in 2006. Michael Joseph Jackson (The Jackson 5) - died of cardiac arrest at 50 on June 25, 2009. ---- If I'm missing any, let me know and I'll add them. [Edited 8/1/09 18:06pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:07pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:07pm] [Edited 8/1/09 18:10pm] Hey Tim, are all of the funk brothers dead? Most of them are (Johnny Griffith, Uriel Jones, Joe Hunter, Hank Cosby, Earl Van Dyke and Richard "Pistol" Allen all died in their sixties or seventies). Chuck Willis, Joe Messina, Bob Babbitt, Dennis Coffey and Melvin "Wah-Wah" Ragin are just a few of them left (Chuck & Joe on the classic Funk Brothers lineup tip). | |
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Timmy84 said: shorttrini said: Hey Tim, are all of the funk brothers dead? Most of them are (Johnny Griffith, Uriel Jones, Joe Hunter, Hank Cosby, Earl Van Dyke and Richard "Pistol" Allen all died in their sixties or seventies). Chuck Willis, Joe Messina, Bob Babbitt, Dennis Coffey and Melvin "Wah-Wah" Ragin are just a few of them left (Chuck & Joe on the classic Funk Brothers lineup tip). Okay. They were one hell of a backing band!! "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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shorttrini said: Timmy84 said: Most of them are (Johnny Griffith, Uriel Jones, Joe Hunter, Hank Cosby, Earl Van Dyke and Richard "Pistol" Allen all died in their sixties or seventies). Chuck Willis, Joe Messina, Bob Babbitt, Dennis Coffey and Melvin "Wah-Wah" Ragin are just a few of them left (Chuck & Joe on the classic Funk Brothers lineup tip). Okay. They were one hell of a backing band!! Weren't they!?  | |
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Timmy84 said: shorttrini said: Okay. They were one hell of a backing band!! Weren't they!? I have watched, "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown", a gazillion times!! "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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You forgot about Levi Stubbs & Rolando "Obie" Benson  | |
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funkpill said: You forgot about Levi Stubbs & Rolando "Obie" Benson
Read the top I said "excluding those who died over the age of 60." | |
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shorttrini said: Timmy84 said: Weren't they!? I have watched, "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown", a gazillion times!! Yeah that documentary was something, wasn't it? The stories about Jamerson in particular were funny.  | |
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Timmy84 said: shorttrini said: I have watched, "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown", a gazillion times!! Yeah that documentary was something, wasn't it? The stories about Jamerson in particular were funny. Yes, they were. I am STILL waiting for that movie about Marvin, to see the light of day. Jesse L. Martin, was supposed to star as Marvin, with John Legend as Smokey. "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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Timmy84 said: funkpill said: You forgot about Levi Stubbs & Rolando "Obie" Benson
Read the top I said "excluding those who died over the age of 60." oops!!!  my bad | |
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shorttrini said: Timmy84 said: Yeah that documentary was something, wasn't it? The stories about Jamerson in particular were funny. Yes, they were. I am STILL waiting for that movie about Marvin, to see the light of day. Jesse L. Martin, was supposed to star as Marvin, with John Legend as Smokey. That film's year of release keeps getting pushed back. F. Gary Gray's film will be out before that one does, I bet. Remember he has two films on him. | |
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funkpill said: Timmy84 said: Read the top I said "excluding those who died over the age of 60." oops!!! my badThat's alright.  | |
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Timmy84 said: shorttrini said: Yes, they were. I am STILL waiting for that movie about Marvin, to see the light of day. Jesse L. Martin, was supposed to star as Marvin, with John Legend as Smokey. That film's year of release keeps getting pushed back. F. Gary Gray's film will be out before that one does, I bet. Remember he has two films on him. I didn't know about the one, by F. Gary. Interesting! That one with Jesse L., has had allot of problems from the jump. It all started with Motown, not wanting them to use certain songs, meaning that the film would only focus on the last 10 years of his life. What a shame. Marvin's death has affected me more now, then when it first happened. Since your one of the experts on Marvin, could you recommend a book on him? One that gives you a background on him and his music? I mean, I listen to "What's going on?, now, and it brings me to my knees!! "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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At least one member of the original motown groups from the Supremes to the J5 is now dead. And in cases like the Tempts and the Four tops there are hardly any original members alive. | |
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If one were expanding the age criteria:
Jr. Walker and The AllStars Junior Walker (Autry DeWalt Mixon, Jr) died on November 23, 1995 in Battle Creek, Michigan of cancer at the age of 64 Drummer James Graves died in 1967 in a car accident, and guitarist Willie Woods in 1997 at age 60. Gladys Knight and The Pips: Edward Patten died in 2005 at age 65 from a stroke The Four Tops Lawrence Payton died in 1997 at the age of 59 from liver cancer Renaldo 'Obie' Benson died in 1005 at the age of 68 from lung cancer Levi Stubbs died in 2008 at the age of 72 of cancer and complications from a stroke Edwin Starr (born Charles Edwin Hatcher) died at age 61 in 2003 from a heart attack in England. Music Royalty in Motion | |
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shorttrini said: Timmy84 said: That film's year of release keeps getting pushed back. F. Gary Gray's film will be out before that one does, I bet. Remember he has two films on him. I didn't know about the one, by F. Gary. Interesting! That one with Jesse L., has had allot of problems from the jump. It all started with Motown, not wanting them to use certain songs, meaning that the film would only focus on the last 10 years of his life. What a shame. Marvin's death has affected me more now, then when it first happened. Since your one of the experts on Marvin, could you recommend a book on him? One that gives you a background on him and his music? I mean, I listen to "What's going on?, now, and it brings me to my knees!! "Divided Soul", "What's Going On: The Last Days of the Motown Sound" and "Mercy Mercy Me: The Art, Life and Demons of Marvin Gaye" seem to be the best ones to focus on his life AND career. [Edited 8/2/09 11:16am] | |
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Timmy84 said: shorttrini said: I didn't know about the one, by F. Gary. Interesting! That one with Jesse L., has had allot of problems from the jump. It all started with Motown, not wanting them to use certain songs, meaning that the film would only focus on the last 10 years of his life. What a shame. Marvin's death has affected me more now, then when it first happened. Since your one of the experts on Marvin, could you recommend a book on him? One that gives you a background on him and his music? I mean, I listen to "What's going on?, now, and it brings me to my knees!! "Divided Soul", "What's Going On: The Last Days of the Motown Sound" and "Mercy Mercy Me: The Art, Life and Demons of Marvin Gaye" seem to be the best ones to focus on his life AND career. [Edited 8/2/09 11:16am] Thanks Timmy.. "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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shorttrini said: Timmy84 said: "Divided Soul", "What's Going On: The Last Days of the Motown Sound" and "Mercy Mercy Me: The Art, Life and Demons of Marvin Gaye" seem to be the best ones to focus on his life AND career. [Edited 8/2/09 11:16am] Thanks Timmy..  | |
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Wow this is really sad... | |
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