BMI is saddened by the passing of Naomi Judd, writer of the timeless BMI Award-winning songs “Love Can Build a Bridge” and “My Strongest Weakness.” Judd, along with her daughter Wynonna, comprised one of the most popular mother-daughter acts in country music history. The superstar duo’s megahits also included, among others,… Read more...
BMI was deeply saddened to learn of the death of singer/songwriter and former BMI executive Bobby Weinstein, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 82. A New York City native, Weinstein started off his musical career in the mid-Fifties with his vocal group, The Legends, after winning a… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the passing of cornetist, composer, and bandleader Ron Miles. Best known for his genuine, straight from the soul delivery, Miles collaborated with many musicians throughout his career, including Bill Frisell, Myra Melford, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Otis Taylor, Fred Hess and Scott Colley, among others. As a… Read more...
BMI was saddened to learn of the passing of singer/songwriter Mark Lanegan, who died Tuesday at the age of 57. One of the preeminent voices of `90s-era grunge, Lanegan found initial renown singing for the Seattle band, Screaming Trees, whose sound meshed aspects of psychedelia with the punk-inspired underground rock of… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the death of multitalented producer/songwriter/DJ, Xtassy, who passed away at the age of 37. Born Juan Alfonso Abreu in the Dominican Republic, the aspiring musician moved to New York City at the age of 12 and went on to become one half of the monumentally successful production… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the passing of Dick Halligan, co-founder of the GRAMMY-winning band Blood, Sweat & Tears, and composer of more than 20 film and TV projects. During his time with BS&T, Halligan played trombone, flute and keyboards, significantly adding to the band’s signature jazz/rock sound, which earned several RIAA… Read more...
BMI was saddened to learn of the loss of legendary vocalist and hitmaker Meat Loaf, who passed away Thursday at the age of 74. A colossal presence on rock n’ roll radio, the voice of Meat Loaf belonged to Texas-born Michael Lee Aday, who made an indelible impression alongside songwriter/producer Jim… Read more...
BMI was saddened by the passing of singer/songwriter Fred Parris, who died last Thursday at the age of 85. A pioneering member of the doo-wop group The Five Satins, Parris is renowned for writing the signature doo-wop classic and one of the most beloved love songs of all time, “In the… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the loss of one of music’s most celebrated songwriters, Dallas Frazier. Frazier was a driving force behind mega-hits for icons that include Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Diana Ross, Engelbert Humperdink, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Jack Greene, George Jones, Charley Pride, Emmylou Harris, Connie Smith, Gene Watson… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the passing of R&B and jazz great James Mtume. Best known for his mega hit “Juicy Fruit,” which has been sampled in countless subsequent R&B hits since his own version in 1983, Mtume also produced and co-wrote smash singles, Stephanie Mills’ “Never Knew Love Like This Before,”… Read more...
