Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for April 17th

A rather depressing and unlucky batch of events for this date, something we usually try to steer clear of, but as we head into the weekend it feels like we really should "honor those who also served", as it were...

4/17/1960 (55 years ago today) - He was responsible for the original versions of "Summertime Blues", "Cut Across Shorty", "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else" and many more: While on tour in England, up-and-coming rocker Eddie Cochran was killed when the taxi he was riding in crashed into a lamppost on Rowden Hill, Wiltshire, where there is now a plaque commemorating the event. Surviving the accident were Gene Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley; ominously, Eddie's current U.K. hit at the time was "Three Steps To Heaven". The taxi driver was convicted of dangerous driving, disqualified from operating any automobiles for 15 years, and was also sent to prison for six months.

4/17/1983 (32 years ago today) - He was probably most famous for producing Cream's studio albums: In a tragic fit of jealous rage, Felix Pappalardi (bassist and songwriter for the legendary Brit psychedelic/prog-rock band Mountain) was shot dead by his wife and songwriting partner Gail Collins. She was convicted of "criminally negligent homicide" and sentenced to four (!) years in prison. Pappalardi, best known for his superb studio stewardship on the classic "Disraeli Gears" and "Wheels Of Fire" albums, was only 43 years old when he died.

4/17/2008 (Seven years ago today) - He had been with Bruce Springsteen longer than any other member of The E Street Band: Keyboardist Danny Federici died of cancer at age 58; for a little over forty of those years, Danny shared the stage and studio with The Boss, as far back as Bruce's high school outfits Steel Mill and Child. Next time you hear them, pay closer attention to the organ playing on classics like "Jungleland" and "Rosalita" -- you'll definitely re-discover a deeper connection for the feel of just how integral Danny's contributions really were.

Let us know if we bummed you out with today's Calendar -- we didn't mean to, but these guys could not/should not be overlooked. Comments, etc., always welcome here on our web site and on the WBLM Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtag #TommysCoffeeBreak.

"Son, you gotta make some money/If you want to use the car/To go ridin' next Sunday...", xoxo!