Posted on 10/15/2012 8:44:49 AM PDT by a fool in paradise
B.B. Cunningham, a longtime keyboardist and backup singer for legendary rocker Jerry Lee Lewis as well as leader of his own band the Hombres, was gunned down early Sunday morning in Memphis. He was 70.
Per Memphis' Commercial Appeal, Cunningham had been working as a security guard at an apartment complex in the southeast part of the city when he heard a gunshot in the neighboring Cherry Crest Apartments around 2 a.m. and went to check it out.
Upon arrival, officers found the bodies of the musician and an unidentified 16-year-old boy, both of whom sustained gunshot wounds.
Authorities are still searching for suspects.
Born Blake Baker Cunningham Jr., the rocker first garnered attention in the mid-'60s touring with Ronnie and the Daytonas, who were famed for their song "G.T.O."
Cunningham and some of the other members later founded the Hombres, best known for their 1967 hit "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)," which maintains popularity to this day having been featured in Cameron Crowe's 2005 film Elizabethtown and various Foster's Lager beer ads.
The Hombres subsequently went their separate ways, and Cunningham ended up going to work as an engineer and producer at Memphis' iconic Sounds of Memphis Studios. He later moved to L.A. where he acted as chief engineer for music stars including Elton John, Lou Rawls and Billy Joel.
In 1997, Cunningham returned to the spotlight upon joining Lewis' band on the keys and continued to tour with the "Great Balls of Fire" crooner over the years. He also released a solo album, Hangin' In, in 2003.
Cunningham is survived by his brother, syndicated radio host and conservative commentator Bill Cunningham.
Holy cow! The man had a resume and a pedigree.
Have not heard that (nugget) for years. Thanks!
John Barleycorn must die! (Sorry had to do it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8878chOvfI -— Solo Winwood. Is there any musician whiter, paler, more ginger red hair righteous than Stevie? I can say this quasi racist stuff ‘cause I am Jewish and have a license to ...... vote Romney Ryan! I also have a license to be pro-Cross against the ACLU in any dispute. I also have a license to be pro-Catholic church when it comes to 0-Care oppression
I also have a license to be anti false prophet Muhammad. All religions have varying legitimacy except for Islam which has zero as in ye shall know the tree by its fruit.
When Give Me Some Loving by the Spencer Davis Group--which featured Steve Winwood--was released in November, 1966, I thought the group was black. Apparently so did the DJ's at KGFJ, the black station that blasted soul and R & B music across Southern California at 1230 kilocycles. They gave the song airplay and featured it as a "debut" on the station's weekly chart, the Soul Music Survey. But it quickly disappeared from the the playlist and the chart--Gee whiz, I wonder why? However, it got plenty of airplay over on KRLA, KFWB and Boss Radio 93 KHJ.
In any case, in that video, was a great rendition of an old folk song.
His brother was in The Box Tops.
When Give Me Some Loving by the Spencer Davis Group>>>>>
Yes I remember at the time how American soul stations played their music for a while until they found out they were Anglos.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.