Classic Pop Icons

With 2012 now behind us, it’s timely to remember the many musicians who passed away during the last 12 months, ranging from global superstars to the unsung heroes of the music world.

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American soul singer Fontella Bass, whose signature song was the worldwide hit “Rescue Me,” died yesterday (Dec 26) at a St. Louis hospice of complications following a heart attack. She was 72.

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Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitar player who helped introduce Indian music to the West, died last night at a hospital near his home in San Diego, California. He was 92.

Shankar underwent heart-valve replacement surgery last week, but according to a statement from his wife and daughter, “Unfortunately, despite the best efforts ofthe surgeons and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain of the surgery.”

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Chris Stamp, former manager of The Who and founder of Track Records, died from cancer on Saturday (Nov. 24) at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He was 70-years-old.

Stamp was born in the East-End of London on July 7, 1942. He was one of five siblings, including older brother Terence Stamp, who would become a highly successful actor.

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Bernard Lansky, joint-founder of the Memphis-based Lansky Brothers clothiers, died this morning aged 85.

Bernard and Guy Lansky opened Lansky Brothers at 126 Beale St. in 1946, at first dealing in army surplus, but soon moving on to more sharp clothing that appealed to the entertainment community, including the likes of Duke Ellington and Billy Eckstine. Before long, the cool threads attracted the attention of a flashy teenager called Elvis Presley, who would go on to become one of their best customers, and make the company world famous.

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