According to Wikipedia, Phil Ramone produced Clay Aiken, Burt Bacharach, The Band, Bono, Laura Branigan, Ray Charles, Karen Carpenter, Chicago, Peter Cincotti, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Sheena Easton, Melissa Errico, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Patricia Kaas, B. B. King, Julian Lennon, Shelby Lynne, Madonna, Barry Manilow, Richard Marx, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Liza Minnelli, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Sinéad O'Connor, Fito Páez, Luciano Pavarotti and on Pavarotti and Friends Charity Concerts in Modena Italy, Peter Paul and Mary, Andre Previn, Diane Schuur, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, The Guess Who, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Nikki Yanofsky. He is also credited with recording Marilyn Monroe's intoxicated version of "Happy Birthday to You" to President John F. Kennedy. He died last week at the age of 79.
Paul Williams invented to the rock and roll magazine with one of the best, Crawdaddy!, named after the London club the Stones used to play in. Founded In 1967, Crawdaddy was the first and paved the way for Rolling Stone, Creem and all that was to follow while building the language of rock and roll writing from the bottom up. Williams continued tow rite till a bump on the head lead to the early onset of Alzheimer's Disease. He died lastw eek at the age of 64.
Hugh McCracken was one of the most popular session musicians of the 1970s, a New York guy who played with every one from John Lennon to BB King. He turned down the opportunity to join McCartney;s Wings because he was too busy. And if that wasn't enough, that's his solo on "Hey Nineteen". Hugh died of lukemia at the age of 61.
Gordon Stoker sang back up to one Elvis Presley with his vocal band the Jordainiares. On their own they kept mostly to Gospel where Gordon was lead tenor. Gordon died at the age of 88.
Jay Smith, lead guitarist for the Matt Mays band was found dead in his hotel room after a show in Edmonton. He was a ridiculously young 34.