a bad year for good music

Before a return to stupid ratings of things, a quick observation: 2006 was a brutal year for those individuals pointed out in the Arthur Conley song “Sweet Soul Music.” You know the song. The one that begins by asking the musical question, “Do you like good music?” and perhaps expects a serious answer. Otis Redding has been dead for years, but no less than THREE (3) others mentioned by name in this song kicked it in ‘06. Lou Rawls died January 6, Wilson Pickett not two weeks later (January 19) and just last week, James Brown. I remember thinking, in fact, after Pickett went to rock’n'roll heaven, that JB’s days must be numbered. He held off longer than I expected, actually.

This leaves only Sam & Dave unaccounted for, and I looked it up so you don’t even have to click that link: Dave died in 1988, leaving Sam to fend for himself. That’s right: of the six people called out by Arthur Conley, ONE still survives. Hats off to you, Sam Moore. But watch out. There are two days left in 2006, and the year has been none to good to your comrades in soul.