In Memoriam
J.J. Cale
December 5, 1938 – July 26, 2013 · aged 74
Tulsa Sound · Blues · Roots Rock
John Weldon Cale was the profoundly influential, fiercely elusive architect of the 'Tulsa Sound,' a laid-back, shuffling blend of blues, rockabilly, country, and jazz. Born in Oklahoma in 1938, Cale possessed a whispering, effortlessly cool vocal style and a uniquely understated guitar technique. He despised fame and purposefully avoided the spotlight, yet his songwriting genius became the backbone of other artists' massive careers. Eric Clapton turned Cale's songs 'After Midnight' and 'Cocaine' into colossal, arena-rock anthems, and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits heavily modeled his entire guitar-playing style on Cale's relaxed, rolling grooves. Even Neil Young famously called him one of the best electric guitar players he had ever heard. In 2006, Cale finally stepped into a broader spotlight when he recorded the Grammy-winning collaborative album 'The Road to Escondido' with Clapton. He passed away from a heart attack on July 26, 2013, at the age of 74, remaining the ultimate musician's musician until the very end.
Milestones
Cocaine, After Midnight, Call Me the Breeze
Also remembered in 2013
- George Jones (1931–2013)
- Jeff Hanneman (1964–2013)
- Lou Reed (1942–2013)
- Ray Manzarek (1939–2013)