In 2012 We Said Goodbye

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JimmyCastorResized — Jimmy Castor Funk Pioneer

JohnnyOtis — Johnny Otis Godfather of R&B

EttaJamesResized — Etta James The Matriarch Of The Blues

ClareFischerResized — Clare Fischer Master Arranger

ap_don_cornelius_tk_120201_wblog — Don Cornelius Soul Train Founder

david_peaston2012-wide — David Peaston R&B singer

whitney-houston_13 — Whitney Houston Pop Queen Actress

AdamYauchMCA — MCA One third of pioneering rap group The Beastie Boys Film Director Activist

ms-melodie — Ms. Melodie Member of Boogie Down Productions

Donald-Duck-Dunn-kenficara — Donald “Duck” Dunn Bass of Stax Records

igoff — I.G. Off NYC Underground Rap Star of the ’90’s

donna-summer-456-1337271049 — Donna Summer Queen Of Disco

FaruqZ.BeyResized — Faruq Z. Bey Detroit jazz innovator

Robin-Gibb-of-the-Bee-Gee-007 — Robin Gibb One-third of the Bee Gees

FontellaBass — Fontella Bass “Rescue Me” singer

JayneCortez2 — Jayne Cortez Master Poet Activist

Dave Brubeck in 1965 — Dave Brubeck Progressive Jazz Leader

R.I.P. Jimmy Castor

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Funk saxophonist Jimmy Castor died yesterday at the age of 64 of unknown causes in Las Vegas. Castor is famous for his 1972 hit singles “Troglodyte (Caveman)” and “It’s Just Begun.” The New Yorker started out as a doo-wop singer in the late ’50’s and would replace Frankie Lymon in The Teenagers. He released 13 albums and his last single to chart was 1988’s “Love Makes A Woman” with Joyce Sims. Castor is as important to hip-hop as he is to funk because of the endless sampling of his work. His music also appeared in various films most notably the b-boy scene with the Rock Steady Crew in the iconic ’80’s feature Flashdance.