Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marianne Faithfull died on January 30, 2025 at age 78. She began her musical career as a folk singer in 1964. When she met The Rolling Stones the same year at a party, their manager gave her one of their newly written songs to record which was the first of a series of hit singles for her. A relationship with Mick Jagger followed from 1966-1970 and while she proved to be a muse for him, her life became tainted by substance abuse which led to a decline in both her personal & professional lives. Her 1979 album, Broken English, started a career comeback with with more albums to follow along with acting roles on stage, TV and in movies.

Marianne Faithfull: December 29, 1946 – January 30, 2025.

Marianne Faithfull circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Jerry Butler died February 20, 2025 at age 85. He was the last surviving original member of The Impressions but left them in 1960 to pursue a solo career. In addition to his rich baritone voice, he also co-wrote several songs including “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” with Otis Redding (who recorded it in 1965 for his Otis Blue album), “Only The Strong Survive” and “Never Give You Up” with Philly Soul superstars Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. The former is also the title track to Bruce Springsteen’s 2022 album of soul classic covers. The latter was a hit for Butler in 1968 & covered by The Black Keys for their 2010 album, Brothers. Their version is also featured on the soundtrack for the British crime thriller, “Luther” (S3 E4). Despite his tenure on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in Illinois from 1985-2018, Butler stayed active in music where he served as the chairman of the board for the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

Jerry Butler: December 8, 1939 – February 20, 2025.

Jerry Butler performing in the 1970’s.(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Roberta Cleopatra Flack died on February 24, 2025 at the age of 88. She was born February 10, 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She started singing in church as a child and began formal piano training at age nine. In the 1970’s she was known for her own work which led to her becoming the first artist to win Record & Song Of The Year back to back at the Grammy Awards in 1973 & 1974.

That decade also gave her success with a few of her duets with Donny Hathaway in the (“Where Is The Love” was a #5 hit in August 1972 and “The Closer I Get To You” peaked at #2 in May 1978), later with Peabo Bryson (“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” was a Top 20 hit in November 1983) and Maxi Priest (“Set The Night To Music” peaked at #6 in 1991). In 1996, The Fugees cover of “Killing Me Softly”-a #1 hit for Flack for five non-consecutive weeks in 1973- brought attention back to the original recording. In 1974 she received her third #1 song with “Feel Like Making Love” which topped the chart for one week in August 1974.

But it was the placement of one of Flack’s songs in 1971’s “Play Misty For Me”-the directorial debut by Clint Eastwood-that was not only an incredible moment in cinema but led to her first #1 song. It held the top spot for six weeks in the spring of 1972, yet it was originally released on her 1969 album, First Take. I was today year’s old when I found out she did not write that song as I always thought she did. It was written in 1957 by British singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl, the stage name for James Henry Miller. But Flack’s interpretation, her slow, easy yet powerful vocal placed perfectly in an incredible film gave the track and the artist the attention both so richly deserved.

Roberta Flack: February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025.

Roberta Flack performing in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Yesterday marked the 75th birth anniversary for the beautiful & unbelievably talented Karen Carpenter. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut on March 2, 1950 and moved with her family to Downey, California when she was a teenager so her brother, Richard, could pursue a career in music. When she joined him as a drummer in his trio, he discovered her sublime voice. It was that sound along with his producing and arranging skills that catapulted them to stardom as a duo in the 1970’s.

There is a story I have read on several sites that mentions a time Karen crossed paths with John Lennon at a restaurant in Los Angeles, California and he told her that he loved her voice. Rumor has it that as flattered as she was, Karen did not believe it as she never realized how supremely gifted she was. The song I have chosen to honor her with today has amassed 67 million views on YouTube. And that is only one platform and only one song from the string of hits she put her vocals to. That is the staggering magnitude of her talent.

Karen Carpenter: March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983.

Karen Carpenter in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marianne Faithfull: “As Tears Go By” (1964, written by Mick Jagger, Andrew Loog Oldham and Keith Richards).

Jerry Butler & The Impressions: “For Your Precious Love” (1958, written by Arthur Brooks, Richard Brooks and Jerry Butler).

Roberta Flack: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969 & 1972, written by James Henry Miller, stage name Ewan MacColl).

The Carpenters: “Rainy Days & Mondays” (1971, written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams).

Stay safe & well.