Melvin Sparks?

[.:.impossible]

I just saw mention that Melvin Sparks has passed? This is totally unfounded and I am hoping someone here can deny.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Sparks

Damn. This certainly is matter of fact and abrupt. Was someone waiting by the computer to update the page? Still no mention elsewhere.

[Rooster_Ties]

Nothing about this on his website that I can see (I can't get to the root page for some reason, my antivirus software thinks it's suspect - ?), but his 'contact page' there includes a couple phone numbers and e-mail addresses, as well a link to his myspace account. (I'm a little hesitant to call myself.)

http://melvinsparks.com/contact.htm

Edit: I see one of the contact numbers has been X'ed out "til' futher notice".

Thought about starting a thread over at the Steve Hoffman board about this, but I imagine there are move people here with better contacts.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Rooster_Ties

[Free For All]

I've seen his passing mentioned elsewhere- sounds like it might be true, unfortunately.

[danasgoodstuff]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Sparks not the best source, but apparently it's true.

[Dan Gould]

Surprised the better-connected members haven't confirmed it but it certainly is sad news. I've almost always enjoyed what I've heard from him (I think there might have been a Cadet LP or two that didn't really appeal).

[Rooster_Ties]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Sparks not the best source, but apparently it's true.

At least the Wikipedia article has a source now (I don't believe it did before).

Here's the link, though it's really third-hand at best...

Melvin Sparks Dies at 64

[JSngry]

Surprised the better-connected members haven't confirmed it but it certainly is sad news. I've almost always enjoyed what I've heard from him (I think there might have been a Cadet LP or two that didn't really appeal).

Those Cadet LPs were probably Jimmy Ponder's. Sparks was a Bob Porter/Prestige guy back then, although he later did a few (not so good) things on Westbound, iirc.

Sorry to hear of his passing. He was a true, down-home (for me, anyway) for-real talent.

[kh1958]

This is terrible, if true. I just saw him perform in January and also last October, and he was in excellent form both times.

[John L]

Count me as a big fan.

RIP

[Tom 1960]

Jambands.com

[Sundog]

Melvin, your missed More Today Than Yesterday.

RIP

[Peter Johnson]

DAMN. Sucks hard. Saw him in New York a bit ago and it was a killin' set.

[.:.impossible]

Bummer. I was afraid it was true. Sorry for the bad news guys.