We are all familiar with the adage “behind every great man is a great woman.” Over the past few years, St. Louis has lost a number of male celebrities, and personalities and I thought it would be interesting to revisit the loved ones they left behind. The purpose of this column is to shed light on the role of the widows of some public figure who recently passed. These women are too often ignored.
We should remember the love and support their mates provided to them in assisting and developing their careers. Most spent many years helping their husbands, giving them love, support and basic care. Their urging was the inspiration for many songs, arrangements and other works of art. Here are just a few of the soul mates who are continuing to carry on their loved ones work.
Oliver Sain passed 28th October 2003, yet his wife Ruby is continuing to promote the Oliver Sain Band and Revue, and is planning the Oliver Sain Soul Reunion for October. She is also making plans to maintain Sain’s Archway Recording Studio and convert it to a museum.
Guitarist Eddie Fisher, one of the most proficient musicians in the world of R&B, jazz and jazz fusion, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2007. His widow Christina continues to teach music and drama at their workshop and theater in Centreville, Illinois and she is collecting her late husband’s musical instruments, original compositions and other items to donate to the Arkansas Jazz Museum in Little Rock. She said “I am still recuperating from his death day by day.”
Luther Ingram, R&B singer and songwriter joined our ancestors on March 20, 1997. His wife and soul mate Jacqui said she is still grieving but is working to preserve her husband’s music and author’s rights. She remains in O’Fallon, Illinois but is very much involved in administering Ingram’s catalog.
Johnnie Johnson left us on April 13, 2005. His wife Frances is working with KSDK-TV anchor Art Holliday on a documentary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member. Mrs. Johnson is also making public appearances and doing charity work in memory of her husband.
Veteran broadcaster Leo Chears, known to his fans and audiences as “The Man in the Red Vest,” passed away Jan. 2, 2006 in Barnes-Jewish Hospital of congestive heart failure. His widow Betty is preserving the Chears’ music archives and is continuing to teach young people the history and value of jazz and swing music.
Roderick Gerald (Dr. Jockenstein) King expired at the St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Saint Louis during the early morning hours of Monday, May 1, 2007. His wife Idella is hoping to help develop a scholarship for young aspiring radio announcers. She said, “Jock left a void in the business that will be hard to fill, and I hope to be an instrument in filling that empty space.”
We also lost Bennie Smith and Henry Townsend, and Barbara Carr lost her husband Charles.
Theses women were a most important and essential part of their husbands’ lives, and we should extend the hand of fellowship and guidance to the widows of these departed public figures who brought us so many years of enjoyment. We should let them know that they are remembered, not forgotten.
Happy birthday (September 16) to Attorney Harold Whitfield, Hammett Bluett and to me. I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.