Felix Pappalardi

Grave in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York

Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. (born December 30, 1939 in New York City , † April 17, 1983 ) was an American producer , songwriter , singer and bassist .

Life

Pappalardi studied classical music at the University of Michigan . After graduation, he returned to New York City back, but could not find work, then became a part of Greenwich Village - Folk-rock scene and soon made a name as a composer. He also worked on the albums of Tom Paxton and Fred Neil for Elektra Records, from where he slipped into the producer existence - still focusing on folk and folk rock for artists like The Youngbloods or Joan Baez .

In the late 1960s he produced all releases of the band Cream from the second album Disraeli Gears and was also involved in the arrangements of the songs. He and his wife Gail Collins wrote the Cream title "Strange Brew" with Eric Clapton .

He then founded the band Mountain in 1969 with Leslie West (vocals / guitar), Laurence "Corky" Laing (drums) and Steve Knight (piano / organ) . As an instrumentalist, he was also involved in recordings of Back Door , which he produced in 1974. Together with the Japanese band Creation, an album was released in 1976, in which Pappalardi was involved as a singer, bassist and keyboardist as well as a producer. 1979 followed with Don't worry, Ma, the only solo album that was released under his name. Well-known musicians such as Mick Ronson and Ian Hunter also worked here .

Pappalardi was shot in the neck by his wife in the early morning of April 17, 1983. According to Collins, it would have been an accident, but it was probably a jealous drama. At that time, Pappalardi had a relationship with the singer Valerie Merians. His grave is in Woodlawn Cemetery in New York.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Felix Pappalardi at allmusic.com
2. ↑ Felix Pappalardi and Creation at discogs.com
3. ↑ Overnight tryst and jealous wife led to death of a rock legend, but shooter gets last laugh at nydailynews.com