Butler, Billy b. December 15, 1925 d. March 20, 1991 Soul jazz and blues guitarist. His professional career began in the late 1940s with the Harlemaires, a doo-wop/R&B group. He then led various combos until he joined Harry "Doc" Bagby's trio in 1952. His most recognizable work came during his 1954 to 1961 tenure with soul jazz organist Bill Doggett. In 1956 he was a co-writer and the featured guitarist on Doggett's recording "Honky Tonk" (Parts 1 and 2), the number one R&B hit that year, and considered by many to be the first instrumental...[Read More] (Bio by: Rick Bryant) Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Fair Lawn, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA
Ruiz, Frankie b. March 10, 1958 d. August 9, 1998 Salsa Singer. Born n Paterson, New Jersey, he moved to Puerto Rico with his grandmother while a teenager. In time, he became a singer for a group called "Orquesta La Solucion," whom he was with for 3 years. He then went on to join the "Tommy Olivencia Orquestra" for another 3 years. By the mid 1980s, he began a solo career and started touring. He found great success, recording more than 10 records. During this successful time, he began a battle with drugs and alcohol, and served a 3 year jail...[Read More] Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Fair Lawn, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA
b. December 15, 1925 d. March 20, 1991
