From left: Scotty Moore and Elvis Presley

Winfield Scott "Scotty" Moore III (December 27, 1931 – June 28, 2016)

(Variety) – Scotty Moore, the pioneering rock ‘n’ roll guitarist whose fluid picking propelled Elvis Presley’s first recordings for Sun Records, died Tuesday in
Nashville, according to Memphis newspaper the Commercial Appeal.

Moore was a member of a local country combo in Memphis when he was drafted
by Sun owner Sam Phillips to support with the young, untested teenage singer
on his debut recordings.

His crisp, flowing, melodic guitar lines, heavily influenced by Chet Atkins’ early
work but also infused with deep blues feeling, highlighted the singles issued by
Sun during Presley’s rise to fame in 1954-55.

Moore went on to work behind Presley after he moved to major label RCA in
1956, appearing on such major hits as “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Blue Suede
Shoes.” He also took supporting roles in several of Presley’s early feature
films, and took a key instrumental role in his 1968 “comeback special.”

Scotty Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Scotty Moore’s 1956 Gibson Super 400.

Bonny "Mack" Rice (November 10, 1933 – June 27, 2016)

Sometimes credited as Sir Mack Rice, the songwriter and singer died at
his Detroit home on June 27 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
 
His best-known composition, and biggest hit as a solo performer, was
"Mustang Sally." He also wrote "Respect Yourself" with Luther Ingram.

TIM MAGUIRE

Melvin James Brooks (Kaminsky) is 90 today.

Mel Brooks belongs to an exclusive club of entertainers as the
recipient of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. As a teenager,
he was taught the drums by the great Buddy Rich. In 1961, his
comedy career took a big step forward when he and fellow comic
legend Carl Reiner created a comedy sketch called The 2000
Year Old Man.

1987

John Paul Cusack was born in Evanston, Illinois.

Iconic ’80s actor John Cusack is known for starring in films such as
Say Anything (1989), The Sure Thing (1987), Sixteen Candles (1984),
and Gross Pointe Blank (1987). His other major films include High
Fidelity (2000) for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe
Award/Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He became
a member of the Piven Theatre Workshop in Chicago while attending
grade school. John Cusack’s sister is actress Joan Cusack, with whom
he has starred in multiple films.
 

2016