2016: The year music died?

February 3, 1959 has been called the “day the music died.” But should 2016 now be called “the year music died?”

A CNN article stated, 2016 “might be the deadliest era for pop music legends since 1970-71, when we lost Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Louis Armstrong in a sorrowful span of 11 months.”

Some big names in music that we lost this year include David Bowie, Prince, Juan Gabriel, and just recently, George Michael.

Others include Phife Dawg, Glenn Frey, Maurice White, Merle Haggard, Leonard Cohen, to name just a few hugely popular and influential performers.

ABC-7 reached out to radio personality, Sam Cassiano, and All That Music owner, George Reynoso, for their take on this.

Although they don’t agree it’s the year music died, they couldn’t deny it’s been a tough time for music fans.

“This is a very, very tragic year I think we’re going to remember,” said Cassiano.

Reynoso said, “In fact, we’ve had so many celebrity deaths this year, I think it’s an anomaly.” Reynoso doesn’t think the deaths are that big of a deal. He said many of these artists were in their 60s and 70s, and that death is just a part of life.

If anything, he said their deaths should be a reminder for baby boomers to take better care of their health.

Cassiano talked about the names he thought were significant. “Glenn Frey, dying, passing away from an illness that nobody knew too much about. David Bowie, the same thing, he kept his cancer away. So we didn’t find out about until he passed away.”

Both Reynoso and Cassiano agreed Prince’s death was a shocker. “Prince, just because that came out of nowhere. That was a shocker to a lot of people,” said Reynoso.

Cassiano said, “Although he only performed once in El Paso back in the mid 80s. I think on his Purple Rain show, which was a great show.”

“Let’s not forget Leonard Cohen passing away. Leon Russell, too,” said Cassiano.

“People didn’t realize what a great songwriter he was, and what a great musician he was at the time,” said Cassiano about Russell. “He was part of a group called The Wrecking Crew back in the 60s which recorded songs for Gary Lewis and the Playboys. So many good songs. I think it’s important we remember Leon Russell’s song-writing abilities.”

“George Michael passing away on Christmas day, which was very unfortunate. George was a very, very good songwriter,” added Cassiano. “He had a major impact on music on the 80s and the MTV generation. His videos were very, very provocative.”

Reynoso said the most significant event in 2016 was the death of Juan Gabriel. “We still continue to see an up-tick in sales on Juan Gabriel cds, videos, almost anything associated with Juan Gabriel.”

He added, “It’s huge around here. In fact, the Juan Gabriel passing was ten times more significant in sales than Prince.”

“Emotionally remembered for his music and how he could make a grown man cry with his music,” added Cassiano.

“It’s been one of those years that were going to remember for awhile and I think it will have an impact on lots of people’s lives,” said Cassiano.

Besides the increase in sales in Juan Gabriel merchandise, we’re told there’s another trend happening: an increase in vinyl sales.

Cassiano said many fans are re-discovering artists from the 60s and 70s. He added many are surprised at how good music sounds on vinyl.