Bob Keane RIP - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MickeyMac · 12-01-2009, 07:10 PM

Bob Keane, Del-Fi Records founder, dies at age 87
7:59 a.m. | KPCC Wire Services

Bob Keane, who founded the West Coast independent record label Del-Fi Records in the 1950s and is best known for discovering rock legend Ritchie Valens, has died. He was 87.

Keane survived non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosed when he was 80 but died of renal failure Saturday in an assisted living home in Hollywood, his son, Tom Keane, told the Los Angeles Times.

"He was like the original independent record man in those days," Tom Keane, a songwriter and record producer, told the Tiems. "He was the guy going out and finding talent and developing it and getting it out to the masses."

Bob Keane was a clarinet player who once led his own 18-piece orchestra. He briefly headed Keen Records in 1957 and released Sam Cooke's No. 1 hit single "You Send Me" before launching Del-Fi Records.

In May 1958, Keane heard about Valens, a 17-year-old Mexican-American singer and guitar player from Pacoima.

"I saw him at a little concert in a movie theater," Keane recalled in a 2001 Times interview. "... I was very impressed by his stage demeanor. The girls were going crazy, screaming."

Keane invited Valens, born Richard Valenzuela, to record demos at his home studio.

Keane gave Valens his shortened stage name, but their working relationship did not last long. On Feb. 3, 1959, while on tour, Valens was killed in the same plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

"He was like a son to me," Keane told the Times in 1994.

Keane is survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter, a brother, and seven grandchildren. No memorial service will be held.

Marvo301 · 12-01-2009, 07:23 PM

Bob Keane

catlover79 · 12-01-2009, 09:32 PM

I love Ritchie Valens' music, and am happy Bob Keane helped introduce him to the world. Mr. Keane's legacy in the music world is nothing to sneeze at. God bless him and his family.

12-01-2009, 07:10 PM	#1
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Bob Keane RIP Bob Keane, Del-Fi Records founder, dies at age 87 7:59 a.m. \| KPCC Wire Services Bob Keane, who founded the West Coast independent record label Del-Fi Records in the 1950s and is best known for discovering rock legend Ritchie Valens, has died. He was 87. Keane survived non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosed when he was 80 but died of renal failure Saturday in an assisted living home in Hollywood, his son, Tom Keane, told the Los Angeles Times. "He was like the original independent record man in those days," Tom Keane, a songwriter and record producer, told the Tiems. "He was the guy going out and finding talent and developing it and getting it out to the masses." Bob Keane was a clarinet player who once led his own 18-piece orchestra. He briefly headed Keen Records in 1957 and released Sam Cooke's No. 1 hit single "You Send Me" before launching Del-Fi Records. In May 1958, Keane heard about Valens, a 17-year-old Mexican-American singer and guitar player from Pacoima. "I saw him at a little concert in a movie theater," Keane recalled in a 2001 Times interview. "... I was very impressed by his stage demeanor. The girls were going crazy, screaming." Keane invited Valens, born Richard Valenzuela, to record demos at his home studio. Keane gave Valens his shortened stage name, but their working relationship did not last long. On Feb. 3, 1959, while on tour, Valens was killed in the same plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. "He was like a son to me," Keane told the Times in 1994. Keane is survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter, a brother, and seven grandchildren. No memorial service will be held.

12-01-2009, 07:23 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Bob Keane
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-01-2009, 09:32 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I love Ritchie Valens' music, and am happy Bob Keane helped introduce him to the world. Mr. Keane's legacy in the music world is nothing to sneeze at. God bless him and his family.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013