Over a half-century ago, Mack Emerman created Criteria Studios in North Miami.

In 1959, it was a modest single-room studio setup. But after forming a partnership with legendary Miami-bred producer Tom Dowd, Criteria became the headquarters for Atlantic Records South, blooming into a massive (and moneyed) operation that produced dozens of major international hits by Eric Clapton, the Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, and so many others.

By 1988, though, the Criteria Studios founder was forced to give up his business. He attempted a comeback in the late '90s. But soon, his health started slipping. And this week, Maxwell Louis Emerman died at the age of 89.

See also:
-Mack Emerman: King of the Soundboard

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Double-platinum country music recording star and the oft-tormented Mindy McCready was found dead at her Arkansas property last night, the victim of an apparent suicide. She was 37.

According to a statement released by the Cleburne County Sheriff's office, McCready died of a self-inflected gunshot wound Sunday afternoon on the front porch of her Heber Springs home after years of publicly battling drug and alcohol addiction, legal troubles, and personal setbacks.

See also:
-Good-bye Dave Brubeck! Five Best Videos
-Jenni Rivera, Latin Pop Star and "Diva of the Banda," Dies in Private Plane Crash in Mexico
-Ravi Shankar, Sitar Legend and Norah Jones's Father, Dead at 92
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As the music industry's collective heart weighs heavy with news that legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar passed away yesterday, some comfort can be found in tonight's Hurricane Sandy benefit show at Madison Square Garden.

When the likes of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen gather this evening for 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief, music's biggest names will be carrying a torch Shankar helped light 41-years ago at the same New York City venue.

See also:
- Good-bye Dave Brubeck! Five Best Videos
- Andy Williams, "Moon River" Singer and TV Legend, Dead at 84 From Bladder Cancer
- Jenni Rivera, Latin Pop Star and "Diva of the Banda," Dies in Private Plane Crash in Mexico
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On Sunday morning at approximately 3 a.m., latin pop star Jenni Rivera boarded a private Learjet in Mexico, along with two pilots and four other passengers including her publicist, lawyer, and makeup artist.

Ten minutes later, they were all dead. The victims of a tragic plane crash in the desert.

See also:
-Andy Griffith Dead at 86, a Musical Tribute: Five Songs That Whistle
-Andy Williams, "Moon River" Singer and TV Legend, Dead at 84 From Bladder Cancer
-Good-bye Dave Brubeck! Five Best Videos

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Dave Brubeck was a white guy who knew rhythm like no one has ever known rhythm.

Son of a concert pianist and father of stunning jazz musicians, he died yesterday at age 91 -- the same age as my father. In a sense, Brubeck was my dad -- at least culturally. I saw him numerous times in concert, mostly in small venues. He was already an old guy back then in the late 1970s and '80s.

I never saw him with army buddy and genius sax player Paul Desmond. But somehow in my teens, their music became part of my life. They taught me things about harmonics and chords that I could never have learned any other way but listening to guys whom I respected.

In any case, jump to see five of their best.

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Dan Hosker: 1966 - 2012

On August 11, Miami rock and experimental music mainstay Dan Hosker passed away due to injuries he sustained during a terrible car accident.

Hosker left behind a prodigious discography and performance legacy that stretched from grungy pop-punk to bludgeoning noise music and ol' timey swamp country. There was seemingly not a single instrument he didn't teach himself.

This December, those who loved the man will be celebrating his life on what would have been his 47th birthday. Of course, it's going down at Churchill's Pub. And of course, the lineup reads like a who's who of loud-and-dirty Miami.

Crossfade spoke with Hosker's longtime bandmate and best friend, Rob Elba, to learn more about the upcoming concert and the music charity it benefits.

See also:
-Dan Hosker, Famed South Florida Punk and Holy Terrors Guitarist, Dead at 46
-Dan Hosker: Memorial Services for Local Punk Hero in Hollywood
-Dan Hosker and Holy Terrors in 50 Best Miami Bands of All Time
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Via facebook.com/BobbyLoadTribute

When Bobby Johnston, better known locally as Bobby Load, passed away yesterday, it seemed a particularly unfair piece of bad news for a segment of Miami's rock veterans. Following the old cliche of bad things happening in threes, Johnston's death marks the third loss in as many months for the same scene.

We would be remiss if we didn't again note the passing of the Holy Terrors' Dan Hosker this past August. But just over a week ago, fans and friends also mourned the loss of Eric Rivers, the singer for bands like Genetic Mistake and Pontius Pilot, who died two weeks after getting caught in a tragic office shooting in Minneapolis.

See Also:
-Bobby Load, Miami Punk Legend, Dies; Memorial Tribute Planned for Hialeah Fest
-Dan Hosker, Famed South Florida Punk and Holy Terrors Guitarist, Dead at 46

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Via facebook.com/load.facelesswreckords

Bobby Load in 1992.

Today, the Miami punk scene marks the second loss of an icon in a little over three months.

Just this past August, Dan Hosker of the Holy Terrors passed away some three months after a major late-night car accident.

Sadly, this morning, he's followed by another, equally influential contemporary: Bobby Johnston, better known to friends and fans as Bobby Load.

The frontman for the decades-running act Load, he died this morning in hospice at Jackson North Medical Center due to complications from alcoholism, according to friends.

See Also:
-R.I.P. Bobby Load, Friends and Fans Remember, Announce Donation Fund for Memorial Services
-Dan Hosker, Famed South Florida Punk and Holy Terrors Guitarist, Dead at 46

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Via facebook.com/BizzleChowtime

Bizzle, AKA Chowtime.

A tragic scene at a local car wash has left one man dead and his killer on the loose.

As already noted by Miami New Times' Riptide, Miami rapper Bizzle (born Robert Labranche) was shot and killed last night by an unidentified assassin at NW Seventh Avenue and NW 54th Street in Liberty City. He was 37 years old.

The altercation took place at around 8 p.m. when Bizzle and an unidentified man began arguing. According to police, shots were fired, fatally wounding the longtime rapper and prompting a countywide manhunt.

See also:
-Miami Rapper Bizzle Shot And Killed At Liberty City Car Wash
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"Moon river, wider than a mile," Andy Williams crooned. "I'm crossing you in style some day."

And last night, the singer, Emmy-winning TV legend, and six-time Grammy host went off to meet his "huckleberry friend," passing away at his home in Branson, Missouri, after a yearlong battle with bladder cancer.

He was 84.

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