It is hard to believe, but, EXACTLY, 50 years ago today, June 29, 1969, we lost the great Shorty Long. Here are the details I know from the newspaper article that appeared announcing his death.

"A man identified as a Motown Record Corporation star and a male companion drowned in the Detroit River Sunday, June 29, 1969, when their small craft
capsized off Sandwich Island. The recording star was identified as Frederick [[Shorty) Long. His body was recovered. The identification of his companion was not immediately learned. Dragging operations to recover his body are to be resumed Monday. First reports said the wash from a passing freight swamped the boat, but the Coast Guard said later no passing ship was involved. They could offer no reason for the sinking. The island is off Sandwich, Ontario. Long wrote and recorded Here Comes da Judge and Function at the Junction, two of his top hits. Long, born in Birmingham, Alabama, was both a singer and a pianist."


Bad, bad memories. Play some of your Shorty Long CDs and/or vinyl today in his memory. Long Live the Judge! His legacy continues.