On this date in 1994 Dan Hartman passed away from an AIDS-related brain tumor.  Born in Harrisburg, PA in 1950 he joined his first band at age 13 and started writing original songs.  In his late teens he joined the Johnny Winter band as a backup and then went on to join the Edgar Winter Group as singer, keyboardist, bassist, and principal songwriter. 

While in the Edgar Winter Group he wrote and did vocals on "Free Ride" off their album "They Only Come Out at Night" and went on to pen several other charting singles.

After the Edgar Winter Group he released solo work, wrote songs, and produced a huge spectrum of artists.  He is credited with 44 charted songs including several you may have heard:

Dazed and Confused anyone?

Rocky IV and the Godfather of Soul

From one of my favorite cult movies