RIP: JJ Cale, Songwriter’s Songwriter, Dead @ 74

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: J.J. Cale, the songwriter behind the Eric Clapton classics “Cocaine” and “After Midnight,” died Friday at the age of 74. Born John Weldon Cale in 1938 in Oklahoma City, Okla., the Grammy winner was an originator of the “Tulsa Sound,” a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country and jazz influences. His career saw him release 14 albums and his songs have been covered by acts including Johnny Cash, Santana, Tom Petty, Waylon Jennings and Captain Beefheart. His biggest U.S. hit single, “Crazy Mama,” peaked at No. 22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972. MORE