Album Notes

The Story Of Death


The story of Death is the story of David, Dannis, and Bobby Hackney, three Black American blood brothers who in the early seventies formed a Rock-N-Roll band. They got the attention of legendary Detroit record producers Don Davis and Brian Spears and were signed to Don’s Groovesville Productions Company, which also owned the legendary Detroit recording studio United Sound. At United Sound, between 1974 and 1975 Death recorded tracks for an album that was shopped by Don Davis and Brian Spears to just about every major label in 1975, but no one was taking. No one understood the new sound, or even much less the name. Finally, some interest did come to the band by way of a connection to Clive Davis and it was mentioned that the band would have a chance for consideration if it were willing to change its name. Rebel bandleader David Hackney, upon hearing that news responded with a resounding, “Hell no, tell him to go to hell!” Which ended the chance for that offer and also the relationship with Don Davis, Brian Spears and Groovesville Productions and shelved Death’s recorded music. Death left Detroit in 1977 migrating to New England and recorded two additional albums and two singles. In 1981, band leader David decided to move back to Detroit. Bobby and Dannis, now raising families, decided to stay and became associated with Reggae and formed a Reggae band called Lambsbread, which became popular throughout New England.

After predicting that the Death music would come to life one day, David passed away in 2000. Seven years after in 2007 it was discovered that the music of Death was being wildly enjoyed at underground music sessions throughout the country. In 2008 the discovery was made public. In 2009 music historians proclaimed that the sound of the band Death from Detroit Michigan pre-dated the Punk sound by five years. In 2010 Drag City Records of Chicago IL officially released the album recorded in Detroit to the public bearing the original name conceived by the group in 1975 entitled “FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE”. The remaining members Bobby and Dannis Hackney, along with the addition of guitarist Bobbie Duncan, have brought the sound of Death back to the stage and the recording studio. The release of this single song is a slice from another great Death platter that will be forthcoming later this year. In the meantime, enjoy some Rock-n-Roll “RELIEF”