http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle....TAINJACK-DC.XMLBERLIN (Reuters) - Cuban-born dance music artist Franky Gee, better-known to his European fans as "Captain Jack," has died of a brain haemorrhage while in Spain, German media reported on Saturday. He was 43.
In a 10-year career that began in 1995, the former U.S. soldier and one-time German stock broker sold more than 7 million albums and singles, earning 19 gold and platinum discs with titles like "Drill Instructor" and "Soldier, Soldier."
Gee was born in Cuba in 1962 as Francisco Gutierrez. His parents emigrated to Miami when he was a child. He later joined the U.S. army, ending up in Germany, where he stayed from 1988 holding a variety of jobs before entering the music business.not everyone has heard of captain jack. but, for me, there are many fond dance dance revolution-related memories that his music brings.
i remember my first encounter with captain jack. it was in an arcade in new hampshire, on a 5th mix machine; the song was 'only you'. i remember watching faux-goth kids throwing their hands into the air at his command, and thinking: someday, i will be able to stomp my feet in time to a melodic line JUST LIKE THAT. i think it safe to say that i would not be the revolutionist of dance dancing i am today if it were not for captain jack.
captain jack was many things, but above all, he was a master wordsmith. who else could have crafted such eloquent lyrics like this?
Do you like the dream - hey, I like the dream, baby
Do you like the dream - hoo, I like the dream, mama
Do you like to scream - hey, I like to scream, baby
Do you like to scream - hoo, so scream it outor
Pihyala Pihyala Pa Pa Palapa
Pihyala Pihyala Pa Pa Palapa
Pihyala Pihyala Belly button's peeking out
Ta Ta Talalila
Pihyala Pihyala Pa Pa Palapa
Pihyala Pihyala Dancing Pompokolin
Pihyala Pi Oh my tummy's grumblingtruly, his music speaks
for us all.r.i.p., captain jack. i will miss you and your crazy dance music.