Pat Upton was a singer, songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame in the late 1960s as the leader of the band Spiral Starecase. He wrote and sang their biggest hit, “More Today Than Yesterday”, which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969. The song has been covered by many artists, such as Sonny and Cher, Diana Ross, Andy Williams, Lena Horne and Patti Austin. Upton also worked as a session musician and a backup singer for Ricky Nelson in the 1970s and 1980s. He died on July 27, 2016, at the age of 75, in his hometown of Geraldine, Alabama. What was the cause of his death? Here are some facts you need to know.
Contents
A Heart Attack Claimed His Life
According to Wikipedia, Upton died of a heart attack on July 27, 2016, in Geraldine, Alabama. He had been living with his wife, former model Lynn Upton, in Guntersville, Alabama. They had three daughters and a son, and six grandchildren. Upton’s death was announced by the town of Geraldine on their Facebook page, where they paid tribute to their native son and his musical legacy.
He Wrote “More Today Than Yesterday” by Accident
Upton wrote “More Today Than Yesterday” by accident, he told reporter Lisa Savage for a 2013 profile in Gadsden Style. He said that he was in a motel room in Las Vegas when he came up with the chord progression and the lyrics for the song. He said that he was thinking about Bobby Goldsboro singing it when he first wrote it. He also said that he had no idea that the song would become so popular and enduring. He said that everything in his musical career just presented itself to him, and he jumped on it.
He Turned Down a Flight with Ricky Nelson That Crashed
Upton was a backup singer for Ricky Nelson, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who had a string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s. Upton played with Nelson for about 10 years, until Nelson’s tragic death in a plane crash on December 31, 1985. Upton had performed with Nelson at his club P.J.’s Alley in Guntersville on December 30, 1985. Nelson asked Upton to accompany him on a flight to Dallas, Texas, but Upton declined due to business obligations. The flight crashed in Texas, killing Nelson, his fiancée Helen, and five members of his band. Upton last saw Nelson that morning, before his plane took off from Guntersville Airport, and had a photograph taken with him then.
He Was Not the Only Pat Upton Who Died in 1999
There was another Pat Upton who died in 1999, but he was not related to the singer. He was an Irish Labour Party politician and veterinarian who died of a heart attack on February 22, 1999. He served as a member of the Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Irish parliament) from 1992 to 1997. He was also a former president of the Irish Veterinary Association and a campaigner for animal welfare.
He Was Remembered by His Fans and Friends
Upton’s death was mourned by his fans and friends who expressed their condolences and memories on social media. Some of them shared videos and photos of his performances and songs. Some of them recalled meeting him or seeing him live. Some of them thanked him for his music and his kindness. Upton was remembered as a talented musician, a humble person, and a loving family man.
