|
Post by Max on Mar 2, 2006 17:41:45 GMT -5
The last week has been hard on the entertainment industry. Along these lines, this thread is for mention of those entertainers we have lost. The latest addition to the growing list is Jack Wild, who portrayed the Artful Dodger in "Oliver!" and starred in the 70's kids show "HR Pufnstuf".
You can read more by going to the 'net and searching Jack Wild. Most of the American sites are using the same story, but if you go to the BBC site you get a slightly different script.
|
|
|
Post by Max on May 14, 2006 7:30:41 GMT -5
Some in the radio community may know the name or voice of Russ Hamnett, former sales executive/voice-over personality with WIEL/WKMO/WRZI in Elizabethtown. Apparently he has lost his battle with cancer, of which I was unaware he'd had. Several of my e-mails had gone unanswered and I'd suspected something was wrong. He had a wonderful baritone voice-perfect for radio.
His obit appears below.
George Francis Russel Stonier-Hamnett, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Elizabethtown, died Thursday, May 11, 2006, at his home after a brief battle with cancer.
Hamnett was born May 12, 1937, in Redcliff, Alberta, to the Rev. Harry Stonier-Hamnett of Audley, England, and Viva Anna Cox of Hallock, Minn. An enchanted childhood included imitating bird songs on wandering Canadian prairie roads near his home, recreating with model railroads what he saw while spending hours at the Outlook Depot in Saskatchewan, playing ice hockey with friends and listening to CHAT Radio, Medicine Hat, Alberta, on his crystal radio. In 1952, he received his HAM license with the call letters W6NNP. He idolized his father n especially his engineering skills and creativity. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard in Elizabeth City, N.C., from 1957 to 1961 as a radioman aboard a Grumman Albatross and later in Brooklyn, N.Y.
These experiences helped inform and shape his adult life, too. Russ studied broadcasting at San Diego State University and began a 46-year broadcasting career. He served as station manager at KNAU-FM, Flagstaff, Ariz., where he transformed a 16-watt college studio into a 100,000-watt listener-supported public radio station. His early career included work with NPR, WCNC, KOGO-FM, KCBS, KFMB-TV, KFBK and WQED. While working at KNAU he enjoyed recording concerts for the Flagstaff Symphony and served on the board for the National Theater Organ Society. He moved his family to Elizabethtown in 1997 to take a position with WKMO and associated stations WRZI and WIEL. Russ ended his radio career in Naples, Fla., as general manager of WCNZ and its sister station WVOI.
Always active in his community, he served on the board for the Abused Women Shelter in Flagstaff, Ariz., the Airport Board and the State Theater project in Elizabethtown, and as parish administrator at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Naples, continuing in the religious traditions of his father. In 1991, Russ began training to earn his private pilot’s license which he received in 1994, logging more than 170 hours flying above northern Arizona and central Kentucky before moving to Naples in 2001. Russ considered this one of his major accomplishments and enjoyed the peace and serenity it gave him as he enjoyed his favorite pastime.
Survivors include his loving wife, Donna, two sons from a previous marriage, Toby and Tim Hamnett; children Tiffany and Jeremy Chenault; a sister and her husband, H. Katherine Litchfield and the Rev. Kent Litchfield; and a niece, Katherine L. Litchfield.
A memorial service for friends and family is at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3901 Davis Blvd., Naples, Fla. 34104. Cremation was chosen. His wishes are that his ashes be spread over the Elizabethtown Airport.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Hospice of Naples, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Fla., 34105.
Knowing him and reading this obit, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd had a hand in writing his own ahead of time.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Jun 6, 2006 13:08:52 GMT -5
Just found out another WAKY hitmaker has passed away...Billy Preston. Of course, he was known for the smashes 'Will it go 'round in Circles?', 'Outa-Space', 'Space Race' (my personal favorite and one that always makes me think of American Bandstand in between commercials), 'Nothing from Nothing', and the duet with Syreeta Wright 'With You I'm Born Again'. He had kidney problems recently and had been in a coma since November.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Dec 14, 2006 19:20:02 GMT -5
Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, has died at the age of 83. Atlantic was one of the premier labels at the onset of rock and roll.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Jan 19, 2007 16:57:46 GMT -5
Looks like there is now only one surviving member of the 60's group the Mamas & the Papas...Denny Doherty has passed away at the age of 66 after a short illness...this from a Canadian website.
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Jan 19, 2007 17:32:03 GMT -5
For you rasslin' fans, Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow was found dead today.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Mar 11, 2007 16:19:21 GMT -5
Man, oh man, oh man...I just found out the owner of one of the most powerful voices in 70's arena rock and roll, Brad Delp (55) of Boston, passed away this weekend. It's so sad when we lose healthy talent such as his and are left with today's so called 'musicians'. The word loss just does not suffice.
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Mar 11, 2007 19:41:54 GMT -5
For you football and wrestling fans, a hall of famer passed away today. Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd died of stomach cancer at the age of 68.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Apr 29, 2007 14:10:35 GMT -5
Alas, another biggie, albeit only a one hit wonder, has passed away:
Bobby (Boris) Pickett
From Fox News (the link didn't translate properly, so I am pasting this)
Bobby "Boris" Pickett, whose dead-on Boris Karloff impression propelled the Halloween anthem to the top of the charts in 1962, making him one of pop music's most enduring one-hit wonders, has died of leukemia. He was 69.
Pickett, dubbed "The Guy Lombardo of Halloween," died Wednesday night at the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital, said his longtime manager, Stuart Hersh. His daughter, Nancy, and his sister, Lynda, were at Pickett's bedside.
"Monster Mash" hit the Billboard chart three times: when it debuted in 1962, reaching No. 1 the week before Halloween; again in August 1970, and for a third time in May 1973. The resurrections were appropriate for a song where Pickett gravely intoned the forever-stuck-in-your-head chorus: "He did the monster mash. ... It was a graveyard smash."
The novelty hit's fans included Bob Dylan, who played the single on his XM Satellite Radio program last October. "Our next artist is considered a one-hit wonder, but his one hit comes back year after year," Dylan noted.
The hit single ensured Pickett's place in the pantheon of pop music obscurities, said syndicated radio host Dr. Demento, whose long-running program celebrates offbeat tunes.
"It's certainly the biggest Halloween song of all time," said Demento. The DJ, who interviewed Pickett last year, said he maintained a sense of humor about his singular success: "As he loved to say at oldies shows, `And now I'm going to do a medley of my hit."'
Pickett's impression of Karloff (who despite his name was an Englishman, born William Henry Pratt) was forged in Somerville, Mass., where the boy watched horror films in a theater managed by his father.
Pickett used the impersonation in a nightclub act and when performing with his band the Cordials. A bandmate convinced Pickett they needed to do a song to showcase the Karloff voice, and "Monster Mash" was born — "written in about a half-hour," said Dr. Demento.
The recording, done in a couple of hours, featured a then-unknown piano player named Leon Russell and a backing band christened The Crypt-Kickers. It was rejected by four major labels before Gary Paxton, lead singer on the Hollywood Argyles' novelty hit "Alley Oop," released "Monster Mash" on his own label.
The instant smash became a sort-of Christmas carol for the pumpkin and ghoul set. In a 1996 interview with People magazine, Pickett said he never grew tired of it: "When I hear it, I hear a cash register ringing."
While Pickett never re-created its success, his "Monster's Holiday," a Christmas follow-up, reached No. 30 in December 1962. And "Graduation Day" hit No. 80 in June 1963.
He continued performing through his final gig in November. He remained in demand for Halloween performances, including a memorable 1973 show where his bus broke down outside Frankenstein, Mo.
Beside his daughter and sister, Pickett is survived by two grandchildren.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Jul 5, 2007 6:38:30 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Max on Jul 6, 2007 7:26:50 GMT -5
For Boston fans, I ran across this announcement from guitarist Barry Goudreau's site. He also was Brad Delp's brother in law, something which I was not aware of. Kinda wish I was closer to Boston this August, as the surviving original members of Boston will perform for the first time in over 20 years...and almost 30 years since "Don't Look Back", the last studio album featuring the original lineup.
“COME TOGETHER” A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF BRAD DELP PRESENTED BY WZLX, BOSTON’S CLASSIC ROCK STATION 100.7
(Boston, MA) The family and friends of Brad Delp will “COME TOGETHER” to share a special musical night honoring and remembering Brad Delp, the extraordinary man and his beautiful music. The iconic song title, “COME TOGETHER,” was selected as the name and theme for the event to highlight Brad’s love of Beatles’ music and also to inspire a sense of collaboration amongst the many musicians, family, friends and community that loved and admired him.
Hosted by television personality, Lynn Hoffman, The concert will take place on August 19th, 2007 at the Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, MA.
The “COME TOGETHER” concert was motivated by the adult children of Brad Delp, his extended family, friends, fans, Beatlejuice mates and members of the band Boston, present and past who shared his professional and social life for over 30 years.
Jennifer Delp, a graduate of the prestigious University of Southern California film school, wrote and directed a film about her father that will be shown during the evening. It features never before seen footage of Brad Delp that expresses not only his role as the lead singer of the hugely successful band BOSTON; but the man himself, and those who loved him.
During his lifetime, Brad Delp generously supported causes that he believed in such as anti-violence (to people and animals) organizations as well as those that helped hunger and shelter programs. For more than 2 decades, he funded these concerns via donations to the DTS Foundation, created by likeminded Tom Scholz. Thus, the DTS Charitable Foundation will receive some proceeds from the “Come Together “ concert. The remainder of the proceeds will go to a newly formed charity, The Brad Delp Foundation, headed by his children Jennifer Delp, 26, and John-Michael Delp, 22. “To further honor our father’s memory, the foundation will give grants to in-need school systems, programs and individuals that provide music education. Funding will also be given to individuals that desire to continue their own musical education,” they said.
WHO: Performances by ERNIE & THE AUTOMATICS, FARRENHEIT, BEATLEJUICE, GODSMACK, ORION THE HUNTER, RTZ, and BOSTON who will be joined by guest vocalists Michael Sweet (Stryper), Mickey Thomas (Jefferson Starship) & Sammy Hagar. For the first time in over two decades Barry Goudreau, Sib Hashian and Fran Sheehan will perform together with Tom Scholz and BOSTON.
WHEN: Sunday, August 19th, 2007 5:30 PM doors open, 6:00 PM Concert starts
WHERE: Bank of America Pavilion Boston, MA
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale at 10 AM on July 9, 2007 and are priced at $35.00 each plus a $5.00 venue charge. Tickets are available thru TicketMaster and Live.Nation.com and at the BOA box office.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Dec 12, 2007 22:40:14 GMT -5
Ike Turner died today at 76...
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Dec 16, 2007 20:11:29 GMT -5
Singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg died today at home in Maine at age 56. He had battled advanced prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2004.
His "Same Old Lang Syne" gets played a lot this time each year. "The Power Of Gold" (with Tim Weisberg) and "Part Of The Plan" were pretty good songs too.
|
|
|
Post by Max on Dec 16, 2007 22:15:13 GMT -5
I saw that today and was quite surprised. I started to think he was too young, but cancer knows no age...
|
|
|
Post by Max on Aug 10, 2008 16:42:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Aug 15, 2008 12:45:19 GMT -5
From HeraldTribune.com:
Jerry Wexler, a major player in the recording industry from the 1950s to the 1980s and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died at his Siesta Key [Florida] home Friday, according to rollingstone.com. He was 91. At Atlantic Records, Wexler signed or produced some of the biggest names in the business: Ray Charles, The Coasters, The Drifters, Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Willie Nelson, Dusty Springfield, Cher and Dr. John.
Wexler started out as a writer and editor for Billboard magazine in the 1940s and coined the phrase "rhythm and blues" to replace the magazine's use of "race records" in its chart listings.
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Aug 18, 2008 14:11:15 GMT -5
This came to me from a friend: It's been learned that Barbara Gilliam, one-third of the Washington, DC-based trio, the Fuzz, passed away August 4 at her home in Alexandria, Virginia. The group was formed by Barbara, Sheila Young and Val Williams in 1970 as the Passionett(e)s, and recorded unsuccessful singles for Path and Uni Records before changing their name when they signed with Roulette Records' Calla label the following year. Despite initial success with "I Love You For All The Seasons" (written by Sheila), which got to #21 on the pop charts in 1971, the two follow-ups-- "Like An Open Door" and "I'm So Glad"-- failed to move into the top 70 and by 1972 they disbanded."I Love You For All Seasons" is one of those "WAKY oldies" that I can clearly hear Dude Walker hitting the post on in that early '70s replay radio in my mind. Don't rember the song? Hear it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDj3i5RGlnM
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Sept 2, 2008 14:34:27 GMT -5
This just in...
Jerry Reed, country music’s howling virtuoso and a star of stage, studio and screen, has died. He was 71, and he leaves an unparalleled legacy of laughter and song. By the time Mr. Reed came to popular attention as Burt Reynolds’ truck-driving sidekick "The Snowman" in the Hollywood trilogy Smokey and the Bandit, he was already a musical deity to the guitar players who admired the syncopated flurries he unleashed with a casual gleam. He was also a hit recording artist by that time, having topped the charts with "When You’re Hot, You’re Hot" and “Lord, Mr. Ford," and having written songs for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Porter Wagoner, Brenda Lee and others.
Of course "Amos Moses" (1970) and "When You're Hot, You're Hot" (1971) were all over WAKY when they were new.
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Sept 2, 2008 16:30:45 GMT -5
RIP Jerry Reed. You were one of the finest guitarists and entertainers the Bruiser ever had the pleasure of seeing.
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Sept 17, 2008 15:07:17 GMT -5
This just in...
Norman Whitfield, the man behind many of Motown’s biggest hits, has died in the United States after a long bout with diabetes.
Whitfield began writing for Motown when he was 19 years old.
Some of the classic songs he wrote for Motown artists, were covered by some of the biggest acts in the world. The Beatles’ covered "Money (That’s What I Want)", The Stones did a version of his "Ain’t Too Proud To Beg", and Creedence Clearwater Revival did a cover of his "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".
Between 1966 and 1974, Whitfield produced nearly every song by The Temptations.
He died on September 16 at the age of 67.
Highlights of the hits of Norman Whitfield are:
1963: "Pride & Joy" - Marvin Gaye 1964: "Too Many Fish in the Sea" - The Marvelettes 1964: "Needle in a Haystack" - The Velvelettes 1964: "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" - The Velvelettes 1964: "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" - The Temptations 1966: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" - The Temptations 1966: "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" - The Temptations 1966: "(I Know) I'm Losing You" - The Temptations 1967: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - Gladys Knight & the Pips, also recorded by Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival 1967: "You're My Everything" - The Temptations 1967: "I Wish It Would Rain" - The Temptations 1968: "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) - The Temptations 1968: "The End Of Our Road" - Gladys Knight & The Pips 1968: "Cloud Nine" - The Temptations 1969: "Friendship Train" - Gladys Knight & the Pips 1969: "Runaway Child, Running Wild" - The Temptations 1969: "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" - Marvin Gaye 1969: "I Can't Get Next to You" - The Temptations 1969: "Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down" - The Temptations 1970: "You Need Love Like I Do (Don't You)" - Gladys Knight & The Pips, also recorded by The Temptations 1970: "Psychedelic Shack" - The Temptations 1970: "Hum Along and Dance" - The Temptations (later covered by Rare Earth and The Jackson 5) 1970: "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" - The Temptations 1970: "War" - Edwin Starr 1971: "Smiling Faces Sometimes" - The Undisputed Truth, originally recorded by The Temptations 1971: "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" - The Temptations 1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - The Temptations 1973: "Masterpiece" - The Temptations 1973: "Let Your Hair Down" - The Temptations 1976: "Car Wash" - Rose Royce 1976: "I'm Going Down" - Rose Royce 1976: "I Wanna Get Next to You" - Rose Royce 1977: "Ooh Boy" - Rose Royce 1977: "Wishing on a Star" - Rose Royce 1978: "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" - Rose Royce
|
|
|
Post by Max on Oct 17, 2008 20:27:48 GMT -5
The Four Tops' lead singer Levi Stubbs has died in Detroit...he was 72
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Dec 9, 2008 12:23:41 GMT -5
From the Associated Press on Tuesday, December 9, 2008:
HAMILTON — Dennis Yost, lead singer of the 1960s soft rock group The Classics IV, has died in an Ohio hospital. He was 65.
Yost died Sunday at The Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, about 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati. He died of respiratory failure at 2:25 a.m., said hospital spokeswoman Marielou Vierling.
The Classics IV's hits included "Spooky," "Stormy" and "Traces of Love."
Yost had been in nursing homes since suffering a brain injury sustained in a 2005 fall, said the singer's friend and biographer Joe Glickman.
Glickman said Yost had been in nursing homes since suffering a brain injury sustained in a fall in 2005.
The Classics IV got their start in Jacksonville, Fla., where Yost, a native of Detroit, was raised, Glickman said. Their hit recordings were produced in Atlanta under the supervision of producer Buddy Buie and Bill Lowery, founder of Lowery Music Inc.
The group performed together for about five years.
Buie, who was a co-writer of the group's songs with the group's guitarist, J.R. Cobb, said he hadn't seen Yost for several years when he learned of his death Sunday.
"Dennis had an incredible voice — just a great voice for love songs," said Buie, 67, who is retired and lives in Eufaula, Ala. "I am deeply saddened by his passing."
Cobb, 65, said he and Yost grew up in Jacksonville and rode motorcycles together before they were in the band. Cobb, who later performed with the Atlanta Rhythm Section and with The Highwaymen — a country group that included Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson — is retired and lives in Monticello, Ga.
"Dennis was a friend as well as a fellow musician," said Cobb. "I always thought he had a very distinctive voice, and I think we had some of the hits we had because of him and his ability as a singer."
Yost and The Classics IV were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1993, Glickman said.
Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, a vocalist with the former rock and comedy group Sha Na Na, held a benefit concert last year to help with Yost's increasing medical costs, Glickman said.
Yost is survived by his wife, Linda Yost. A message seeking comment was left at her home Monday.
There was no immediate information on funeral arrangements.
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Dec 9, 2008 19:53:05 GMT -5
We seemed to have missed the passing of Mitch Mitchell, who passed a few weeks ago. Mitch was the drummer and last surviving member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Jan 1, 2009 9:21:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Max on Feb 21, 2009 10:52:19 GMT -5
Wow...this one took me by surprise. At only 63 Kelly Groucutt, former bassist for ELO, died of a heart attack a couple of days ago. Unbeknownst to many, his vocals were featured on many of ELO's hits and while his voice sounded at times similar to Jeff Lynne's, his range was wider enabling him to provide those soaring tenor notes. After Jeff Lynne folded ELO to pursue his own interests, Kelly continued on with some of the other former ELO bandmates to form groups such as Orkestra, featured as the college party band in the low budget movie "Summer Job", and Electric Light Orchestra Pt II. Read the entry from his website below. kellygroucutt.sitesled.com/
|
|
|
Post by Max on Feb 28, 2009 21:30:19 GMT -5
Paul Harvey Broadcasting pioneer Sept. 4, 1918 - Feb. 28, 2009
Radio Legend Paul Harvey Dies at 90 AOL / Wire Services posted: 2 MINUTES AGO
(Feb. 28) — ABC Radio Networks says broadcasting pioneer Paul Harvey has died at the age of 90. Network spokesman Louis Adams says Harvey died Saturday at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.***
Harvey was a news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the nation's most familiar voices. He was forced off the air in 2001 because a virus weakened a vocal cord. But he returned to work in Chicago and was still active as he passed his 90th birthday.
Known for his resonant voice and trademark delivery of "The Rest of the Story," Harvey had been heard nationally since 1951, when he began his "News and Comment" for ABC Radio Networks.**
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Mar 2, 2009 14:51:25 GMT -5
Paul Harvey touched a lot of people's lives. Here's an e-mail I received on March 1, 2009 from Robin Ballard:
The passing of Paul Harvey touches my heart very deeply. It was while listening to his news broadcast on June 5, 1971 that he told a simple little story about a man who had a skiing accident and was pronounced dead at the hospital but suddenly his heart began to beat again and he fully recovered. When asked about what happened, this man replied that he was a Christian and that Jesus could take him to heaven any time He wanted to. The fact that he is still on earth means he has something to do for Jesus. That little simple story was used by God to touch a teenager's heart and I became a follower of Jesus Christ right there in the car listening to Paul Harvey news. I will forever be grateful for Paul Harvey and his willingness to share the gospel from time to time. May he be richly rewarded in heaven. Robert (Robin) Ballard WAKY 1965-1968
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Mar 10, 2009 21:58:02 GMT -5
RIP Hank Locklin. Mr. Locklin passed away at age 91. His two most popular songs were "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" and "Please Help Me, I'm Falling". Johnny Tillotson covered "Pillow".
|
|
|
Post by John Quincy on Mar 26, 2009 11:22:47 GMT -5
From http://www.sealsandseals.com:
Dan Seals passed away March 25, 2009 following a valiant struggle with mantle cell lymphoma. He leaves behind thousands of fans, countless friends and a loving family.
He enjoyed a musical career which spanned four decades and included hit records both as a member of pop duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, and as a solo country artist.
In 1986 he won Country Music Association Awards for “Bop” and "Meet Me in Montana."
He will forever be remembered for his gentle smile, easy going demeanor, his enduring faith and endless generosity.
|
|
|
Post by bruiser on Mar 28, 2009 16:35:06 GMT -5
Ernie Ashworth passed away in early March. He's mostly remembered for his song "Talk Back Trembling Lips".
|
|