Hall of Famer Lloyd Price, 88, "declining health..." He'll be remembered for "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", and rightly so; but probably more important he, whether intentionally or not, made a hit out of a "Staggerlee" variant, and by so doing demonstrated in the clearest terms to budding folkies like Dylan, Garcia, Parsons, Stills et al that Rock and Roll was just a natural extension of the folk tradition. Also worth remembering-- it was Price who organized the festival which brought American black musicians-- James Brown, BB King, the Spinners-- to Zaire in connection with "The Rumble in the Jungle." A very good movie could me made about it; oh wait! It was!
This thread has more people I know about lately than previous years. I don't know if that's due to COVID killing more folks I know, or due to my getting older.
For me it is definitely an aging side-effect. It'll get worse, not better. As the fella says, "I read the obits over breakfast, and if I'm not in them I try to figure out what to do with the day..."
Norman Lloyd - 106 (November 8, 1914 – May 11, 2021) https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/norman-lloyd-dead-obit-1168327/ Norman Lloyd was a stage actor, director, and producer. From his performances with Orson Welles like the contemporary JULIUS CAESAR to his screen appearances like DEAD POET'S SOCIETY. He was also the narrator in Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Just now learned this. Almost thought he'd live for ever. I liked St. Elsewhere, as well as Dead Poets.
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/19/998220638/comedian-paul-mooney-has-died-at-79 Legendary comiedian Paul Mooney, 78. Mooney spent decades behind the scenes writing for such shows as Saturday Night Live, In Living Color and, along with his friend Richard Pryor, Sanford and Sonstarring Redd Foxx. Mooney's cool delivery and subversive, catch-you-from-behind humor can be seen in all its glory on Chappelle's Show in sketches like Negrodamus and Ask A Black Dude. . . . . Mooney might not have been as famous as his friends and peers like Eddie Murphy and Dave Chappelle but his influence on comedy runs deep. Among the tributes on social media, comedian David Alan Grier writes on Instagram, "I performed with Paul on stage, worked with him on screens big and small witnessed him absolutely destroy audiences night after night after night! I will miss your uncompromising truthful insight, intelligence, and searing wit." Filmmaker Ava Duvernay called Mooney, "a comedy giant." "I recall listening to his RACE album in college and how formative it was. Yeah, the jokes. But more so, the freedom. He spoke freely and fearlessly about feelings and experiences others found difficult to express. May he be truly free now. Rest, sir."
"Charles Grodin, Star of ‘Heaven Can Wait,’ ‘Midnight Run,’ Dies at 86" (Variety.com - Tuesday, 5/18/21)
Pittsburgh Pirate legend Rennie Stennett, lead-off hitter for the fitst all-minority line up in MLB history, and holder of the record for most hits in one game (seven) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/sports/baseball/rennie-stennett-dead.html I saw the last five of those hits, because I enjoyed watching the Cubs being blown out 22-0
Hungarian Sándor Puhl died, chosen four times best referee in the world He was 65 years old. His international career began in 1988 and between 1994 and 1997 he was chosen four consecutive times as the world's best referee by IFFHS. The Hungarian led several important matches as the 1994 United States World Cup final between Brazil and Italy, and the 1997 Champions League final in Germany's Borussia Dortmund win against Italy's Juventus.
Wishing a very Happy 75th Birthday George Best! May he Rest In Peace! 22 MAY 1946 WAS BORN GEORGE BEST.. DEFINITELY. There will never be another one like you George you were the best. One of the greatest football players of all time to grace Englands football pitches. Happy birthday George Best He would have been 75 Today. Three of his favourite lines! "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds & fast cars. The rest I squandered." "In 1969 I gave up women & alcohol. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." "I used to go missing a lot... Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World." RIP!
John Warner, longtime US senator from Virginia, dies at 94 Warner served in the US Navy during World War II and the Marines during the Korean War. He later served as secretary of the Navy and as a Republican US senator from 1979 through 2009. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/us-sen-john-warner-virginia-dies-94-77913744
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/26/970974320/eric-carle-creator-of-the-very-hungry-caterpillar-has-died Eric Carle, Creator Of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' Has Died
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/27/1000847547/real-milli-vanilli-singer-john-davis-dead-at-age-66 Real Milli Vanilli Singer John Davis Dead At Age 66
“Hooked On A Feeling” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” “I Just Can't Help Believing” “(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” Billy Joe Thomas 78
Patrick Sky, 80, Multiple cancers and Parkinson's. As I hear it, he stole a hat from off Bob Dylan's head, a girl from off Dave van Ronk's arm, and got Banana his first credit. :-( (I hope this will stimulate a CD release of "A Harvest of Gentle Clang.")
Did not know he'd done this. All I remember is the Blue Swede version. So classic. Just a really, really, really great composition. RIP
Jimmy Allen Ruth, the Trailways bus driver for the 1961 group of Nashville Freedom Riders, has died, his family said. He was 83. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/bus-driver-group-nashville-freedom-171240757.html
I have known since maybe 1962 that only the youngest driver they had was willing to make the run to Jackson; but this is the first I have seen his name and I've never seen his picture. OTOH, I've been able to put a name to pictures of Gavin McLeod for 50 years. No offense to the McLeods, but something's wrong with that somewhere...
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31587569/former-new-york-giants-head-coach-jim-fassel-dies-71 Former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel dies at 71