Monday, October 11, 2010

Joan Sutherland

One of the great operatic sopranos of the 20th century -- via the New York Times. "La Stupenda" was best known for her key work in reviving bel canto and Baroque pieces; her Alcina was groundbreaking. She was ever-present in recordings of the 1960s, especially for her numerous collaborations with Pavarotti early in his career. Other memorable roles: Lucia, Norma, Elvira, Gilda, Marie in "La fille du regiment." This Australian dramatic coloratura was named a Dame of the British Empire.

Plus, she had a great sense of humor and didn't take herself all that seriously. I jut loved her to pieces.


Sunday, October 10, 2010

Solomon Burke

Soul singer extraordinaire -- via Yahoo News. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who was equally expert in gospel, blues, country, R & B and rock.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Edward Krtizler

Writer -- via Legacy.com. His best-known work is "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean."

William W. "Bill" Norton

Screenwriter, and gunrunner -- via the L.A. Times

Rhys Isaac

Australian historian, the only to ever win a Pulitzer Prize. He won for his 1983 tome, "The Transformation of Virginia, 1740-1790."

Metring David

Comic actress -- via ABS/CBN News

Jack Berntsen

Folk singer -- via an.no.

Gudrun Loftus

Lecturer in German at Oxford -- via the BBC

Linda Norgrove

Aid worker killed by her Afghan captors during U.S. raid -- via the Guardian and gulfnews

SS Chandran

Comic actor -- via the Times of India.

Alvin Paige

Artist -- via Masslive.com

Friday, October 8, 2010

Albertina Walker

Gospel singer -- via the Chicago Tribune.

Ian Morris

New Zealand musician was guitarist with Th'Dudes -- via stuff.co.nz

Cheeky new website examines 'Life Before Death'

Lifebeforedeath.com tries to take the sting out of the end of things -- incudes bucket lists, "happy coffins," death on Facebook, last playlists and more . . . interesting.

Interview with Jim Sheeler, obituarist

Pulitzer Prize-winner interviewed by the Case Western Reserve University student newspaper -- Sheeler teaches there now.

Bobby Dunlap

Boxing trainer and shoeshine man -- via the Denver Post

The Washington Post on "The Lives of the Obscure"

A column about the non-famous and the significance of their life stories.

George Evans

A conscientious and hard-working reporter -- via the Telegraph

Maurice Broomfield

Photographer who focused on industry, the workplace and the worker -- via the Telegraph

Patti Cramer

Artist whose whimsical drawings of Denver life decorated many Westword magazines -- via Westword.

Max Raabe

Dentist known for his civil-rights efforts -- via the Denver Post

Antonie Kamerling

Actor -- via International Business Times.

Carlos Guradado

Burrito man -- via the Washington Post

Janis Klovans

Chess grandmaster -- via Chess Vibes

Dan Gordon-Levitt aka "Burning Dan"

Fire dancer and flow artist -- via CNN.

Keiji Oshawa

Baseball player and manager -- via japanesebaseballcards.blogspot.com.

Steve Richko

Jazz pianist -- via Feeep.com

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Roy Ward Baker

Film and television director -- via blog.saint.org. Here's the New York Times obit. A major architect of the imaginations of my generation, he made some of Hammer Film Production's best -- and campiest -- horror films. On TV, he worked on some of the best British series -- "The Avengers," "The Champions," "The Saint," "Danger UXB," "Fairly Secret Army" and "The Irish R.M." See my full salute to him at Preview Reviewer.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

William Shakespeare aka John Stanley Cave aka Billy Shake

Australian glam rock singer -- via www.undercover.fm. It's hard to run this one -- the name, alone. He did some bad things, came down in the world, suffered addiction. When it comes down to it, he was a person. May he rest in peace.

Gilda O'Neill

Historian and novelist -- via the Guardian

Colette Renard

Chanteuse and actress -- via Telerama.fr. A saucy singer who originated the title role in "Irma la Douce."

Steve Lee

Lead singer of Swiss rock band Gotthard -- via Swissinfo.ch.

Gregorio Ros

Award-winning makeup artist and designer for TV, stage and film -- via Spain Broadway World. He worked on several films with Pedro Almodovar, including "Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" and "High Heels."

Ed Wilson aka Edson Vieria de Barros

Singer and songwriter was a part of the Jovem Guarda movement in Brazilian music -- via O Globo.

Marshall Flaum

Top-notch, Emmy-wining and Oscar-nominated documentary producer, director and writer -- via the L.A. Times