Trumpeter, arranger, composer and bandleader -- via the Galveston County Daily News.
Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Flo Gibson
Recorder of audio books -- via the New York Times. She got her start as a radio actress, then moved into reading books for listeners, chalking up over 1,000 titles in the course of her career.
Barry Hobart aka Dr. Creep
TV horror-movie show host -- via WHIOTV. He was the infamous "Dr. Creep" in Dayton, Ohio's "Shock Theater," from 1972 to 1983.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Susannah York
Beautiful and talented actress -- via the Telegraph. Best in roles in films such as "Tom Jones, "The Killing of Sister George," "they Shoot Horses, Don't They?" and "The Silent Partner."
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tommy Crain
Guitarist -- via the Tennessean. He was best known for his long-time work with the Charlie Daniels Band.
Paul Picerni
Actor in film and television -- via monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com. He will be best remembered as Lee Hobson, the right-hand man of G-man Eliot Ness, played by Robert Stack, in the early TV series "The Untouchables."
From the New York Times: "Cyberspace When You're Dead"
Rob Walker discusses the pros and cons of the digital traces we leave behind online after we die -- via the New York Times. Can we, Pharaohnically, build eternity-challenging digital pyramids that will serve as electronic monuments?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Peter Hobbs
Actor -- via Theater Mania. This seemingly perpetually distinguished-looking performer started on the stage, but is best known most his incredible number of appearances on TV and in films, usually playing authority figures such as doctors, judges and men of the cloth. His sober appearance did not mean he couldn't be funny -- on the contrary, he was a superb and sly underplayer.
Ellen Stewart
Theatrical genius and visionary -- via the New York Times. She started La MaMa Experimental Theater Club in New York City in 1961. She somehow created and maintained a cooperative, forward-looking, tolerant, innovative performing space that was a major influence on the creative arts in the United States. She directed, produced, and did everything one does to keep an impossible dream alive. She did it! I met her in 1978 at a performance of "The Trojan Women" -- a show that ripped the top of my head off and redefined theatre for me. She changed my life and that of many others -- thank you, thank you, dear master! Here's a lovely portrait of her in the New York Times --
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Susana Chavez
Poet and human rights activist -- via the BBC and the Tribuna Meoqui. She worked hard to draw attention to and protest the hundreds of murders of young, poor women in and around Ciduad Juarez in Mexico. She herself was murdered. UPDATE on Jan. 13, 2011 on Chavez murder --
David Nelson
Actor, producer and director -- via the New York Times. He "grew up famous" as the oldest of two sons of bandleader Ozzie Nelson and singer Harriet Hilliard, who starred for decades as "Ozzie and Harriet" on radio and then TV. David and his younger brother Ricky were cast in the show and lived an odd kind of double life as family members on- and off-stage. Ricky went on to a moderately successful musical career; David maintained a lower profile. Ricky died in a plane crash in 1985; David lived a longer, and hopefully more tranquil life.
Christopher Trumbo
Screenwriter, historian, playwright and historian -- via ABC News. He was instrumental in illuminating the life of his father, blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Margaret Whiting
Popular singer -- via Broadway World. Don't remember her? She introduced these songs -- "Come Rain or Come Shine," "That Old Black Magic," "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "Moonlight in Vermont." Not too shabby! Her biggest hit was the country number "Slippin' Around," recorded in 1949 with Jimmy Wakely.
Edward J. "Red" Borom
Baseball player -- via Bill Schenley, groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries and the Dallas Morning News. Here's a lovely portrait of him from Jim Sargent at the Baseball Biography Project. He once got four hits in a game off of Bob Feller!
Maria Elena Walsh
Poet, writer, composer and singer for children -- via ABC News. Her work often contained pointed messages for grown-ups as well . . .
John Gross
Author, editor, literary critic and anthologist -- via the Telegraph. "The best-read man in Britain."
Tom Lubbock
Art critic and illustrator -- via the Independent. Here's a little sample of his work -- naughty! naughty! What a charming, and honest, and incisive writer.
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