Sunday, June 29, 2014

Meshach Taylor

Actor -- via the New York Times.

Leonard Simon

Actor --via http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com.


Shogo Kubo

Skateboarder -- via TMZ.






Raul Ramirez

Actor -- via El Universal.


Jacques Bergerac

Actor -- via Quest-France.




Lee McBee

Blues musician and singer -- via Ljworld.com.





Gina Collens aka Geraldine Elaine Silverman

Actress, playwright, and director -- via the Hollywood Reporter. Originated the role of Flora in "The Rose Tattoo"!


John Harney

Tea entrepreneur -- via the New York Times.

Ana Maria Matute

Writer -- via ABC News.

Masood Hasan

Humorist -- via The News. A beautiful tribute from Khusro Mumtaz.

Malgorzata Braunek

Actress and zen master -- via wiadomosci.wp.pl.

MC Sparks aka Sean Jones

Rapper -- via madnewsuk.com.

Michael Coetzee

Anti-apartheid activist -- via IOL News.



Jay H. Harris

Theater producer -- via the Miami Herald.

Akio Yokoyama

Actor -- via tv-tokyo.co. 

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Bobby Womack aka The Preacher

Soul music legend -- via the New York Times. Started off as a gospel singer with his brothers (he was the son of a preacher); he was a a strong guitarist as well. Sang backup for Sam Cooke, played guitar for Aretha. The first big hit he wrote, "Looking for a Love," was an adaptation of the the gospel song "Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray". He then wrote the classic "It's All Over Now," a cover of which was the Rolling Stones' first big hit. He wrote "Breezin'" and "Trust Me" and "That's the Way I Feel About Cha"; he worked on "There's a Riot Goin' On," and recorded the iconic "Across 110th Street." In later life, guested on many recordings. His greatest achievement may be the 1981 album "The Poet."

One of the links between gospel and soul, his influence spread across all genres. His contribution to American music is pervasive and incalculable.


























Friday, June 27, 2014

Teddy Rakel

Pianist and entertainer --via cincinnati.com.

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/videonetwork31618071501971/1878632335001/Teddy-Rakel-at-the-piano

Felix Dennis

Poet, editor, and publisher -- via the New York Times.








Charles Kakuk

Managing director of Next Act Theatre -- via the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Eddie Zondi

Radio host -- via The Independent.

Sara Widen

Soprano -- via findagrave.com.

Salwa Bugaighis

Human rights activist -- via the Guardian.



Mary Rodgers Guettel

Jennifer Wynne Reeves

Artist -- via Art in America.





German Andres Aguilar

Kerry Lou Ketchum King

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Bob Abrahamian

Soul music collector, historian, and radio host -- via the Chicago Sun-Times. His invaluable work can be found here; unfortunately, he did not think his work was significant enough and he committed suicide at the age of 35.

Mickey Deems

Jimmy C. Newman aka The Alligator Man

Musician of the Grand Ole Opry -- via People magazine.



Anthony Goldschmidt

Josephine Pullein-Thompson

Julius Rudel

Conductor and music director; leading light of the late, lamented New York City Opera -- via the New York Times. One of the most significant figures in American opera in the 20th century, this marvelous leader delivered a diverse array of innovative and affordable opera for the East Coast. He nurtured talents such as Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, and most importantly, Beverly Sills.

I had the extreme privilege of enjoying his direction of "The Magic Flute" years ago; after a delightful performance, I got to meet and thank him. An unassuming, gracious, and approachable maestro!









John McClure

Music producer and recording engineer -- via the New York Times. Until reading this obituary, I did not realize that this gentleman was responsible for the classical recordings that really turned me on to the genre. These include: the Bruno Walter Beethoven and Brahms, Stravinsky conducting Stravinsky, and all the Bernstein renderings of Mahler and much more. Even some Firesign Theatre! The clarity, balance, and depth of these albums set my soul on fire, and still do.







Gloryette Clark

Jim Nelson aka James M. Falkinburg

Brilliant sound editor, post-production master, and co-creator of Industrial Light & Magic -- via the Hollywood Reporter. One of those unsung heroes of the film industry that I would have loved to have interviewed.

Dan Jacobson

Novelist, writer, and critic -- via the Guardian.

Khagen Mahanta aka The King of Bihu

Folk singer and musician -- via the Indian Express.





Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Grayce Kaneda Uyehara

Claude Horan

Artist -- via the University of Hawai'i.


Jonny Morelli

Drummer with Draugr -- via Rock Revolt magazine.

Khin Maung Yin

Artist -- via ArtAsiaPacific.


Pierre Patry

Eli Wallach

One of the great American actors of the 20th century -- via the New York Times. Brilliant both on stage and on screen, Wallach won Tonys, Emmys, and an honorary Oscar. He was an original member of the Actors Studio, studying alongside, Brando, Clift, Berghof, and Lumet. He originated the role of Mangicavallo in "The Rose Tattoo." He did "Camino Real," "Rhinoceros,"  and "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour." He did tons of live TV in the early days.

And the films. Best known as a villain, he will always be remembered for films such as: "The Magnificent Seven," "The Misfits," "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," "Cinderella Liberty," "Movie Movie," "Winter Kills," and "Godfather III."