Bring Out Your Dead! The celebrity death thread....

Randall Kenan was the shining light of the creative writing program at the University of North Carolina when I was a student there, too. I don’t recall ever meeting him, but friends who did always remembered him very fondly.

Randall Kenan, Southern Writer of Magical Realism, Dies at 57 (NYT)

Sir Harold Evans, investigative journalist and editor. 
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/24/sir-harold-evans-trail-blazing-newspaper-editor-dies-aged-92

I've seen two duo acts that awed me with the visceral energy of their performances. One was House of Freaks. The other was Satan and Adam.

Sterling Magee, Bluesman Known as ‘Satan,’ Dies at 84 (NYT)

Pamela Hutchinson of The Emotions has passed away at the age of 61. 

The Emotions had the hit "Best Of My Love" in 1977. They also provided backup vocals on Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland".

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/21/entertainment/pamela-hutchinson-emotions-death-scli-intl/index.html

Kiwi-born singer-songwriter, guitarist and rocker Max Merritt, at the age of 79.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9455116/max-merritt-obit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Merritt

Australian singer Helen Reddy has died in Los Angeles at the age of 78.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-30/helen-reddy-dies-in-los-angeles-aged-78/12716886

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/30/helen-reddy-australian-singer-of-feminist-anthem-i-am-woman-dies-aged-78

Her image was pristine, but this hit spooked me the very first time I (just shy of 11) heard it, and then some.

Sorry, marksierra, I meant to add I was a fan, owning a Greatest Hits cassette that was a birthday gift from my mother. Reddy was also a standout Muppet Show guest.

Such a strong voice. And so different from her sister’s (Toni’s). Loved them both.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-30/i-am-woman-helen-reddy-blazed-a-trail-then-left-it-all-behind/10496882?nw=0
Interesting to read that Toni is still living - I thought I’d read an obit for her some time back. Toni is Tony Sheldon’s mother, which makes Helen his aunt (not mentioned in the obit).

Also passing today (September 29), and also at the age of 78, is American singer-songwriter and actor, Mac Davis.  

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/30/mac-davis-songwriter-of-elvis-hits-in-the-ghetto-and-a-little-less-conversation-dies-aged-78

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54353266

Eddie Van Halen, 65 from throat cancer. Apparently had it for some time.

Johnny Nash, the writer and performer of 'I Can See Clearly Now' has passed away at the age of 80.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/07/johnny-nash-reggae-singer-best-known-for-i-can-see-clearly-now-dies-aged-80

The bridge in “Clearly Now” was, is and will always be one of the most magnificent in popular music.

DaveSchmidt said:

The bridge in “Clearly Now” was, is and will always be one of the most magnificent in popular music.

 you're in good company

Can't believe it took this long for someone to mention EVH.  I was never a big Van Halen fan, but I always loved Eddie's usually overlooked rhythm guitar playing.  This one is very cool.

(Listen to the Music, from that enviable Billboard chart, happens to have a bridge to swoon over, too.)

Terry Goodkind

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/books/terry-goodkind-dead.html

I'm more a sci-fi than fantasy nerd but he was and is very popular  Rest in Peace

ml1 said:

Can't believe it took this long for someone to mention EVH.  I was never a big Van Halen fan, but I always loved Eddie's usually overlooked rhythm guitar playing.  This one is very cool.

 Mentioned it four posts up. I was also surprised by very little comment

annielou said:

 Mentioned it four posts up. I was also surprised by very little comment

 oops.  my apologies

here's a short but deep dive into Van Halen's technique and influence.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/arts/music/eddie-van-halen-metallica-kirk-hammett.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

drummerboy said:

here's a short but deep dive into Van Halen's technique and influence.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/arts/music/eddie-van-halen-metallica-kirk-hammett.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

 He also was an innovator in guitar design.  He built his guitar out of parts that he sourced, putting it together to meet his own specs.

Eddie Van Halen: How I Built My Frankenstrat Guitar

Not a celebrity, but pretty amazing.

Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., Grandson of the 10th President, Dies at 95 (NYT)

Grandpa:

Whitey Ford passed away at 91.  Have to admit that I thought he was already gone.

Perhaps we should have another thread for this but I came across this the other day - NOT DEAD is actor, Norman Lloyd.  I only bring this up because in another month he'll be . . . 106!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Lloyd

ml1 said:

Whitey Ford passed away at 91. Have to admit that I thought he was already gone.

Eerily, just last night Otis Livingston opened his sports report on CBS 2 by noting it was the anniversary of the Yankees’ perfect game in the World Series — a feat he attributed to Whitey Ford.

DaveSchmidt said:

Eerily, just last night Otis Livingston opened his sports report on CBS 2 by noting it was the anniversary of the Yankees’ perfect game in the World Series — a feat he attributed to Whitey Ford.

 wow. That's a pretty egregious error for a NY sportscaster. 

Longtime character actress Conchata Ferrell. Best known for "Two and a Half Men," but great in everything. Comedy or drama. Theater, film or TV.

https://tv.avclub.com/conchata-ferrell-on-two-and-a-half-men-and-her-crusty-1798274363

ml1 said:

 wow. That's a pretty egregious error for a NY sportscaster. 

 One of my friends from grammar school lost his eye playing stickball when he was 12 or 13. Whitey Ford lived a town over from us. He came to his house and took him to a Yankees game. He introduced him to Mattingly and Righetti and then signed a picture for him telling him to be tough and things will get better. 

Music moments to treasure and pass on - thank you, Herbert. Our family will never forget Maman singing Charles Aznavour hits in her sleep  

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/oct/14/les-miserables-lyricist-herbert-kretzmer-dies-aged-95

Joe Morgan, 77. Another Fall of Famer.