Obituary News

Irving Penn Dies at 92; a Giant of Photography

Source: Michael Ricci
October 8, 2009

Irving Penn, a grand master of American fashion photography whose “less is more" aesthetic, combined with a startling sensuality, defined a visual style that he applied to such varied subjects as designer dresses, cigarette butts and cosmetics jars, many of them now-famous photographs owned by leading art museums, has died. He was 92.

Penn died Wednesday at his apartment in New York City, said his brother, film director Arthur Penn. The cause was not given.

In 1943, Penn started contributing ...

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Laura Mae Gross, 'Mama' Nurtured the Blues at Babe's and Ricky's Inn in L.A. Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
October 6, 2009

In Laura Mae Gross' club, bluesman Ray Bailey said, “it didn't matter if you were a total amateur or a seasoned professional. Everybody gave you the same respect."

Laura Mae Gross, a strong-willed Mississippi woman who came to the West Coast and founded a club that became a staple of Los Angeles' blues scene, died Saturday of heart failure, according to relatives. She was 89.

Gross, also known as “Mama," opened Babe's and Ricky's Inn on Central Avenue in 1964 ...

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Argentine Folk Singer Mercedes Sosa Dies

Source: All About Jazz
October 4, 2009

The latest album by the “voice of Latin America" is nominated for three prizes in next month's Latin Grammy awards in Las Vegas.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, the “voice of Latin America" whose music inspired opponents of South America's brutal military regimes and led to her forced exile in Europe, died today, her family said. She was 74. Sosa was best known for signature tunes such as “Gracias a la Vida" ("Thanks to Life") and “Si ...

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Amy Farris Fiddler-Singer Part of L.A. Roots Music Scene Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
October 2, 2009

Amy Farris was much sought after for session and touring work. She also was a singer and songwriter who had come to L.A. from Austin, Texas, to pursue a solo career.

Fiddler, singer and songwriter Amy Farris, an in-demand session and touring musician who became a regular presence on the Los Angeles roots music scene after moving from Austin, Texas, to launch a solo career, has died. She was 40.

Her body was found in her home in Los Angeles ...

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John Wilson Silhouettes Last Member Dies

Source: All About Jazz
September 30, 2009

The Rev. John Bootsie Wilson, a former lead singer and last surviving member of the soul group The Silhouettes, has died. He was 69.

Wilson died Sept. 21 at his home in Spartanburg, S.C., after batting cancer and a kidney ailment, his wife, Pauline, said.

The Philadelphia native joined The Silhouettes in 1961, after the original lead singer left the group, perhaps best known for the 1958 smash hit “Get a Job", which stayed at No. 1 for 13 consecutive ...

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Greg Ladanyi Grammy-Winning Rock Producer Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
September 30, 2009

Greg Ladanyi, 57, a Grammy Award-winning producer who worked with Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac and other rock bands, died Tuesday at a hospital in the Republic of Cyprus, according to his record company, Maple Jam Music Group.

Ladanyi suffered severe head trauma Friday during an on-stage accident while on tour with singer Anna Vissi.

An engineer, mixer and producer, Ladanyi shared a Grammy in 1982 with three others for engineering Toto's album Toto IV.

He received more than ...

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Alicia de Larrocha Renowned Spanish Pianist Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
September 28, 2009

Her first record was released before she was 10; later she toured with the L.A. Philharmonic and performed regularly at New York's Lincoln Center, featured in its Mostly Mozart Festival.

Alicia de Larrocha's style combined poetic interpretation, grace and subtlety with technical virtuosity and remarkable focus.

Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha, who thrilled music listeners for decades with polished and enthralling interpretations of great classical works, has died. She was 86.

De Larrocha died late Friday in a Barcelona hospital, ...

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Julian Lennon Saddened over Death of Real Life Lucy

Source: Michael Ricci
September 28, 2009

John Lennon's son Julian 'saddened' over death of the real 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds'

The real life woman -- Lucy Vodden -- who inspired the Beatles' song “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," has died after a years-long battle with lupus. Vodden died at age 46 at St. Thomas' Hospital in London.

A young Julian Lennon once brought home a drawing of his classmate, Lucy, titled “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." His father, John Lennon, used the ...

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