Obituary News

Richard Moore Dies at 83; Cinematographer and CO-Founder of Panavision

Source: Michael Ricci
September 1, 2009

In 1953 he teamed with Robert Gottschalk to start Panavision, which revolutionized film in the 1970s with a hand-held studio camera that could record sight and sound simultaneously.

Moore's Aug. 16 death at his home in Palm Springs was age-related, said his son, Stephen V. Moore.

His cinematography credits include “Winning" in 1969, “Myra Breckinridge" and “Sometimes a Great Notion" in 1970, “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean" in 1972 and “Annie" in 1982.

Moore shared a 1959 ...

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Rip Gospel Legend Marie Knight dies

Source: Just Roots PR
August 31, 2009

This sad news just in from M.C. Records (via Bob Corritore); this is their announcement verbatim:

With heavy hearts, M.C. Records announces the death of gospel legend Marie Knight. She died in New York City on August 30, 2009 due to complications from pneumonia.

Marie first came to prominence in 1946 when she met and started working with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Together they would be one of the most popular gospel artists of the 1940’s, and make music history through ...

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Last of the Vo-Cool School: Chris Connor, 1927-2009

Source: All About Jazz
August 31, 2009

There's a report today on the Yahoo Songbirds listserv that singer Chris Connor, , passed away Saturday at the age of 81.

Connor was one of the last living singers from the big-band era, and the last of the original, so-called “vo-cool school” of vocalists that included Anita O’Day, Mel Torme, and June Christy–singers noted for their generally vibrato-less tones, understated phrasing, and now-it’s-languid, now-it’s-loud use of dynamics.

However you classify her, though, Connor was a joy to listen to, ...

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Berle Adams Dies at 92; Co-Founder of Mercury Records and an MCA Executive

Source: Michael Ricci
August 29, 2009

Adams booked road dates for big bands in the '40s. At MCA, he was in charge of packaging new TV programs. For two decades he was the sole international distributor of the Emmy Awards.

Berle Adams, a onetime big-band booking agent who co-founded Mercury Records in the 1940s and later became a senior executive at MCA before launching his own successful business as an international television program sales representative and distributor, has died. He was 92.

Adams, who had been ...

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Sergei Mikhalkov Dies at 96; Author of Soviet, Russian National Anthems

Source: Michael Ricci
August 29, 2009

Sergei Mikhalkov, who wrote the lyrics for the Soviet and Russian national anthems and also persecuted dissident writers as part of the Soviet propaganda machine, has died. He was 96. Mikhalkov, who fathered two noted film directors, died Thursday in a Moscow hospital. A cause of death was not given. He was born March 18, 1913, in Moscow. As a young author and war correspondent favored by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, he was commissioned to write lyrics for a new ...

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NEC Mourns the Death of Joseph Maneri, Longtime Faculty, Jazz Legend, Founder of Boston Microtonal Society

Source: Michael Ricci
August 26, 2009

Received Honorary Doctorate from NEC in May New England Conservatory is mourning the death of Joseph Gabriel Esther Maneri, a longtime and much beloved faculty member and legendary jazz figure, who died August 24 at age 82. Maneri, who taught at the Conservatory from 1970 to 2007, received an honorary doctorate this past May in recognition of his enormously varied musical accomplishments, his indelible teaching style, and the many gifted performers who carry on his musical legacy. Among his former ...

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Songwriter Ellie Greenwich Dies at 68

Source: All About Jazz
August 26, 2009

Ellie Greenwich, who co-wrote some of pop music's most enduring songs, including “Chapel of Love," “Be My Baby" and “Leader of the Pack," died Wednesday, according to her niece. She was 68.

Greenwich died of a heart attack at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, where she had been admitted a few days earlier for treatment of pneumonia, according to her niece, Jessica Weiner.

Greenwich, a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was considered one of pop's most successful songwriters. She ...

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Joe Maneri Dies at 82

Source: Michael Ricci
August 25, 2009

It is with great sadness the Maneri family would like to announce the death of Dr. Joseph Maneri to the music and wider arts community. Joe passed away Monday, August 24th 2009 in the company of his close family. Joe is survived by his loving wife Sonja, his five children, eight grandchildren and his incredible music legacy. As a performer, composer and educator Joe touched countless hearts with his innovative and incredibly loving spirit. There will be a private service ...

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