Obituary News

Herbie Hancock Statement on the Passing of Michael Jackson

Source: Shore Fire Media
June 26, 2009

This is an unbelievable tragedy, first of all for his family, for his devout fans, for the world of music and for the world of culture. Michael was one of the most diligent creators. His passion flowed through every pore of his being. His sense of invention was unparalleled. Who else could have thought of the moonwalk and who else could have created such a unique sense of movement in dance. His contribution to music and music videos; Off the ...

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Michael Jackson Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 25, 2009

We've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.

[Updated at 3:15 p.m.: Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.]

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.

A source ...

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Michael Jackson's Death: The Talent and the Tragedy

Source: All About Jazz
June 25, 2009

The tragedy of Michael Jackson's death at age 50, reportedly from cardiac arrest, pales in comparison to the tragedy of his life.

To understand all that Jackson had and lost requires wiping away three decades of plastic surgeries that deformed him, erratic behavior that made his name synonymous with the warping powers of fame, and a 2005 trial for sexually abusing a child that, even though he was spared of any finding of wrongdoing, made him a pariah to all ...

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Funeral Details for Bassist Hugh Hopper

Source: All About Jazz
June 19, 2009

Here are the details of bassist Hugh Hopper's funeral, to take place in Teynham, Kent, in the UK. Thanks to Hugh's wife Christine, and to drummer and close friend John Marshall for passing this information along:

Hugh's funeral will be on Thursday 25th June at 10am at Deerton Natural Burial Ground, which is situated close to the village of Teynham, in Kent (postcode: ME9 9LL).

It will be a Tibetan Buddhist Ceremony to respect Hugh's wishes and there will be ...

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Charlie Mariano Versatile Alto Saxophone Player Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 18, 2009

Charlie Mariano, 85, an alto saxophonist best known for his association with Stan Kenton's big band in the 1950s, his playing on two albums by Charles Mingus in the 1960s, and his later stint in Europe with Eberhard Weber's jazz-rock group Colours, died Tuesday of complications from cancer at a hospice in Cologne, Germany, according to his website.

A native of Boston, Mariano served in the Army during World War II and began studying music at what is now the ...

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Jack Nimitz Baritone Sax Player Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 16, 2009

Jack Nimitz played clarinet and alto saxophone before discovering the baritone sax and falling in love with the instrument's voice. “It sounded so warm and nice and dark and rich," he said.

Nimitz played with Woody Herman, Stan Kenton and Herbie Mann and had a busy career as a studio musician in Hollywood.

Jack Nimitz, a jazz baritone saxophonist who played in the Woody Herman and Stan Kenton big bands and in the group “Supersax," died Wednesday of complications from ...

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Barry Beckett Record Producer Worked with Big-Name Singers Passes

Source: Michael Ricci
June 16, 2009

Barry Beckett, 66, a keyboard player and record producer who had important roles in recordings by Bob Dylan, Percy Sledge, Hank Williams Jr. and Kenny Chesney, died June 10 at his home in Henderson, Tenn.

He had been in failing health for several years after a stroke and being diagnosed with cancer. “There's no way I would be where I am today in my life if it wasn't for Barry Beckett," country music star Chesney told the Tennessean newspaper.

Beckett ...

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Bob Bogle Co-Founder Rock Band the Ventures Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 16, 2009

The influential band's hits included 'Walk, Don't Run' and the theme from 'Hawaii Five-O.'

Bob Bogle, lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band the Ventures, known for 1960s instrumental hits including “Walk, Don't Run," has died. He was 75. Don Wilson, the band's other co-founder, told the News Tribune of Tacoma that Bogle became ill over the weekend and died Sunday.

The band sold millions of albums and heavily influenced other rock guitarists. It was inducted into the Rock ...

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