Obituary News

Snooks Eaglin R&B Singer and Guitarist Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
February 20, 2009

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The R&B singer and guitarist Snooks Eaglin, who counted platinum-selling rockers among his fans, died here Wednesday. He was 72.

The cause was a heart attack he suffered after falling ill and being hospitalized last week, said John Blancher, a family friend. Mr. Eaglin learned he had prostate cancer last year.

Musicians including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant and Bonnie Raitt would seek out Mr. Eaglin to watch him perform, Mr. Blancher said. But New ...

Continue Reading...

Oreste Lionello Italian Movie Dubber Known as Voice of Woody Allen Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
February 19, 2009

ROME -- Oreste Lionello, an entertainer and film dubber who was Italy's “voice" of Woody Allen, Jerry Lewis and other comic stars, died in a Rome hospital today.

Lionello, 81, was a star in Italy's important entertainment industry of movie dubbing. Relatively few Italian cinemas show films in the original language, so moviegoers often only know the voices of Hollywood stars through dubbers like Lionello.

Italian actor and director Pier Francesco Pingitore, who did cabaret acts with Lionello, said the ...

Continue Reading...

John McGlinn Restorer of Musicals is Dead

Source: Michael Ricci
February 19, 2009

John McGlinn, a conductor and musical historian who delved deep into neglected archives to recreate musicals like Show Boat, Anything Goes and No, No, Nanette in their original form, died on Saturday at home in Manhattan. He was 55.

His brother, Evan, said that no official cause of death had been determined but that he had probably had a heart attack.

Throughout his career, Mr. McGlinn breathed the intoxicating air of the early Broadway musical, with special attention lavished on ...

Continue Reading...

Louie Bellson

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 19, 2009

What to add to the hundreds of tributes to Louie Bellson in the wake of his death last weekend? The outpouring of accolades emphasizes what anyone who ever encountered him knows: he was full of warmth, generosity and the largest available portion of human spirit. Dozens of obituaries are quoting Duke Ellington's assessment of Bellson as not only the world's greatest drummer but the world's greatest musician. There are excellent obits by Howard Reich in the Chicago Tribune, Nate Chinen ...

Continue Reading...

Louie Bellson (1924-2009)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
February 17, 2009

Louie Bellson, one of the last headline drummers of the big band era whose twin bass drums and high-energy beat-keeping thrilled audiences and powered orchestras ranging from Benny Goodman to Duke Ellington, died on February 14. He was 84 and had been recovering at home from a broken hip.

Considered a swing drummer, Louie's style was less pronounced than Gene Krupa's and Buddy Rich's but could be equally bombastic and showy. Louie had a different sort of vigor than other ...

Continue Reading...

Louie Bellson: Duke Ellington Called Him "The World's Greatest Drummer"

Source: Michael Ricci
February 17, 2009

Louie Bellson, performing at the Olympic Jazz Festival in 1984, was widely respected for his technical skill, refined rhythms and ability to adapt to various genres. “Not only is Louie Bellson the world’s greatest drummer . . . he’s the world’s greatest musician!" Duke Ellington once said of his former bandmate.

Louie Bellson, a jazz drummer and bandleader who combined remarkable instrumental virtuosity with far-ranging compositional skills, has died. He was 84. According to his wife Francine, Bellson died Saturday ...

Continue Reading...

Louie Bellson Dies at 84

Source: All About Jazz
February 16, 2009

We regret to announce the unexpected passing of Louie Bellson on February 14, 2009. Tenative plans are for an L.A. area funeral, followed by funeral and burial in Moline, Illinois, his boyhood home. Details forthcoming. Condolences and cards to: Mrs. Louie Bellson c/o Remo, Inc. 28101 Industry Drive Valencia, CA 91355

About Louie Bellson One of the world’s greatest drummers, Louie Bellson has been an exciting crowd pleaser for over ...

Continue Reading...

Estelle Bennett a Life of Troubles Followed a Singer's Burst of Fame

Source: Michael Ricci
February 16, 2009

She was the quiet Ronette, the one people called the prettiest, the one who was content to remain in the shadow of her younger sister, Ronnie, because even in the shadow there’s still some spotlight.

Ms. Bennett, who died last week, struggled with anorexia and schizophrenia, and was sometimes homeless.

For a few years in the mid-1960s Estelle Bennett lived a girl-group fairy tale, posing for magazine covers with her fellow Ronettes and dating the likes of George Harrison and ...

Continue Reading...