Obituary News

Singer-Actor Jerry Reed Dies at the Age of 71

Source: All About Jazz
September 2, 2008

Jerry Reed, a singer who became a good ol' boy actor in car chase movies like “Smokey and the Bandit," has died of complications from emphysema at 71. His longtime booking agent, Carrie Moore-Reed, no relation to the star, said Reed died early Monday. “He's one of the greatest entertainers in the world. That's the way I feel about him," Moore-Reed said. Sony BMG Nashville Chairman Joe Galante called Reed a larger-than-life personality. “Everything about Jerry was distinctive: his guitar ...

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Don Lafontaine King of Voiceovers and Movie Trailers Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
September 2, 2008

The “King of Voiceovers" died Monday in Los Angeles at age 68. Don LaFontaine, whose voice was on nearly 5,000 movie trailers, died Monday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

As the originator of the movie trailer catch-phrase, “In a world where," LaFontaine dominated the voiceover industry. He made more than 5,000 trailers in his 33-year career while working for the top studios and television networks.

We have to very rapidly establish the world we are transporting them to. ...

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The Replacements Drummer Steve Foley Dead at 49

Source: All About Jazz
August 27, 2008

Drummer Steve Foley, who played drums on the Replacements' final All Shook Down tour, died last weekend in Minneapolis after accidentally overdosing on prescription medicine. He was 49.

Foley was recruited to join the Replacements after original drummer Chris Mars left following the All Shook Down sessions. Foley joined the band after meeting Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson in a bar and offered them a ride. When they got in the car, they noticed a copy of All Shook Down, ...

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San Jose Music Pioneer Henry Schiro Dies

Source: All About Jazz
August 27, 2008

JAZZ FESTIVAL AMONG PROGRAMS HE DEVELOPED Henry Schiro's mark on San Jose's music scene is everywhere. He developed the San Jose Jazz Festival into the largest free jazz series in the country. He supported, and personally bailed out, the famed Children's Musical Theater San Jose. He brought Broadway shows to town, created a Christmas music series at St. Joseph Cathedral and started music programs in downtown schools. “He was a pioneer," said Bruce Davis, executive director of Arts Council Silicon ...

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Buddy Harman 1928-2008

Source: Michael Ricci
August 27, 2008

Buddy Harman, a prolific and influential drummer whose rhythmic signature can be heard on thousands of recordings by the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Simon and Garfunkel, died on Thursday at his home in Nashville. He was 79.

He had been suffering from congestive heart failure, said his daughter Summer Harman, who confirmed his death.

Mr. Harman played on an estimated 18,000 recordings, many of them major hits, in a career of more than five decades. ...

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Buddy Harman Popular Nashville Session Drummer Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
August 26, 2008

Buddy Harman, 79, one of Nashville's most-recorded drummers, died Thursday at his home there. He suffered from congestive heart failure.

Harman played on more than 18,000 recordings, including Roy Orbison's “Pretty Woman," Johnny Cash's “Ring of Fire," Tammy Wynette's “Stand by Your Man" and Elvis Presley's “Little Sister." “He's Nashville's all-around drummer, and he's the best drummer I ever worked with," Harold Bradley, who played on many records with Harman, said Saturday in the Nashville Tennessean. When Harman started drumming ...

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Ralph Young Half of the Sandler & Young Singing Duo Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
August 26, 2008

He was born in New York and joined Les Brown's Band of Renown in 1940. He teamed with Tony Sandler in 1965. They made more than 20 albums.

Ralph Young, a former big-band singer who became half of the internationally popular singing duo Sandler & Young, has died. He was 90.Young died after a brief illness Friday at his home in Palm Springs, said his wife, Arlene. After becoming a duo in 1965, the Belgium-born Sandler and the Bronx, New ...

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Johnny Griffin Memorial Tribute

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
August 26, 2008

Readers in and around New York City may be interested in this announcement sent by Michael Weiss.

CELEBRATING JOHNNY GRIFFIN: A TRIBUTE IN WORDS AND MUSIC

Reminiscences from fellow musicians, family and friends.

Johnny Griffin's compositions performed by Johnny's longtime rhythm section (Michael Weiss, John Webber and Kenny Washington) with Eric Alexander. Additional performances by Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton, Ray Drummond and Ben Riley.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2008, 7 p.m.

St. Peter's Church

619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street ...

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