Obituary News

Carpenters' Lead Guitarist Tony Peluso Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 15, 2010

Tony Peluso, lead guitarist for the Carpenters and a Motown and Latin music producer, died June 5 in Los Angeles of heart disease. He was 60.

Peluso was with the band for 12 years, beginning with single “Goodbye to Love" in 1972, touring the world with siblings Richard and Karen Carpenter and recording many albums. After Karen Carpenter's death in 1983, Peluso segued to producing and engineering records. Partnered for a decade with the head of A&R at Motown Records, ...

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L. A. Philharmonic's Ernest Fleischmann Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 15, 2010

Ernest Fleischmann dies at 85; manager who guided Los Angeles Philharmonic's transformation. Fleischmann, a visionary administrator who had a hand in every decision made about the orchestra for nearly 30 years, was pivotal in raising its profile and quality.

Ernest Fleischmann, the impresario who dominated the Los Angeles Philharmonic for nearly 30 years as it was transformed into one of the top orchestras in the country, has died. He was 85. Fleischmann died Sunday at his Los Angeles home surrounded ...

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Jimmy Dean Country Singer and Sausage Entrepreneur Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 14, 2010

Jimmy Dean, a country music legend for his smash hit about a workingman hero, “Big Bad John," and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died on Sunday. He was 81.

With his drawled wisecracks and quick wit, Dean charmed many fans. But in both entertainment and business circles, he was also known for his tough hide. He fired bandmate Roy Clark, who went onto “Hee Haw" fame, for showing up late for gigs.

Dean grew up in a musical ...

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Michael Orias of Tula's (Seattle) Dies

Source: Seattle Jazz Scene
June 13, 2010

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Frank Dawson Chicago Jazz Guitarist/Educator Dies

Source: JAZZzology by Richard Watters
June 7, 2010

Chicago area jazz guitarist and music educator Frank Dawson passed away early on Thursday June 3rd, 2010 in his early 60s. He had been diagnosed with advanced spinal cancer just a few days prior to his death... He originally hailed from Pittsburgh, PA, and began studying music with Victor Lawrence while beginning to play professionally during his high school years. Following graduation from highschool, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy attending the USN School of Music. Frank continued to study ...

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Marvin Isley, Bassist of Isley Bros. Dies

Source: All About Jazz
June 9, 2010

Marvin Isley, bassist for the Isley Bros. during their hit-making funk resurgence of the '70s, died June 6 in Chicago. He was 56, and had suffered from diabetes since the late '90s.

With his guitarist sibling, Ernie, Isley joined elder brothers Ronald, Rudolph and O'Kelly in 1969; the Cincinnati-vocal act had already scored such indelible R&B hits as “Twist and Shout" and “This Old Heart of Mine." At the T-Neck label, the Isley's vaulted back to the top of the ...

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Ali Ollie Woodson, Singer in Temptations Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 2, 2010

Ali Ollie Woodson, who led the Motown quintet the Temptations in the 1980s and 90s and helped restore it to hit-making glory with songs like Treat Her Like a Lady, died on Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 58.

The Temptations: Theo Peoples, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Ali-Ollie Woodson.

The cause was cancer, said Billy Wilson, president of the Motown Alumni Association. He said Mr. Woodsons wife, Juanita, told him about the death. Mr. Woodson was not an ...

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Remembering Dennis Hopper, Photographer

Source: Michael Ricci
June 1, 2010

A self-described compulsive creator, the late Dennis Hopper was as prolific behind a camera as in front of it.

And not just making motion pictures, but still images, by the thousands. He photographed most avidly during the 1960s, chronicling the burgeoning L.A. art scene and its prime movers. His pictures have been included in virtually every book or exhibition about the era and have been featured widely in gallery and museum shows around the world, including numerous retrospectives. Last fall, ...

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