Lead singer of the doo-wop group The Capris -- via rock-the-jukebox.com. Their biggest hit: 1961's
There a Moon Out Tonight."
Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Kodachrome
Color photographic film -- via the New York Times. The 75-year-old product was deemed the most superior for slides and film; its richness of color, long-lasting quality in dark storage and unique quality of light captured makes it an irreplaceable medium for amateurs and artists alike.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Jack Gurry
One of those most rare of human creatures, a bon vivant -- via the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Jayaben Desai
Laborer who fought for the rights of exploited immigrant workers -- via the Guardian. Here's a great quote from her -- "What you are running is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions who can bite your head off. We are those lions, Mr Manager."
Roger Kotoske
Artist and teacher -- via the Denver Post. His sculpture in Denver's Burns Park, pictured below, is an indelible part of my city memories.
Jack Towers
Sound engineer -- via the Washington Post. On November 7, 1940, he and Dick Burris made one of the most important live recordings in history -- the Duke Ellington Orchestra at the Crystal Ballroom in Fargo, North Dakota. This unique artifact shows the band at one of its peaks, and gives the listener an astonishing feel for an evening with a great musical genius.
Agathe von Trapp
One of the von Trapp Family Singers -- via the Hollywood Reporter. They escaped the Nazis; their story inspired "The Sound of Music."
Qian Yunhui
Anti-corruption activist -- via the New York Times. He fought illegal land seizures, and was crushed to death by a truck. The government says it was an accident; many eyewitnesses say he was held down by four men and run over. More from Chinasmack --. And yet another, more detailed update from AP via the Washington Examiner on 1/18/11.
Denis Dutton
Philosopher, skeptic, critic of bad writing, Internet entrepreneur, art theorist; founder of Arts & Letters Daily, a great Web site -- via the Huffington Post.
The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
Denis Dutton | ||||
www.colbertnation.com | ||||
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Robin White
Writer and would-be secessionist -- via the L.A. Times. He desired for northern California to become its own sovereign entity, and, when the effort failed, he said memorably, "Well, if at first you don't secede . . ."
Billy Taylor
Jazz pianist, composer, TV and radio host, and educator -- via the Washington Post. He was taught by Art Tatum; he played with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis -- to name a very few. He was an eloquent and far-reaching ambassador for jazz -- thank you Dr. Taylor!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Bernie Wilson
Soul singer -- via NME. Best known as a member of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the great Philly soul group, which produced hits such as "Wake Up Everybody," "If You Don't Know Me by Now," and "Bad Luck."
Donetta (Dorothy) Jones
Dorothy is on the left.
Singer with the Cookies -- via www.voy.com. The Cookies were an essential part of the R & B/early rock 'n' roll experience. They had hits with "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothin' (Bad About My Baby)," and they sang backup on "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "The Loco-Motion" . . . Dorothy was the mainstay of the group during its 1954-1967 existence.
Singer with the Cookies -- via www.voy.com. The Cookies were an essential part of the R & B/early rock 'n' roll experience. They had hits with "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothin' (Bad About My Baby)," and they sang backup on "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "The Loco-Motion" . . . Dorothy was the mainstay of the group during its 1954-1967 existence.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Jack Tracy
Former editor of Downbeat and producer of many jazz recordings -- via Jazz Wax. And here's part of a long and fascinating interview Steven A. Cerra conducted with him that appears on the marvelous blog, Jazz Profiles.
Myrna Smith
Singer and songwriter -- via Classic Pop Icons. As a member of the Sweet Inspirations, she sang backup for Elvis alongside Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother.
Bud Greenspan
Documentary filmmaker, writer and producer -- via the New York Times. His subject was sports, specifically the Olympics. He created extensive chronicles of Olympians and their efforts, "focusing on the uplifting stories of athletes facing triumph and tragedy. He left the unsavory stories for others to chronicle," according to Richard Sandomir of the Times. This approach proved popular and inspiring, and influenced many others -- including yours truly. Here's a clip that typifies his smooth, well-edited, clear and focused narrative approach --
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Henry Covington
Minister who served the homeless, the unemployed and the addicted -- via the Detroit News.
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