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.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Barbara Grier
Writer and publisher -- via the L.A. Times. Strongly advanced the cause and variety of lesbian literature in America.
Jimmy Norman
Songwriter and R & B musician -- via jimmynorman.org. His big hit was "I Don't Love You No More"; he wrote the full lyrics for Jerry Ragovoy's "Time Is on My Side."
Sickan Anna-Greta Carlsson
Actress and singer -- via Stockholm News. A recording star, film idol and popular figure on radio as well.
Friday, November 11, 2011
George Ansbro
Announcer on radio and television -- via musicradio77.com. He was the longest-tenured employee in the history of American broadcasting -- from May 18, 1934 to January 14, 1990.
Reese Palmer
Vocalist -- via he Washington Post. He was the lead singer for the Marquees (one-time member? Marvin Gaye) and also sang with the Legendary Orioles. Can be heard as a backup singer, along with his group and Etta James, on Chuck Berry's "Back in the U.S.A." . . .
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Lisbeth Movin
Actress -- via dr.dk. She appeared in at least two great films -- Carl Dreyer's "Day of Wrath" and Gabriel Axel's "Babette's Feast."
Allen Mandelbaum
Professor of literature, poet and translator -- via the New York Times. Thanks to him, I finally read Virgil's "Aeneid." (I still prefer the Ciardi translation of "The Divine Comedy.") Thank you, sir, for helping me to understand and enjoy this classic work!
Norman Ramsey
Physicist -- via the New York Times. His Nobel Prize-winning work led to the creation of the super-accurate atomic clock.
Alex "Spunk" Pitko
Former outfielder for the Phillies and the Senators -- via Bill Schenley, http://groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries, and legacy.com.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Hal Kanter
One of the great old-time comedy writers and directors -- via the L.A. Times. He started writing for radio -- he was so old, he wrote gags for Olsen and Johnson! He broke into TV writing for Ed Wynn. He created the sitcom "Julia," and was the head writer for the Oscars for 30 years. He father created Classics Illustrated! My favorite joke of his involves his teasing of Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of "Gilligan's Island": "Sherwood Schwartz. He sounds like Robin Hood's rabbi."
Joe Frazier
Former heavyweight boxing champion; one of the greatest fighters ever -- via the New York Times. Here's a great meditation on his character from Dave Anderson in the Times. "I'll forgive, but I'll never forget."
Monday, November 7, 2011
From Listverse: "Top 10 Bizarre Premature Obituaries"
"You'll be stone-dead in a minute" -- from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." |
Christiane Legrand
Vocalist -- via forum.bcdb.com. Original soprano for the Swingle Singers, and member of Les Double Six.
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