Friday, January 20, 2012

Etta James aka Jamesetta Hawkins

One of the greatest singers of the past 100 years -- via CNN. She could do it all -- R & B, doo-wop, jazz, soul, blues, rock 'n' roll, gospel. A hitmaker whose harsh life strongly influenced her sound.




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Johnny Otis aka John Alexander Veliotes aka "The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues"

Musician, bandleader, songwriter, impresario, disc jockey, talent scout, political activist, a preacher, artist, and author -- via the New York Times. He discovered and produced Esther Phillips, the Coasters, Etta James, Hank Ballard, Jackie Wilson and many others. A genius!




Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Evelyn Stevens

Singer -- via the Sacramento Bee.

Dorothy Morris

Actress -- via TCM.

Felix Shuman

Actor -- via the Chicago Sun-Times.

Lars "Lasse" Kolstad

Actor -- via forum.blu-ray.com.

Henny Bario

Circus clown -- via the Telegraph.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Richard Threlkeld

Journalist -- via the Washington Post.

Ion Oita

Restaurateur -- via the Washington Post. The highly-lauded "meatball king" of Romania.

Mary Ellen Avery

Medical researcher -- via the New York Times. It is estimated that her insights into respiratory distress syndrome have to date saved nearly a million premature infants' lives.

Ruth Fernandez

Singer -- via the New York Times.

Richard Alf

Co-founder of Comic-Con -- via Yahoo News.

From PBS: "Fantasy Coffins in Ghana"

Death rites in this African nation are elaborate and costly, but an important social and cultural activity -- via PBS.