Scholar and writer; world's foremost expert on Faulkner -- via the Picayune Item.
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, August 26, 2012
Annie Kuebler
Jazz archivist -- via the Washington Post. One of the world's top experts on Ellington and Mary Lou Williams.
Neil Armstrong
Astronaut; first person to step upon the moon -- via the New York Times.
Armstrong was a hero, but not heroic. He was modest, but not "humble," as so many self-styled heroes are today. He simply didn't like the limelight, and didn't want people to make a fuss over him. He was far more than an adventurer -- he was a combat pilot, a test pilot, a very gifted aerospace engineer. All these skills made him a high-ranking candidate for the lunar expedition. Add to that his seemingly imperturbable calm, and he was the perfect choice.
It was Sunday night, July 20, 1969, 8:56 p.m. MDT. We gathered in front of our TV in the living room with a bunch of neighbors and watched Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. It was one of the defining moments of my life. I dreamed of going into space; we built rocket ships in our back yards out of cardboard boxes; we went on a million missions. Thanks, Neil . . . and Buzz and Michael and ALL the astronauts, from every country. Nothing is impossible.
Armstrong was a hero, but not heroic. He was modest, but not "humble," as so many self-styled heroes are today. He simply didn't like the limelight, and didn't want people to make a fuss over him. He was far more than an adventurer -- he was a combat pilot, a test pilot, a very gifted aerospace engineer. All these skills made him a high-ranking candidate for the lunar expedition. Add to that his seemingly imperturbable calm, and he was the perfect choice.
It was Sunday night, July 20, 1969, 8:56 p.m. MDT. We gathered in front of our TV in the living room with a bunch of neighbors and watched Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. It was one of the defining moments of my life. I dreamed of going into space; we built rocket ships in our back yards out of cardboard boxes; we went on a million missions. Thanks, Neil . . . and Buzz and Michael and ALL the astronauts, from every country. Nothing is impossible.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Scott McKenzie aka Philip Wallach Blondheim
Singer and composer -- via the Washington Post. Best known for singing "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"; also co-wrote "Kokomo."
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Danny Roundfield
Basketball player -- via Sports Illustrated. He died saving his wife from drowning.
Bill Tillman
Saxophonist -- via Spinner. Best known for his work with Blood, Sweat and Tears, he also played with Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, and the Coasters; he also served as music director for Gladys Knight.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Phyllis Diller
Comedian -- via TMZ. A real pioneer -- she got her big break at The Purple Onion in 1955, and did standup, TV and film comedy ever after. Women comics were few and far between. Up to that time, save for exceptions such as Moms Mabley, Jean Carroll, and Rusty Warren, women were stooges or props in comedy. Diller made inroads in a male-dominated industrythat paved the way for a whole new legion of great talent that just happened to be female.
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