Youthful singing sensation and actress -- via the New York Times. Her precocious vocal talents and sweet, wholesome screen image made her popular -- so much so that she is said to have saved Universal Pictures after their string of 1930s horror films lost momentum. When she got older, she quit the biz and lived happily ever after!
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.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Dave Ismay
Columnist, comedian, announcer, and agent -- via the Birmingham Mail. In 2009, he was told he had three months to live. Two months later, they told him they were wrong. He's actually dead this time, though.
Albert Hofmann
Chemist; inventor of LSD; first synthesizer of psilocybin -- via Wired. On April 19, 1943, Hofmann ingested 250 micrograms of acid and bicycled home -- what forever after would be remembered as "bicycle day."
For those of us of that pioneer pharmaceutical era, LSD was a mixed bag -- very harmful if taken during unpleasant circumstances (like loud, crowded, chaotic rock concerts, which is where many people mistakenly took it) , or if not mentally prepared to become blissfully unhinged for quite a stretch of time. However, when taken in a calm and prepared manner, it could be quite entertaining and enlightening -- although the profound notes one took whilst tripping balls usually didn't hold up in the light of sober reality. Ultimately, an interesting interdimensional experience that can help individual consciousness to evolve. Thanks, doc!
“LSD wanted to tell me something. It gave me an inner joy, an open mindedness, a gratefulness, open eyes and an internal sensitivity for the miracles of creation.”
For those of us of that pioneer pharmaceutical era, LSD was a mixed bag -- very harmful if taken during unpleasant circumstances (like loud, crowded, chaotic rock concerts, which is where many people mistakenly took it) , or if not mentally prepared to become blissfully unhinged for quite a stretch of time. However, when taken in a calm and prepared manner, it could be quite entertaining and enlightening -- although the profound notes one took whilst tripping balls usually didn't hold up in the light of sober reality. Ultimately, an interesting interdimensional experience that can help individual consciousness to evolve. Thanks, doc!
“LSD wanted to tell me something. It gave me an inner joy, an open mindedness, a gratefulness, open eyes and an internal sensitivity for the miracles of creation.”
Marcel Vercoutere
Special effects and makeup artist -- via Deadline. Worked on a number of good films -- highlight for him was his work on "The Exorcist."
Dean Drummond
Composer, arranger, conductor, and musician -- via the New York Times. A follower of microtonal composer Harry Partch, and conservator of his music and instruments.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Robert Edwards
Nobel Prize-winning physiologist who made in vitro fertilization possible -- via the New York Times.
Friday, April 26, 2013
George Jones
One of the all-time great country crooners -- via the New York Times. Like his contemporaries -- Cash, Jennings, Haggard -- he was plagued by demons, and fought a battle with booze and drugs to a day-to-day draw in his last decade. His ability to inhabit his songs, to express the emotions and convey country's stories, was unparalleled. 14 #1 hits. 14.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Richard Brooker
Stuntman and actor -- via dreadcentral.com. The first to wear the hockey mask as the iconic killer Jason in "Friday the 13th Part III."
Andy Johns
Sound engineer -- via the Guardian. A genius who put together many classic albums, inlcuding Zeppelin's fourth, and "Exile on Main Street." Nice.
Piero de Palma
Tenor; one of the great comprimarios -- a master of supporting roles. He had about 200 at his command, and appears on more than 150 recordings. Via Opera Click.
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