Child actor -- via Digital Spy UK. AKA Karl Wentzlaff. He pestered Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," annoyed Clifton Webb in "Mister Scoutmaster," and traded quips with Cary Grant in "Monkey Business." His one starring vehicle was "The Rocket Man."
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.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Gunther Schuller
Composer, conductor, writer, and teacher -- via the New York Times. A gifted musician who moved into composing and conducting. He was adept in both classical and jazz, and advocated a Third Stream movement that combined the best of both. This wound up happening primarily inside his own compositions, but he was a catalyst for the cross-pollination that enriches cultures. He ran Tanglewood for a while; his GM Recordings put a lot of good music out that might never have been heard otherwise.
Laura Antonelli
Actress -- via ANSA. AKA Laura Antonaz. Known primarily for her sexual allure in films, and despite her tragic personal life, she could act, conveying character in films that often weren't up to par. Part of the brief wave of sophisticated European erotic that vanished when cheaper cable-TV imitators churned out product.
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Earl Norem
Illustrator -- via Facebook. He worked across a vast array of media -- magazines, comic books, trading cards, murals, program covers, movie posters and the like.
Chang Ch'ung-ho
Poet, educator, opera singer, and calligrapher -- via book.ifeng.com. AKA Ch'ung-ho Frankel.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Harold Battiste
Composer, label founder, arranger, saxophonist, pianist, music producer, and educator -- via the L.A. Times . He arranged "You Send Me" for Sam Cooke; founded AFO Records, the first African American artist-owned label. They produced Barbara George's "I Know," and Ellis Marsalis's first album. He worked on "Ya Ya," "You Talk Too Much," and "I Got You Babe" (he worked with Sonny and Cher for 15 years). You can even hear his piano of the early Tom Waits album "Blue Valentine." He discovered Dr. John.
His crisp, simple, tasteful settings that support the music are a model for future music producers. And who else would have put an oboe in "I Got You Babe" and have it make the song? That's a heck of a lot of good music he sent our way.
His crisp, simple, tasteful settings that support the music are a model for future music producers. And who else would have put an oboe in "I Got You Babe" and have it make the song? That's a heck of a lot of good music he sent our way.
Wendell Holmes
Vocalist, guitarist, pianist, and songwriter -- via Billboard. A guy who could and did play just about anything, with his brother Sherman and drummer Popsy Dixon as the Holmes Brothers. Great makers of inspirational music! Soul music was derived from gospel -- the Brothers weren't afraid to use the complete arsenal of sul, blues, and funk technique to create a rich, propulsive Christian music.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Jack Rollins
Comedy manager and film producer -- via the New York Times. AKA Jacob Rabinowitz. Key to the careers of talent such as Woody Allen, Harry Belafonte, Nichols and May, Letterman, and Robin Williams.
Julie Kirkham
Film producer -- via the Hollywood Reporter. An important developer of screenwriters, including Zallian, Shelton, Jordan Roberts, and W. Blake Herron.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Hugo Blanco
Musician and composer -- via El Tiempo. Noted for his "Moliendo Cafe," which morphed into the popular soccer chant "Dale Cavese."
Graham Lord
Journalist, novelist, editor, and biographer -- via the Telegraph. Also invented the short-lived but brilliant Sunday Express Book of the Year competition, an "anti-Booker" that rewarded READABLE novels.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
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