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.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Owen "Boomer" Castleman
Songwriter, guitarist, and singer; inventor of the Palm Pedal -- via the Fort Worth Weekly. Wrot some good songs, including "What Am I Doin' Hanging Around?", "Judy Mae," "Boy from the Country," and "Fort Worth, I Love You."
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Dean Jones
Actor and singer -- via Deadline. Irrevocably thought of as the epitome of the Disney live-action comedy hero. In films that included "That Darn Cat!", "Blackbeard's Ghost," "The Ugly Dachsund," "The Love Bug" and its sequels, and other such hilarity. He could do a lot; he opened the orginal production of "Company" as the central character of Bobby, a role he excelled at.
Joy Beverley
Singer; one of the three Beverley sisters -- via the BBC. AKA Joycelyn V. Chinery. She and sisters Babs and Teddie sang with Glenn Miller, had their own TV show in England, and cracked top 10 in America.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Wes Craven
Film director, writer, producer, and actor; a master of horror; creator of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Scream" franchises -- via the Hollywood Reporter. A genius of the horror genre, Craven created some of the most shocking and unforgettable films in recent American history, starting with the graphically violent, transgressive, and nihilistic "Last House on the Left" in 1971(meant in part as an homage to Bergman's "The Virgin Spring"). Besides, his lucrative franchises, he explored more taboos with lesser-regarded films such as "The Hills Have Eyes," "The Serpent and the Rainbow," and "The People Under the Stairs."
Oliver Sacks
Neurologist and author -- via the New York Times. Sacks was a profoundly gifted writer, who could convey information and truth concerning subjects that normally defy description. Issues of mental function, perception, cognition, inheirited traits, twins, music and the brain, memory -- all these topics were illuminated with a clear and engaging style. He humanizes these medical topics by telling us abut them through stories about the people changed or challenged by them.
I find it odd that the obit should mention some objections to his writing as exploiting his patients. I think he bent over backwards to respect them and convey their experience to us -- one of the most difficult and important tasks a writer can do. Just goes to show you can't please everyone -- nor should you try.
I find it odd that the obit should mention some objections to his writing as exploiting his patients. I think he bent over backwards to respect them and convey their experience to us -- one of the most difficult and important tasks a writer can do. Just goes to show you can't please everyone -- nor should you try.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Louis Paul
Singer, guitarist; co-founder of Memphis '60s garage-band legend the Guilloteens -- via the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
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