obits
Toots Hibbert, Toots and the Maytals Singer, Dies at 77
Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert, the ska and reggae legend who led Toots and the Maytals, has died at the age of 77. A statement from Hibbert’s family that was posted on his social media confirmed his death. “It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica,” his family announced through the band’s official social media channels Friday night. It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica… pic.twitter.com/zOb6yRpJ7n — Toots & The Maytals (@tootsmayta...
Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell, Kool & the Gang Co-Founder, Dies at 68
Ronald “Khalis” Bell, a co-founder of Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 68. According to a statement from Bell’s publicist, the musician died “suddenly” at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. No cause of death was revealed. Born on Nov. 1, 1951, Bell, along with his brother Robert “Kool” Bell, formed a band with their pals Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith in 1964. Initially known as the Jazziacs, the group went through several name changes before settling on Kool & the Gang in 1969. The group is known for blending elements of funk, soul, R&B and pop into their sound. Bell wrote and produced a number of the Grammy Award-winning band’s most popular songs, including “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” ...
Riley Gale, Power Trip Singer, Dies at 34
Riley Gale, the singer for thrash metal outfit Power Trip, has died. The band announced the news in a letter, saying that Gale died on Monday night. “It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night,” the statement said. “Riley was a friend, a brother, a son. Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend. He touched so many lives through his lyrics and through his huge heart. He treated everyone he met as a friend and he always took care of his friends. We will celebrate Riley’s life and never forget the great works of music, charity, and love that he left behind. You, the fans, meant so much to him, please know how special you are. If you have a memory of Riley please share it, no matter how...
Jack Sherman, Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist, Dies at 64
Jack Sherman, who was the second guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has died at the age of 64. The band confirmed the news in a post on their Instagram account. “We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed. Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA. He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between,” the statement read. Born on Jan. 18, 1956, Sherman played on the band’s self-titled debut album after replacing original guitarist Hillel Slovak. He only appeared on that album and the band’s first tour before being replaced by Slovak in 1985, though Sherman did write some of the material that ended up on the Chili Peppers’ second album, Freaky Styley. He — along w...
Herman Cain Dies After Battle With COVID-19
Source: Carrie Devorah / WENN / WENN Herman Cain, a former Republican presidential candidate, and business executive lost his battle with the COVID-19 virus. Cain was recently seen at a campaign rally with President Donald Trump and was hospitalized at the top of the month. According to a statement issued by Cain’s website editor Dan Calabrese, Cain passed away Thursday morning (July 30) after entering an Atlanta hospital on July 1 with a diagnosis of the novel coronavirus. Cain, a survivor of stage 4 colon cancer, was last seen in public at the Tulsa, Okla. rally held by Trump to kick off his reelection campaign. In several photos, Cain was pictured alongside others and in close contact without wearing a mask. From Calabrese: You’re never ready for the kind of news we are grappling with t...
Peter Green, Original Fleetwood Mac Guitarist, Dies at 73
Peter Green, the original guitarist for Fleetwood Mac, has died at the age of 73. A rep on behalf of Green’s family confirmed the news in a statement to the BBC. “It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announces his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep. A further statement will be provided in the coming days,” the statement read according to the BBC. Green formed the band with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967. He left the band in 1970 as he battled mental health issues and drug issues. Later that decade, Green spent time in a hospital after being diagnosed with schizophrenia. “For me, and every past and present member of Fleetwood Mac, losing Peter Green is monumental!” Fleetwood wrote in a statement about Green’s death. “Peter was the man who started the band Fl...
Milton Glaser, Designer Of “I Love NY” Logo, Dead At 91
Source: picture alliance / Getty Milton Glaser, a graphic designer responsible for the iconic “I Love NY” logo, has died. Mr. Glaser was also behind several logos and art, including the log for DC Comics among other works. TMZ reports that Glaser died Friday, (July 26), his 91st birthday by way of a stroke and renal failure according to still developing reports. From Glaser’s bio section from his website: Milton Glaser (b.1929) is among the most celebrated graphic designers in the United States. He has had the distinction of one-man-shows at the Museum of Modern Art and the Georges Pompidou Center. He was selected for the lifetime achievement award of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (2004) and the Fulbright Association (2011), and in 2009 he was the first graphic designer to recei...
Journalist & Writer Jas Waters Passes Away At 39
Source: Jas Fly / Twitter The entertainment world is joined together with hearts heavy after news that one of their own has passed away. The news of Jas Waters and her passing made its round on social media before it was officially confirmed on Wednesday (June 10). Rain Management Group confirmed Waters’ passing via Twitter in a statement accompanied by an image of the celebrated writer. “It is with extremely heavy hearts that all of us at RMG mourn the life of our client & friend, Jas Waters. Jas was a talented & gifted writer, an amazing person, & a sweet soul who will be forever missed. Though she is no longer with us, her impact will be felt for years to come,” read the caption for the tweet. It is with extremely heavy hearts that all of us at RMG mourn the life of our clie...
Steve Priest, The Sweet Bassist, Dies at 72
Steve Priest, the bassist of British glam rock band the sweet, has died. He was 72. The band confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Thursday. “Then there was one! I am in pieces right now. Steve Priest has passed away,” Andy Scott, the band’s other original member, said in a statement. “His wife Maureen and I have kept in contact and though his health was failing I never envisaged this moment. Never. My thoughts are with his family x.” Priest joined the band in 1968 and performed with them until their 1982 split. The band’s biggest hit is “The Ballroom Blitz,” which has been covered many times over the years. His name was called out to kick off the song. Prior to his death, he’d been performing with Steve Priest’s Sweet. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, three daughters, Lisa, Da...
Bucky Baxter, Bob Dylan and R.E.M. Pedal-Steel Guitarist, Dies at 65
Bucky Baxter, the multi-instrumentalist who played pedal-steel guitar with Bob Dylan in the 1990s, has died at the age of 65. His son, Rayland Baxter, confirmed the news in an Instagram post. No cause of death has been given and Baxter died on May 25. “He is my everything and now he is an angel. My heart is broken yet I am blinded by joy,” Rayland Baxter wrote. Born in Melbourne, Florida, Baxter was based in New Jersey and was known primarily for his pedal-steel work. He performed with Dylan in the 1990s on his Unplugged and Time Out of Mind albums. He was also part of his touring band during this time as well. Baxter also played on R.E.M.‘s Green, Steve Earle’s Guitar Town, Exit 0 and Copperhead Road and Beastie Boys’ Mike D.‘s Country Mik...
Steven ‘Thee Slayer Hippy’ Hanford, Former Drummer for Poison Idea, Dies at 50
Steven “Thee Hippy” Hanford, the drummer for bands like Poison Idea, Fetish and Accüsed A.D., has died at the age of 50. Fetish’s label, Blackhouse Records, confirmed the news of Hanford’s death. “The world just lost a pretty amazing person today. Unreal,” the label said in an Instagram post. “Steve’s larger than life personality, let alone his drumming and producing work over the years was something of legend, unforgettable and historic to say the very least.” A GoFundMe has been set up for Hanford’s family. In the post, it said that the cause of Hanford’s death due to a heart attack. Best known for his work in Poison Idea, Hanford joined the band in 1987 ahead of their second album before leaving at the beginning of the century. In 2008, Hanford was sentenced to seven-and-a-half yea...
Veteran Actor & ‘Seinfeld’ Star Jerry Stiller Dead At 92
Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty Jerry Stiller stole the hearts and got big laughs as Frank Constanza on the hit sitcom Seinfeld and was in a comedy duo with his wife, Anne Meara. Their son, actor Ben Stiller, confirmed via Twitter that the elder Stiller died of natural causes on Monday (May 11). Ben Stiller’s tweet briefly explained the situation and honored his father in a quiet way, complete with a picture of him to accompany the message. “I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad,” Stiller wrote of his father. Jerry Stiller’s career began after leaving Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in Speech and ...
