Obituary
Jon Zazula, Megaforce Records Co-Founder Who Discovered Metallica, Dies at 69
Jon Zazula, co-founder of the influential metal label Megaforce Records, has died. He was 69. Alongside his wife and Megaforce co-founder Marsha Zazula, who died last January, Zazula was instrumental in launching the burgeoning thrash-metal subgenre that exploded into the culture in the mid-to-early 1980s. Through Megaforce, the couple put out early records by pivotal bands including Anthrax, Testament, Overkill and future mainstream superstars Metallica, whose first two albums — triple-platinum Kill ‘Em All and six-times platinum Ride the Lightning — were released by the label in the first half of the decade. “The world of rock and metal would not be what it is today without Jon Zazula,” wrote Megaforce Records in a tweet on Tuesday announcing his death. “Jon’s love of music and musicians...
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins, Country Hall of Fame Member Who Played With George Jones, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan & More, Dies at 84
Hargus “Pig” Robbins, a Country Music Hall of Fame member and renowned session pianist who played with the likes of George Jones, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and many more, has died. He was 84. Robbins passed away on Sunday (Jan. 30), the Country Music Hall of Fame confirmed. In a statement from the Country Music Association, CEO Sarah Trahern wrote, “Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins was a defining sound for so much of the historic music out of Nashville. His talent spoke for itself through his decades-spanning career and work as a session pianist with countless artists across genres. Our hearts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said, “Like all successful session musicians, Pig Robbins was quick to adapt to any studio ...
Cheslie Kryst, ‘Extra’ Correspondent and Former Miss USA, Dies at 30
Cheslie Kryst, an Extra correspondent and former Miss USA, has died. She was 30. Her family confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday. A cause of death was not provided by them, but the New York Police Department confirmed to THR that it was a death by suicide. Kryst’s body was found at 7:05 a.m. Sunday, on the sidewalk outside the Orion Condominium building, where she was a resident, in Manhattan. “In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie,” the statement read. “Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined. Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as...
R.I.P. Howard Hesseman, “Dr. Johnny Fever” from WKRP in Cincinnati Dead at 81
Howard Hesseman, the veteran comedy actor known for his roles on WKRP in Cincinnati and Head of the Class, has died at the age of 81. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hesseman died Saturday, January 29th, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles due to complications from colon surgery he first had last summer. Hesseman will likely best be remembered for his role as the anti-disco disc jockey “Dr. Johnny Fever” on WKRP in Cincinnati. A former radio DJ in his early years, Hesseman was cast on the show as a last-minute replacement for Richard Libertini. “He just stepped in and killed it. He knew exactly what he was doing,” recalled WKRP in Cincinnati director Jay Sandrich in an interview from 2001. For his portrayal of Johnny Fever, Hesseman was twice nominated for a Primetim...
R.I.P. Peter Robbins, Original Voice of Charlie Brown Dead at 65
Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown, has died at the age of 65. According to FOX 5 San Diego, Robbins took his own life last week. As a child, Robbins voiced Charlie Brown in six Peanuts television specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, as well as in the 1969 feature film, A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Robbins was replaced as the voice of Charlie Brown in 1970, but Peanuts continued to use a recording of his “AUGH!!” scream in later specials. Related Video At the age of 16, Robbins retired from the entertainment industry. As an adult, he worked in real estate and hosted a talk radio program. Advertisement Robbins suffered from bipolar disorder, and was sentenced to prison in 2015 for making criminal threats. In an interview with...
Bobbe ‘Beegie’ Adair, Jazz Pianist, Dies at 84
Jazz pianist, session musician and bandleader Bobbe Long “Beegie” Adair, who played on over 100 records throughout her six-decade career, has died. She was 84. Her manager, Monica Ramey, said Adair died Sunday in Franklin, Tenn. A cause of death was not immediately released. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Adair, raised in Cave City, Ky., began playing at age 5, attended college in Kentucky, and then moved to Nashville to work in the city’s music scene in the 1960s. She worked as a musician on Johnny Cash’s TV show and Ralph Emery’s TV show, as well as on albums by Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Chet Atkins and many more. She started her own commercial jingle company with her husband and started recording with her own bands. She released 35 albums with her trio of bassist Roger Spenc...
Thierry Mugler, Avant-Garde French Fashion Designer, Dies at 73
Manfred Thierry Mugler, the avant-garde French fashion designer famed for his extravagant runway shows and for dressing the likes of Grace Jones, Demi Moore, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Celine Dion, has died. He was 73. The Mugler brand’s official Instagram account revealed the designer’s death on Sunday (Jan. 23). “#RIP. We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23rd 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace,” said the caption to the post. His agent told AFP that Mugler had died of “natural causes,” and was planning on announcing new collaborations this week. Breaking into the French fashion scene in the 1970s, Mugler became one of the dominant names in the industry by the 1980s. His bold and sexually confident clothes with powerful silhouettes...
Don Wilson, Guitarist & Co-Founder of The Ventures, Dies at 88
Don Wilson, co-founder and rhythm guitarist of the instrumental guitar band The Ventures, has died. He was 88. Wilson died Saturday (Jan. 22) in Tacoma, Wash., of natural causes, surrounded by his four children, The News Tribune reported. The band’s hits included “Walk, Don’t Run,” and the theme song for Hawaii Five-O. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. “Our dad was an amazing rhythm guitar player who touched people all over world with his band, The Ventures,” son Tim Wilson said in a statement. “He will have his place in history forever and was much loved and appreciated. He will be missed.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the 1960s and early 1970s, 38 of the band’s albums charted in the United States. The Ventu...
Sidney Miller, Pioneering ‘Black Radio Exclusive’ Publisher, Dies at 89
Sidney Miller, founder and publisher of Black Radio Exclusive (BRE) — one of the industry’s first Black music trade magazines — died Thursday in Arlington, Virginia, following a long illness. He was 89. Miller invested his savings and sold his house and car to pursue his dream of establishing a publication specifically targeting the Black music market. Launched in 1976, BRE became a pivotal force in underscoring the importance of Black radio and promoting the cultural and commercial impact of Black artists and Black music in the contemporary music arena. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news BRE’s success also spawned what became a popular industry staple, the BRE Convention. The annual event attracted key national and international music executives ...
Rosa Lee Hawkins, Singer of The Dixie Cups, Dies at 76
The Dixie Cups, a New Orleans girl group, did not want to sing “Chapel of Love.” “It sounded like a country song, OK?” the trio told the Brill Building professionals who’d written the tune. “We asked them could we do it like we wanted to. And they said, ‘Sure,’” Rosa Lee Hawkins, one of the group’s singers, who died on Tuesday (Jan. 11) at age 76, recalled to the Arizona Republic last year. “So we rehearsed it in a little corner, just the three of us, not the piano. And we came up with the version they released.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Chapel of Love,” written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich (with a songwriting credit to the late producer Phil Spector), hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964, displacing The Beatles’ “Love ...
Jon Lind, Grammy-Nominated Songwriter, Dies at 73
Jon Lind, who co-wrote such hits as Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland,” Madonna’s “Crazy For You” and Vanessa Williams’ “Save the Best for Last,” died on Saturday (Jan. 15) following a two-year cancer battle. He was 73. “The songwriting community lost a great songwriter and a beautiful soul in Jon Lind, who leaves a legacy of iconic songs both as a songwriter and supremely talented A&R man,” ASCAP said in a statement. “The ASCAP family mourns his loss but his humor, his music and his wonderfully generous spirit live in our hearts.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news While still a teenager, the Brooklyn native started as a folk singer, sharing stages with Judy Collins, Harry Chapin, Tom Paxton and other legendary artists. While at New...
Detroit Cobras Singer Rachel Nagy Has Died
Rachel Nagy, the force-of-nature singer and founding member of The Detroit Cobras, the Michigan garage rock outfit, has died. Bandmate Greg Cartwright broke the sad news on Saturday (Jan. 17) via Detroit Cobras’ social channels. “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved friend and musical colleague, Rachel Lee Nagy,” he writes. “There are no words to fully articulate our grief as we remember a life cut short, still vital and inspirational to all who knew and loved her.” No cause of death was given. Nagy co-founded Detroit Cobras back in 1994 with guitarist Mary Ramirez, and “carried the torch of rock, soul and R&B to fans all over the world,” adds Cartwright. “More than just a performer, she embodied the spirit of the music itself and vaulted ...
