Obituary
R.I.P. John Madden, Legendary NFL Coach and Broadcaster Dead at 85
John Madden, the legendary NFL coach, television broadcaster, and namesake of the popular football video game franchise, has died at the age of 85. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the NFL said Madden passed away “unexpectedly” earlier in the day. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Madden coached the Oakland Raiders between 1969 and 1978. Under his tenure, the Raiders went to the playoffs nine times and won Super Bowl XI in 1977. In 2016, Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments with the Raiders. Advertisement Related Video In 1979, Madden transitioned into television as a color commentator and analyst. Over the course of his four decade career as a broadcaster, Madden worked for all four major television networks,...
R.I.P. Jean-Marc Vallée, Dallas Buyers Club and Big Little Lies Director Dead at 58
Jean-Marc Vallée, the Canadian filmmaker behind films such as Dallas Buyers Club and Wild, as well as the HBO series Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects, has died at the age of 58. Vallée died suddenly over the weekend in his cabin near Quebec City, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His cause of death was not immediately disclosed. In a statement announcing his passing, Vallée’s longtime producer partner Nathan Ross wrote, “Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and trying things differently. He was a true artist and a generous, loving guy. Everyone who worked with him couldn’t help but see the talent and vision he possessed. He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me. The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work ...
J.D. Crowe, Influential Bluegrass Musician, Dies at 84
Grammy-winning bluegrass musician J.D. Crowe, whose influential career spanned more than 50 years, has died. He was 84. His son, David, confirmed the death on Saturday (Dec. 25) to The Associated Press. “We just want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. As great of a musician as dad was, he was even better husband, father and friend,” David said in a brief message. Crowe died Friday of undisclosed causes, the family earlier announced via Facebook. Explore Explore J.D. Crowe See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Born James Dee Crowe in 1937, his career included stints with Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys, Mac Wiseman and his own band, the Kentucky Mountain Boys, which later became the New South. According to the Blue...
Harvey Evans, Actor in Original Broadway Shows ‘West Side Story,’ ‘Hello Dolly!’ & More, Dies at 80
Harvey Evans, an actor, singer and dancer who had a knack for landing roles in the original Broadway productions of such classics as West Side Story, Follies, Hello, Dolly! and Gypsy, has died. He was 80. Evans died Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, said Lawrence Leritz, a friend and Broadway actor, dancer, singer, producer and director. “He was dearly loved by the Broadway community. Very kind, embracing, funny and always had a smile on his face. I can never remember not being hugged by this loving man,” Leritz said. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Evans was rarely cast in leading Broadway roles but found a place in timeless shows. He starred opposite Angela Lansbury in Anyone Can Whistle and played Barnaby in Hello, Dolly! opposite Carol...
R.I.P. Billy Conway, Morphine Drummer Dead at 65
Billy Conway, the drummer best known for his work in the jazz rock band Morphine and Boston group Treat Her Right, has died at the age of 65 from cancer. Vapors of Morphine, with whom Conway often played as a guest, shared the news on social media. “We are devastated to learn that our brother, Morphine drummer Billy Conway, has passed, finally succumbing to cancer after a long fight,” the group wrote. “Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends.” Conway’s friend and bandmate Jeffrey Foucault confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. “Billy Conway was one of the best drummers America produced in the second half of the twentieth century,” Foucault said in a statement. “With his uncanny empathy and sensitivity, his dedication to simplicity and restraint, and his impossible spiritual pow...
R.I.P. Carlos Marín, Il Divo Singer Dead at 53
Carlos Marín, one-quarter of the multi-national vocal group Il Divo, has died at the age of 53. The surviving members of the quartet announced the news on Twitter. “It is with heavy hearts that we are letting you know that our friend and partner, Carlos Marin, has passed away,” the group wrote. “He will be missed by his friends, family and fans. There wiIl never be another voice or spirit like Carlos.” The statement continued: “For 17 years the four of us have been on this incredible journey of Il Divo together, and we will miss our dear friend. We hope and pray that his beautiful soul will rest in peace. With Love — David, Sebastien and Urs.” Advertisement Related Video Marín had been performing with fellow Il Divo members David Miller, Sébastien Izambard, and Urs Bühler in the UK until t...
Rapper Drakeo the Ruler Dies After Stabbing at Los Angeles Festival
Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler has died after being stabbed multiple times at a Los Angeles festival, a representative for the artist confirmed to Billboard. He was 28. The up-and-coming South Central rapper, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, was attacked at the Once Upon a Time in LA concert at Banc of California and Exposition Park on Saturday (Dec. 18), according to a Los Angeles Times report, which cites a person with direct knowledge of the assault who requested anonymity. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Once Upon a Time in LA organizers confirmed in an Instagram post that the event had been shuttered early without providing an explanation. The concert was expected to feature such artists as Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, YG and The Game. Margaret Stewart, a spokes...
Drakeo the Ruler Fatally Stabbed at Once Upon a Time in L.A. Festival
Drakeo the Ruler was fatally stabbed backstage at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. Festival in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The 28-year-old rapper was stabbed with a knife during an altercation that took place around 8:30 p.m. local time, according to TMZ. He was taken to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Following the incident, the remainder of Once Upon a Time in L.A. was canceled, including headlining sets from 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg. “There was an altercation in the roadway backstage. Out of respect for those involved and in coordination with local authorities, artists and organizers decided not to move forward with remaining sets so the festival was ended an hour early,” organizers said in a statement. Advertisement Related Video Drakeo had been scheduled to per...
UTFO’s Kangol Kid Dies After Battle With Cancer at 55
Kangol Kid, a member of the legendary hip-hop group UTFO, has died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 55. The family of Kangol Kid — whose real name is Shaun Shiller Fequiere — said in a statement that he died peacefully around 3 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 18) at a hospital in Manhasset, New York. He was diagnosed with cancer in February. Kid was known for often sporting the popular Kangol headwear and being a member of UTFO, which stands for Untouchable Force Organization. The four-member group was known for 1980s hits including “Roxanne, Roxanne” and “Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me.” Explore Explore UTFO See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Along with his hip-hop success, Kid became recognized for his efforts against breast cancer through the Mama Luke Foundatio...
Wanda Young, Singer of The Marvelettes, Dies at 78
Wanda Young, a member of the 1960s Motown group The Marvelettes, has died, Rolling Stone reports. She was 78. Young, who also performed under the name Wanda Rogers, was the lead vocalist on Marvelettes songs like “I’ll Keep Holding On” and “Don’t Mess With Bill.” Further details about her death were not available at press time. “We are so saddened by the news of Wanda Young of the Marvelettes passing,” Motown official Twitter account wrote on Thursday (Dec. 16). “What an impact she has had on the world of Classic Motown and the lives of so many. Her legacy will continue to live on.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news We are so saddened by the news of Wanda Young of the Marvelettes passing. What an impact she has had on the world of Classic Motown ...
R.I.P. Leonard “Hub” Hubbard, Longtime Bassist of The Roots Dead at 62
Leonard “Hub” Hubbard, the bass player known for his work in The Roots, has died at the age of 62. His wife, Stephanie, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he died of multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Hubbard was first diagnosed with the disease in 2007 and had been in remission until last month. “It happened quickly,” his wife told the local Action News station. “He didn’t suffer a lot.” Raised in West Philadelphia, Hubbard joined The Roots in 1992, back when they were called The Square Roots. Soon after, they dropped the “Square” from their name and released their first album, 1993’s Organix. Hubbard played on all of the band’s records, including 1995’s Do You Want More?!!!??!, 1999’s Things Fall Apart, and 2004’s The Tipping Point, until his departu...
R.I.P. Michael Nesmith, Co-Founder of The Monkees Dead at 78
Michael Nesmith, co-founding member, vocalist, and guitarist of The Monkees, has died at the age of 78. “With Infinite Love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family said in a statement. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.” According to a representative for the band, Nesmith passed away from heart failure. The Monkees formed in 1965 when television producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider recruited Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones to be in a sitcom of the same name. As Dolenz recalled, “The Monkees was a TV show about an imaginary band, a band that wanted ...
