Obituary
Andy Williams, Former Casting Crowns Drummer, Dies After Motorcycle Accident
“We can’t thank you enough for your prayers, support, and unending love,” the post said. “You have walked with us through this very difficult journey and we felt you there the entire way. We love you so much and we thank you for the support. At this time the family has requested that you respect their time together and allow them to receive some much needed rest. Please hold off on reaching out with texts and phone calls for a few days.” Casting Crowns first told fans of Williams’ accident on June 27, when they wrote, “Our friend & former drummer, Andy Williams, was in a motorcycle accident this morning and really need your prayers!” On Friday, the group posted a video of Williams drumming as a tribute to their late bandmate. “We love you...
R.I.P. William Smith, Hawaii Five-O; Rich Man, Poor Man Actor Dead at 88
William Smith, the veteran actor best known for starring in the 1976 TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and the original Hawaii Five-O has died. He was 88 years old. According to a report by Deadline, the late actor’s wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed he had passed away July 5th at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. However, no cause of death was given publicly. Born in Columbia, Missouri on March 24th, 1933, Smith kicked off his career on screen at the young age of eight, appearing as a child actor in 1942’s The Ghost of Frankenstein, 1943’s The Song of Bernadette, and the 1944 classic Meet Me in St. Louis opposite Judy Garland. Related Video During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Russian Intercept Interrog...
R.I.P. Robert Downey Sr., Filmmaker and Father of Robert Downey Jr., Dead at 85
Robert Downey Sr., the accomplished underground filmmaker, actor, and father of Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr., has died at the age of 85. His son confirmed the news on Instagram, noting that his father passed away “peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s” on Wednesday. Downey Jr. also called his late dad “a maverick filmmaker” who “remained remarkably optimistic throughout.” “Maverick” well describes Downey Sr.’s early career. The auteur filmmaker began directing, producing, and writing cult underground movies in the 60s marked with his uncompromising vision and left-field humor. Projects like 1969’s Putney Swope, a corporate satire that saw a Black board takeover an white-run advertising company, and 1970’s Pound, which saw human actors playing an...
Uriah Heep Singer John Lawton Dies at 74
He joined Heep in 1976 in time to appear on their 10th studio album, 1976’s Firefly, replacing original lead singer David Byron, as well as 1977’s harder-edged Innocent Victim, which featured the easy-rockin’ AM-radio single “Free.” Lawton’s final studio recording with UH was 1978’s smoother Fallen Angel, followed by the Live in Europe ’79 concert album. Following his run in UH, Lawton continued to perform with other bands, including Rebel and GunHill (which later changed its name to the John Lawton Band) and former Heep producer/songwriter Ken Hensley in the Hensley Lawton Band. He also briefly re-joined Heep in 2013 for two weeks during a European tour to fill-in for ailing vocalist Bernie Shaw, released a handful of solo albums and dabbled...
Raffaella Carra, Iconic Italian Entertainer, Dies at 78
With often sexy costumes — daring by state TV standards in a country where the Vatican wields considerable influence — Carrà also was credited with helping Italian women be more confident with their bodies and their sexuality, once even baring her belly button during a TV performance. But she could also be devastatingly classy in her dress and manners. The La Repubblica newspaper wrote that she managed to pull off being provocative but still familiar and reassuring to millions of TV viewers. She also was considered an icon for gay fans due to her joyful performances. Her trademark bouncy, blond haircut and bangs — dubbed the helmet look — were imitated by many fans. TV magnate Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian premier, mourned Carrà’s passing, calling her “one of the symbols of Italian...
R.I.P. Richard Donner, Legendary Superman, The Goonies Director Dead at 91
Richard Donner, the beloved filmmaker who brought new meaning to the Hollywood blockbuster with films like Superman, The Goonies, and the Lethal Weapon franchise, has died. He was 91 years old. According to his wife, producer Lauren Schuler Donner, and his business manager, Donner passed away on Monday, July 5th (via Deadline). Donner’s seven-decade career began in television, where he directed episodes of a number of classic series including Gilligan’s Island, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, Get Smart, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Route 66, Perry Mason, and The Wild Wild West. He transitioned to features with the 1968 Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford starrer Salt and Pepper, a crime comedy that somewhat foreshadowed his future creation of Lethal Weapon. Related Video Followin...
R.I.P. Bryan St. Pere, Hum Drummer Dead at 52
Bryan St. Pere, the drummer for the massively influential shoegaze and alt-rock band Hum, has died. He was 52 years old. His bandmates confirmed the news in a statement earlier today, writing, “It is with very heavy hearts and tear filled eyes that we share the news that our beloved friend and bandmate, Bryan St. Pere, has passed away. We are devastated and deeply saddened by his sudden, and unexpected passing. Bryan was a dear friend, a loving father, brother, and was an incredible person and musician. We all feel extremely lucky to have shared time and space with him. Peace and love to all who knew Bryan, and those he touched. We will miss him dearly.” At an early age, St. Pere was drawn to the drums and decided to start playing the instrument after falling in love with Rush, particularl...
Johnny Solinger, Ex-Singer With Skid Row, Dies at 55
Solinger’s death was confirmed in a statement posted on the band’s official social pages. “We are saddened to hear the news of our brother Johnny Solinger,” the message reads. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans. Godspeed Singo. Say hello to Scrappy for us.” With Skid Row, Solinger cut four albums, including 2003’s Thickskin and 2006’s Revolutions Per Minute, and he released a handful of solo albums in the noughts, including 2008’s Johnny Solinger. In 2014, Solinger revisited his country roots on Scrappy Smith, an album that pays tribute to his grandfather Willard Jesse “Scrappy” Smith who introduced the young rocker to many of the classic sounds in country music. “I was born in Russellville, Arkansas, which is right off of Crow Mountain,” Solin...
Justin Cosby, Co-Founder of Australia’s Inertia Music, Dies at 50
There are no further details available as to the cause of his death. As the sad news spread, Australia’s music community turned to social media to remember a top-notch music man with a gentle nature. “I’m just shocked to hear of the passing of beautiful Justin Cosby,” wrote indie-pop singer and songwriter Holiday Sidewinder. “He signed me when I was 16 and was truly a pleasure to work, a special soul and emotionally intuitive. I’ll never forget him crying at one of my shows because he was so moved…” She continued, “He often popped into my parents house to have a cup of tea and give me new records to listen to. He was one of the good guys in a very lecherous industry, and made me feel safe and respected as a musician. RIP beautiful man.” Justin was “highly regarded by the Austra...
R.I.P. Johnny Solinger, Ex-Skid Row Singer Dies at 55
Johnny Solinger, the longest tenured singer of Skid Row, died Saturday (June 26th) at the age of 55. The rock vocalist had announced that he was suffering from liver failure in May. A statement from Skid Row read, “We are saddened to hear the news of our brother Johnny Solinger. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans. Godspeed Singo. Say hello to Scrappy for us.” Solinger became Skid Row’s singer when the when the multiplatinum rock band re-formed in 1999 without vocalist Sebastian Bach following their 1996 breakup. He recorded two studio albums (2003’s Thickskin and 2006’s Revolutions Per Minute) and two EPs (United World Rebellion: Chapter 1 and Rise of the Damnation Army – United World Rebellion: Chapter Two) with Skid Row before being fired from the group in 2015. Related V...
R.I.P. Gift of Gab, Blackalicious Rapper Dead at 50
Gift of Gab, who set a new standard for tongue-twisting lyricism as part of hip-hop duo Blackalicious, has died at 50. The artist also known as Timothy J. Parker passed away on June 18th. His exact cause of death has not been released publicly, though a statement from his family and crew noted that he had been diagnosed with kidney failure in 2014. He was undergoing dialysis three to four times a week even while on tour, and successfully received a new kidney in 2020. Born October 7th, 1971, Gift of Gab became a fixture in the Sacramento rap scene in the early 1990s. But with the formation of Blackalicious alongside DJ Chief Xcel (aka Xavier Mosley), he would change the trajectory of hip-hop forever. The pair’s first two albums, 1999’s Nia and 2002’s Blazing Arrow, ...
R.I.P. John Paragon, Actor Who Played Jambi the Genie on Pee-wee’s Playhouse Dead at 66
John Paragon, the actor best known for playing Jambi the Genie on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, has died at the age of 66. According to TMZ, Paragon passed away back in April, but a cause of death has not yet been determined by the Riverside County Coroner. Paragon got his start in the Los Angeles-based improv comedy group The Groundlings alongside future Pee-Wee Herman star Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman. Related Video Though Paragon had a brief cameo in the 1985 motion picture Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, he’ll undoubtedly most be remembered by fans for his reoccurring role as Jambi the Genie on the Saturday morning TV series Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Paragon also voiced the character Pterri the Pterodactyl, and wrote several of the show’s episodes, including Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Christmas Special, wh...
