Obituary
Edna Wright, Honey Cone Singer and Sister of Darlene Love, Dies
Edna Wright, best known as the lead singer of The Honey Cone, the girl group that went to No. 1 on the Hot 100 with the song “Want Ads” in 1971, has died. Wright’s sister, singer Darlene Love, confirmed the news of her passing with a statement posted on social media Saturday night (Sept. 12). “I’m in complete shock and so heartbroken by the sudden loss of my beautiful baby sister,” Love wrote on Facebook. “Please keep me and my family in your prayers during this very sad time for us.” “I didn’t just fall into The Honey Cone,” Wright said in an interview in 2019, speaking of her group with Carolyn Willis and Shelly Clark, formed in the late ’60s. “I dreamed of that. I watched Diana Ross. I watched Martha Reeves, and I s...
R.I.P. Toots Hibbert, Reggae Pioneer and Frontman of Toots & The Maytals Dies at 77
Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert, founder of the pioneering reggae group Toots & the Maytals, has died at the age of 77. Hibbert had been hospitalized in his native Kingston, Jamaica after contracting COVID-19. He passed away Friday, September 11th, surrounded by family, according to a statement. By incorporating elements of Jamaican ska and rocksteady alongside traditional gospel, soul, R&B, and rock & roll, Hibbert is widely credit as being one of the originators of the reggae genre. In fact, Toots & the Maytals’ 1968 single “Do the Reggay” was the first song to use the word “reggae” and would ultimately give the genre its name. In the early 1960s, Hibbert formed The Maytals alongside fellow vocalists Henry “Raleigh” Gordon and Nathaniel “Jerry” Mathias and i...
R.I.P. Kool & the Gang Founder Ronald Bell, Dead at 68
Ronald Bell, co-founder of the R&B, soul, and funk group Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 68. According to Universal Music, Bell passed away suddenly early Wednesday morning (Sept. 9th) at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The two-time Grammy Award-winning Kool & the Gang was formed in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964 by Ronald “Khalis” Bell, his brother Robert “Kool” Bell, Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West. Over the course of their five-decade career, the group has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and achieved 12 top ten singles in the US. Their songs filled the radio airwaves throughout the 1970s and ’80s, in addition to soundtracks for films like Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, and Pulp Fiction. Ronald is cre...
Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell, Co-Founder of Kool & the Gang, Dies at 68
Ronald Bell, also known as Khalis Bayyan and the co-founder of Kool & the Gang with his brother Robert “Kool” Bell, died suddenly Wednesday morning (Sept. 9) at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a statement from his publicist. He was 68. No cause of death has been announced at this time. Ronald Bell and his older brother Robert joined forces with their Jersey City neighborhood friends Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West in 1964 to whip up a unique blend of jazz, soul and funk. Their infamous band recycled many monikers — Jazziacs, The New Dimensions, The Soul Town Band, Kool & the Flames – before cementing themselves as Kool & the Gang in 1969. Born on N...
Bruce Williamson, Former Singer of The Temptations, Dies at 49
Bruce Williamson, the former lead singer of The Temptations, has died. He was 49. The singer passed away Sunday night (Sept. 6) at his home in Las Vegas after a battle with COVID-19, according to TMZ. Further details about his death were not available at press time. “There’s no words in the world that can express how I feel right now,” Williamson’s son, Bruce, wrote on Facebook. “I love you Daddy thank you for being awesome thank you for being loving thank you for being Who You Are I pray to God and we will meet again,”I love you Daddy R.I.H KING WILLIAMSON.” A native of Compton, Calif., Williamson joined The Temptations in 2006 and continued singing with the iconic Motown group until 2015. In addition to appearing with the act for concert and tele...
William Pursell, Grammy-Nominated Composer, Dies at 94
Pursell released “Our Winter Love” in 1963, which became one of Columbia’s biggest-selling recordings that year. William “Bill” Pursell, a Grammy-nominated composer and pianist famous for composing “Our Winter Love,” has died. He was 94. Pursell died Saturday afternoon (Sept. 5) in Nashville, Tennessee, after a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, according to a statement shared by his daughter, recording artist Laura Pursell. “Our hearts are shattered, our lives changed forever. Please send prayers for strength to my family. While in the hospital, my father became a Catholic, something that has never happened in the Vanderbilt COVID ward. He said his entire life now made sense. This gives us some measure of peace. We know how many lives he to...
R.I.P. Ian Mitchell, One-Time Member of Bay City Rollers Dies at 67
Ian Mitchell, one-time guitarist of the Scottish pop rock band Bay City Rollers, has died at the age of 67. Mitchell’s tenure in Bay City Rollers was brief, but consequential. He joined the band in early 1976 at the pinnacle of their fame. Just months earlier, their single “Saturday Night” went No. 1 in the US, which was followed soon after by a second top 10 hit in “Money Honey”. However, the success took a toll on founding bassist Alan Longmuir, who departed the band. Mitchell, then only 17, was tapped as his replacement. Mitchell joined Bay City Rollers in the studio as they recorded their 1976 album Dedication, playing rhythm guitar and singing leading vocals on the title track. The resulting album would provide the band with another hit single, as their cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I...
R.I.P. Erick Morillo, “I Like to Move It” DJ Dead at 49
Colombian-American DJ and producer Erick Morillo has died at the age of 49. TMZ reports that Morillo’s body was found on Tuesday morning (Sept. 1st) in Miami Beach, Florida. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation, according to Miami Beach police. Morillo was arrested in August after being accused of sexual battery by a woman who says Morillo made unwanted advances on her following a private DJ gig last December. Morillo denied the allegations, however after an examination tested positive for his DNA, he turned himself in to authorities (via Variety). He was due to appear in court this coming Friday. Morillo was born in New York City, but spent the early years of his life living in Colombia. His family eventually returned to the US and resided in...
R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther Actor Dies at 43
Actor Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43 following a four-year battle with colon cancer. According to a statement, Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and “battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV.” Boseman kept his diagnosis private up until his death. “He died in his home with his wife and family by his side,” the statements continues. “The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.” Boseman is best known playing Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in four films: the titular Black Panther, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: End Game. He also played Jackie Robinson in 42; James Brown in Get On Up; an...
R.I.P. Joe Ruby, Co-Creator of Scooby-Doo Dies at 87
Joe Ruby, co-creator of beloved animated characters including Scooby-Doo, has died of natural causes. Via Variety, he was 87 years old. Along with his writing partner Ken Spears, Ruby helped establish Hanna-Barbera’s voice and redefined Saturday morning cartoons. They created such beloved children’s series as Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, Dynomutt, Dog Wonder, Jabberjaw, The Barkleys, and The Houndcats. Later, Ruby-Spears Productions executive produced animated series like Superman, Mr. T., Alvin and the Chipmunks, Thundarr the Barbarian, and more. Born March 30th, 1933, Ruby began his career at Walt Disney, where he worked as an inbetweener: an assistant animator charged with drawing intermediate images between key frames. After a stint in the US Navy, Ruby eventually la...
Mike Noga, Solo Artist and Former Drummer With The Drones, Dies at 42
Mike Noga, the Australian singer, songwriter and former drummer with celebrated alternative rock outfit The Drones, has died at the age of 42. The sad news was announced on social media by Noga’s sister, Ali. “We are absolutely devastated to inform you of the passing of our beloved brother, son, uncle and dearest friend Mike,” the message reads. “We know how much he and his music meant to so many of you and there’s nothing we can say to make this hurt any less. We miss you and love you so much, Mike.” We are absolutely devastated to inform you of the passing of our beloved brother, son, uncle and dearest friend Mike. We… Posted by Ali Noga on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 The cause of death has not been revealed. Taking his spot behind the kit for the Drones, Noga...
R.I.P. Riley Gale, Power Trip Frontman Dead at 34
Riley Gale, frontman of the acclaimed Texas thrash metal band Power Trip, has tragically died at the age of 34. A statement from Power Trip on Tuesday evening (August 25th) confirmed his passing. The circumstances behind his death were not immediately made available, but it was revealed that he died on Monday night (August 24th). Power Trip’s most recent full-length, Nightmare Logic, ranked among our favorite albums of 2017, and also made our list of the Top 25 Metal Albums of the 2010s. As of March, the band was back in the studio working on new record. In June, they released a surprise live album. The band issued the following statement via Twitter: “Dear Power Trip fans worldwide. It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed...
