R.I.P. CELEBRITY DEATHS 2020(NON WRESTLERS)

[TTX]

RIP Hugh. I enjoyed WKRP and the original Police Academy movie quite a lot.

[jimsteel]

Singer-songwriter David Olney dies on stage during performance at Florida festival
Olney, 71, fell silent and dropped his head in the midst of his set at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Santa Rosa Beach on Saturday night.

Singer-songwriter David Olney has died at age 71, after falling silent and dropping his head in the midst of a performance at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Saturday night.

Some news reports said he "collapsed" on stage, but that isn't quite true: Olney simply became still on his stool, leading some audience members and even the musicians beside him to think he was simply taking a pause, before they realized what had happened and lowered him to the stage.

Olney was giving his second festival performance of the day as part of an "in the round" song-swap show with Amy Rigby, who was sitting next to him and described his last moments.

"Olney was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologized, and shut his eyes," Rigby wrote on Facebook. "He was very still, sitting upright with his guitar on, wearing the coolest hat and a beautiful rust suede jacket we laughed about because it was raining like hell outside the boathouse where we were playing — I just want the picture to be as graceful and dignified as it was, because it at first looked like he was just taking a moment."

Added Rigby, "Scott Miller had the presence of mind to say we needed to revive him. Doctors in the audience and 30A folks were all working so hard to get him to come to ... We all lost someone important last night."

Olney was a revered figure in the folk-rock and Americana communities who had recorded 20 albums of his own as well as having his songs covered by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury and his former roommate Steve Earle.

The late Townes Van Zandt famously said of Olney: "Any time anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are... I say Mozart, Lightnin Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I've ever heard — and that's true. I mean thaHarris, in particular, brought attention to Olney as a songwriter with her covers of "Jerusalem Tomorrow" in 1993 and "Deeper Well" on her essential 1995 album "Wrecking Ball."

Olney first became known as a member of the X-Rays, a band that was signed to the Rounder label in the early 1980s and opened for acts like Elvis Costello. He also recorded for Rounder later in his prolific career as a solo artist, along with other labels like Philco.

He had just completed a new album. Brett Ryan Stewart wrote on his Facebook page: "Yesterday, myself, Arana and Irakli had spent the day making final revisions to the album we made with David Olney. In the very same moment that we hit the save button, collectively yelling 'We did it!,' we got the news that David, who was in Florida performing, had passed away, on stage. It's all very surreal. ... I am so grateful for our time together. I recognized a kindred spirit in him from day one. His stories, his encouragement, his wisdom. Hands down was of the funniest, gentlest, most thoughtful and charming curmudgeons to have graced the earth. Was really looking forward to more."

The 30A Songwriters Festival takes place in 32 venues along coastal Florida's scenic Hwy 30A. The acoustic nature of many of the shows attracts folk, Americana and roots performers, although, with Brian Wilson as one of the headliners this year, it spotlights other genres as well.

Olney was doing his third performance of the fest when he passed away, having performed the previous night in-the-round with Amelia White and Mary Bragg before his solo show Saturday afternoon. He was also scheduled to appear this week at the Folk Alliance gathering in New Orleans.t from my heart."

[jimsteel]

Brice Armstrong, Voice Of Ginyu And Dragonball Z Narrator, Dies Aged 84

Dragon Ball narrator Brice Armstrong as died aged 84, his talent management group Mary Collins Agency has confirmed.

According to the organisation, Armstrong passed away as a result of natural causes on January 10.

Armstrong found fame when he narrated the Funimation dub of Dragon Ball, before going on to join the cast of Dragon Ball Z as the voice of Captain Ginyu. He later returned to the franchise as the narrator of the fourth Dragon Ball film, before playing Lord Slug in Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug.

Beyond Dragon Ball, he voiced several other rolls, including Douglas on Lupin III and roles in Baki the Grappler, Fullmetal Alchemist, Fruits Basket, and Yu Yu Hakusho.

ragon Ball is a Japanese media franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. It was said to be initially inspired by classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, as well as martial arts films from Hong Kong.

The series follows Son Goku who spends his childhood and onwards training in martial arts, until he meets a girl named Bulma, who persuades him to join her in travelling the world searching for the seven orbs, known as Dragon Balls.

[jimsteel]

American televangelist Jack Van Impe dead at age 89

[jimsteel]

Robert Parker, who scored a 1960s hit with "Barefootin'," dies
Parker also played sax on early classics from Professor Longhair, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Fats Domino and others

Robert Parker, the singer-songwriter who scored a national hit during the heyday of New Orleans rhythm and blues with his 1966 song “Barefootin,’” died Sunday. He was 89.

His granddaughter, Keshita Williams, said Parker had stopped performing in recent years and retired to Tangipahoa Parish, where he was living at the time of his death.

Although “Barefootin’” was Parker’s only major hit as a solo artist, he had a long history in local music.

As a teenager, he played saxophone on Professor Longhair’s 1949 classic “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” as well as on Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” and songs by Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, Frankie Ford and Huey “Piano” Smith.

According to a 1988 Times-Picayune article, Parker was working as a Charity Hospital orderly and writing songs when he penned “Barefootin.’”

In 1965, he took “Barefootin’” to the Nola Records label, formed in 1964 by Wardell Quezergue. Quezergue arranged the recording made in 1965 but the label didn’t release the song until a year later.

“I didn’t think ‘Barefootin’ would have that much of a life when I first recorded it,” Parker said.

The song reached No. 2 on the Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also charted in the United Kingdom.

After the song’s success, Parker performed at the Apollo Theater in New York and toured the United States and England in shows with Stevie Wonder, Joe Tex, the Temptations and as a solo performer. He would often perform “Barefootin’” shoeless on stage.

The song has since been covered by Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker, among others.

The song on the flip side of “Barefootin’” was “Let’s Go Baby (Where the Action Is.)” In the 1990s it was used in a commercial for Harrah’s New Orleans casino.

Parker tried to capitalize on the success of “Barefootin’” with a sequel, “Tip Toe,” which sold only about 250,000 copies and was the last of Parker’s hits

[jimsteel]

Iconic Philly Children’s Show Host Gene London Dies at 88
Gene London, the iconic host of the popular Philadelphia children’s program “Cartoon Corners,” passed away on Sunday, his family announced. He was 88-years-old

Gene London, the iconic host of the popular Philadelphia children’s program “Cartoon Corners,” passed away on Sunday, his family announced. He was 88-years-old.

Born Eugene Yulish in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1931, London initially aspired to be an artist for Disney. He worked as a counselor at Summerdale Day Camp outside of Philadelphia where he taught puppetry as well as arts and crafts.

His television career began in New York City where he played “Johnny Jupiter” on the ABC series “Reject the Robot” in the 1950s. His early career highlights also include stints on the NBC shows “Kartoon Klub,” “Facts ‘n’ Fun” and “Hi, Mom.” He was also the host and a performer on the ABC show “Tinker’s Workshop” in the late 1950s.

London began appearing semi-regularly on NBC’s “The Today Show” with host Dave Garroway in 1959.

London’s biggest career move occurred that same year when he began hosting the Philadelphia children’s show “Cartoon Corners” a.k.a. “The Gene London Show” on WCAU-TV (now NBC10). His gentle, soft-spoken demeanor endeared him to children and made him an icon for local baby boomers.

After “Cartoon Corners” was canceled in 1977, London moved to New York City where he became a dress designer, running the retro clothing shop “Gene London: The Fan Club.”

He also became one of the world’s leading experts and collectors of clothing and costumes of Hollywood’s most iconic movie stars. His expertise allowed him to host the “Golden Age Costumes from the Gene London Cinema Collection” exhibit at the Allentown Art Museum.

[jimsteel]

Terry Jones, 'Monty Python' star, dead at 77

Jones was a member of the much-loved British comedy group and also directed a number of its most popular films, including "Life of Brian" and "The Meaning of Life."
In recent years he had battled primary progressive aphasia, a rare form of dementia that affects speech. He died on Saturday evening with his wife by his side, his family said in a statement.

His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programmes, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath," the statement added. "We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely."

The world of entertainment paid tribute to Jones on Wednesday.

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry tweeted: "Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind."
Jones' "Monty Python" co-star, Michael Palin, told PA: "Terry was one of my closest, most valued friends. He was kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full."

[TTX]

RIP Terry Jones.

[jimsteel]

Planters kills off iconic Mr. Peanut mascot ahead of Super Bowl

The iconic – and probably only – centenarian legume-based mascot, Mr. Peanut, has tragically died, Planters revealed Wednesday.

Though fans can rest assured as Mr. Peanut died doing what he loved – again, probably, we don’t know a lot about the 104-year-old snack-scot – helping his friends Matt Walsh and Wesley Snipes.

Oh, did you not know they were friends?

Neither did we! But apparently they are friends, and close enough that Mr. Peanut would sacrifice himself to save them.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we confirm Mr. Peanut has passed away at 104 years old,” said Samantha Hess, Planters Brand Manager at Kraft Heinz. “He will be remembered as the legume who always brought people together for nutty adventures and a good time.”

If you want to see it

[Texas Kid]

Also lost one of my favorites from Dark Shadows. Jan. 22. 202, John Karlan (Willie Loomis and others) left this Earth to Parts Unknown.

John Karlen , the the actor who played multiple roles (Willie Loomis, Carl Collins, William H. Loomis, Desmond Collins, Alex Jenkins and Kendrick Young) on the ABC serial Dark Shadows has died today 01-22-2020 at the age of 86. John Karlen is an American character actor who played multiple roles on the ABC serial Dark Shadows, in various episodes between 206 and 1245, which aired from 1966-1971. In 1971 Karlen starred as the male lead in Daughters of Darkness.