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

[jimsteel]

Outlaw Country Legend Billy Joe Shaver Has Died at 81

The heart and soul of the songs and words of the American country music Outlaw movement has passed on. Billy Joe Shaver, with only three fingers on his right hand and an 8th grade education, left an indelible mark on country music that will never be worn down. From writing all but one of the songs on the landmark, breakout album from Waylon Jennings—1973’s Honky Tonk Heroes—to beating the wrap for shooing a man in the face (in self-defense) near Waco in 2010, Billy Joe Shaver was the full embodiment of the “Outlaw” country icon and hero.

Billy Joe Shaver died on Wednesday, October 28th after suffering a massive stroke on the morning of October 27th significantly affecting his brain stem. Billy Joe was currently in a rehabilitation facility after undergoing hip replacement surgery when the stroke occurred. They placed Shaver on life support, but he did not make it. He was 81 years old.

Born in Corsicana, Texas, Billy Joe Shaver was raised by his mother after his father left before he was born. Shaver was looked after primarily by his grandmother until he was 12, when he would regularly accompany his mother at the nightclub she worked at. Despite the inference in his song “I’ve Been To Georgia On A Fast Train,” Billy Joe Shaver actually attended school beyond the 8th grade, specifically LaVega High School in Bellmead ,and wrote for the high school’s literary annual, The Pirate’s Jewels.

For a while Shaver’s mom ran a Waco honky tonk called Green Gables. Billy Joe would run around the place bumming nickels from soldiers from nearby Fort Hood, and by the time he got a little older was known as quite a dancer and ladies man. His whole Green Gables childhood experience was later recapped in the song “Honky Tonk Heroes.”

Shaver worked a number of odd jobs, including in the rodeo, and he enlisted in the Navy on his 17th birthday. Shortly after he started working in a sawmill, he lost two of his fingers in an accident. It was then that he decided to teach himself guitar, and aspired to become a songwriter. But it was a random chance that led him to Nashville. First planning to hitchhike to L.A., but unable to find a ride West, he instead took a trip east, which led him to Memphis, and eventually Nashville, where he signed on as a songwriter, making $50 a week.

Shaver landed cuts for Bobby Bare and others in his early days in Nashville, but getting his songs recorded by Waylon Jennings was Shaver’s big break. Waylon first heard Shaver singing “Willy The Wandering Gypsy and Me” at Willie Nelson’s Dripping Springs reunion, and said that he wanted to learn and record it.

[jimsteel]

Edmonton sports legend Joey Moss dies at 57

Moss has been a beloved member of the Edmonton Oilers for decades. He became the NHL team’s locker room attendant in 1984, after he was recommended by The Great One himself — Wayne Gretzky. The two met when Gretzky was just 20 years old. He was dating Moss’ sister at the time.

[jimsteel]

JOE BLACK WAS AN ICONIC TORONTO PHOTOGRAPHER

Just around the corner from Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens was Joe Black’s studio, Graphic Artists, on Yonge Street. The location meant that Black was a regular at sporting events around the city for years.

Though he didn’t shoot tons of live wrestling, Black did photograph plenty of wrestlers in his studio, from the big — Shohei “Giant” Baba — to the little people, making the short trek to pose.

“I would take their publicity pictures, and when then they’d go to the small town, they’d sell pictures,” Black recalled in an in-person interview in the summer of 2018, with this writer and photo archivist Don Chubby.

Quick with a smile, Black said he liked to tease the wrestlers. “I used to kibitz around, and say, ‘It’s alright, I’ll take the pictures during the rehearsal that you have.’”

Those posed wrestling shots are only a tiny, tiny fraction of the photos he took during his lengthy career. With his passing on October 20, 2020, at the age of 94 in Toronto’s Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital, it’s time to revisit the legacy of Joe Black.

He was born January 20, 1926, in Toronto. His father was from Prussia, and his mother was originally from Vienna, Austria. They ran a confectionary store on Bloor Street at Montrose, near Christie Street. It was right next to the expansive Christie Pits park, where Black was witness to the 1933 Christie Pits riot, which lasted six hours, pitting Jews against anti-Semites.

With Adolf Hitler rising to power in Germany at the time, anti-Semitism was increasing in Toronto. The city itself had plenty of restrictions, from swimming pools that banned Jews, to Eaton’s department story preventing its Jewish employees from interacting with customers. There were “swastika clubs” in the city, and Jewish homes were targeted with garbage. The city’s large Italian population was hassled as well, immigrants seen as destroying the Anglo Saxon, Protestant way of life. In short, tensions had risen in Toronto.

On August 16, 1933, there was a baseball game in the park, with a Catholic youth team from St. Peter’s Church facing off with Harbord Playground, featuring primarily Jewish boys but also some Italians. Fans for both sides were on the lawn. When a large sheet with a swastika on it was unfurled, the Jewish fans reacted, ripping up the banner. “As soon as some of the Jewish players on the youth team saw that swastika, they went after those guys and tore that flag apart,’’ Black told the Toronto Star in 2013.

From there, it grew, as supporters on each side went at it, and called in reinforcements. “It went on for hours and hours,’’ recalled Black. “This was summer, so it stayed light till around nine o’clock. But they were still at it at two, three in the morning.’’

Remarkably, no one died. The city banned the display of the swastika in the following days.

[jimsteel]

Brunei’s Prince Azim, Hollywood Producer, Dies at 38

Prince Azim of Brunei, who also had a minor career as a Hollywood film producer, has died. He was 38.

The son of the enormously wealthy Sultan of Brunei, and fourth in line to the throne, died on Saturday in the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. As is typical of Muslim countries, his funeral was held shortly after, also on Saturday.

The government made the announcement on national radio. It said that the country has now entered a seven-day period of mourning and that the population should dress accordingly.

No cause of death was given, though local media reports say that he had been ill for some time. Other unconfirmed reports pointed to liver cancer.

Azim had a London-based production company Daryl Prince Productions. His Hollywood credits under the name Azim Bolkiah, included 2014 Hilary Swank-starring “You’re Not You” and 2018 Rupert Everett-starring “The Happy Prince.” The prince and the company were also understood to be attached to an untitled film project about the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow.

[jimsteel]

Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis

Bobby Ball, one half of the comedy double act Cannon and Ball, has died at the age of 76, his manager has confirmed.

His death comes after the actor and comedian tested positive for Covid-19.

Ball was one half of the comedy duo alongside his long-time friend and colleague Tommy Cannon.

He also starred in several sitcoms including Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine, Benidorm and Heartbeat.

[jimsteel]

Music Industry Exec Joe Meador Dies At 73

Joe Meador, best known for his work with Ronnie McDowell and Killen Entertainment Group, died Oct. 21 at age 73. Funeral services were held Oct. 25 in Hendersonville, TN.

Meador, a Kentucky native, graduated from Draughon’s Business College in Nashville, TN, and began working for the Federal Reserve Bank in Nashville, where he met his future wife, Sally Wise. Meador also worked at Hewgley’s Music Shop, and then teamed with co-owner Jim Vantrease to launch Sumner County Music Center in Gallatin. He also joined the group Glass Hammer, which opened for Ricky Nelson, as well as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Meador later became a road manager, and later manager, for Ronnie McDowell. McDowell, Meador, and Buddy Killen formed Killen Entertainment Group, which managed McDowell and Six Shooter. Later, Meador became CEO/President of Grand Entertainment Group and launched three publishing companies.

He co-wrote the George Strait-recorded song “Under These Conditions,” and songs including “All Tied Up” and “I’m Still Missing You” for McDowell.

Meador also co-produced the documentary Dixie Rose, which earned Best SXSW Documentary at the Telluride, Colorado Indie Festival. Meador also co-authored the book The Genuine Elvis: Photos and Untold Stories about the King.

[jimsteel]

Songwriter Bryan Wayne Galentine Dies

Songwriter Bryan Wayne Galentine died Oct. 22 at age 53, following a battle with ALS. He was the sole writer for Tommy Shane Steiner’s debut single “What If She’s An Angel,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in 2002.

He also earned a Top 25 single as a writer with Chris Cagle’s “Country By The Grace of God” and his song “Kick My Ass” was included on Big & Rich’s 3x multi-Platinum debut album. Galentine also earned cuts with Clay Walker, Emerson Drive, and more.

Galentine was diagnosed with terminal ALS in 2017. Faced with the possibility of losing his ability to speak or sing, he went into the studio to make his debut full-length project While You Wait. The album included the single “Simplify,” which featured Big & Rich, James Otto, Shannon Lawson and Joanna Janet. The album was recorded in the home studio of Big & Rich member Big Kenny Alphin, as well as Starstruck Studios and Dave Brainard’s deciBel. The project released in 2018 and included Bryan’s own version of “What If She’s An Angel.”

[TTX]

RIP Bobby Ball.

[Bazzy]

Been British I was brought up on the comedians Cannon and Ball . Who was often on Saturday night television . Saw them live , they do juggling plates scenes the last one they switch a paper plate and throw it in the audience . They threw it towards us , my wife screamed . R.I.P Rock on Tommy

[jimsteel]

Nobby Stiles dead: England World Cup hero passes away aged 78

The former Manchester United midfielder, who was a key part of the Three Lions 1966 triumph on home soil, has passed away, his family have confirmed


England World Cup-winner Nobby Stiles has died aged 78 after a long illness, his family has announced.

Stiles was a huge part of the Three Lions side which won the tournament in 1966, and in total he earned 28 caps for his country.

Stiles, who played as a centre-back, also made 311 appearances for Manchester United between 1960-71.

He was part of the side which became the first English club to win the European Cup, when they beat Benfica in the final at Wembley in 1968.

Stiles also went on to also play for Middlesbrough between 1971-73 and Preston North End between 1973-75 before hanging up his boots.

He also managed Preston, Vancouver Whitecaps and West Brom