MetaFilter posts tagged with obit

"How fortunate are the dead" -- Dennis Brutus dead at 85

Burhanistan — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:12:52 -0800

Noted anti-apartheid activist and poet Dennis Brutus has died. Brutus was imprisoned in South Africa along with Mandela for his outspoken criticism of the apartheid regime, and later continued to be critical of the ANC. One of his last poems was about the then upcoming UN climate summit in Copenhagen.

Vic Chesnutt RIP

malphigian — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:33:53 -0800

Vic Chesnutt dead of apparent suicide. The link covers his biography just fine, including the extra gut punch that he was apparently facing huge medical debt, so I'll just link to this fine live performance of an appropriate song of his. So sad to see you go Vic.

Bye Bye, T.C.

oneswellfoop — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:09:36 -0800

Arnold Stang has passed away at the age of 91. While best known as a movie 'milquetoast' (co-owner of the gas station Jonathan Winters destroys in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World"; sidekick to 'Arnold Strong' in "Hercules in New York"), he was also a cartoon voice actor who was the pugnacious mouse 'Cousin Hoiman' in in the repetitive "Herman & Catnip" toons and the alley-cat-con-man "Top Cat" (channeling Phil Silvers).

And All Will Turn to Silver Glass

bearwife — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:38:23 -0800

Mexican modernist silversmith Antonio Pineda has died. Here are some samples of his work. A photo rich interview with him in Taxco dates from 2005.

Milorad Pavic, RIP

OmieWise — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:39:48 -0800

Milorad Pavic, 1929-2009

Girl, Interrupted

ocherdraco — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:12:28 -0800

Girl, Interrupted: The Life and Death of Brittany Murphy "Part of the shock surrounding Murphy's death is clearly related to her age, though it may also be attributed to the fact that Murphy has been in the public eye for over 15 years, starting out in Hollywood when she was 14... It's something we've watched progress this entire decade: young women who are held up as the next big thing (Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears) and then brushed aside or openly mocked after they no longer fit an expected mold. It is both a story of self-destruction and mass-destruction, the business of creating and destroying a star; sometimes it's caused by internal forces, and sometimes it's fed by the rest of the world."

Good Night and Joy be With You All

jeffen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:38:50 -0800

Liam Clancy has died. Liam, last surviving member of the hugely popular Clancy Brothers, strongly influenced Bob Dylan but also became an interpreter of Dylan's work.

Uncle Al's Showcase in the Sky

sjuhawk31 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:13:51 -0800

Al Alberts, beloved Philadelphia broadcaster, singer and composer, has passed away. Alberts' career began with The Four Aces, a group he founded with fellow Navy officer Dave Mahoney. The group famously recorded "Three Coins in the Fountain," which hit #1 in 1954, and the Academy Award-winning "Love is a Many Splendored Thing." Alberts went on to host Al Alberts Showcase,, a Saturday afternoon show that is credited with helping launch the careers of Andrea McArdle, Sister Sledge, Teddy Pendergrass, and Jarrod Spector. On the show, Alberts regularly sang "On the Way to Cape May." He is survived by his wife, two sons and a grandson.

Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?

P.o.B. — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:21:31 -0800

Black Friday is almost upon us and in less then a month it'll be Christmastime, and you're still wondering if you'll get your jetpack, hoverboard, or time machine? Well you're in luck, because you can get started with a new old DeLorean! It's the return of the DeLorean The DeLorean DMC-12 was the creation of John DeLorean:
John DeLorean never cared to fit the mold of a typical Detroit auto executive. He was a young, free-spirited maverick that revolutionized the auto industry as the major force behind America’s first muscle car– the Pontiac GTO.... As the young DeLorean’s star rose, he supposedly walked away from his $650,000 salary at GM and decided to go it on his own.

Although nowadays his car may be considered a modern marvel unfortunately his motor company was a huge failure. Delorean died in March of 2005 (prev) but not before he started plans for a new car. Also, you may need to ask some questions and keep up on all the news after you buy your 24k Gold DeLorean. Okay, so you've previously seen some game mods and you are excited to build your own time machine? Perhaps DIY, or just order the parts pre-made? Not so happy with a time machine? Perhaps you should talk to Rich Weissensel Oh, and if you can't afford the payments on your new toy(s), perhaps I could suggest some unorthodox tactics when the repo man comes.

Armin Gessert passed away.

lundman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:03:36 -0800

Armin Gessert, the creator of the classic Giana Sisters game and more recently a remake on Nintendo DS no less, passed away (German) on Sunday Nov 9, 2009. Giana has quite the fan following, and has been ported to pc, 32k among others. Also, previously 1. Translated here: English

RIP Gerhardt 'Jerry' Fuchs

setanor — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:39:12 -0800

Gerhardt 'Jerry' Fuchs, drummer for the bands Maserati (video) and The Juan MacLean died last night of injuries sustained while trying to jump of a disabled elevator in Brooklyn following an event for The Uniform Project (previously).

RIP Brother Blue

alms — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:34:24 -0800

From the middle of the middle of me, to the middle of the middle of you, RIP Brother Blue, master storyteller, deep soul extraordinaire. Video: Brother Blue does King Lear. (5 minutes) Super BeLive! featuring Brother Blue, from Cambridge Community Access Television. (25 minutes)

Goodnight to all. Much love, Tay

cjorgensen — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:26:51 -0800

Taylor Mitchell, 19, was a promising Canadian folk singer. Her life was cut short by a rare coyote attack. Her music can be heard on her Myspace page. Mitchell on Facebook. From her bio: Taylor has just released her debut full length recording "For Your Consideration"- a collection of mostly original songs that showcases a range of styles, from folk to country-rock to pop, and reflects the diversity of her talent.

Lawrence Halprin: July 1, 1916 - October 25, 2009

otherwordlyglow — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:58:30 -0800

Influential landscape architect Lawrence Halprin has died at the age of 93. "He was the single most influential landscape architect of the postwar years," said Charles Birnbaum, president of the Cultural Landscape Foundation. "He redefined the profession's role in cities." Noted projects include The Sea Ranch a 5,000-acre residential development on the coast of Sonoma county in northern California; Ghirardelli Square, the first major adaptive re-use project in the United States, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C; and a new trail from which to experience Yosemite Falls. He was truly a pioneer in his field. For a generation that often divided landscape practice into landscape art versus ecological design, Halprin’s works and his writings demonstrate how to link creative artistic impulses with the ecological sciences. He excelled at connecting phenomenological experience with environmental awareness and ethics. Halprin considered the design process as important as the end result. He analyzed user needs to create diagrams and designs. He developed a design methodology involving client and user in which their desires were synthesized into a final design statement. His work is archived at the University of Pennsylvania. His death at 93 ends a long, creative life that left a distinctive imprint across many landscapes.

Soup's Gone

wendell — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:01:54 -0800

Soupy Sales has died. Mark Evanier explained his appeal years ago, adding a bit more today. An entire live Soupy Sales Show from 1965 on YouTube: part 1, part 2, part 3.In his honor, throw a pie or two (filled with shaving cream, of course, let's not waste food). [} [} [} I can't think of a better tribute than the fact that Soupy was name-checked in a movie review just last week: "(In 'Law Abiding Citizen', Gerald Butler's) impersonation of the tragic hero is undercut by his weird resemblance to Soupy Sales. You start hoping that Shelton will kill somebody with a custard (or puffer-fish) pie to the face."

Ludovic Kennedy, 1919-2009

Electric Dragon — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:29:08 -0800

Sir Ludovic Kennedy has died at the age of 89. Kennedy was a journalist, broadcaster and long standing campaigner against miscarriages of justice and the death penalty and for euthanasia. Kennedy's most famous investigation was into the 10 Rillington Place murders. Kennedy's book of that name showed up numerous flaws in the police inquiry and trial of Timothy Evans, which had led to Evans' conviction and execution. This work was highly significant in the halting and later the abolition of the death penalty in Britain. He was also active in investigating the miscarriages of justice related to IRA terrorism cases of the 70s and 80s: the Guildford Four, the Maguire Seven and the Birmingham Six. In later years, Kennedy was best known as a campaigner for the right to euthanasia, and chaired the Voluntary Euthanasia society (now Dignity In Dying). On the lighter side, he hosted a series of interviews with Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling (aka Peter Cook) called "A Life In Pieces", and interviewed Jim Hacker several times in "Yes Minister".

Invocation for the Judgement Against and Destruction of Rock Music

fungible — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:24:18 -0800

Elizabeth Clare Prophet died last Thursday at age 70, from Alzheimer's. In the 1970s, she helped found and led a New Age doomsday cult, the Church Universal and Triumphant, and predicted (in the 80s) a nuclear strike inside the United States that led all her followers to do the compound/weapons stockpiling thing in Montana. Also of interest is the Smithsonian/Folkways recordings of her cult, Sounds of American Doomsday Cults, Vol. 14 which contains many fascinating and insane chanting tracks, most notably the Great Divine Rector's Call, which was sampled to hilarious effect by Negativland and Mylo. Also here's a lovely, cloying, press-release-ish video about her put out by the cult, which is still operating, apparently.

Captain Lou Albano, 1933-2009

not_on_display — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:06:28 -0800

Captain Lou Albano, legendary wrestler and entertainer, died today at the age of 76. He and Cyndi Lauper raised $4 million for Multiple Scleriosis causes, while at the same time ushering in the age of Rock and Wrestling. He was also Mario ... C'mon, let's do the Mario! Also, he was the only one on TV with a rubber band in his beard. Long Live the Captain!

A beetle in a model's ear. Photographer/artist Irving Penn has passed on.

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:22:23 -0800

"The quest to undercut fashion’s standards of perfection, and to find beauty in the disdained, overlooked or overripe, runs throughout Mr. Penn’s career. In an otherwise pristine still life of food, he included a house fly, and in a 1959 close-up, he placed a beetle in a model’s ear." So long, Irving Penn.

RIP, Mama

pazazygeek — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:23:58 -0800

Laura Mae Gross, founder and owner of Babe's and Ricky's Inn in Leimert Park (a gem of an artistic community in Los Angeles), died this past Saturday. Some consider Babe's and Ricky's Inn to be a well-kept Los Angeles secret, but their Monday Night Jam (and $10 soul food buffet) is famous and beloved by many. The songs on Babe's & Ricky's myspace page are presumably performed by the house bands, The Mighty Balls of Fire (Friday/Saturday nights) and Johnny Mastro & The Mama's Boys (Thursday nights). Whatever night you show up there, however, you're perfectly within your rights to expect to be blown away by a revolving cast of incredible blues musicians from all over Los Angeles doing their thang. Some come from nearby Watts and South Central, others from East LA, others from the valley, the westside, some from MUCH farther away. Their official website boasts having played host to music legends, the likes of B.B. King and Eric Clapton, but it's the local blues players (mavens and naifs alike) that make it the treasure that it is. Up until now, you could have also expected to see Laura Mae Gross, known to many as mama, at the door. I have a personal favorite memory of her: I went to Babe's and Ricky's one night on a date, at my suggestion. As a modern lady, I always rush to pay for myself (this has caused me some dating confusion, but I digress). I walked right up to mama and pulled out my wallet to pay the $10 cover, but she vehemently refused -- and insisted my date pay. Somehow this delighted the both of us and set the stage for a really lovely evening. Sometimes it's crowded, and sometimes it's nearly empty (you can see mama in the background at her regular spot by the door, eclipsed by the dancing couple, in that video), but the bands never disappoint. Mama will be missed terribly, I can only imagine how much by those that knew her, but even to nearly complete strangers like me.

R.I.P. Mercedes Sosa

lunit — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:44:06 -0800

Mercedes Sosa, a beloved Argentinian folk singer, passed away today. Argentine President Cristina Kirchner has ordered an official period of mourning. Known as the "voice of the voiceless ones" and affectionately as "La Negra", her music was deeply political. Over the course of her career, she produced over 70 albums and helped to popularize Nueva Canción (previously on Metafilter), a movement in Latin American music that combines folk music with contemporary influences and political lyrics.

Remember them all

Abiezer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:54:52 -0800

Marek Edelman dies aged 90. A leader of the Jewish Fighting Organisation in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Dr. Edelman survived to later fight in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and in the post-war years was a key figure in preserving the memory of his fallen comrades-in-arms.

the girl with kaleidoscope eyes

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:52:30 -0800

Though many have long suspected that the title of John Lennon's Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds was a barely-concealed reference to the drug he was so fond of, Lennon himself always maintained otherwise, as in this interview with Dick Cavett, explaining that the inspiration for the fanciful name was from his son Julian, who'd brought him a drawing of his nursery school friend. That friend, one Lucy O'Donnell, just passed away.

The Last of the Ottomans

Burhanistan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:21:28 -0800

The "Last of the Ottomans". Ertuğrul Osman, the grandson of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, passed away. The Ottoman Caliphate ruled one of the longest and most successful empires in history. With WWI it was finally finished and Ataturk eventually expelled the Sultan's family. "The Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire" documentary parts 1 and 2

Bernie Fuchs, Illustrator

Bron — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:11:26 -0800

Bernie Fuchs, one of the all-time greats of American illustration, has passed away. A phenomenally talented artist, he didn't start studying to be an artist until an industrial accident the year after high school cost him 3 fingers, and ended his dream of becoming a professional jazz trumpeter. (And he lost those fingers on his drawing hand!) He began his commercial art career at New Center Studio in Detroit, working on illustrations for the auto companies. In a few short years, it was off to NYC, where he was soon dazzling the best in the business. "I don't know who the hell did this, but the business is never going to be the same." After mastering the existing illustration styles of the day, he went on to create his signature style of transparent washes of oil color, all grounded with spectacular draughtsmanship and a stunning sense of design. An article on his career and technique. Flickr set Gallery RIP, Bernie Fuchs, and thanks for the work.