Dr. Lonnie Smith, the lauded Hammond B3 organist who was named an NEA Jazz Master, died on Tuesday at the age of 79, as NPRreports. His longtime label Blue Note Records confirmed the news. “We’re deeply saddened to announce that Hammond B3 organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith passed away today …
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Melvin Van Peebles, the influential indie filmmaker who helped spawn the Blaxploitation genre with his 1971 film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Song, has died at the age of 89. The director/actor/composer/novelist/playwright — among many other talents — died Wednesday night at his home with his family. The Criterion Collection, which will …
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Lee “Scratch” Perry, the monumental reggae singer, producer and studio wizard who pushed the boundaries of Jamaican music — and as a byproduct, rock, hip-hop and dance — with his explorations into dub, has died at the age of 85. The Jamaican Observer reports that Perry died Sunday at the …
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Kevin Clark, a Chicago musician who as a child actor portrayed drummer Freddy “Spazzy McGee” Jones in the 2003 film School of Rock, died Wednesday after he was struck and killed by a driver while biking in Chicago. Clark was 32. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Clark was biking in …
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Sophie, the avant-pop artist who produced singers like Madonna and Charli XCX and released the acclaimed 2018 album Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides, has died at the age of 34. The Scottish-born musician’s record label, Transgressive, confirmed Sophie’s death. “Tragically our beautiful Sophie passed away this morning after a terrible …
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Gordon Haskell, the British singer, bassist, and songwriter best known for his brief stint in King Crimson and his 2001 solo hit “How Wonderful You Are,” has died. He was 74. Haskell’s death was announced on his Facebook page Sunday, October 18th, although a cause of death was not given. …
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Kansai Yamamoto — the celebrated fashion designer who worked extensively with David Bowie, as well as Elton John and Stevie Wonder — died last Tuesday, July 21st, after a short battle with leukemia. He was 76. Yamamoto’s death was announced Monday, July 27th, on his company’s social media pages. He …
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Fred Willard, the prolific and beloved comic actor and master of the mockumentary genre who stood out in ensemble comedies like Best in Show, For Your Consideration and This Is Spinal Tap, died Friday at the age of 86. Willard’s rep Glenn Schwartz confirmed his death toRolling Stone,adding that the …
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Nick Gordon, the ex-boyfriend of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown‘s daughter Bobbi Kristina who was found liable in her 2015 death, died on Wednesday at the age of 30. Gordon’s attorney, Joe Habachy, confirmed his death toRolling Stone. While an official cause of death has yet to be revealed, Gordon’s …
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Anna Karina, the model-turned-actress who became a French New Wave icon thanks to her collaborations with the director Jean-Luc Godard, has died at the age of 79. France’s cultural minister Franck Riester announced Karina’s death on Twitter, with the actress’ agent later confirming that Karina died Saturday in Paris following …
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