Obits and tributes--Thread V

Russell Brand takes down Peg Thatcher. Never had much use for Russ--but this ain't bad:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/apr/09/russell-brand-margaret-thatcher

And Glenda Jackson takes a nice swipe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDtClJYJBj8

I know nothing about British politics but I found both links very interesting, very eloquent and informative. Russell Brand so erudite and effective in presenting his point? Who wouda thunk it!

3. Russell Brand is not stupid. He's not funny either, mind you.

I went through the Thatcher years in Britain. She was probably necessary. So, unfortunately, was "defeating" the miners, who used their power to coerce the rest of society to pay them for work that didn't need doing.

Well, no. Both the British coal and steel industries were eviscerated because they could not compete with cheap imports. Other nations subsidised their industries - leading to aforementioned cheap imports, and they now still have a working industrial base. Likewise, the best railway networks in Europe are the ones that are subsidised by the governments.

"Ding dong..."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/12/margaret-thatcher-bbc-ding-dong-wi...

6. Some still have a "working industrial base." Some don't. And subsidising industries is in some ways the same as paying people to do work that doesn't need doing.

I agree with you on the railways. What I couldn't forgive Thatcher for was the selling off of the family silver in the name of a "privatisation" ideal, which worked out really well for certain people, but left the country poorer. The railways is a great example of the resultant mess.

Jonathan Winters--farewell, crazy man:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2013/04/12/jonathan-winters.html

#7 I don't understand the concept of "work that doesn't need doing". No work does. The important thing is to keep people in work because they contribute to the economy and the economy grows as a consequence. And so everyone benefits. Instead of a bunch of fat cats, and everyone else has to sign on for JSA.

9. And I don't understand the concept of no work that needs doing. We could try to explain to each other what we mean, but that's the kind of thing that's better done over a pint than a keyboard.

All this talk about breaking the coal industry is fascinating, especially in light of the rise of the steampunk genre.

Bob Perry, the Swift Boat guy, died today.

Raise them lighters high!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUYuIVbFg0

Storm Thorgerson:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22210378

Responsible for some of my fave album covers. See you on the dark side of the moon, Storm...

Chrissy Amphlett. Sounds like a luvly lady:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22245791

E.L. Konigsburg, 'Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler' Author:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/21/el-konigsburg-dead-dies-_n_3129444.html

Richie Havens :'(
*sniff*
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/22/showbiz/richie-havens-obituary/index.html

Freedom!

Whoa...the Sixties are officially over now.

17: Not true, the Sixties ended when Reagan was inaugurated and Lennon was shot.

Ol' George is gone:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/26/george-jones.html

Well, I don't have a link, but I am very sad right now, because the conductor for my youth orchestra when I was in it in the 80s has passed on. His name was Jacob Avshalomov and he was an inspiration to everyone who was in that orchestra from the 60s until the 90s.

20: That is very sad, Anna. People like that are in short supply.

Thanks Cliff for #14 above and #205 in "Obits III".
Strange, this thread ("Obits V") doesn't show up in my talk list - groups.
And I guess you didn't use the automatic thread continuation option but just set up a new thread? Hence the jump from III to V.

So Obits, Thread IV was stillborn?

There was one but it preceded III. Somehow we got out of order.

Readers: strong on readin' and writin', not so good at 'rithmetic.

Farewell, Herschel:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21934520

Christian de Duve (Nobel 1974) dead at 95. With dignity - he did it himself.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-07/nobel-winner-ends-his-own-life/4673418?WT....

That's the way to do it. Smart man, in more ways than one.

I find it appalling that we can offer merciful release to suffering animals but not humans. Our values desperately need re-tuning.

Another classical great died last week, Janos Starker, one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MEUIGjfHNw

Beautiful, Anna. Thanks for the link.

Ray Harryhausen, special effects genius.

This obituary from the Guardian includes an extensive sampler of Ray Harryhausen's work.

The man was a genius, an absolute genius. One of my cinematic heroes.

My tribute to Ray Harryhausen:

http://cinemaarete.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/ray-harryhausen-1920-2013/

Dr. Joyce Brothers.

Ray Manzarek:

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/a_door_closes_ray_manzarek_dead

Just heard. If I never have to listen to another rock organist's interminable solo, I'll be a happy man.

37: But without prog rock, how will you be inspired?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af8ltlcZNi0

And what about Jerry Cobetta from Sugarloaf?

Can we not label the late Ray Manzarek as 'prog rock' please?

The Doors were a very fine blues inspired rock band. In my humble limey opinion they were the best of the American groups of that era. Manzarek's keyboard sound was an integral part of their unique sound. Only the other week I caught one of those documentaries on the making of landmark albums, in this case their eponymous debut, and it was clear to me how relatively timeless their music still sounds, unlike so many of their contemporaries.

Thanks for the music Ray! RIP indeed.

Jim Morrison's lyrics/poetry were absolutely abysmal--witness his "reading" of "Horse Latitudes", one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of rock.

"Break on Through" is a good pop song but not much more (and it was largely the creation of Robbie Krieger). "The End" was well-employed at the beginning of "Apocalypse Now", but there aren't too many Doors songs that would grab a spot on my roster of tunes to take to a desert island (and the ones that do make the grade are mainly on their last album, "L.A. Woman").

The Doors, like Donovan or 13th Floor Elevators, were a product of their time...they belong to a particular era but they don't much resonate with folks today. And that's why they get played less and less frequently...

41 - I have the exact same opinion of the Doors. They probably owe their fame to Morrison's death more than the music. (Now if I can only get someone to agree on Led Zeppelin).

Now, see, I'm a Zep fan.

I just hate the way the fucking greedheads keep re-packaging and re-releasing the same songs and their wanker fans keep snappin' them up.

Then there was Jimmy Page's hideously expensive limited edition book of photographs--really priced that one for the average shmoe, didn't you, Jimmy?

http://www.abebooks.com/JIMMY-PAGE-ZOSO-OFFICIAL-PHOTOGRAPHIC-AUTOBIOGRAPHY/7350...

41, 42: I'm quite indifferent to the Doors as well but I've only heard Strange Days. Morrison's poetic pretensions leave me cold but I suppose the biggest problem is that the band's reputation is for "darkness." They sound a lot like Jefferson Airplane to me - sixties psychedelic pop music.

Being a major Nick Cave fan for several years before hearing them probably didn't help their odds. But even when compared to their contemporaries The Doors lose out to The Stooges, Leonard Cohen, The Velvet Underground and Nico - all of whom made darker music with far greater intelligence backing it up.

I do enjoy Led Zeppelin from time to time, mostly Zep III and Houses of the Holy.

>43 CliffBurns: - Page needs something do, he's barely involved himself in music for 30 years.

Well I am both a Doors and a Zeppelin fan, and I agree that the keyboards are what made the Doors have a distinctive sound, that and Morrison's pretty voice. I am sorry to see Ray M. go. My SO, who has Cliff's opinion of the Doors as a general rule, has made a single exception for that song "the end" that is played in Apocalypse Now. I think many of their songs are memorable and not altogether dated.

Then again I really like all 60s psychedelia, it's one of my favorite types of music. Agree with 44 that there were many great bands back then and that list is all of greats.

43: But Zeppelin isn't austere at all?

Jack Vance

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/30/jack-vance-dies-96-science-fiction

I've never read his work but I have been curious about him since this NYTimes 2009 article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/magazine/19Vance-t.html?pagewanted=all

I really like Jack Vance
I started reading him when I was 16 and though I can't re-read many of my early favourites, I was still looking forward to his next (suspected last) novel.

RIP

Wow, had no idea he was still alive.

Many folks' gateway drug to science fiction.

Great genes too...

There is fuller tribute on the SF group

Jean Stapleton RIP:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/arts/television/jean-stapleton-who-played-arch...

Tom Sharpe:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22795507

Great comedy writer. I still remember scenes from Riotous Assembly, Wilt and Blott on the Landscape even though I read them over 20 years ago.

Esther Williams:

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/06/06/esther-williams-dead/

Just in case you forgot what Esther looked like, here she is hanging out at the pool. Oh yeah, I liked the Door's Wishful Sinful tune a lot and a pox on whoever stole my Soft Parade album years ago.

Living to be 91 is what swimming will do for you. Even in later life she carried cards that she gave to people at dinner parties, in response to the question they always asked which said, "Yes, I still swim."

+ Father Andrew Greeley +
1928 -- 2013
detective novelist, essayist
in Chicago

One final tribute to Ray Harryhausen:

http://cliffjburns.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/wonderful-harry-bliss-strip/

Could it be true? Just heard that Slim Whitman has died.

...and here's the obit:

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/06/19/country-singer-slim-whitman-dies-at-age-90/

(Ian Sales has all of his albums and can yodel like a castrated gnu.)

What does a castrated gnu sound like? Please include recording. Include recording of Sales singing for comparison purposes.

...or we could castrate Sales and save the world a WHOLE lotta trouble...

Rumour has it that he was an avid sperm donor back in the 80's so you a probably too late.

...which would explain the generation of pinhead morons and gamers that era spawned...

He saved us from the Martians, not many C&W singers can say that.

Referring to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MhgnMX73Pw

(Skip the ad)

66: That was the first thing I thought when I saw this news

Great epitaph, especially the last line:

"I don't think you've ever heard anything bad about me, and I'd like to keep it that way. I'd like my son (Bryon) to remember me as a good dad. I'd like the people to remember me as having a good voice and a clean suit."

-Slim Whitman

James Gandolfini

Variety:
http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/james-gandolfini-dead-of-sudden-stroke-at-51-120...

Wow, sudden indeed.

Just saw that author Vince Flynn has died at 47 years of age. Prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
He was the writer of the Mitch Rapp series.

>70 justifiedsinner: - my immediate reaction was 'Only 51. He must have been older than that.'

Re Slim Whitman - Bob Sullivan, a radio engineer who worked with him, described him as being like "an Irish tenor singing Sigmund Romberg. Hank Williams couldn't stand him. He used to say, 'He ain't no hillbilly'."

Seeing a couple of breaking news reports that Richard Matheson has died.

One of my literary heroes. That's a sad one for me.

Bobby 'Blue' Bland sadly.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jun/24/bobby-blue-bland

My tribute to Richard Matheson:

http://cliffjburns.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/richard-matheson-1926-2013/

Nice stuff Cliff. I enjoyed the read, it makes me want to explore his works further.

Thanks, hope you decide to seek out some of the man's novels and, especially, his short stories (where he really shines). Some of the best of them were adapted into classic "Twilight Zone" episodes.

Technology guru and author, writer of

The Meaning of the 21st Century and The Wired Society

has a heart attack and drowns outside his home in Bermuda.

Hans Hass famous people and shark watcher, also no longer scubas...

The Sunday NY Times features another pair of deceased authors.

Children"s author Barbara Robinson at 85.

And tenacious Stalin critic Anton Antonov-Ovseyenko at 93.

Cory Monteith, from the show Glee, dead at 31:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-glee-star-cory-monteith-dead-20130713,0,6...

Now I'm going to feel bad, since he was my least favorite cast member. Although to say the show has gone downhill recently is the epitome of understatement.

Surprised that none of my fellow Brits have posted up the sad passing of Alan Whicker - surely the Don of travel broadcasters?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20734338

A veteran of the RAF's Second World War broadcasting unit, his long-running programme 'Whicker's World' blazed the trail for the likes of Clive James and Michael Palin to follow suit with their charming and personable delivery styles. Whicker, with his dry and laconic manner, was the original and probably the master at the effortless delivery. He always managed to keep his cool when others might have been just a little bit hot under the collar.

85: What a better tribute to Whicker than the Whicker Island sketch from Monty Python:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn8Pua5rhj4

:)

Farewell and bon voyage, indeed.

Of course @kswolff, whilst looking at your Utube post, I noticed This Confuse a Cat sketch .

I had never seen it before and thought '...not enough Cat action...' but...

Thanks Karl for pointing me to an unknown (by me) Python Sketch. Double Grin Plus!

ETA. Since this an obituary thread, I am surprised no one mentioned Mick, from the Time Team program

White House correspondent Helen Thomas, at age 92:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/20/19580304-helen-thomas-pioneering-whit...

Always liked ol' Helen--while the rest of the White House reporters were lobbing softballs, she was coming in with screamers, right around the knees, inside and hard.

91: Most the press had their mouths attached to the Press Secretary's groinal region, I'm surprised any of them were capable of speech.

Dennis Farina RIP
http://www.tmz.com/2013/07/22/dennis-farina-dead-law-and-order-star-dies-at-69/

A loving tribute to Dennis Farina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ry0g4W0_ZI

Love it!

Mel Smith RIP. UK comic who was also in the Princess Bride. I really loved "Not the 9 o'clock news".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23394871

Oh bummer. Only 60, too.

Rest in peace J J Cale. Thanks for the music.

A J.J. Cale song in tribute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJOMgnxYCp8

Great song.....unique voice and distinctive music. Sorry to see JJ Cale pass.

I know that Neil Young mentions JJ Cale as one of his favourite guitar players but if only had some of Young's devil about him. His albums are so light and pleasant and interchangeable.

Michael Ansara:

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/08/02/michael-ansara-star-trek-dies/

I'd say Rest in Peace but there doesn't seem to be a Klingon word for peace (figures), so - Qapla' Kang.

Yeah, the guy does hundreds of TV shows and movies and a bit part on a cheesy space series is what he gets remembered for...sheesh.

And Sir Patrick Steward is remembered more for Star Trek TNG than Shakespeare. I'm sure he's crying all the way to the bank.

George Duke
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/arts/music/george-duke-crossover-musician-with...

Actress Karen Black:

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/karen-black-dead-at-74-1200576003/

Eydie Gorme, RIP:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57597995/singer-eydie-gorme-dies-at-84/

Art Donovan b. ca. 1924
d. 08/14/13
star college and NFL line man: Boston College, Baltimore Colts 1940s -- early 60s.
author of a memoir titled Fatso (his nickname) (1987) ; probably NOT the author of the other titles on
the "Arthur J. Donovan" LT
author page.
Some readers thought he was to football writing what Jim Bouton was to baseball;
others that he and Jim, as writers, were in very different "leagues". I'll stay out of the controversy, being so much
more interested in baseball than in football, that I wouldn't approach "Bouton v. Donovan" with any even-handedness.

Elmore Leonard
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/08/20/author-elmore-leonard-dies-a...

Terrible news.

Actress Julie Harris:

http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-julie-harris-20130825,0,1138415,full.sto...

Maybe someone can look at the Julie Harris author page. It appears that a few of the works are her's, but most of them look like they belong to a different Julie Harris. It needs to be split into multiple authors, but I'm afraid to guess.

"The Julie Harris author page. . .most . . .look like they belong to a different Julie Harris." (114)

I donʻt know the technology of it, but it looks to me like youʻre right. I find this to be the case with many author pages, when they have
a lot published in their own right, and yet the well=known bearer of the name seems to be over-represented on the page.

The title "Rebecca AND (sic) Sunny Brook Farm" (emphasis added) might or might not be "by" THE Julie Harris. And "by" can mean in the usual author sense, or
"Starring" -- as it means in LTʻs
attribution of East of Eden to Harris. But most of the titles I wouldnʻt know how to evaluate as THE JH or some other JH.

It looks like some kind person has split it up into multiple Julie Harris (s).

Good bye to Hyon Song Wol, "a singer and rumored former lover of Jong Un" {our illustrious N. Korean Leader}

Death by firing squad for Kim Jong Un's ex is the title of the article about the sudden death by machine gun of Song Wol and her band. Reminds of the song "Breaking up is hard to do".

Yikes, what an awful story.

117: Because we assume Kim Jong Un to be totally straight?

The finest Irish poet since Yeats - Seamus Heaney.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/arts/seamus-heaney-acclaimed-irish-poet-dies-a...

David Frost. That was the life that was:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/01/david-frost-dies-74-heart-attack

David Frost was an 'icon' (and I know he would have hated that phrase) of my youth.
It's strange, but I heard about his death here, just now, before TV.

Very sorry to hear of Sir David Frost's passing. A pioneer of political satire on TV, one of Britain's finest broadcasters, and a superb interviewer. Coming so soon after the late Alan Whicker, it does feel like the end of an era.

121: Nixon to David Frost: "How did you get into Heaven?"
David Frost to Nixon: "I was about to ask the same question."
Meanwhile, Gerald Ford falls down, interrupting a brunch between Ronald Reagan and Yasser Arafat

C.J. Koch, author of THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, among others:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24305214

Tom Clancy has died. A real surprise:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/tom-clancy-bestselling-novelist-dies-at-66-1.1875996

He was still so young.

He had so many novels left not to write!

Legendary Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap RIP:

http://world.time.com/2013/10/04/legendary-vietnam-gen-vo-nguyen-giap-dies/

Along with Zhukov and Rommel, a genius military mind.

Scott Carpenter, astronaut:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24485864

>126 CliffBurns: - I'll always remember him in his heyday with his brothers. I think whoever plays Jack Ryan in the next film should demand to wear to Arran sweater and smoke a pipe.

Oscar Hijuelos:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24515909

Great old character actor, Ed Lauter:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24563383

Usually played the tough guy or thug...and he always delivered the goods.

sculptor Anthony Caro

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/oct/24/sir-anthony-caro-dies

Lou Reed:

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/10/27/lou-reed-dead-at-71-rolling-stone-report...

Had to happen, I guess. But...wow.

See ya, Lou.

Arthur C. Danto, philosopher and art critic:

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Arthur-C-Danto-philosopher-and-art-criti...

Lou Reed could be a complete arse but some of the music he produced was just brilliant. I'll take The Velvet Underground over The Beatles any day.

Libertarian ideologue dies penniless and uninsured:

http://gawker.com/5840024/ron-pauls-campaign-manager-died-of-pneumonia-penniless...

Hilarity ensues.

My knowledge of Arthur C. Danto was pretty much limited to an occasional view of The Nation. My appreciation of him was a very quiet one. I didn't exactly look forward impatiently to seeing his next article each time, but Danto was one of those writers who gave me the vague impression that
he'll be around forever - - at least that you can stroll into one of the few libraries that
still carries The Nation and
read that article, if so inclined.

Laurie Anderson's local obit for Lou Reed:

http://www.stereogum.com/1549171/read-lou-reeds-obituary-placed-by-laurie-anders...

(Sherron found this)

Another tribute to Lou, this time a musical one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFaTN9V833o

(Good one, Gord)

Farewell, Doris Lessing:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/doris-lessing-nobel-prize-winning-author-dies-at-94-...

William Weaver

http://www.complete-review.com/saloon/archive/201311b.htm#ju4

GREAT translator.

Aaagh! Didn't know about Doris Lessing. Not entirely unexpected at age 94 but what a sad loss to the literary world nonetheless.

Syd Field--for all you aspiring screenwriters:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24987804

Sylvia Browne, a gifted psychic who apparently couldn't pick up the signs she didn't have long to live:

http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/20/sylvia-browne-world-famous-psychic-dead/

Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon:

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/m/maurice-vachon/

Will Alice Munro write the eulogy?

Very sad to hear today - I'm a bit out of touch already - that one of my favourite ever singers - certainly in the Hebrew language: Arik Einstein has died.

He was the voice of Israel personified, had an appeal across generations, classes, ethnic background, you name it... A very loved performer, whose songs embodied for many a soundtrack to their lives, and with his passing a little piece of Israel has died too.

Thoughtful Israeli broadsheet Ha'aretz has published many separate obituaries from her leader writers and various columnists - here is one that expresses more or less how I feel.

I have many many favourites, as do most Israelis, and it's impossible to just name one or two, but one of his that is quite beautiful is "You and I" ("Ani v'Atah") which is listed in the Ha'aretz page of ten of his most beautiful songs here. (It's the third song.)


Arik Einstein
Born Tel Aviv 1939
Died Tel Aviv 2013

3-7 has turned in his badge. Iconic actor Lewis Collins has died:

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-11-28/the-professionals-actor-lewis-collins-...

150: I thank you for the links to the music. Very beautiful. I spent 12years in the middle east and know nothing of Israeli culture, should remedy that.

150: I thought the name was familiar and found he did one of my favorite songs on The Rough Guide to the Music of Israel (Rooti). I'm sorry not to have known him further than that.

Paul Crouch RIP:

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/11/christian-grifter-paul-crouch-dead-at-79.ht...

Andre Schiffrin

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/02/books/andre-schiffrin-publishing-force-and-a-f...

"But in 1990, after 28 years at Pantheon, Mr. Schiffrin was fired by Alberto Vitale, the chief executive of Random House, in a dispute over chronic losses and Mr. Schiffrin’s refusal to accept cutbacks and other changes. His departure made headlines, prompted resignations by colleagues, led to a protest march joined by world-renowned authors, and reverberated across the publishing industry in articles and debates.

Many in publishing spoke against the dismissal, calling it an assault on American culture by Random House’s billionaire owner, S. I. Newhouse Jr., who was accused of blocking a channel for contrary voices in favor of lucrative self-help books and ghostwritten memoirs for the sake of the bottom line."

************

Yet another casualty of corporate publishing.

He'll be missed.

The word "hero" gets bandied about a lot, but in this case I think it applies:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nelson-mandela-dead-at-95-1.2417872

Nelson Mandela.

Expected. But...

How did you keep hate out of your heart?

Guido.

I guess last night's sad news deserves a thread of its own and no doubt it will soon get one but in the meantime I have to add my own thoughts on the death of one of the greatest men who ever lived. Certainly I do not expect to see his like again in my lifetime. Mandela genuinely left the world a better place and very few of us can ever claim that. I feel privileged to know he shared a part of my lifetime. Not entirely unexpected but a sad day nonetheless.

In other news, Henry Kissinger, Michael Bay, and Rupert Murdoch -- all very much alive. Still, Mandela lived to be 95 years old. A good run, that's for sure.

Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher in unison: "How the hell did you get here?"

There is a tribute thread for Madiba. (Nelson Mandela) on The South Affican group of LT His book, Long Walk to Feeedom is a great read Long Walk to Freedom. We, South Africans were priveleged to have his leadership , sacrifice, non racial views, humanity, humor, generosity , modesty , toughness and spirit for so many years . He enriched the lives of his supporters and opponents . He will be deeply mourned , and deserved those 95 years considing he was a prisoner for 27years. His life will be much celebrated this coming week .

The letter E

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/12/obituary-letter-e/all/1

I thought Georges Perec dispensed with "e" 45 years ago:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/jan/19/1000-novels-comedy-georges-perec

Colin Wilson:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/1...

A kooky, infuriating, fascinating writer and personality. I have at least eight of his tomes, mainly his work on the occult.

Would've loved to have enjoyed a booze-filled evening with him.

Investigating the Hereafter from the other side.

Cheers, Colin!

Liked The Mind Parasites and The Space Vampires. Mind Parasites especially genius achieved through syphilis - now there's a concept.

#161 Thank you for that info Africansky1, I'm off to see if I can find that but, just in case I fail, would you be able to post a link here to the thread?

Disappointing there is not much on that link , but I can send on a couple of good local obituaries . Since Friday our newspapers are full of reflective articles about Mandela's life and meaning . All other news has disappeared . At the moment it is pouring with rain and I am watching the memorial service for Mandela on TV and istening to Obama deliver a very political speech. It is happening at the FNB stadium outside Soweto . Some brilliant singing from local choirs . International leaders here in droves .. They should all stick around for a few days see the sun come back and sort out all the World's problems . All round a fascinating mix of political rally, international congress , a celebratory concert and ecumenical religious swadling . . Obama now in full flight as an orator .... He is charismatic and a great cheer from crowd. Event superbly organized despite miserable weather.

#168 I guess we spent yesterday in very similar ways. I was touched by many of the tributes paid at the service and, most of all, by the reactions of the ordinary people to whom Mandela has meant so much. It was odd to see many people leaving after Obama's speech and it seems this was because those people had to return to work. Why on earth this of all days wasn't declared a public holiday is a mystery to me.

Many thanks to Africansky1 for supplying the link - http://www.librarything.com/topic/161872. There are now also threads in Let's Talk Religion and Happy Heathens for anyone who wishes to post their own comments.

Peter O'Toole, RIP:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/peter-otoole-dead-eighttime-oscar-...

One of the finest.

Could there have been a better cast T.E. Lawrence?

Rest in peace.

So sad about O'Toole, I was madly in love with him when I was 12 or so.

We also lost Joan Fontaine and Audrey Totter.

I just WIKI'ed Joan Fontaine

and also made a small donation to WIKI. I didn't realize they were reliant on donations.

Unfortunately Joan was one of the Actors who I thought had died many years ago. I guess if you live to a certain age, that in itself is a sort of Obituary :-)

Sorry don't know who "Audrey Trotter" was.

Totter was a noir film actress back in the day. She was 95.

I suspected the name was "Totter" (173-174) not "Trotter", but had only vague memories of seeing black and white films in the 1940s
with her the star or in a supporting role.
I can't think of a title of one of her movies off hand. Very upbeat items like"Polyanna" or "National Velvet" (ca. 1961) weren't among them, but, on the other hand, I don't remember the films' being especially "noir", but then I don't think the designation
for novels/films had been invented yet. They may have been mostly pretty routine crime movies. Several were what were at the time called
"B" movies. That was an economic designation in those days, having to do with the finances of the filming. It has since become merely an inept metaphor for a "no good" film,* regardless of the budget.

*The erroneous "B" applied to Ronald Reagan's films by some (political) critics is an example of this metaphorical usage.

Sorry about the misspelling of Audrey Totters name I am rather fond of Cinema Noir, but can't recall her.

Audrey Totter was in the Lady of the Lake (philip marlowe story)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzdl-js_mQ4

Hmm, @anna_in_pdx, As a male >65 CliffBurns:, who does understand/but not necessarily condone sexist comments, that clip was a bit 'over the top'. I guess we have changed since then :-)

Sorry, I still don't recognize Audrey Totter. And I think I have read all the Philip Marlow tales.
But not necessarily see all the movies.

Guido.

Totter was at least famous enough to get included in Turner Classic Movies year end round up of dead celebrities.

I know this is a snob group but no one has mentioned country legend Ray Price. One of my wife's family's old favorites.

An (syndicated?) obituary of Ray Price that I saw (Dec. 16?) said that a lot of the credit for innovation in CW style that Ray PRice DESERVED is commonly
AWARDED to Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard

A great, big shout-out to Ray, wherever his soul resides--he was a good 'un.

Dame Edna Everage
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/12/dame-ednas-eat-pray-laugh-...

>183 augustusgump: Now that one hurts.

Porn provocateur and national treasure, Al Goldstein:

http://www.avclub.com/article/rip-al-goldstein-porn-provocateur-and-publisher-of...

#183, send her a 'gladdy' from me.

Mr. Kalashnikov:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25497013

Got to hold an AK-47 once--quite a thrill.

> 187; One of my former colleagues whose family hailed from the Pakistani side of the Khyber was the only civil servant I knew who could field-strip an AK-47...

An enviable skill.

Paul Torday Salmon Fishing in the Yemen a lovely English comic novelist passed away in December .

Phil Everly:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25601185

...and Elizabeth Jane Howard:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16051546

Juan Gelman:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25740109

Dave Madden, played the agent on the Partridge Family. And Russel Johnson, the Professor from
Gilligan's Island.

Met Mr. Madden when I was in high school--our drama group went to see him perform in a dreadful 9th rate dinner theater in Regina. Very gracious man.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/russell-johnson-the-professor-from-gilligan-s-island...

http://www.tmz.com/2014/01/16/dave-madden-dead-partridge-family-reuben-kincaid/

Folk icon Pete Seeger.

There's a long, full life.

You know, if there ever was a Sidhhartha, Santy Claus, or Wakan Takan, he'd probably sound just like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub6opKljD6U

The Oscar-winning actor Maximilian Schell:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25999203

Philip Seymour Hoffman, 46. Heroin overdose.

http://nypost.com/2014/02/02/philip-seymour-hoffman-found-dead-in-his-apartment/

Genuinely shocking news, and very very sad. A fine actor who managed to portray some great roles in such a relatively short career.

That is...Jeezus...hard to fathom. Very sorry to hear of this.

Had no idea he was so young, actually. Sad.

Indeed. What a fucking waste. Unlike a lot a movie stars he was a tremendous stage actor as well and very prominent on the NYC theatre scene, both onstage and as a director.

Shirley Temple, child star and US ambassador, age 85
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/shirley-temple-dead-at-85-1.2531741

Ralph Kiner
ML All Star outfielder,
1946--1955, Pittsburgh Pirates; broadcaster; author of Baseball Forever: Reflections on Sixty Years in the Game.
I didnʻt ever hear him as a broadcaster. In baseball, he ranked 6th, all time, in number of HRs per time at bat; that was also the rank he had in total lifetime home runs at the time of retirement.

#205 Being English, I don't pretend to be an expert on Shirly Temple-Black but I had the impression that she had led a useful and productive adult life as an ambassador. I wonder how hacked off she would have been to see that that has barely been mentioned in the UK news reports of her death: all we've had here is endless repeats of that nauseating (and nowadays extremely dodgy) clip of her singing The Good Ship Lollipop. She must be wondering what on earth was the point.

Sid Caesar--a legend:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26162316

One of Sid's greatest comedic moments:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNbT9Lf9xZo

@booksloth, on the way to responding to your comments on Shirley Temple Black I wandered over to see your approximate age and interests. I now have The Portable Atheist on the way.

Shirley Temple was already a seasoned performer by the time she did that overplayed turn about the good ship lollipop. I don't find it nauseating, but then, I have a few years on you. It could just as easily have been Animal Crackers in My Soup, but I think the Lollipop clip gets used because she's so very young, and it shows her doing what she was best remembered for.

She never really got to be a child, and was performing from the age of three on up. She was a brilliant woman, and remarkable even as a child. She wouldn't have cared two cents for the news reports that only mentioned her as a child. That was, after all, what she was best known for. She wouldn't have minded.

She always said that her greatest role (and most treasured) was as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her beloved husband, Charles Black, had died just a few months ago. Like many close couples, she has followed.

Her two films with Bojangles Robinson Robinson were remarkable for their day (during an era of segregation on discrimination), since she took his hand and danced alongside him.

She was a sweet, generous, and loving human being. We should all aspire to be as kind and giving in our lives.

(My own personal dislike of Shirley Temple's films was Heidi, and although it didn't do at all well, I loved "The Blue Bird" with the ever amazing Gale Sondergaard as Tylette the Cat.)

"(Shirley Templeʻs) adult life as an ambassador. . . . . ..barely mentioned in the UK...reports" (207)
The Honolulu Star-Advertiserʻ headline was: "Top U. S. Movie Star as a Child was Acclaimed as Ambassador" by Aljean Harmetz, New York TImes.
It gives her Hollywood and
diplomatic careers about "equal time". It makes no mention of a projected funeral or memorial service. (But I guess, these days, you have to be a chief of state of a large country for there to be any such mention.)

Anthony Lane remembers Philip Seymour Hoffman:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2014/02/17/140217crat_atlarge_lane...

(Cheers, Gord)

@rolandperkins, there isn't a planned public funeral or memorial. Those were her wishes, and that of her family.

"There isn't a planned public funeral or memorial..." (213)

Thanks, @Lyndatrue. (I thought it might be just the media's
usual kind of coverage.)

#210 Hope you enjoy The Portable Atheist, it's one of those books I dip into constantly, though I was a little disappointed when it arrived to discover it was a book and not a pocket-sized Richard Dawkins.

#215 Thanks very much. I expect to enjoy it. The list of contributions when I looked at it was too much; I had to own it. It arrives tomorrow, just in time to curl up with it for the weekend.

Comedians remembering Sid:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26162316?ocid=socialflow_twitter

#217 Wow - there's another I thought had been dead for years!

Ralph Waite, father on The Waltons.

Billy Crystal on Sid Caesar, a touching tribute:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/arts/television/why-did-i-become-a-comic-he-in...

Sean Potts, founding member of The Chieftains and a good man for the tin whistle, to be sure.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/founding-member-of-the-chiefta...

Oh , I saw them once. Such a loss.

Mavis Gallant is gone:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/mavis-gallant-short-story-maven-dies-at-91-1.2541656

The world will soon be de-void of Devo:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/devo-s-bob-casale-dies-at-age-61-1.2542144

Sadly...

Harold Ramis, actor-director-writer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/26327020

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

Now I'm sad.

Here's a good obit from Ramis' hometown newspaper, the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-harold-ramis-dead-20140224,0,498...

(Thanks, Gord)

If we'd had a daughter along with our two sons, I hope she would've had the personality and spirit of Zina Lahr:

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/media/The-Brief-Wondrous-Life-of-...

(Wonderful account sent by my wife)

Paco de Lucia:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/26/us-spain-delucia-idUSBREA1P0E720140226

One of my special favorites is from an album he made with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin called Friday Night in San Francisco. The track Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho is just breathtaking.

Ah that's very sad to hear. And really young too. Apart from being a fantastic musician, Paco de Lucia was quite instrumental in introducing the cajon drum to Europe as well when he brought one back from Latin America to give to his percussionist. I play cajon so I'm grateful.

I did not know that. My son plays cahon so I'll have to tell him.

One great comedian, Patton Oswalt, reflects on the best of all time, Bill Hicks:

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/02/bill_hicks_remembered_by_p...

Alain Resnais, legendary film-maker:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26405308

Would have been nice if they had spelt his first name correctly in the headline.

Indeed, I'll make the correction from the Anglicized version I used as well. I was lazy.

At least they didn't refer to the playwright as "Alain" Ayckbourn...

Tony Benn, one of the last true socialists:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/tony-benn-devoted-british-socialist-dead-at-88-1.25...

Then "New Labor" came along and hugged the yellow streak in the middle of the road, abandoning principles for power.

Yeah, Tony Blair, I mean YOU.

By the way, I found CBC's article on Tony Benn's death so insulting, I sent them this e-mail:

"Your brief obituary of British Labour leader Tony Benn is one of the most shameful things I've read on your site in a long while. Mr. Benn served his country with distinction and courage, offering a true alternative to the corporate lackeys of Conservatism and "New Labour" and you turn around and ridicule him as "irritating" and "boring". Where did your reporter draw his biographical information, what sources did he use for this insulting depiction of an outstanding and decent human being? This kind of gutless journalism is revolting and has no place on the website of a major news gathering organization."

I encountered Tony Benn three times, the last at a conference in Birmingham where I found myself in a discussion circle with him. My photographs can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30301546@N06/sets/72157642335521964/

Fabulous. Thanks, Robert.

> 237 Nice email. Sorry to hear today of his passing. Even more sorry that it took a passionate socialist well into his 80s to remain one of the most persistent and articulate voices of criticism from the left, and was an (almost) lone beacon of idealism in a British landscape of political mediocrity.

Well said.

I also sent a note to the CBC's ombudsman and they indicated they'd look into my complaint. Nothing will happen but I couldn't let it go.

This is a quote attributed to him I saw on Facebook today:

Ask the powerful five questions:
What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you exercise it?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?

Hal Douglas, the famous movie trailer voice over guy. " In a World..."

242: What a brilliant quote. Tony Benn was one of those people it was hard not to like - compassionate, funny, honest, wise in many ways. In my opinion many of his views were naive and impractical because they implied a general population as admirable as he was, but I can think of few politicians I would rather have known as a person.

David Brenner, old school comedian and tonight show regular for Johnny Carson.

>215 Booksloth: I'm staggered to see just how very enjoyable, and engrossing, The Portable Atheist is, and wanted to say thank you again. Such a thoughtful book, and the range of essays over the years is a delight. It's fascinating to see old friends, and encounter new ones.

#246 That's nice of you - I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Jonathan Schell has died:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/27/us/jonathan-schell-author-who-explored-war-die...

Bad news pending on Canadian cult writer Crad Kilodney:

http://bloggamooga.blogspot.ca/

Fascinating character.

We've lost author Peter Matthiessen.

Brilliant man and talent. A true loss.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26910063

"In Paradise," which he said would be his last book is due to be published Tuesday, April 8.

A great author, from Leonard Pelletier to Bonnackers; from Cranes to Leopards.

>254 guido47:, one of those people I always kept in mind as "wow, he's still living!" He had a good run.

Farewell Sue Townsend:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26982680

256: Oh no!

#257 Yes, I'm afraid so. So very sad.

The great Marquez is gone:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/gabriel-garcia-marquez-nobel-winning-author-dead-at-...

A very sad day.

Many years ago we got a phone call from a friend. I still remember her saying: "I've stayed up all night to finish it and now I'm going to sleep!"

Those of us who read "One Hundred Years of Solitude" when it was new told all of our friends to read it too. (How often does this happen now?)

Big font. Many articles.

http://elpais.com/elpais/portada_america.html

The famous Vargas Llosa brawl:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/books/29marq.html?ref=mariovargasllosa

He lives on as a legend.

Rubin Carter has died:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rubin-hurricane-carter-dead-at-76-1.2616026

...and, good Lord, Alistair MacLeod, as well:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alistair-macleod-acclaimed-canadian-wr...

Sadly, actor Bob Hoskins.

Just read that--this one is hard because I have to say he was one of the inspirations for one of my favorite characters, the short, tough thug who narrates my first novel.

What a treasure he was in "Long Good Friday" and "Mona Lisa".

Bye, Bob.

Don't forget Roger Rabbit.

Ditto to 267 and 268. Absolutely loved him, he was a terrific character actor. *sob*

Al Feldstein, longtime editor of MAD Magazine:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/former-mad-magazine-editor-al-feldstein-dies...

H.R. Giger, a truly macabre mind:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/h-r-giger-designer-of-alien-from-alien-films-dead-at...

>271 CliffBurns: They don't mention Heavy Metal (the magazine) at all in that article, and he almost defined the genre for a time. Not my cup of tea, but an amazing mind, nonetheless.

http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?21090

Good point. HEAVY METAL used to be very, very influential.

Was Giger ever in Heavy Metal? I'm pretty sure he was never in Métal Hurlant, the French original.

http://heavymetal.com/index.php?id=844

I think I read that his work was featured in 14 issues.

>274 iansales: He was indeed in the French original, but I think he may not have been credited. I used to have a few issues (in the long ago times). He was also in Heavy Metal, but I believe he was credited there. There were influences of his work in the animated Heavy Metal as well, although he was not a direct contributor. He left a large footprint.

The review of the film (near the bottom of the page) is interesting.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082509/

As an amusing side note, it appears that the French original (with other items) was purchased by Fabrice Giger.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrice_Giger

(I could be wrong on Geiger appearing in the early Hurlant, btw. It's been a LONG time ago, and I got rid of that stuff years and years ago. Not my taste.)

Young, promising director, Malik Bendjelloul:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/malik-bendjelloul-searching-for-sugar-man-director-d...

>275 CliffBurns: Looks like his art was featured in Heavy Metal but he didn't contribute any stories, which is what I thought you meant.

Mary Stewart, author of romantic thrillers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10833968/Mary-Stewart-obituary.html

It's an interesting obituary. I'd not heard of her before, but she was quoted by an SF author that I'm fond of as one of three influences on his work, and I had to see who it was.

"Her finest and most original achievement was an Arthurian trilogy: The Crystal Cave (1970), The Hollow Hills (1973) and The Last Enchantment (1979)."

#279 The first two books in the series won the Mythopoeic Award 1971 & 74 I believe.

I read those! When I was a teenager. I think I liked them quite a bit. Like a lot of people I went through an Arthurian stage. Sad news.

One of the greatest cameramen/cinematographers of all time, Gordon Willis:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27469107

Tadeusz Rosewicz, brilliant poet:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/arts/tadeusz-rozewicz-fierce-poetic-voice-of-p...