DEATHS ; Notable Passings; The Thread to Pay Last Respects

[Lean'n'mean]

Versatile French actor, Claude Brasseur, has died aged 84. He had Ernest Hemingway as godfather.

 

[OldStrummer]

Leslie West, Frontman and Guitarist for Rock Band Mountain, Dies at 75

Leslie West, known best as the frontman and guitarist for rock band Mountain, died on Tuesday. He was 75 years old.

West's publicist confirmed his death to the L.A. Times, saying the musician's cause of death was cardiac arrest.

Mountain formed on Long Island, New York in 1969 and released three albums before they broke up in 1972 — though they've reunited frequently since and released a number of other projects including 1974's Avalanche, 1985's Go for Your Life, 1996's Man's World, 2002's Mystic Fire and 2007's Masters of War. The group notably performed at Woodstock in 1969.

 

[Frunobulax]

Leslie West, Frontman and Guitarist for Rock Band Mountain, Dies at 75

Leslie West, known best as the frontman and guitarist for rock band Mountain, died on Tuesday. He was 75 years old.

West's publicist confirmed his death to the L.A. Times, saying the musician's cause of death was cardiac arrest.

Mountain formed on Long Island, New York in 1969 and released three albums before they broke up in 1972 — though they've reunited frequently since and released a number of other projects including 1974's Avalanche, 1985's Go for Your Life, 1996's Man's World, 2002's Mystic Fire and 2007's Masters of War. The group notably performed at Woodstock in 1969.

I am heartbroken over this. I figured his tally was coming up when he lost his leg some time ago. I only got to see him once, but it was an experience. That full-throated, melodic tone he mastered was unmistakable.

And my sister once appeared on stage with him! She was a waitress in a bar he was playing, and had to duck onto the stage when a fight broke out during his set.

Or maybe that was Alvin Lee. I'll have to ask her.

 

[carouselvic]

R.I.P. Tony Rice

 

[Rmccamey]

Goodbye old friend. Church Street Blues got a lot bluer today. Rest in Piece, brother Tony, acoustic guitars will never be the same without you.

R.I.P. Tony Rice

 

[Doctor Strange]

Oh, so sad. He was freakin' amazing!

Bluegrass Great Tony Rice Dead at 69 (tasteofcountry.com)

Iconic Bluegrass Guitarist Tony Rice Dies at Age 69 - No Depression

 

[HudsonHawk]

Been a rough year for former Major Leaguers, especially Hall of Famers. 2020 claims another one; RIP Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro dies at 81 | MLB.com

 

[Frunobulax]

When I lived in Cleveland in the late 80s he was pitching for the Indians. They would have a polka band in the stands down the right field line that would play between innings.

 

[OldStrummer]

Famed French designer Pierre Cardin dies at 98

Upon graduating from college, I accepted a full-time position at a men's clothing store I'd worked at part time while attending school. Cardin was to me the epitome of men's fashions. His ties were nonpareil, his suits fit me as if I were his model study, and even his cologne I found appealing (I don't like cologne). R. I. P., sir.

 

[Trenchfriend]

R.I.P..

Very good upper middle-class brand on fair prices.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Actress Dawn Wells, famous for playing Mary Ann Summers on Gilligan's Island, died today from complications of COVID-19. She was 82. This leaves Tina Louise, who played Ginger, as the last surviving cast member from the show. In the age old question for boys of my generation..."Ginger or Mary Ann?", it was always Mary Ann. Rest in Peace.

Dawn Wells, Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island,' dies of Covid-19 complications at 82 - CNN

 

[Lean'n'mean]

French jazz pianist, composer & orchestra conductor, Claude Bolling, has died aged 90. He wrote over 100 film scores too.

 

[MisterCairo]

Yes, my first choice was always Mary Ann...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/dawn-wells-mary-ann-gilligan-s-island-obit-1.5857789

 

[Zombie_61]

Yes, my first choice was always Mary Ann...

Same here. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Dawn Wells at a convention years ago. She couldn't have been nicer, and it wasn't that phony "I'm getting paid to be at this meet-and-greet" demeanor; she was simply a genuine down-to-earth person.

 

[carouselvic]

Phyllis McGuire RIP

 

[Ed Bass]

I was at a dinner function with Dawn Wells a few years ago. We talked for quite a while. She was a very sweet girl and pleasure to visit with.
Regarding the Ginger vs. Mary Ann issue, I'm the exception that proves the rule; I am a Ginger guy.
(Of course I did not share this info with Dawn).

 

[Frunobulax]

 

[Zombie_61]

...Regarding the Ginger vs. Mary Ann issue, I'm the exception that proves the rule; I am a Ginger guy.
(Of course I did not share this info with Dawn).

To be fair, Tina Louise will die someday and then we'll sing her praises. Until then...

 

[GHT]

Gerry Marsden, lead singer of British band Gerry and the Pacemakers, has died at 78 after a short illness.

Gerry Marsden, the British singer who was instrumental in turning a song from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" into one of the great anthems in the world of football, has died. He was 78. His friend Pete Price said on Instagram after speaking to Marsden's family that the Gerry and the Pacemakers frontman died after a short illness related to a heart infection.
"I'm sending all the love in the world to (his wife) Pauline and his family," he said. "You'll Never Walk Alone."

 

[BobHufford]

This couple (together a short time) spanned quite a period of time with their respective lives.

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - National Organization

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Helen Viola Jackson, the last documented widow of a Civil War soldier, on December 16th, 2020. Ms. Jackson was 101 years old at the time of her passing. She had been a resident of the Webco Manor Nursing Home in Marshfield, Missouri for many years.
Helen Jackson married Private James Bolin, Company F, of the 14th Missouri Cavalry, on September 4th, 1936. He was 93 years old and she was 17. Her father had volunteered her to stop by his house each day and assist him with chores as she headed home from school. Bolin did not believe in accepting charity and, after a period of time, asked Helen for her hand in marriage in order to provide for her future by leaving her his Union pension. She accepted and Bolin recorded the wedding in his personal Bible. Bolin died in June of 1939 and Helen never remarried. She also never applied for the pension.