Obituary
Charles Koppelman, Former Music Exec and Martha Stewart Living Chairman, Dies at 82
Charles Koppelman, former music executive and Martha Stewart chairman, died on Friday (Nov. 25). He was 82. A cause of death was not given at the time. His son, showrunner Brian Koppelman, announced the loss on his social media, saying, “I’ll write more about my dad, Charles Koppelman, when I can. But the only thing that matters is how much I loved him. And how much he taught me about every single thing that matters.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Billions co-creator continued, “He lived exactly the life he wanted to live. And he spent his last days surrounded by those he loved the most. Pop, thank you.” Koppelman began his career in entertainment as a member of musical trio The Ivy Three, which had a Top 10 hit in 1960 called “Yogi.” Sho...
Irene Cara, Oscar-Winning Singer of “Flashdance” and “Fame” Theme Songs, Dead at 63
Irene Cara, who sang two of the most iconic theme songs in movie history, has passed away at the age of 63. The Oscar-winning singer-actress died in her Florida home on Friday (November 25th), according to her representative, with no cause of death disclosed. “It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” publicist Judith A. Moose shared on the singer’s social media pages. “The Academy Award winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home. Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available…. She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.” Cara is best known for singing the theme songs to the movies Fame (1980) and Flashdan...
Geoff Wonfor, Director of Beatles ‘Anthology,’ Dies at 73
Geoff Wonfor, a Grammy-winning British filmmaker who directed the Beatles’ acclaimed “Anthology” documentary series and worked on the 1980s music program “The Tube” as well as several projects with Paul McCartney, has died at age 73. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news His death was confirmed Tuesday by daughter Sam Wonfor, who said he died in Newcastle, where he grew up. Additional details were not immediately available. Released in the mid-1990s, “The Beatles Anthology” was an authorized, multimedia project that included an eight-part documentary, three double albums and a coffee table book. Wonfor spent 4 1/2 years on the film, which combined archival footage with new interviews with the then-three surviving Beatles (McCartney, Ringo Starr and G...
Wilko Johnson, Game of Thrones Actor and Dr. Feelgood Guitarist, Dead at 75
Wilko Johnson, the British musician who also portrayed Ser Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones, has died. He was 75. The news was shared early Wednesday morning via Johnson’s social media: “This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died,” reads a tribute post. “He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family’s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson.” Born John Peter Wilkinson in Essex, England, Johnson rose to prominence in the ’70s as the guitarist of the rock band Dr. Feelgood, known for his distinctive percussive sound. Dr. Feelgood released three studio albums throughout their short tenure, as well as a 1976 live album Stupidity, which would go on to top the UK album char...
James Winburn, Original Michael Myers Stunt Double, Dead at 85
James Winburn, the actor, director, and stunt man best known for being the stunt double for Michael Myers in the original Halloween, has died at age 85, EW reports. Winburn passed away November 19th following an undisclosed illness. While Nick Castle portrayed Michael Myers in John Carpenter’s classic horror film, Winburn donned the mask for the killer’s more physical scenes. He did stunt work in more than 70 films, including Carpenter’s Escape From New York, the original TRON, and Dennis Hopper’s police drama Colors. Winburn acted in film and television as well, including in the TV series Cagney & Lacey and Hunter and Robert Aldrich’s 1977 film, The Choirboys. As a director, Winburn helmed 1988’s Evil Altar, 1991’s The Death Merchant, and ...
Jason David Frank, Power Rangers Actor, Dead at 49
Jason David Frank, the actor and mixed martial artist who portrayed Tommy Oliver in the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers franchise, has died at 49. The news was first shared on Sunday (November 20th) by Frank’s trainer, Mike Bronzoulis, via Facebook. It was later confirmed by his representative Justine Hunt via TVLine, who said in a statement: “Please respect the privacy of his family and friends during this horrible time as we come to terms with the loss of such a wonderful human being. He loved his family, friends and fans very much. He will be truly missed.” Frank was an instant Power Rangers fan favorite upon his introduction on the children’s action series’ first season in 1993. Though he initially donned the Green Ranger suit, he also originated the White Ranger persona and later took o...
Scott Dachroeden, Guitar Tech and Photographer for Alice in Chains, Tool and Rob Zombie, Has Died
Scott Dachroeden, a longtime guitar tech and photographer for Alice in Chains among other artists such as Tool and Rob Zombie, has died after a battle with cancer. A GoFundMe page had been set up for Dachroeden earlier this month as he battled stage 4 cancer. Dachroeden was diagnosed after he returned from a summer tour with Alice in Chains, for whom he had been tenured for 14 years. Dachroeden moved to the US from his native Australia over two decades ago with the hopes becoming a concert photographer and working in the music industry. He would find success both as a photographer and guitar tech, working with Alice in Chains, as well as Tool, Rob Zombie, Halestorm, Bush, and many more. Advertisement Related Video “I was the annoying kid with the camera growing up. Everybody knew at least ...
Low’s Mimi Parker Dies Following Battle with Cancer
Low drummer/vocalist Mimi Parker passed away on Saturday (November 5th) following a battle with ovarian cancer. In a statement posted to social media on Sunday, Parker’s husband and musical collaborator, Alan Sparhawk, announced his wife’s passing. “Friends, it’s hard to put the universe into language and into a short message, but… She passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours,” Sparhawk wrote. “Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is indeed the most important thing.” Advertisement Related Video In January 2022, Parker revealed in an interview on the SHEROE podcast that she had been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in December 2020. Between January 2021 and August 2021 — leading right up to the band’s most rec...
Aaron Carter, Former Child Pop Star, Found Dead at 34
Aaron Carter, the former child pop star, has died at the age of 34. According to TMZ, Carter’s body was found in a bathtub at his house in Lancaster, California on Saturday morning. A cause of death was not immediately clear, but police told TMZ that there was no indication of foul play. Related Video Carter hailed from Tampa, Florida, the younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter. Following in Nick’s footsteps, Aaron began performing at age seven and released his self-titled debut album in 1997 at age nine. His sophomore album, 2000’s Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), was certified 3x platinum after selling three million copies and hitting No. 4 on the Billboard 200. His follow-up third album, 2001’s Oh Aaron, also went platinum. Advertisement As the trend of boy bands fell out of ...
Aaron Carter, Singer and Brother of Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, Dies at 34
Aaron Carter, singer, television personality and younger brother of Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter, died Saturday (Nov. 5). He was 34. A representative from his management team cofirmed his death to Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was given. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told THR that a suspicious death took place at the address of Carter’s residence but could not confirm the identity. Representatives for Carter’s brother did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Born in Tampa, Fla., on December 7, 1987, Carter got his start opening for the Backstreet Boys on a 1997 tour, and his debut album, Aaron Carter, was released later that year, reaching gold status. His follow-up album, Aaron’s Party (Come an...
R.I.P. Patrick Haggerty, Lavender Country Vocalist and Queer Activist Dead at 78
Patrick Haggerty, lead vocalist and guitarist of the pioneering queer country group Lavender Country, has died. He was 78. “This morning, we lost a great soul,” read a statement from Lavender Country’s Instagram account October 31st. “RIP Patrick Haggerty. After suffering a stroke several weeks ago, he was able to spend his final days at home surrounded by his kids and lifelong husband, JB. Love, and solidarity.” Haggerty was born on September 27th, 1944, and raised on a dairy farm outside Port Angeles, Washington. The sixth of ten children, Haggerty has said that his family was very accepting of his sexuality. After a brief stint serving in the Peace Corps, he moved to Seattle, where he quickly immersed himself in the Stonewall-era gay rights movement, joining the local chapter of the Gay...
D.H. Peligro, Dead Kennedys Drummer, Dies at 63
D.H. Peligro, the drummer for influential punk band Dead Kennedys who also was a drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a short period of time, had died. He was 63. The band confirmed the news of Peligro’s passing on their official social media accounts Saturday night (Oct. 29), noting that he died the day before in his Los Angeles home following an accidental fall. “Dead Kennedys’ drummer D.H. Peligro (Darren Henley) passed away in his Los Angeles home yesterday, October 28th,” Dead Kennedys wrote in a statement on Instagram. “Police on the scene stated that he died from trauma to the head caused by an accidental fall. Arrangements are pending and will be announced in the coming days. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your thoug...
