Gregg Allman, RIP

Gregg Allman, southern rock legend, founding member of The Allman

Brothers Band, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia on Friday

Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years. During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul. Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.

Gregg’s long time manager and close friend, NJ's Michael Lehman said of Mr Allman's passing, “I have lost a dear friend and the world has lost a brilliant pioneer in music. He was a kind and gentle soul with the best laugh I ever heard. His love for his family and bandmates was passionate as was the love he had for his extraordinary fans. Gregg was an incredible partner and an even better friend. We will all miss him.”

Allman Bros' Butch Trucks Dead at 69

The founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away last night at his home in West Palm Beach, FL he was 69.  The drummer, along with Allman Brothers Gregg and Duane, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and drummer Jai Johanny Johanson, formed the group in the late ’60s.

 

An Allman Brothers Band representative released the following announcement:

Butch Trucks, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, tragically died the night of January 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida.  His wife, four children, four grandchildren and all of the Allman Brothers Band, their families and Road Crew survive Butch.  The Trucks and Allman Brothers Band families request all of Butch's friends and fans to please respect our privacy at this time of sadness for our loss.  Butch will play on in our hearts forever.

Donations and remembrances in Butch's name can be made to The Big House Museum in Macon, GA. TheBigHousemuseum.com.

Sharon Jones : RIP

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the one and only Sharon Jones. Her voice and vision will continue to be a source of inspiration and joy for lovers of music all over the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends at Daptone Records.

Official message from Daptone Records:

We are deeply saddened to announce that Sharon Jones has passed away after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones, including the Dap-Kings.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations:

• The Lustgarten Foundation
• James Brown Family Foundation
• Little Kids Rock

Gene Wilder, Star of 'Willy Wonka' and Mel Brooks Classics, Dies at 83

 The comic actor was at his best in 'The Producers,' 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein' and teamed with Richard Pryor in four films.

Gene Wilder, the leading man with the comic flair and frizzy hair known for teaming with Mel Brooks on the laugh-out-loud masterpieces The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, has died, his family announced. He was 83.

The two-time Oscar nominee also starred as a quirky candy man in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and in four films alongside stand-up legend Richard Pryor.

Wilder's nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, said that the actor died Sunday night at home in Stamford, Conn., after a three-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Continue at hollywoodreporter.com/news/gene-wilder

Morton Schindel, Founder Of Weston Woods Studios, Dies At Age 98

Morton Schindel, founder of Weston Woods Studios, the leading provider of audiovisual materials adapted from award-winning children's books, died peacefully Saturday, August 20, 2016 at age 98.  Mr. Schindel produced more than 300 motion pictures and 450 recordings that are found in school and library collections worldwide.  His films have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Mr. Schindel found that a special filming technique was needed to faithfully transfer the artwork of children's picture books from page to screen. He developed the iconographic style of filmmaking, in which original artwork from an open book glides in front of a motion picture camera, giving the still imagery cinematic life.  By moving the pictures at deliberate, controlled speeds, the camera captures the mood and action that the illustrator conveyed on the pages of the book.

 

Born in Orange, NJ in 1918, Schindel moved to New York City after college and worked as a clerk in Stern's Department Store.  In 1941, he founded ELMOR Manufacturing Company, a machine shop, but he battled tuberculosis and in 1944-45, moved to Saranac Lake, NY to convalesce.  In 1949-50 he tried his hand at film, but the company he worked for, Teaching Films, went bankrupt and he became an independent producer.  In 1951, he was recruited to serve as Film Officer and Attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, and then returned to Connecticut in 1953 to launch Weston Woods Studios.  The company struggled in the early years, but in 1966, the federal government passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the first school libraries were opened.  Weston Woods' sales quadrupled overnight.

 

Jazz Harmonica Master, Toots Thielemans Dead at 94.. RIP

Toots Thielemans, a jazz harmonica player, guitarist and whistler whose 1961 composition “Bluesette” became a jazz standard, has died, the Associated Press reported Monday. He was 94.
Belgian broadcaster RTL reported that his manager, Veerle Van de Poel, said that "there were no complications. He died of old age, his body was simply worn out." 

More at http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-toots-thielemans-snap-story.html

Legendary Musician/Songwriter Allen Touissant Dead at 77

 

Today we’re mourning the loss of a true giant of American music, and all-around one of our favorite artists, Allen Toussaint. Allen was truly one of a kind. Our thoughts go out to his friends and loved ones.

Legendary Actor, Christopher Lee, Passes at 93

Sir Christopher Lee, who has starred in almost 300 movies including 'The Lord of the Rings', 'Star Wars', 'The Man with the Golden Gun', 'Dracula' and 'The Wicker Man', passed away on Sunday, 7th June.  

Born on 27th May 1922, Lee served in the Royal Air Force as Intelligence Officer during WWII. He was attached to the Special Operations Executive and the Long Range Desert Patrol (the precursor of the SAS), as well as Popski's Private Army. His missions remain classified to this date. He was decorated for distinguished service and held the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

After demobilization in 1946, Christopher Lee entered the film industry in 1947. As a member of Rank's "Charm School", he made his screen debut in the Gothic romance 'Corridor of Mirrors', directed by Terence Young that same year. Most recently, he reprised once more the role of Saruman in 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies'. This was to be his last major role.

Lee was due to start work in the drama 'The 11th' later on this year, with Uma Thurman about the lead-up to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. Sadly, this was not to be. At 8.30am GMT on Sunday morning, Lee died in London of natural causes. The previous day, he had been with his family laughing and joking as usual and watching the cricket. Despite his advanced age, his death was totally unexpected.