Obituary

"[...] Oh em gee: A well-known contestant from Season 7 of American Idol died over the weekend after being struck and killed by a car in New Jersey. 25-year-old..."

New Jersey did something right, Kills American Idol | Freak Safari: Freak of the Day

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Quirky American Idol Star Killed in New Jersey Hit-and-Run

Published July 27th, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: Carrie Underwood and David Cook duet. Cook was the winner of American Idol Season 7, but another contestant created an online buzz thanks to a wild, glittery audition video (below).

A well-known contestant from Season 7 of American Idol died over the weekend after being struck and killed by a car in New Jersey.

25-year-old Alexis Cohen of Allentown, PA, was killed in a hit-and-run accident near the Jersey Shore. The driver, 23-year-old Daniel Bark, reportedly fled the scene, but was later arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, according to Monday’s Daily News report.

Most American Idol fans will remember Season Seven as the year “rocker” David Cook took home Idol’s top prize. However, the season also created a smaller online sensation thanks to a popular video (below) of Cohen’s emotional post-audition rant directed at judge Simon Cowell. In his typical manner, Cowell had offered harsh criticism of Cohen’s performance of Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love.”

Although she is widely remembered for her glittery make-up and goofy persona, Cohen’s sometimes thoughtful Idol interview also revealed that Continue reading »

"OMG. Peter & Gorden were part of my past. He will be missed."

Irishboocat

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Brit Pop Idol Dead at 64, Known for Beatles Connection

Published July 21st, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: Peter & Gordon’s 1964 hit, “World Without Love,” was written by a more famous member of the British Invasion. Do you know who?

Over the weekend, the music world bid farewell to 64-year-old Gordon Waller, an often overlooked figure in British pop/folk music history.

In 1964, the virtually unknown British singing duo Peter & Gordon (Peter Asher and Gordon Waller) hit the top of the charts with their its first single, “World Without Love.” It is worth noting that the pair didn’t actually write the melancholy hit song that would become its trademark, it was written by the young musician Asher’s sister Jane was dating at the time: superstar Continue reading »

"this is a classic he will be missed deeply! sdm092 JoniC. in N.C."

Sdm092@aol.com

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Assessing the King of Pop’s Legacy: Remembered for Music or Scandal?

Published June 26th, 2009 by Wendy

ABOVE: Will Michael Jackson be remembered for his music and unique dance moves? Or will his legacy be tarnished by scandal? Below, a fan remembers Jackson.

For fans of a certain age, Michael Jackson was a musical God. I grew up with Michael, and was in college when Off the Wall came out. We all ran out to buy the album, (vinyl, of course), and “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” was constantly blaring in the dormitory halls.

We all thought Michael was ultra talented and ultra cool, and music fans around the world agreed.

Then came Thriller, bringing with it the brilliant music video, the sequined glove, and, of course, the Moonwalk. By this time, Michael was Continue reading »

"yes your right about that...let's not judge and speculate things until autopsy has been done. No one will ever want to kill himself because of drugs...."

Lee Cruz

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Drugs, Overdose May Be Cause of Michael Jackson Death

Published June 26th, 2009 by Wendy

ABOVE: “Have You Seen My Childhood?” by Michael Jackson. Hours after the King of Pop’s untimely death, speculation mounts that Jackson’s very strange, very public life may have come to a sudden end due to drug-induced cardiac arrest. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed later today.

According to a report on Popeater.com, drugs are likely to blame for the untimely death of Michael Jackson.

“I can only tell you that this is something that was not unexpected,” the Web site quoted Jackson family spokesperson Brian Oxman as saying Thursday night. Oxman further said that the family had been trying for months and months to get Michael help, but that he was surrounded by enablers, not unlike the late Anna Nicole Smith.

Popeater also noted a report in Britain’s The Sun that Jackson had injected himself with Demerol, a drug similar to Morphine, minutes before his cardiac arrest. “Shortly after taking the Demerol he started to experience slow shallow breathing,” The Sun’s source was quoted as saying. “His breathing gradually got slower and slower until it stopped,”

The official cause of Jackson’s death won’t be known until an autopsy has been performed. As of now, the death is blamed on cardiac arrest.

"He's always be remembered as the king of pop. He's truly a superstar, truly entertainer. Always, honored to what he did. Big loss in entertainment."

Daniel

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BREAKING:Michael Jackson Dead at 50, Heart Attack

Published June 25th, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: A young Michael Jackson performs the Jackson 5 hit, “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

Details of this story are still developing, but sources including the AP and Los Angeles Times are reporting that after being taken to UCLA medical center, international entertainment star Michael Jackson has died at age 50.

According to those reports, Jackson was found not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call summoning them to his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2009. He is reported to have suffered cardiac arrest.

Known to fans worldwide as the King of Pop, Jackson first found fame as a member of the Jackson 5 alongside his four older brothers. He quickly began to outshine his siblings, rocketing to fame as a solo star in the ’80s with a series of chart-topping albums, including Off the Wall, Bad and the record-breaking sales smash, Thriller.

Jackson’s oft-imitated dance moves added to his appeal among fans and followers, with his fame soaring to the level of cult-like admiration among many.

In recent years, Jackson’s music and performances have been upstaged only by his knack for making headlines due to his often bizarre behavior, including Continue reading »

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RIP Sky Saxon, Psychedelic Rock Icon of “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” Fame

Published June 25th, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: The Seeds perform the 1966 hit, “Pushin’ Too Hard.”

An influential ’60s garage-rock band, the Seeds found success with singles such as “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine,” “A Thousand Shadows” and, most notably, 1966’s “Pushin’ Too Hard.”

The LA band’s psychedelic rock sound continued to win over fans in the decades to come, with artists such as the Ramones, Garbage, Yo La Tengo, Alex Chilton and Johnny Thunders all releasing versions of Seeds’ hits.

The group went through numerous line-up shifts throughout the late-60s and early-70s before disbanding, but ultimately reunited for a run on the Nuggets-friendly nostalgia circuit alongside groups like the Music Machine, Arthur Lee/Love, Big Brother and the Holding Company and Strawberry Alarm Clock, the latter noted for the single “Incense and Peppermints,” and a featured role in the cult film classic, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

Seeds singer/bassist Sky Saxon, born Richard Marsh, died earlier today, June 25, 2009, in an Austin, Texas hospital. An official cause has not yet been confirmed, although sources such as Austin360 report that Saxon had fallen ill last week, suffering an organ infection. Saxon leaves behind a wife, Sabrina. Check back for additional details as they become available.

"[...] recalled Fentanyl Drug Patch may have been a factor in the fatal, accidental overdose of ex-Wilco guitarist Jay Walter Bennett. [...]"

Post Product Recall Fallout | ReviewSomething.com

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Wilco Guitarist Killed by Overdose. Fentanyl Patch Recall a Possible Factor.

Published June 24th, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: Bennett, Tweedy and Wilco perform “California Stars.” Lyrics by Woody Guthrie.

Following weeks of speculation, Illinois coroners concluded their investigation and announced on Tuesday that ex-Wilco guitarist Jay Walter Bennett, 45, died of a drug overdose.

AP reported the findings, stating that the Champaign County coroner found that Bennett had overdosed on fentanyl, a pain killer often packaged as a patch and normally used in the treatment of chronic pain.

Bennett was due to undergo hip-replacement surgery, and had written openly about his ongoing pain in his final MySpace blog entry. Several varieties of fentanyl patches had been recalled last year due to safety issues-namely, a leak in the patch that increases the risk of accidental overdose.

Authorities have not confirmed that the defective patches were a factor in Bennett’s death, which has been ruled accidental.

Bennett was with Wilco from 1994 to 2001, but exited due to his strained relationship with bandleader Jeff Tweedy. The disintegration of their partnership is captured in the 2002 documentary I am Trying to Break Your Heart.

Bennett passed away May 24, 2009. Earlier that month, Bennett’s hip-replacement surgery had reportedly been denied by his insurer. Shortly thereafter, Bennett filed a suit against Tweedy for breach of contract regarding his split from Wilco.

Often working as a studio musician with the likes of Sheryl Crow and Billy Joe Shaver, Bennett’s most recent solo album was 2008’s Whatever Happened I Apologize, currently available as a free download from Rock Proper Records.

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Ed McMahon Dead at 86. Octogenarian Gangsta Rap Star, TV Co-Host.

Published June 23rd, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: In the midst of his personal financial crisis and home foreclosure, Ed McMahon became an octogenarian gansta rap sensation.

Famous for his nightly announcement, “Heeere’s Johnny,” longtime Tonight Show with Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon had one of the most famous voices in television. It came as some surprise when the straight-laced spokesman reinvented himself as a gangsta rap star later in life, even if it was only for an ad campaign.

In recent months, the star made headlines as his multi-million dollar home became involved in foreclosure proceedings. McMahon had fallen Continue reading »