Sixto Rodriguez, the Mexican-American singer-songwriter who languished in obscurity for decades before his brilliant music was rediscovered and chronicled in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, died on Tuesday. He was 81. Rodriguez’s death was announced Wednesday on his official website. “It is with great sadness that we …
Read More »Robbie Robertson, Master Storyteller Who Led the Band, Dead at 80
Robbie Robertson, the Band‘s guitarist and primary songwriter who penned “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “Up on Cripple Creek,” and many other beloved classics, died Wednesday at age 80. Robertson’s management company confirmed the musician’s death. “Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of …
Read More »William Friedkin, Oscar-Winning Director of 'The French Connection' and 'The Exorcist,' Dead at 87
William Friedkin, one of the great directors of the New Hollywood era who helmed classics like The Exorcist and Oscar-winner The French Connection, died Monday, The New York Times reports. He was 87. Sherry Lansing, a former head of Paramount Pictures, and Friedkin’s wife, confirmed his death. She said the …
Read More »William Friedkin Did So Much More Than Invent the Horror Blockbuster
It’s not a movie chase scene so much as the movie chase scene: a breakneck race against time between a criminal on an elevated subway and a cop in a commandeered car, careening through the streets of Brooklyn at ridiculous speeds. The bad guy works for a European drug cartel, …
Read More »John Gosling, Keyboardist for the Kinks, Dead at 75
John Gosling, who served as keyboardist for the Kinks throughout their fruitful Seventies period, has died at the age of 75. The band announced Gosling’s death in a statement Friday, “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of John Gosling. We are sending our condolences to John’s …
Read More »Mark Margolis, Actor Who Played 'Tio' Salamanca on 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul,' Dead at 83
Mark Margolis, the longtime character actor whose career pinnacled with unforgettable arcs on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has died at the age of 83. Margolis’ son announced the actor’s death Friday, noting that Margolis died at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital on August 3 following a short illness. …
Read More »Paul Reubens, Actor Who Portrayed Pee-wee Herman, Dead at 70
Paul Reubens, the actor who portrayed beloved character Pee-wee Herman that amused kids and adults of multiple generations, died on Sunday night at the age of 70. The cause of death was an unspecified cancer. “Last night, we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and …
Read More »Pee-wee Herman Was the Greatest Pop-Culture Manchild Ever
It was the laugh that got you first: A staccato giggle combined with what sounded like a T. rex’s roar. If you watch The Pee-wee Herman Show, the HBO special taken from Paul Reubens’ 1981 stage show that — along with a handful of appearances on Late Night with David …
Read More »Sinéad O'Connor, Fiery and Uncompromising Singer, Dead at 56
Sinéad O’Connor, the fiery Irish singer-songwriter whose striking voice briefly made her an unlikely pop superstar while her bold public stances on child abuse, war, and organized religion made her a controversial figure, has died at the age of 56. O’Connor’s family confirmed the singer’s death in a statement to …
Read More »Tony Bennett, Beloved Standards Crooner Who Bridged Generations, Dead at 96
Tony Bennett, the affable pre-rock standards crooner who came to be newly appreciated and beloved by everyone from the grunge generation to Lady Gaga, died on Friday. He was 96. Bennett’s publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone, adding that he died in his hometown of New …
Read More »