Tag Archives: obituary

The Iron Sheik, the notorious pro-wrestling villain who warred with Hulk Hogan in the 1980s and whose gimmick capitalized on U.S. tensions with Iran, has died at 81. The Sheik’s death was announced Wednesday via his popular yet polarizing Twitter account, which helped turn the sports-entertainment cult figure into an …

Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian crooner whose detached, almost observational singing style imbued “The Girl From Ipanema” with inherent cool, died Monday. Her friend, musician Paul Ricci, posted the news to Facebook but did not reveal her cause of death. She was 83. Gilberto had never performed in public when she …

George Winston, the celebrated solo pianist who sold more than 15 million albums over the course of his career, died Sunday, June 4. He was 73. Winston’s death was confirmed on his website. He had been battling cancer for 10 years, undergoing a bone marrow transplant in 2013. Winston rose …

Cynthia Weil, the celebrated songwriter who helped craft timeless hits like the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” the Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire,” died Thursday, June 1. She was 82. Weil’s daughter, Jenn Mann, confirmed her death, though no …

Ruth Glenn remembers the first time she read I, Tina, the powerful 1986 autobiography in which Tina Turner details the extensive abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband, Ike. Glenn, who read the book when it was first published, was “moved and encouraged” by Tina’s personal accounts; they …

Bill Lee, the jazz bassist who recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin and was the father of filmmaker Spike Lee, has died at the age of 94. Lee died Wednesday at his home in Brooklyn, Spike confirmed to The New York Times. No cause of death …

Tina Turner, the raspy-voiced fireball who overcame domestic abuse and industry ambivalence to emerge as one of rock and soul’s brassiest, most rousing and most inspirational performers, died Wednesday at age 83. “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock & Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after …

Pete Brown, the British poet and singer who helped co-write some of Cream’s most enduring songs — including “White Room” and “Sunshine of Your Love” — has died at the age of 82. Brown’s death Friday following “a courageous battle with cancer” was announced on his official Facebook page. “Brown …

Andy Rourke, the bassist for the Smiths, has died at age 59. The band’s guitarist, Johnny Marr, confirmed the news on Twitter this morning. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” Marr wrote. “Andy will be remembered …

Jim Brown, the legendary NFL running back, actor, and civil rights activist, who was also the subject of numerous allegations of violence, died Thursday night, May 18. He was 87. Brown’s wife, Monique, confirmed his death in a post on Instagram, though no cause of death was given. “It is …