Tag Archives: Prince

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/7/19

08 Sunday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday, The BCPF and I got to attend a 60th birthday bash unlike either of us had seen before. The Michael family (the awesome owners of Yamas!, Cin-Cin, Waldo’s Wings and Mama Zöe Michael’s restaurants) celebrated the matriarch’s milestone and the shindig was amazing! That’s their business and I won’t go on about it, but I want to extend a big thank you to the family for allowing us to be part of it.

ParadeLP

©Paisley Park/Warner Bros.

Now, we had breakfast at First Watch, got to see Daniel Butner and his wife outside of Underdog Records and then got to see Jonathan. Our haul is small but we enjoyed it. Here it is:

  • The Who – My Generation — #237 on the RS list this is the debut album by The Who. The album came out in 1965 and in 1967 a music writer for Esquire said it was the hardest rock in history. At the time, yeah, it was. Another writer said it was the heaviest of mod pop ever recorded. I’ll agree with that, too. It’s a good album, a really good debut. This is in mono. New.
  • Radiohead – Kid A — #67 on the RS list. I think that is way too high. It’s not my favorite Radiohead. It’s okay. I went back to read what I wrote about this album when I did the RS list. Here’s what I said: As I said, it’s not bad, just not my thing. I see its importance, but don’t see how it rates higher than OK Computer and The Bends. Both are far superior albums in my opinion. Even Pablo Honey is better than this. Didn’t dig. Not much has changed. It’s 2xLP and new.
  • Elliott Smith – Roman Candle — When I first met The BCPF and realized she liked indie rock and modern folksy stuff, Elliott Smith was the first artist she told me about. He’s tragic because of his life and because of his death. This is his debut album and was recorded in his basement. It is very lo-fi but very Elliott Smith. A good album that showed the talent that would only get better as time went on, even if his troubles got in the way. New.
  • Prince And The Revolution – Parade — The follow-up to the follow-up, I call this. The follow up was Around the World in a Day, which, of course, followed Purple Rain. This was the fourth and final album with “the Revolution” before doing it eponymously for the next one, Sign o’ The Times. It was the soundtrack for Under the Cherry Moon the film that Prince wrote, directed and starred in. It was pretty awful, really. There are some bright spots on this album (“Venus de Milo,” “Sometimes It Snows in April,” “Anotherloverholenyohead,” and of course, “Kiss), but mostly it was scattered and weird. Am I glad I have it? Oh yeah! I’ve never owned it before in any medium, so I’m glad to have it. Just not my favorite Prince. EX/VG++.
  • The Tarwater Band – Walking Across Egypt — This is signed by Clyde Edgerton who played banjo, piano and sang. When I look up Tarwater on Wikipedia, it only shows a duo from Germany. This isn’t that, I don’t think. “Walking Across Egypt” only shows a movie from 1999 starring Ellen Byrnston and Mark Hammil and other folks. So, I really don’t know what this is, but The BCPF picked it up. So, we’ll see. VG+.
  • Heart – Dog & Butterfly — The fourth album from Heart. Musically, this was more on track to what Heart was doing with Little Queen than it’s actual follow-up Magazine. There was the whole skirmish between the band and Mushroom Records at that time, too. This did well, was on the charts for a while and had two hits, the title track and “Straight On.” VG++.

A lot of stuff had been acquired at Underdog Records over the week and was out for purchase and I jumped on some of that. There are some cool stereo receivers and turntables for sale, too. Go in and see what Jonathan has going on. And, listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection while I’m in the record store and also see what my friends may or may not have. It’s a cool app/website.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“People try to put us d-down just because we get around. Things they do look awful c-c-cold. I hope I die before I get old.” – “My Generation” (Townshend)

Batdancin’ or: Oh, I’ve Got a Live One, Here

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of the Batman soundtrack from Prince. I was fascinated by it and the film which I saw in the theater at least twice, but I think three times. I watched it over and over and over when it came available on home video. I also loved the soundtrack because I loved this era of Prince.

So, here’s the big single from the album, which I loved.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“And where is the Batman?” – The Joker

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/3/18

04 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

Started out yesterday with some crépes and headed on over to Underdog Records, one of The BCPF’s and my favorite places! Here’s what we got!

ELODiscoveryalbumcover

©Jet/Columbia

  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Superstition — The BCPF loves Siouxsie and the Banshees. It fits her once goth modus operandi. I like them pretty good, too, but she’s the true fan. This is from 1991 but is a reissue from 2018, It has “Kiss Them For Me.” New. In fact…
  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Tinderbox — This is a little older, from around 1986 with “Cities in Dust.” It’s the 2018 reissue and is new.
  • Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York — I actually picked this up on Thursday, but didn’t enter it into Discogs until yesterday. Some disagree with me, but I think this is a fantastic album! It’s raw and you can almost hear Cobain’s pain but at times you can hear him sounding relaxed and chipper. Still, it’s great. #313 on the RS List. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath — #243 on the RS List, this album was heavy, dark and awesome! It’s a great debut album. Possibly the birth of doom metal or heavy metal, this. New.
  • Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman — So, if we go with Black Sabbath, why not go with its former singer? Yep. This is a great album. I don’t like it as much as Blizzard of Ozz or The Ultimate Sin, but I do like it a lot! New.
  • Nicole Atkins – Goodnight Rhonda Lee — I discovered Nicole Atkins last week whilst finding something by someone playing locally and found a song that I liked on the first try and once I grabbed what I needed, I didn’t stop the album from playing. I then listened to it again. I felt it was something that The BCPF would like and I knew that I liked it, so I had Jonathan order it for me. She loved it. It’s like Dusty Springfield mixed with some Stevie Nicks with swing and jazz stylings that rocked. This is a must-listen, Dear Reader! New.
  • Warsaw – Warsaw — When Joy Division did their first demo, they were still going by Warsaw. So, this is that demo. The BCPF said she had it when it was actually Joy Division and the album was called Warsaw but this is an “unofficial release” and it sounded pretty good, albeit bass heavy. Not the gloom-and-doom Joy Division we came to know. New.
  • John Ralston – Shadows Of The Summertime — John played at Underdog Records on Friday night and we purchased this. Haven’t listened to it, yet, but we enjoyed him. New.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Raise! — The one with “Let’s Groove” on it. I love that song; probably my favorite EWF song. VG+.
  • Prince – Controversy – I found this in VG- condition but I still couldn’t pass it up. I mean, it’s Prince and I didn’t have it already. So, now I do.
  • Smokey Robinson – Blame It On Love & All The Great Hits — I’ve never been a huge fan of Smokey. He’s got a great voice but I just don’t like most of the songs. The BCPF wanted it. She got it. VG+.
  • Lionel Richie – Great Love Songs With The Commodores & Diana Ross — I had this on CD, one of the first 100 or so that I got. I got it (on CD) exclusively for the song “Endless Love” but all the songs are great tunes. VG++.
  • Don McLean – American Pie — Let me go on record and say that I absolutely LOATHE the song “American Pie.” It ranks up there with “Freebird” as the worst song ever. But, The BCPF said we should have it in our collection. Okay… It was in the $1 bin so there’s that. VG.
  • Billy Joel – Turnstiles — Billy Joel for $1? Yep. I’ll take it. And, it looks to be in fairly good condition. I’m calling it VG+. This album has “New York State of Mind,”  “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,”  “Prelude/Angry Young Man” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).”
  • The London Symphony Orchestra – Tommy — 2xLP box set with Daltrey, Townshend, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr and a plethora of guests with the London Symphony Orchestra. A $1 bin find it’s in VG+ shape.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Discovery — “Shine a Little Love,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Last Train to London,” “Confusion” and “The Diary of Horace Wimp.” I love ELO and didn’t really realize how much until I was researching for the VSS stuff last year. A $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me — This was sitting on the counter in front of Jonathan and I asked about it. It’s Berry Gordy’s son and has that one catchy tune with Michael Jackson. $1. VG+.
  • Foreigner – Double Vision — I had this (their sophomore effort) already but it was the 2nd pressing cover. This is the original cover. Including “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and the title track. I found it in the $1 bin and it is VG+.
  • Foreigner – Foreigner — The debut album with “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice” and “Long, Long Way from Home.” It was in the $1 bin and it’s also VG+.
  • Various – Peter And The Wolf / The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — Side 1 is Peter, Side 2 is Apprentice. $1 bin find. Not in the greatest of shape. Good at best. Fair most likely.

This haul was the biggest we’ve had in a while. Underdog Records was celebrating their fifth anniversary and there were sales happening. Remember that Underdog Records is THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Make sure you listen to the latest episode each week (on Wednesday night) to hear the weekly TLD/UDR special.

Discogs is where I keep my collection in check. It’s a great app and tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“All that I have left is the sound of my own breath and then darkness falls so quiet. Here’s a feeling I’ve had many times before. Every time you leave it’s your arms that I bereave then the next time to leave’s yours. I watch the ghosts of your footsteps by our door.” – “Darkness Falls So Quiet” (Atkins)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Y2K-1

27 Saturday Oct 2018

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 36th anniversary of Prince’s breakthrough album, 1999. Yes, he had albums prior and he was kind of known for them but 1999 was the one that broke him mainstream. And, yes, Purple Rain threw him to the top, but this started it. Far from its greatest hit, this is still a good representation of the album.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. I only want you to have some fun.” – “1999” (Prince)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Prince

21 Saturday Apr 2018

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Salutations™!!

So today marks the two year anniversary since we lost one of the most prolific and important musicians in my lifetime. Prince Rogers Nelson died from an opioid overdose in what is probably a heinous crime that resulted in someone getting a slap on the wrist. Oh well, right? Pshaw. Anywhat, here’s one of his more recent memorable television moments. The Super Bowl halftime extravaganza. It was one of, if not the best halftime show for the big game. This has some crappy edits in it but it’s the whole performance without commentary, so… enjoy. RIP Purple One, U R missed.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called ‘life.’ Electric word, life. It means forever and that’s a mighty long time, but I’m here to tell you there’s something else: The Afterworld; a world of never-ending happiness. You can always see the sun, day or night. So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills, you know the one, ‘Dr. Everything’ll-Be-Alright,’ instead of asking him how much of your time is left, ask him how much of your mind, baby. ‘Cause in this life, things are much harder than in the Afterworld. In this life, you’re on your own. And if de-elevator tries to bring you down, 
go crazy (Punch a higher floor!).” – “Let’s Go Crazy” (Prince)

I Don’t Wanna Sit Tight or: Tsar (Eugeology Entry 30)

03 Thursday Aug 2017

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Salutations™!!

I surprised myself with the last entry. I knew I wasn’t going to like it and well, I did. That happens and is my favorite part of this whole list: gems, I’d say. Eugene is a few weeks back and Jon is currently out of town (again), so he’ll start catching up soon. Let’s move on, shall we? And, it’s already #30. Only 20 more to go.41Y9NSGZTFL

#30 – Tsar by Tsar.

My first thought was that this band should have been called Hubba Bubba or Bubble Yum because it’s a lot of bubblegum. Sugary instrumentation and bubble blowing lyrics fill this entire album. But, here’s the thing. I like bubblegum and I like this album. Q: Is it the greatest thing I’ve ever heard or is it something that I’d want a lot of? A: No and probably not.

There are parts that are blatantly very much up Eugene’s alley: riffs, rock and Cheap Trick. I heard that immediately. Then the more I listen there are other things that may not be blatant, but from what I know about my buddy is that he too can be a sucker for some bubblegum power pop. And, this definitely has that. If I were going to describe the album to anyone (which is what I’m doing here, I suppose) I’d say picture Cheap Trick slammed together with Simple Plan with Fountains of Wayne sprinkled on top. Plus, they’ve toured with Duran Duran so they couldn’t have been too heavy, right?

This album was released in 2000 and that’s just before Fountains of Wayne and Simple Plan and that ilk were hitting the scene and making names for themselves. So, this could be a precursor of that genre. And, Cheap Trick is a rock band first and foremost but they had aspects of some power pop goodness and were very influential of many a band that followed. I mean look at Clay Howard, my current partner in musical crime, he has Cheap Trick written all over him. Not a bad pedigree, I’d say. If you want to hear this combo of which I speak, listen to “Silver Shifter” followed by “Kathy Fong Is The Bomb.” Those two are quite representative of the marriage of those styles which aren’t too far removed from each other anyway.  “Ordinary Gurl” reminds me of Oasis, which fits the Cheap Trick mode, I’d say. It’s right between the heyday of the bookends I spoke of. During the solo, I thought they were going to burst into the solo of “Purple Rain” but they didn’t.

The album has some heavy moments, to be sure, but is mostly airy and steady. Hooks are everywhere and that’s never a bad thing. There’s no listing for a keyboard player but it seems like there’s layered pads and such under most of the songs to give a little more of that airy ambiance. This is an easy listen and it’s fun.

Nothing stands out as the thing to listen for, and I think if there was, you’d be missing the point. There’s no member of the band that sticks out, they work together doing their business and giving you good stuff to listen to, jam to, rock out to and darn it, just enjoy.

Jeff Whalen has a great voice that is remnants of the 80s hair bands mixed with that mid-00s power. He also plays a mean guitar. And, so does Daniel Kern. Wide open chords (pun) with the occasional dissonance help to create the massive sound of which this album is representative. Jeff Solomon is a good bass player, although I’d like to hear a little more riffage from him, instead of just having him slave behind the guitars. That’s just the bass player in me talking, though. Steve Coulter is throwing down on some drums. He has subtle, yet impressive, licks in there and I love his hi-hat work. Listen to “I Don’t Want to Break-Up” to hear what I mean.

I can’t pick a favorite on the album because I don’t think there’s anything that I didn’t like. It’s all pretty good stuff. I had never heard of this band before. I don’t know how, but it’s true. And, to revisit my question from earlier. Q: Is it the greatest thing I’ve ever heard or is it something that I’d want a lot of? A (revised): No and probably. This is a good, easy-to-listen-to, enjoyable album with a talented band that knew their strengths and played on them. They’re a bit silly but they’re a shload of fun.

Thanks Eug for introducing me to this. I await your review of it and Jon, I have a way to wait for yours but I want to hear what you think of it, as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I’ve tempered with nature to increase my stature. And, I’ve twisted modern science. I’ve become an appliance and I’ve twisted modern art. And, I am Jean-Paul Sartre. I’ve done what the monkey done. 5,4,…3,2,1. Oh O, here we go. Living on the moon with the MonoStereo.” – “MONoSTEReo” (Tsar)

Making Up Monday or: The Haul 6/24/17

26 Monday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

Here I am, making up or catching up after the weekend’s seemingly non-stop party. It started as usual with breakfast at Mary’s Gourmet Diner and then heading over to Underdog Records, where we picked up some great stuff before heading to Windsor Run Cellars and then Shadow Springs wineries (they’re owned by the same cool folks). Then on to Willows Bistro for great food and beverage. Here’s the haul for this week:R-450842-1249177353.jpeg

It was a light week for us, but still a lot of fun! If you’re wanting to get into (or back into) record collecting, then Underdog Records is the place to start. Old stuff, new stuff, reissues, equipment, etc. You should also use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Yeah, I know it’s kind of strange. Every time I’m near you I just run out of things to say. I know you’d understand. Every time I tried to tell you the words just came out wrong. So, I’ll have to say I love you in a song.” – “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” (Croce)

Silent Sunday or: The Most Silent

25 Sunday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I went to Underdog Records yesterday, but then we went to a few wineries and then Willows Bistro, so I didn’t get to put all the stuff in until late on Sunday. So, I’ll work on the Haul list tomorrow. So, instead, I’ll just leave a picture of Prince’s Purple Rain album. It was 33 years ago today that it was released.

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You can guess one of the albums on The Haul for tomorrow, right?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Paint a perfect picture. Bring to life the vision in one’s mind. The Beautiful Ones
always smash the picture. Always. Every time.” – “The Beautiful Ones” (Prince)

Freeform Friday or: The Thinks I Think

21 Friday Apr 2017

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Salutations™!!

I’m going to do something I don’t usually do, Dear Reader. I’m going to do a mashup of things in one post. I usually focus, but today is a “freeform” kind of day.

Today is an anniversary. An anniversary I truly wish we didn’t have to have. It was a princegraphicnewkstpyear ago today that I stood in City Beverage, buying beer for The Less Desirables, when my phone vibrated and I looked down to read “Musician Prince Dead at 57.” I stood there gazing at the phone. Surely, this isn’t true. No way. Turns out, it was true. In a year where it seemed that many of my heroes were called away to do whatever it is you do once your light goes out, this was probably the hardest on me. I never met him. I never saw him live. But, I felt like I knew him. That’s probably borderline cheesy, but it’s true. I just couldn’t and still can’t believe we won’t get new releases from him. Not that new Prince songs won’t surface, they surely will, but it won’t be from him, just written by and performed by him. Already this week, we’ve seen a lawsuit from his family and estate seeking to stop releases of 7″ reissues that were supposed to come out either today or tomorrow for Record Store Day (more on that in a few). C’mon people, stop it! Let us enjoy his memory in peace. You’re keeping him with us but you’re giving us negative energy. He was never about negative energy. Settle the (bleep) down. I miss you, Mr. Nelson.

So, tomorrow, it’s Record Store Day and I can’t think of any place better to grab your selections than at Underdog Records. Yes, Underdog is the Official Vinyl Sponsor of The Less Desirables, but I’m not shilling for them. I truly am excited about the event and the loot that I’ll (hopefully) get. I am not excited about the crowd and line, though. I can’t help that. The BCPF has spotted a few things on the list that she absolutely has to have. I told her we have to be there way before 8am (when the event starts). We’ll see how we get on out there because I’m playing tonight and those late nights don’t bode well for early mornings. Go to the RSD website, pick your selections, then go Underdog Records tomorrow and buy some records. I really love where that medium has gotten itself back to and am excited about being part of it!

Speaking of me playing tonight. I am playing with my little trio of comedy/music (the comedy is incidental, mostly), Threadbare Trio at 6th & Vine in Winston-Salem. We do acoustic-ish covers and some original Clay Howard music. I’m not sure exactly what time we start but I would figure it would be close to 10pm (at least that’s what the Facebook Event reads). So, come out, have some dinner before we play and have a sangria or two (they’re pretty good) at 6th & Vine. Clay will be hightailing it from Walnut Cove (or where ever the rehearsal dinner is) to get there. Neal and I will hold down the fort, or at least just be ready for him, whilst we wait.

Rehearsal dinner did I say? Yes, tomorrow, my pal, sometimes bandmate and birthday sharer, Patrick Ferguson is marrying his awesomely sweet and beautiful lady, Amanda. We’re happy for him, too! He requested that I wear the kilt so I’m going to and I’m going to do trivia at the reception, so, woot! on that, right? We’ll have a fine time and I couldn’t be happier for the both of them. They’re swell people.

Okay, I think I covered all I needed to for today. I miss Prince. Record Store Day is tomorrow, go to Underdog Records (those selections aren’t being sold online or even in big-box stores), come see us play at 6th & Vine and wish P-Fug and Amanda much happiness. Thanks for reading!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The girl on the seesaw is laughing 4 love is the color this place imparts (Paisley Park). Admission is easy, just say U believe and come 2 this place in your heart. Paisley Park is in your heart.” – “Paisley Park” (Prince)

In Memoriam or: So Long, 2016

02 Monday Jan 2017

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Salutations™!!

2016 was a rough year for losses of notable names in the sports, music, movies, pop culture, all around. We are probably at that time in our lives when those we admired, looked up to, watched, listened to and wanted to be like are passing on. Many of these people became popular at a time when celebrity and notoriety were new phenomena, becoming more and more in the public eye with cable channels and more visible availability to the general public. Some were behind the scenes and some in our faces and in our ears. While 2017 may or may not offer any reprieve from the onslaught of these deaths, let’s hope the list is at least smaller.

This is not, by any means, a full, comprehensive list of those we lost but I hope it’s a good tribute.

January –
1.Vilmos Zsigmond, 85, American Hungarian cinematographer (McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Deliverance, Close Encounters of the Third Kind).
10. David Bowie, 69, musician.

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Alan Rickman 1946-2016

14. Alan Rickman, 69, actor (Die Hard, Bottle Shock, Harry Potter series). René Angélil, 73, music producer and husband of singer Celine Dion.
18. Glen Frey, 67, musician.
23. Jimmy Bain, 68, musician (Rainbow, Dio, Phil Lynott).
26. Abe Vigoda, 94, actor (Godfather, Barney Miller)
28. Paul Kantner, 74, musician (Jefferson Airplane).Signe Toly Anderson, 74, musician (Jefferson Airplane).
30. Frank Finlay, 89, actor (Othello).

February –
3. Joe Alaskey, 63, voice actor (one of Mel Blanc’s successors for Bugs Bunny, Yosemite

george_kennedy_1975

George Kennedy 1925-2016

Sam, etc.). Maurice White, 74, musician (Earth Wind & Fire).
4. Edgar Mitchell, 85, astronaut.
13. Antonin Scalia, 79, American Supreme Court Justice.
15. George Gaynes, 98, actor (Police Academy, Punky Brewster).
19. Harper Lee, 89, writer (To Kill a Mockingbird).
22. Douglas Slocombe, 103, British cinematographer (Indiana Jones series).
23. Donald E. Williams, 74, astronaut.
25. Tony Burton, 78, actor (Rocky series, one of only four characters to be in each film).
28. George Kennedy, 91, actor (Cool Hand Luke, Naked Gun).

March –
5. Ray Tomlinson, 71, American computer programmer (invented the modern day email system).
6. Nancy Reagan, 94, American First Lady and actress.
8. Sir George Martin, 90, British record producer, composer, conductor (The Beatles). Claus Ogerman, 85, German composer, arranger, conductor (Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall).
10. Keith Emerson, 71, British musician (Emerson Lake & Palmer/Powell)
17. Larry Drake, 67, actor (Darkman).

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George Martin 1926-2016

22. Rob Ford, 46, Canadian politician.
23. Ken Howard, 71, actor (1776, J. Edgar).24. Garry Shandling, 66, actor and comedian.
29. Patty Duke, 69, singer and actress (The Miracle Worker, Valley of the Dolls, The Patty Duke Show).

April –
2. Amber Rayne, 31, porn actress.
6. Merle Haggard, 79, musician.
12. Balls Mahoney, 44, professional wrestler.
17. Doris Roberts, 90, actress (Everybody Loves Raymond, Remington Steele).
20. Guy Hamilton, 93, British film director (Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, The Man with the Golden Gun). Chyna, 46, professional wrestler.

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Prince 1958-2016

21. Prince, 57, musician.
24. Billy Paul, 81, musician.

May –
2. Afeni Shakur, 69, activist and Tupac Shakur’s mother.
4. Bob Bennett, 82, American politician (R – Utah).
8. William Schallert, 93, actor (The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Teachers).17. Guy Clark, 74, songwriter, singer (“New Cut Road,” “The Carpenter”).
19. Alan Young, 96, actor (Mr. Ed).
21. Nick Menza, 51, musician (Megadeth, drummer).

June –
3. Muhammad Ali, 74, boxer.
6. Kimbo Slice, 42, mixed martial artist. Peter Shaffer, 90, British playwright (Equus, Amadeus).
10. Gordie Howe, 88, Canadian ice hockey player. Christina Grimmie, 22, singer (winner of NBC’s The Voice).

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Muhammad Ali 1942-2016

12. George Voinovich, 79, American politician (R – Ohio).
19. Anton Yelchin, 27, actor (Star Trek films).
23. Michael Herr, 76, American writer (screenplay co-writer: Full Metal Jacket). Ralph Stanley, 89, musician.
28. Scotty Moore, 84, musician (Elvis Presley). Pat Summitt, 64, college basketball coach.

July –
2. Michael Cimino, 77, film director, screenwriter, producer and author (The Deer Hunter).
16. Nate Thurmond, 74, NBA player.
19. Garry Marshall, 81, actor, director, producer, writer, voice artist, and comedian (Happy Days, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride).
24. Marni Nixon, 86, American soprano (West Side Story, My Fair Lady).
25. Dwight Jones, 64, NBA player. Tim LaHaye, 90, evangelist and author (Left Behind).
30. Gloria DeHaven, 91, actress (Modern Times, Best Foot Forward).

August –
2. David Huddleston, 85, actor (Blazing Saddles, The Big Lebowski). Terence Bayler, 86, actor (Time Bandits,  Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Brazil).
13. Kenny Baker, 81, actor (Star Wars (R2-D2)).

gene-wilder

Gene Wilder 1933-2016

14. Fyvush Finkel, 93, actor (Picket Fences, Boston Public).
15. Bobby Hutcherson, 75, musician.
17. Arthur Hiller, 92, director (Silver Streak, Outrageous Fortune).
19. Lou Pearlman, 62, producer and fraudster (Backstreet Boys, ponzi schemes).
23. Steven Hill, 94, actor (Mission:Impossible, Law & Order).
25. Rudy van Gelder, 91, sound engineer (John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk).
28. Mr. Fuji, 81, professional wrestler/manager.
29. Gene Wilder, 83, actor (Blazing Saddles, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein).

September –

arnoldpalmer

Arnold Palmer 1929-2016

1. Jon Polito, 65, actor (The Big Lebowski, Homicide: Life on the Street).
5. Hugh O’Brian, 91, actor (The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Shootist). Phillis Schlafly, 92, American writer and political activist.
11. Alexis Arquette, 47, actor/activist (The Wedding Singer, Pulp Fiction).
16. Edward Albee, 88, writer (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?).
17. Charmian Carr, 73, actress (The Sound of Music).
20. Curtis Hanson, 71, director (LA Confidential, 8 Mile).
24. Bill Nunn, 62, actor (Do the Right Thing, Spider-Man).
25. Arnold Palmer, 87, golfer.
26. Herschell Gordon Lewis, 90, splatter horror film director.

October –

1peteburns

Pete Burns 1959-2016

20. Michael Massee, 64, actor (The Crow, Spider-Man).
23. Pete Burns, 57, British singer (Dead or Alive).
24. Bobby Vee, 73, singer.

November –
7. Leonard Cohen, 82, singer. Janet Reno, 78, first woman attorney general of the United States.
11. Robert Vaughn, 83, actor (The Man from U.N.C.L.E, Bullitt, Magnificent Seven).
13. Leon Russell, 74, musician (“Lady Blue, “Tight Rope”).
14. Gardnar Mulloy, 102, tennis player.
15. Mose Allison, 89, musician.
16. Melvin Lair, 94, politician (R – Wisconsin).
18. Denton Cooley, 96, surgeon (implanted first artificial heart).
23. Andrew Sachs, 86, actor (Fawlty Towers).
24. Florence Henderson, 82, actress (Brady Bunch). Pauline Oliveros, 84, electronic art composer.

1leonardcohen

Leonard Cohen 1934-2016

25. Fidel Castro, 90, Cuban President. Ron Glass, 71, actor (Barney Miller, Firefly, Serenity).

December –
1. Sammy Lee, 96, physician and Olympic diver.
6. Peter Vaughn, 93, actor (Remains of the Day, Game of Thrones).
7. Greg Lake, 69, musician (Emerson Lake & Palmer/Powell).
8. John Glenn, 95, astronaut. Joseph Mascolo, 87, actor (Days of Our Lives).
13. Alan Thicke, 69, actor, songwriter (Growing Pains, Diff’rent Strokes theme, Facts of Life theme).
14. Bernard Fox, 89, actor (Bewitched, Hogan’s Heroes, Titanic).
17. Henry Heimlich, 93, surgeon and medical researcher (Heimlich maneuver).
18. Zsa Zsa Gabor, 99, actress.
24. Richard Adams, 96, author (Watership Down). Rick Parfitt, 68, musician (Status Quo). Liz Smith, 95, actress (The Royale Family, The Vicar of Dibley).

1carriefisher

Carrie Fisher 1956-2016

25. George Michael, 53, musician.
27. Carrie Fisher, 60, actress (Star Wars, Blues Brothers).
28. Debbie Reynolds, 84, actress (Singin’ in the Rain, mother of Carrie Fisher).
31. William Christopher, 84, actor (M*A*S*H).

That’s 114 notable names (if I counted them correctly) that we lost this year. Some of them I didn’t even know we lost until compiling this list. Ron Glass, Robert Vaughn, David Huddleston and William Christopher were a few I didn’t know about. Again, while 2017 may not be gentle on us either, we can hope. I think part of it is we’re used to only about one or two A-list celebs departing a year with more B- and C-listers, but this year, we had many A-listers. Many of them older than I thought. Hope you all have a great 2017!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“It would be wonderful to think that the future is unknown and sort of surprising.” – Alan Rickman