The RIP Famous Person Thread

[Marmite the Dog]

Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67
AP, May 16, 2010 5:00 pm PDT
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer Wayne Parry, Associated Press Writer

Ronnie James Dio, whose soaring vocals, poetic lyrics and mythic tales of a never-ending struggle between good and evil broke new ground in heavy metal, died Sunday, according to a statement from his wife and manager. He was 67.

Dio revealed last summer that he was suffering from stomach cancer shortly after wrapping up a tour in Atlantic City, N.J. with the latest incarnation of Black Sabbath, under the name Heaven And Hell.

"Today my heart is broken," Wendy Dio wrote on the singer's site, adding he died at 7:45 a.m. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.

"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all," Wendy Dio continued. "We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us ... Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

The statement was confirmed by Los Angeles publicist Maureen O'Connor.

Dio rose to fame in 1975 as the first lead singer of Rainbow, the heavy metal band put together by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who had just quit Deep Purple.

Dio then replaced legendary vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath in 1980 with the critically acclaimed album "Heaven And Hell," considered by many critics to be one of the finest heavy metal albums of all time. His on-again, off-again tenure with Black Sabbath touched off an intense debate among fans as to which singer was the true essence of the band — a discussion that lasted until his death.

He also enjoyed a successful solo career with his self-titled band, Dio, in between his three stints with Black Sabbath (1980-82; 1992; and 2007-2009, when the band toured as Heaven And Hell, to differentiate it from Osbourne-led versions of Sabbath). Many of his most memorable songs revolved around the struggle between good and evil, including his signature tune "Heaven And Hell." He also drew heavily on medieval imagery in songs like "Neon Knights," "Killing The Dragon" and "Stargazer."

"He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it," said Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, whose band toured with Dio since 1983, and was to do so again this summer at European rock festivals. "He was the nicest, classiest person you would ever want to meet."

Dio organized an all-star charity collaboration in 1986 called "Hear N Aid" to raise money for famine relief in Africa, styled on the successful "We Are The World" campaign of a few years earlier. His solo hits included "Rainbow In The Dark, "The Last In Line" and "Holy Diver."
Ronnie James Dio News - Yahoo! Music

It is indeed a very sad day. My 2 favourite Sabbath albums are Dio's (Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules) as well as his own stuff.

Thanks for the music Ronnie.

[nedwalk]

^bugger, i still play 'BUTTERFLY BALL' every now and then

[barbaro]

^^ Just read it Marmite.

I always like Ronnie James Dio.

[Gallowspole]

Saw him at Newcastle City Hall on the Heaven & Hell tour - there was a fair amount of pro-Ozzy sentiment but, with the added distraction of Bill Ward's obvious mental instability, the little bloke hammered it.

A few years earlier he had done Long Live Rock and Roll with Blackmore, which is still one of my favourite albums.

[Fuzzy Bob]

Ventriloquist Ray Alan dies at 79

Page last updated at 11:28 GMT, Monday, 24 May 2010 12:28 UK

Ray Alan performed with Laurel and Hardy early in his career Ventriloquist Ray Alan has died suddenly at the age of 79, his agent has announced.
The showman was known for his upper class puppet Lord Charles, who usually appeared to be drunk.
Alan, from Reigate, Surrey, was a TV regular from the 1950s to the 1980s, appearing on shows including variety serial The Good Old Days.
In later years he was an entertainer on QE2 cruises, taking a break from showbusiness in 2008 due to ill health.
Old age had also made it increasingly difficult for him to control his puppet.
Alan - always accompanied by Lord Charles - was often a guest on TV shows including Celebrity Squares, Give Us A Clue and 3-2-1.
He clocked up the most appearances on The Good Old Days, where he and Lord Charles made their TV debut.
Alan began his career as a teenager, with his ventriloquism act developing from pretending there were voices coming from a box on stage.
Lord Charles' character was based on a man he saw at a cabaret show, with his face modelled on Stan Laurel.

Ventriloquist Ray Alan has died at the age of 79.

In 1954 he worked with Laurel and Hardy after fellow ventriloquist Harry Worth was forced to pull out of a show.
His puppet became famous for his catchphrase "you silly arse" and having an eye for glamorous women.
His agent Peter Pritchard, who worked with him for 30 years, said: "Technically he was regarded as Britain's top ventriloquist. You couldn't see his mouth moving.
Ray Alan was a regular on The Good Old Days "He was tremendously well-liked in the business and he had been in the entertainment business all his life," he added.
Speaking to the BBC in 2006, Alan said of his puppet sidekick: "Oh, no, I'm not one of those ventriloquists who thinks he's real.
"When I finish my work I put it back in the tool box and I don't take it out again until the next job."

[barbaro]

Never heard this band. Are they good?

Anyway, cool mask, dude.

Slipknot bassist Paul Gray found dead in hotel

Police say no foul play is suspected in 38-year-old musician’s death








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MARK J TERRILL / AP Paul Gray from the group Slipknot was found dead in an Iowa hotel.

Luke Meredith

updated 5/24/2010 759 PM

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Paul Gray, the bassist for Grammy-winning metal band Slipknot, was found dead Monday in an Iowa hotel room but there was no indication of foul play, police said.
A hotel employee found Gray, 38, dead in a room at the TownePlace Suites in Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines, police said in a statement. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday.
"Paul Gray was an awesome person on and off stage. He will be missed by many including myself," Jacoby Shaddix, lead singer of metal band Papa Roach, said in a statement late Monday. "His spirit will live on through the killer music he wrote."
Gray had been staying at the hotel for "a couple days," Urbandale Sgt. Dave Disney said, declining further comment. Gray lived in the nearby suburb of Johnston.
Amy Sciarretto, a publicist at Slipknot's record company, Roadrunner Records,

Linky: Slipknot bassist Paul Gray found dead in hotel - Music - TODAY Show

[S Landreth]

Art Linkletter (1912-2010)


Art Linkletter, the king of daytime television during the 1950s and 1960s, died Wednesday.

Read more: Changing Channels | Art Linkletter (1912-2010)


I didn't know he was still alive

[Fuzzy Bob]

BBC News - Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman dies at 42



Coleman appeared in Diff'rent Strokes from 1978 to 1986 Former Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman has died, aged 42, after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Mr Coleman was hospitalized on Wednesday following a fall at his home in the US state of Utah.
A Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman said Coleman died at 1205MDT (1805 GMT).
Coleman played Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes from 1978 to 1986, famously coining the catchphrase "What you talking 'bout, Willis?"
The actor had a series of financial and legal problems in recent years.
The hospital said he suffered the haemorrhage at his home in Utah and been brought in "conscious and lucid".
His manager, John Alcantar, said that contrary to some reports he had not undergone any surgery in recent days.
He added: "At times, it may not have been apparent, but he always has had fond memories of being an entertainer and appreciates his fans for all their support over the years."
The former child star suffered kidney disease in early age and has had two failed kidney transplants.

[slackula]

Gary Coleman has died, aged 42, after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

So he had a different stroke then?





/I'll get my coat.

[barbaro]

RIP.

[Norton]

Not one of my favorite shows but here's a bit of Coleman when he was in his prime.

[Bogon]

//DELETED//
Just removed a youtube clip I posted of the Diff'rent Strokes episode which had the bikeshop owner child molester dude trying to coax Arnold and his mate into doing shit.
Watched the clip after posting it and it made my blood boil and wasn't really relevant to this thread.
Sorry.......................

[Humbert]

Gary Coleman. It's horrible to be washed up at age 14. He had a very sad and tragic adult life.
The only child stars that I can think of that went on to bigger things were Elizabeth Taylor and Ron Howard.

[jandajoy]

Ron Howard

Am I right in thinking he was pretty lucky as well.

[barbaro]

Gary Coleman. It's horrible to be washed up at age 14. He had a very sad and tragic adult life.
The only child stars that I can think of that went on to bigger things were Elizabeth Taylor and Ron Howard.

I was just thinking about this, reading an article about Gary Coleman today.

Look at how many childhood start ended up?

It's ok to leave the limelight into anonymity, but look at how many of these Hollywood child stars got screwed up, and ripped off.

I just read that Coleman's parents (adoptive) stole his money, and some financial managers pilfered his earning form the Different Strokes show.

Dana Plato,
Danny Partridge
Family Affair kid that O.Ded.
James at 15 start was at a ranch for rehab at 40
Leif Garrett

The list goes on and on.

We ought to start a thread about washed up childhood stars that go down the toilet.

[DrAndy]

Gary Coleman. It's horrible to be washed up at age 14. He had a very sad and tragic adult life.
The only child stars that I can think of that went on to bigger things were Elizabeth Taylor and Ron Howard.

Elizabeth Windsor has done well

[slackula]

It's horrible to be washed up at age 14

Indeed. A life cut short.

[S Landreth]

American icon Dennis Hopper died at 8:15 this morning at his home in Venice, CA surrounded by friends


http://lafiga.firedoglake.com/2010/0...dennis-hopper/

[Norton]

Ride easy. RIP.

[jandajoy]

Another hero gone

RIP Dennis.

[barbaro]

Later, Dennis.

I remember seeing him at 17 in Giant


(Years after it was released of course.)

[chitown]

Is it Dana Plato greeting him?

RIP.

[Loy Toy]

The only child stars that I can think of that went on to bigger things were Elizabeth Taylor and Ron Howard.

Micky Dolenz starred as the young lad in Circus Boy and then went on to become the lead singer in the Monkees.

[chitown]

The only child stars that I can think of that went on to bigger things were Elizabeth Taylor and Ron Howard.

Micky Dolenz starred as the young lad in Circus Boy and then went on to become the lead singer in the Monkees.

How about Shirley Temple?

[Loy Toy]

Anthony Keidis was a child star and had parts in many movies.

Today he is the front man for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.