Blue Angels Plane Crash in Smyrna, TN … Pilot Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss Killed

Sadly, Blue Angles pilot dies in plane crash …

A pilot was killed after a U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet crashed Thursday afternoon in Smyrna, TN ahead of the Great Tennessee Airshow this weekend (VIDEO). The F/A-18 Hornet crashed at 3 p.m. behind the Sam Davis Home, about 2 miles from the runway. The pilot was identified as 32 year old Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss. According to the Blue Angels, Capt. Kuss is a native of Durango, Colorado. He joined the Blue Angels in September 2014 and has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. Our condolences to his family and friends. God bless and rest in peace. Last night there was a vigil for Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.

Six elite military jets of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team roared over Middle Tennessee on Thursday, but the cheers from fans on the ground in just hours turned to wails.

“Oh no, no, no, God bless his soul.”

Pilot Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss was killed Thursday when his jet crashed at 3:01 p.m. just off Smyrna Airport, a U.S. official told the Associated Press. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kuss and five of his colleagues in matching blue jets were in the air practicing for the Great Tennessee Airshow this weekend.

The fatal crash was the first in nearly a decade involving the Navy’s acrobatic performance jets, whose flights are meant to showcase pride in the military. Local and federal investigators rushed to the scene looking for the cause. The community mourned the 32-year-old pilot, husband and father of two.

Preakness Stakes: Black Eye for Horse Racing … Death of Two Race Horses (Homeboykris & Pramedya) … Oh Yeah, Exaggerator Won

ON MARYLAND HORSE RACING’S BIGGEST DAY … TWO HORSES DEAD.

The 141st running of the Preakness States was overshadowed as two horses died and a jockey was injured at Pimlico Race Course during the first few races of a rainy Preakness Saturday in Baltimore, Maryland. In the first 4 races of the day, two horses were dead and one jockey injured. 9 year old Homeboykris collapsed while walking back to his barn after winning the first race on a dirt course at the Pimlico. 9 YEARS OLD AND STILL RACING? Later, 4 year old Pramedya fractured her left cannon bone while racing on a turf course. The horse was immediately euthanized on the track. In a bizarre irony, Pramedya’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, also owned the Kentucky Derby-winning horse Barbaro who shattered bones in his leg at the start of the Preakness in 2006. We all sadly remember Barbaro, and Barbaro’s struggle to survive only to be euthanized in 2007.

Racehorse Homeboykris collapsed while walking back to his barn after winning the first race on a dirt course at the Pimlico, according to Sal Sinatra, the president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. The horse collapsed after his picture had been taken in the winner’s circle.

Later, racehorse Pramedya fractured her left cannon bone while racing on a turf course, according to Sinatra, and Pramedya’s Jockey, Daniel Centeno, fell and suffered a right clavicle fracture. Pramedya, 4, was euthanized on the track, according to The Associated Press.

Homeboykris’ owner, Jan Klein, said in a statement to ABC News, “We are all just heartbroken.”

“Kris had a small team who loved him and cared about him. His trainer, Fran Campitelli; his caretakers; and of course, me,” Klein said. “He loved what he did and we will all miss him. Such a wonderful competitor with a marvelous record.

“We all feel privileged to have been a part of his life,” she said.

There will be an autopsy for 9-year-old Homeboykris at the New Bolton veterinary care center in Pennsylvania, Sinatra said.

Pramedya’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, also owned the Kentucky Derby-winning horse Barbaro who shattered bones in his leg at the start of the Preakness in 2006. Barbaro developed laminitis and was euthanized in 2007, according to the AP.

Oh yeah, and in other news Exaggerator won the Preakness Stakes defeating Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. There will be no Triple Crown winner this year and nor should there be. Triple Crown’s do not grow on trees and should never be a common occurrence, otherwise the one thing that draws non-horse racing fans to the support the sport would go away as well.

Exaggerator rained on Nyquist’s parade at the Preakness. And that’s no exaggeration at all.

The Kentucky Derby runner-up won the second leg of horse-racing’s Triple Crown Saturday in the rain and slop at Pimlico Race Course. Nyquist, the Derby winner, started fast but faded in the stretch, finishing third behind longshot Cherry Wine.

Kent Desormeaux, the winning jockey, said the secret to victory was staying close to the rail, shortening the distance Exaggerator had to run, while the other jockeys stayed wide.

Prince Found Unresponsive at his Paisley Park Residence … Dead at 57, RIP

PURPLE RAIN HAS PASSED AWAY … WHEN DOVES CRY.

Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as the iconic music superstar Prince has passed away at the age of 57. According to reports, Prince was briefly hospitalized last Friday with what his representatives said was the flu, which caused him to cancel two shows earlier in April. The medical examiners office has received Prince’s body and will perform an autopsy Friday. However, TMZ is reporting that it may have been a drug overdose before his death. Sadly, we have lost another music giant far too soon.

This one stings a bit, especially when the music artists of your youth start dying, and far too soon. We did not know  it at the time in the 1980′s, but we were not just listening to Prince and the Revolution, but a revolutionary performer. Prince was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and performed a legendary version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to close the ceremony. REST IN PEACE.

1999

Prince passed away Thursday morning at his Paisley Park recording studio. He was 57.

Prince’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, confirmed the pop music superstar’s death early Thursday afternoon.

“It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57,” Noel-Schure said. “There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time.”

Carver County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud says deputies responded to Paisley Park at 9:43 a.m. on the report of a medical situation.

When deputies and medical personnel arrived, they found Prince unresponsive in the elevator. Responders attempted to provide lifesaving CPR, but were unable to revive him.

He was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m.

Purple Rain

UPDATE I: Prince’s 40 Biggest Billboard Hits.

The man born Prince Rogers Nelson was an icon on Billboard’s Hot 100 songs chart (and fittingly won Billboard’s Icon Award at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards), where he racked up an impressive array of hits, including five No. 1s. They range from his unforgettable chart-toppers (“Let’s Go Crazy,” “Kiss”) to funk workouts (“Hot Thing,” “Controversy”) to gorgeous love songs (“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” “Take Me With U”).

Billboard is looking back on Prince’s long career with his 40 top Hot 100 hits. The list is led by his No. 1 smash from the Purple Rain soundtrack, “When Doves Cry.”

Here are Prince’s 40 biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits:

Rank, Title, Hot 100 Peak Year, Position (Weeks Spent at No. 1)
1, “When Doves Cry,” 1984, No. 1 (5)*
2, “Kiss,” 1986, No. 1 (2)*
3, “Let’s Go Crazy,” 1984, No. 1 (2)*
4, “Cream,” 1991, No. 1 (2)**
5, “Batdance,” 1989, No. 1 (1)
6, “Raspberry Beret,” 1985, No. 2*
7, “U Got the Look,” 1987, No. 2
8, “Purple Rain,” 1984, No. 2*
9, “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” 1994, No. 3
10, “Sign ‘O’ the Times,” 1987, No. 3

One of my favorites – Little Red Corvette

WAPO Obit:

An eccentric, eclectic and electrifying singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and arranger, Prince Rogers Nelson became one of popular music’s leading stars in the 1980s — a towering figure who found enormous critical and commercial success by blending R&B and rock to make a relentlessly funky, soulful and sensual stew.

Recording Academy President Neil Portnow referred to Prince — a seven-time Grammy winner — as “one of the most uniquely gifted artists of all time.”

“Never one to conform, he redefined and forever changed our musical landscape,” Portnow said in a statement. “Prince was an original who influenced so many, and his legacy will live on forever. We have lost a true innovator and our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, collaborators, and all who have been impacted by his incredible work.”

Prince, the son of a jazz musician, was born Prince Rogers Nelson in June 1958. His debut album, “For You,” was released in 1978; one year later came “Prince,” an album that contained “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” his first hit.

That pair of albums “unveiled a budding genius and one-man band,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said.

In the early 1980s, Prince released “1999.”

Then, in 1984, came “Purple Rain,” which “elevated Prince from cult hero to superstar,” the Rock Hall said.

Former WWE Wrestler Chyna Found Dead at Age 45

ANOTHER WWE WRESTLER HAS DIED FAR TOO YOUNG … CHYNA, THE 9TH WONDER OF THE WORLD HAS DIED.

Former WWE wrestling superstar Chyna was found dead in her apartment in Redondo Beach, Caliornia on Wednesday. Sadly, she was only 45.  The WWE Universe is once again mourning the news that the former WWF wrestler has died far too young. Chyna, real name Joanie Laurer, was found by police in her apartment not breathing. TMZ is speculation that it might be a possible drug overdose.

Chyna – RIP

The WWE Universe is in mourning following the news that the former WWF wrestler was found dead at age 45 Wednesday. Police in Redondo Beach, Calif., were called to Chyna’s apartment that afternoon after a friend discovered she was not breathing; the WWE superstar was pronounced dead on the scene. Chyna’s manager told E! News late Wednesday night that “she was found peacefully” but could not offer further details. As of now, her cause of death is unknown. However, police said there are no indications or signs that her death was the result of foul play.

Chyna’s death was announced via Twitter. “It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero,” the statement read. “Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world has passed away.

Chyna – Chyna vs Trish Stratus – WWF Womens Championship Match

Chyna was an amazing talent and a ground breaker in wrestling …

Chyna made her WWE debut in 1997 as an enforcer for Triple H. A founding member of the stable D-Generation X, she held the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice and the WWF Women’s Championship once. She was also the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring events. After leaving the WWF in 2001, Chyna wrestled occasionally, with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2011. Additionally, Chyna appeared as a cast member on VH1′s The Surreal Life in 2005. She returned to the network in 2007 for The Surreal Life: Fame Games and again in 2008 for Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. She also made six porn movies between 2004 and 2011, winning two AVN Awards.

“WWE is saddened to learn of reports that Joanie Laurer, best known for competing in WWE as Chyna, has passed away,” the organization said in a statement Thursday. “A physically striking and talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer…WWE extends its condolences to Laurer’s family, friends and fans.”

“Everybody Loves Raymond” Star Doris Roberts Dead at 90 … RIP

Doris Roberts has passed at age 90 …

“Everybody Loves Raymond” mom, Doris Roberts has passed away at the age of 90.  Best known for her role as the beloved and meddlesome mom, Marie Barone, on the sit-com Everybody Loves Raymond died in her sleep Sunday at her home in Los Angeles. The sitcom, that was one of my all-time favorites, aired from 1996 to 2005, also starred Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton. Peter Boyle, who played husband Frank Barone opposite Roberts, died in 2006. Roberts was born Nov. 4, 1925, in St. Louis and grew up in New York.  The actress began her stage career on Broadway in the 1950s, amassing credits that eventually included Neil Simon’s “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and Terrence McNally’s “Bad Habits.”

A fond farewell to one of the funniest actresses ever.

Doris Roberts (1925–2016), Rest in Peace

Doris Roberts wins 2005 Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Doris Roberts, the beloved mom from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” has died … TMZ has learned.

We’re told Doris passed away Sunday in L.A.

She won 5 Emmy awards, 4 of them for ‘Raymond.’ She’s also starred in tons of other TV shows and movies, like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Grandma’s Boy.”

She’s survived by her son, Michael Cannata Jr., who she had with her first husband. Doris’ second husband, William Goyen, died in 1983.

KTLA: Actress Doris Roberts of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Dies at Age 90.

The show’s creator tweeted Monday: “We loved our mom, the great #DorisRoberts. A wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend.”

Actress Patricia Heaton, with whom Roberts’ character faced off on the show, said the death marked the “end of an era.”

“Doris Roberts was a consummate professional from whom I learned so much,” Heaton wrote on Twitter. “She was funny and tough and loved life, living it to the the fullest.”