Sadly Not a Shock, Singer Amy Winehouse Dead at the Age of 27 … What a Shame

Amy Winehouse had such a great voice and was so talented, but sadly her demons and destructive live style far overshadowed her talent. Sadly, today we got the news that many of us feared would happen far too soon … Amy Winehouse was found dead at the age of 27. According to accounts, Amy Winehouse was pronounced dead at her home in Camden Square northern London. The cause of death has yet to be determined, although many of our first thoughts are with Amy’s public battle with addiction to drugs and alcohol.

According to the UK Daily Mail, the Metropolitan police said “police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05 hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

Rest in Peace, Amy … I do hope that you finally do have peace.

Amy Winehouse, the beehived soul-jazz diva whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead Saturday in her London home, police said. She was 27.

Winehouse shot to fame with the album “Back to Black,” whose blend of jazz, soul, rock and classic pop was a global hit. It won five Grammys and made Winehouse – with her black beehive hairdo and old-fashioned sailor tattoos – one of music’s most recognizable stars.

The BBC has a rather telling video chronology of Amy’s rise, fall and rise again before today’s news.

What a crying shame and waste of God given talent. Sadly, Amy’s demons were more than she could handle. I was such a fan of her talent and her singing. I was such a fan of her torchy, soul and jazzy style; however, I knew that it was never going to last. Recently when she canceled her come back tour, the first thought was RUT-ROH. Amy was an exceptional talent with an even more tragic life.

Last month, Winehouse canceled her European comeback tour after she swayed and slurred her way through barely recognizable songs in her first show in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Booed and jeered off stage, she flew home and her management said she would take time off to recover.

“I didn’t go out looking to be famous,” Winehouse told the Associated Press when “Back to Black” was released. “I’m just a musician.”

Amy sang, “You Know I’m No Good” … actually Amy, you were better than you thought. It is sad that the fame and demons won out; however, I hope that you can now be at peace. One thing that no one can take from Amy Winehouse … what a voice … Rest in Peace.

Betty Ford, Former First Lady Dead at the Age of 93 … Rest in Peace

Betty Ford, the former first lady and the wife of President Gerald Ford, has passed away at the age of  93.  With her family at her bedside, Betty Ford died Friday at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. She was the founder of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and drug addiction. Ford will also be known as an advocate of woman’s rights and health. It was  Betty Ford who brought breast cancer to the fore-front, center issue as she increased the visibility of the disease which gave rise to many woman getting breast screenings. It know it made a difference with many in my family, including my mom.

Betty Ford, wife of former President Gerald Ford and the founder of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction, has died at age 93.

In public, she was one of the most visible and outspoken first ladies in history. In private, she triumphed over serious personal adversity.

She was married to Gerald Ford for 58 years. Shortly after becoming president in 1974, Ford said, “I am indebted to no man and to only one woman, my dear wife.”

From the Lonely Conservative comes some some heart felt comments that ring very true. Betty Ford’s battles with breast cancer and substance abuse made her human and like us, not just a typical first lady that is put on a pedestal.   We do not always have to agree with one’s politics to know and understand that what some do during their lives should be celebrated and make such a huge difference for people years to come. What we do in life echos an eternity.

More from CNN and other commenting on the life and contributions of Betty Ford.

President Barack Obama remembered the former first lady as a “powerful advocate for women’s health and women’s rights” and someone who “helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction.” His predecessor, George W. Bush, added that “because of her leadership, many lives were saved.”

Some of the many others offering praise and sympathy included Nancy Reagan (calling Ford “an inspiration), and former presidents George H. W. Bush (describing her as a “wonderful wife and mother, a great friend and a courageous first lady) and Jimmy Carter (saying she was “a close personal friend” and “a remarkable political spouse.”)

REST IN PEACE …

Peter Falk of ‘Columbo’ Fame Dies at the Age of 83

There is sad news in the world of TV celebrity, Peter Falk has died at the age of 83. The Emmy award winning actor best known for TV detective show Columbo has passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, CA. Actor-director John Cassavetes referred to him as the man “everybody falls in love with.” Isn’t that the truth. Who did not love the plodding character of Columbo solving crimes in a most unconventional manner? Falk is survived by his wife of 34 years, actress Shera Falk, and two daughters from a previous marriage.

Rest in Peace

Peter Falk, the Emmy-winning stage, screen and TV actor, best known to world audiences as the always-underestimated police detective in the long-running telepic series “Columbo,” died Thursday at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 83.
It was announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in December 2007.

Falk won five Emmys, four for portraying Columbo, and was twice Oscar nommed for supporting roles.

Read more on the life and times of Peter Falk at Variety. Even more at Entertainment Weekly.

Falk did not decide on an acting career until he was almost 30. Born in Manhattan, he was rasied in Ossining, N.Y. After serving in the merchant marine for 18 months as a cook in the days following WWII, he studied at Hamilton College, finished his B.A. in political science at the New School for Social Research in 1951 and his M.A. in public administration at Syracuse U.

After being rejected by the CIA, he worked for the state of Connecticut and began acting in community theater. Encouraged by his acting teacher, he quit his job and moved to New York to study under Jack Landau and Sanford Meisner, making his Off Broadway debut in 1956 in Moliere’s “Don Juan” and hitting Broadway in “St. Joan” when it transferred from Off Broadway in 1957.

Next came the role of the bartender in the hit revival of Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh” and roles in “Diary of a Scoundrel,” “The Lady’s Not for Burning,” “Purple Dust,” “Bonds of Interest” and “Comic Strip.”

What made Peter Falk so loved and admired … he was like no other typical actor. That disheveled look and trench coat … how I miss that show. Who could forget Columbo’s famous line, “Just one more thing …”

Clarence Clemons, Legendary Rock Saxophonist of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Dies at the Age of 69

REST IN PEACE BIG MAN …

There is sad news today in the music world, Clarence Clemons,the big man on the sax of the E Street band has passed away at the age of 69 due to complications from a stroke. The saxophone player fell ill at his Florida home last Sunday and later underwent two brain surgeries. According to accounts,  his situation appeared to be looking up Monday; however, sadly last week his situation took a turn for the worse.  Clemons played with the Boss, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since 1971. The unmistakable sax sound was a staple on such songs as  Jungleland, Born to Run, Rosalita (VIDEO) and so many, many more. Clemons also played with other music legends the Grateful Dead, Ringo Star, Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin and Ray Orbison.

Clarence Clemons discusses life with the E Street Band

I have long been a fan of the music of Springsteen and the E Street Band, especially their music of the 1970′s and 80′s. I  spent many a summer and weekend down at the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park and the Stone Pony in my day. Today I lost a piece of my childhood, but I fondly remember some great moment from the past. Tonight the Stone Pony has free admission “Remembering the Big Man”.For those who grew up and went to school in the Jersey area you know exactly what I am referring to, Springsteen, Clemons and the E Street Band pretty much provided anthems for life.

According to Jersey shore music legend, Clemons was playing a gig at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park in September of 1971 when he decided between sets to go to the nearby Student Prince (VIDEO), where Bruce Springsteen was performing. Clemons was the sax player for the E Street Band from its inception until his passing. The Big Man was bigger than life, a friend to everyone who knew him, and we miss him so very much.

Jungleland – the fantastic sax sounds of Clarence Clemons

A statement from Bruce Springsteen:

“Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage.”

“He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.”

Clarence Clemons performs the National Anthem prior to Openings Day game for  Florida Marlins game in 2011

Clarence on the Sax … Cuz Big Man, You were Born to Run and play the Sax … Rest in Peace

More from the LA Times and a fond remembrance. The folks at Powerline also have a great remembrance of the Big Man as well.

“Every time we get together, it’s all brand-new,” Clemons told the Associated Press last year. “Every time, Bruce comes back with something new and something different. I keep wondering: How high can he take it? … How many times can he be reborn? I just want to keep on living so I can keep seeing the change.”

Clarence Clemons was born Jan. 11, 1942, in Norfolk, Va., the son of a fish merchant who bought him an alto saxophone for Christmas one year, instead of the electric train he’d asked for.

James Arness, Marshall Dillon of Gun Smoke Fame Dead at the Age of 88, RIP

James Arness, Marshall Matt Dillon  of  Gun Smoke fame has passed away at the age of 88 from natural causes. From 1955 to 1975 Arness graced TV screens as the larger than life Marshall Dillon keeping the streets of Dodge City safe from outlaws, Indians and desperadoes. How I loved this show growing up and never missed an episode. Interesting back then we had characters on TV that were heroic role models. What we didn’t know about James Arness, he served his country in the army during WWII at Anzio He was wounded in his right leg and received the Purple Heart.

REST IN PEACE JAMES ARNESS

Matt Dillon, the mythical marshal of Dodge City, stood tall — all 6 feet, 6 inches of him — on “Gunsmoke” from 1955 to 1975. He outlasted dozens of other Western heroes while making history on TV’s longest-running dramatic series, a record that held until NBC’s “Law & Order” tied the CBS Western’s record in 2010.

James Arness wrote a letter that was to be posted to his web site upon  his final farewell:

I had a wonderful life and was blessed with some many loving people and great friends. The best part of my life was my family, especially my wife Janet. Many of you met her at Dodge City so you understand what a special person she is.

I wanted to take this time to thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of Gunsmoke, The Thing, How the West Was Won and all the other fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be a part of. I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years.

I was honored to have served in the army for my country. I was at Anzio during WWII and it makes you realize how very precious life is.

Thank you again for all the many letters, cards, emails and gifts we received from you over the years. You are and always have been truly appreciated

Check out the John Wayne introduction James Arness and  Gun Smoke

Much more at OTB of the passing of James Arness.