Death of a Dare Devil Legend … Evel Knievel Dead at 69

Evel Knievel was X-treme long before X-Games were ever even a thought.

Evel_Kn_ceasers

Evel Knievel’s famed jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1967; he was unconscious for a month afterward. (NYT)

Evel Knievel, the man who crashed more times and broke more bones  while amazing us with his remarkable dare devil motorcycle jumps died today. Evel Knievel just seemed so indestructible and during the 1970’s, he was larger than life. Some people are just born a breed a part and are born to live on the edge. Evel Knievel

Before there was extreme sports, there was Evel Knievel. Before there were X-Evel KnievelGames and way before any X-Game athletes were even born, there was Evel Knievel. Wearing a red, white and blue cape and whose jumps over obstacles including Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho’s Snake River Canyon made him an international icon and cult hero in the 1970’s. Its hard to believe that it’s even possible; however, sadly Evel Knievel died today at the age of 69.

Knievel’s death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills.

Longtime friend and promoter Billy Rundel said Knievel had trouble breathing at his Clearwater condominium and died before an ambulance could get him to a hospital.

“It’s been coming for years, but you just don’t expect it. Superman just doesn’t die, right?” Rundel said.

In Pictures: Evel Knievel

Posted December 1, 2007 by
Celebrity, Deceased, Obituary, Sports | 4 comments

Dick Wilson: Mr Whipple “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin” Passes Away at 91

Some passing really hit home and remind one of their younger days in their youth. WhippleThe passing of “Mr. Whipple” is just one of those events. Mr. Whipple was one of the most successful pitch men for a product with one of the best and most memorable commercial slogans ever, “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”. Yet, in all the times one heard or saw the commercials over the years, one never tired of it.

God bless you Mr. Whipple (Dick Wilson) and rest in peace.

 REMEMBER THESE CLASSIC TV COMMERCIALS?

Dick Wilson, better known to generations of commercial watchers as Mr. Whipple of “Please Don’t Squeeze the Charmin” fame has passed away at the age of 91. Mr. Whipple, the commercial icon was the face of Charmin for over 20 years. An unheard of possibility in todays marketing business.

From 1964 to 1985, and again in 1999, Wilson portrayed Mr. Whipple in more than 500 commercials for the toilet paper.

The first ad was filmed in Flushing, N.Y., a bit of trivia that the former stand-up comedian liked to share in interviews.

Read more

Prince Harry “Dead” Artwork … Art or Just Poor Taste?

Once again … this passes for art.

Prince Henry dead, really? No, this is just the latest in what some call art. Most just call it in poor taste and offensive. The artist, Daniel Edwards claims its a “war memorial dedicated to the brave at heart.”

Edwards has explained the logic behind his work, saying, “Prince Harry’s spirit must have died the day they told him he couldn’t serve [in Iraq].”

Prince_Harry2

Why would one memorialize someone as being dead, when they are not? The above excuse by the artist does not fly. Why does this artist need to claim this “art” represents something that it clearly does not? Call it for what it is, anti-Iraq war art. One might also question the timing of this a “piece of art”. as the inquest into the death of his mother, Princess Diana occurs on the 10th anniversary of her death.

The statue is intended to be seen as a memorial to honour those who are willing but unable to serve in Iraq, artist Daniel Edwards said.

The memorial, which features the Prince laid out before the Union Jack with pennies placed over his eyes and his head resting on a bible, will go on show at the Trafalgar Hotel in central London next Thursday as part of the Bridge Art Fair.

Read more

Posted October 5, 2007 by
Bizarre, Deceased, Iraq, Obituary, World, WTF | 5 comments

Brett Somers of Match Game Fame Passes Away … _____ in Peace, … Rest in Peace

Brett Somers has died at the age of 83. She was best known for her comedy and antics Matchgame_brett somersfrom the popular 70’s show, Match Game. The double entendre humor and off color answers to the fill in the blank questions of ‘Match Game’ made it extremely cutting edge for its time. Brett Somers never failed to amuse us. She also appeared on several episodes of ‘The Odd Couple’ as Oscar Madison’s ex-wife. Rest in peace.

WESTPORT, Conn. – Actress and comedian Brett Somers, who amused game show fans with her quips on the “Match Game” in the 1970s, has died, her son said. She was 83.

Somers died Saturday at her home in Westport of stomach and colon cancer, Adam Klugman said Monday.

Posted September 18, 2007 by
Celebrity, Deceased, Obituary | 3 comments

Sad News from the Music World, Italian Tenor Luciano Pavarotti has Passed Away

There is sad news from the world of music tonight. The Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died at the age of 73 from pancreatic cancer. Pavarotti brought the sounds of opera to so many who would not have normally listened to it. He was the ultimate showman with a tremendous voice. Rest in peace.

(Fox News)

Pavarotti had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and underwent further treatment in August 2007. His manager, Terri Robson, told the AP in an e-mail statement that Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5 a.m. local time. “The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness,” the statement said. (Breitbart)

Prolific Tenor Pavarotti Dies

Luciano Pavarotti dead at 71

“Through his countless broadcasts, recordings and concerts he introduced the extraordinary power of opera to people who perhaps would never have encountered opera and classical singing. In doing so, he enriched their lives. That will be his legacy,” said Convent Garden.

While past opera stars often locked themselves in a gilded, elitist world, television viewers around the world heard Pavarotti sing alongside pop stars like Sting and Bono in his famous “Pavarotti and Friends” benefits for the needy.

Posted September 6, 2007 by
Celebrity, Deceased, Obituary | 4 comments

← Previous PageNext Page →

Support Scared Monkeys! make a donation.

 
 
  • NEWS (breaking news alerts or news tips)
  • Red (comments)
  • Dugga (technical issues)
  • Dana (radio show comments)
  • Klaasend (blog and forum issues)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Close
E-mail It