Okay, I am not into car racing much. I don’t watch any of it. I’m not into Nascar, Indy racing or any of that stuff. I’m posting this out of respect. Dan Wheldon, is a British race car driver who races for the, Indy 500. Dan Wheldon was a very popular driver who is considered an icon in the sport.
In today’s race in Las Vegas, the final race for the IZOD IndyCar Series, there was a multiple car crash on lap 12. Most drivers survived, but one of them was killed. The one that was killed happened to be, Dan Wheldon. A young driver at the age of 33, who is married and has two sons.
While this is very sad and tragic, he died what he loved doing, racing. This was a horrible accident. RIP Dan.
I guess it’s time for another obit. Entrepreneur and inventor, Steve Jobs, who was the co-founder, chairman and chief executive for Apple Inc. has died after a long battle with cancer. He is famous for creating the Apple II series computer way back in the 70’s. The Apple II became so popular , which helped create, the Macintosh. Jobs latest creation, the Iphone’s and Ipad’s became a huge hit worldwide. Jobs changed the world by inventing new ways for people to communicate.
I was never into those gadgets. I never really understood them. I thought about getting an Iphone but changed my mind. I think a regular cell phone is good enough for me. If I had an Iphone, I just don’t want people bothering me 24/7, everywhere I go. I don’t see how people could do it but that’s just me.
Steve Jobs always had my respect even though I was never into Apple that much. The only thing I have by Apple is the, Ipod Nano. Like Steve or not, he did change the way we looked at the world over the years. RIP Steve.
Bert Jansch, was a Scottish singer/songwriter in the folk music genre. He was the founder and frontman of the band, Pentangle. Jansch was a leading figure of the British folk music revival of the ’60’s. His music inspired other famous musicians such as Paul Simon, Jimmy Page, Nick Drake, Neil Young, and more.
Jansch first started to play guitar as a teenager and started playing around folk clubs in the Glasgow area. After leaving school, Jansch took up a job as a nurseryman, and then he quit to become a full time musician. Jansch’s influences to become a musician were Big Bill Broonzy and Brownie McGhee.
Jansch formed Pentangle in 1967. They are known for songs such as “Travelling Song”, “Let No Man Steal Your Thyme”, “Light Flight”, and more. Jansch passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.
Legendary actor, Cliff Robertson has passed away this week. While he starred in so many films over the years, he won an Oscar for “Best Actor” for the film, “Charly”, in 1968. He is most well known for his role as Uncle Ben Parker, in Sam Raimi’s, “Spiderman”, trilogy. Cliff Robertson was 88 years old.
I never watched, “Spartucus: Blood & Sand”, but I hear that Andy Whitfield is a well respected talented actor, but since he was a cancer victim, that also gets my respect. Andy Whitfield, died of lymphoma cancer, on Sept. 11th, 2011. It’s always sad that people die of cancer at such a young age. He was only 39.
Jani Lane, started off as a drummer at the age of 4, because his older brother Eric, was already a good guitarist, so he learned to play drums with him. Jani got inspired into rock music by his sister Vicky and his parents. Throughout the years, Jani would play drums for various bands as a kid. In high school, Jani was a superstar in his football team as he was an amazing quarterback player. He was so good at football that he was offered a scholarship to different colleges. The only thing though, Jani was more interested in becoming a rock n’ roll musician than being a football player. At this time, he wanted to become a singer fronting a band instead of being a drummer.
Right after Jani graduated from high school, Jani joined the band Cyren as a drummer. He also performed for bands Dorian Grey and Plain Jane. Jani later started to take vocal lessons with professional vocal coach, Ron Feldman to learn how to sing. Jani first made his singing debut at Fern Park Station in Fern Park, Florida.
In July of 1984, the band Warrant formed by guitarist Erik Turner. Jani joined the band in 1986 as lead singer replacing Adam Shore. Warrant is most famous for anthems: “Cherry Pie”, “Heaven”, “Down Boys”, and more.
Jani Lane was found dead at a Comfort Inn Hotel in Woodland Hills, California, he was 47 years old.
Bubba Smith, who is the former NFL star and actor most famous for his role as Hightower in the “Police Academy” comedy series has passed away. He played for the NFL from 1967 – 76, then he retired to become a full time actor. Bubba was found dead in his home in Los Angeles, he was 66 years old.
Damn, a sad loss in the movie industry. I love all the Police Academy movies and Hightower has always been my favorite character. Sad.
Amy Winehouse began singing at the age of 9, after taking interest in singing after her father, Mitchell Winehouse would sing around the house. Mitchell would sing Amy, Frank Sinatra songs as a child and her interest in singing grew from there. Her family later sent Amy to Susi Earnshaw Theatre School for further training on Amy’s singing. Amy began playing guitar at the age of 13 and started to write her own songs. She was mostly interested in jazz and soul music.
In 2003, she was signed to a major label and released her debut album, “Frank”, which was pretty successful and critics gave it positive reviews. In 2006, she teamed up with Mark Ronson and they wrote two songs together, “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good”. Those songs were later included on Amy’s album “Back To Black” which went to No. 7 on the Billboard 200.
For years, she had struggled with drug addiction & alcohol. She also had problems in her personal life with her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil and she suffered mental health problems. Amy Winehouse was found dead today in her London home, she was 27 years old. She now joins the list of musicians who died at 27 such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.
Sad loss to the music industry but she had it coming. She’s in a better place now.
The music world, lost another great one. Clarence Clemons, known for being the prominent member of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band from 1972 until now. He was most recognizable for his talent in his incredible sax playing. Whenever he plays the sax, you know it’s Clarence playing right away. He was also one of the coolest sax players who was such a badass on stage. He was an important member of the E Street Band.
Clarence had other projects over the years, other than the E Street Band though. He made several solo albums in his career. He also did side projects being a special guest sax player for Aretha Franklin on “Freeway of Love” and he even played for Twister Sister on their song, “Be Chrool for Your Scuel”.He even performed in concert with the Grateful Dead once.
Clarence was also a part time actor in Hollywood. He had cameos in TV shows such as “Diff’rent Strokes”, “Nash Bridges”, “The Simpsons”, and “The Wire”. He also had acting roles in films such as “New York, New York” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”.He also appeared on an episode of Weird Al’s children’s show “The Weird Al Show”.
As a child, Clarence grew up listening to jazz music and he first picked up the sax at the age of 9. In Sept. of 1971, that’s when Clarence first met Bruce Springsteen. Clarence was recommended to check out Bruce Springsteen play with his band at a club called, The Student Prince. Clarence asked Bruce if he could join his band, so Bruce gave him an audition, of course, Clarence was in.
Clarence suffered a stroke on June 12, he died from complications of the stroke on Sat. June 18th. RIP Big Man. My heart goes out to Springsteen, the E Street Band, his family, friends and fans. This is a sad day in the music world. I’m sure the E Street Band will continue without him, but honestly, it’s not the E Street band without him. The E Street Band will never be the same, no matter who replaces him as a sax player. This sucks. He was the reason I listened to the Street Band.
Famous for his role as Kenickie for the musical movie, “Grease” and also for “Taxi”, “Babylon 5”, actor Jeff Conaway has died today. He had lots of health and personal issues over the years. He was suicidal and had depression issues. According to his wikipedia, the reason he turned out this way because he was a victim of a pedophile and child pornographers when he was a child. He became a drug addict as a teenager. He has been a long time cast member for Dr. Drew Pinsky’s show, “Celebrity Rehab”. Dr. Drew Pinsky said he did not die of a drug overdose but “pneumonia with sepsis”. Jeff Conaway, was 60 years old.
Kev
The Official Music Website of Kevin Brock – Brocking N' Rolling
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