The news broke earlier today that Vangelis died on 17 May , aged 79, at a hospital in Paris due to heart failure.
Born in the Greek coastal town of Agria in 1943, the largely self-taught musician formed his first band, The Forminx, in 1963 at the age of 20 and followed that with the internationally successful Aphrodite’s Child, who also featured vocalist Demis Roussos. After two albums of psychedelic pop – the band’s debut single Rain And Tears was a top 30 hit in the UK in 1968, it was the band’s third album 666, a concept album about the Book Of Revelation, which made the band a hit with serious-minded music fans, even though they had actually split up by the time of the album’s release.
The musical style of Vangelis is diverse; although he primarily used electronic music instruments, which characterize electronic music, his music has been described as a mixture of electronica, classical (his music was often symphonic), progressive rock,[ jazz, ambient.
He is sometimes categorized as a new-age composer, a classification others have disputed, including Vangelis himself. He called New-age music a style which “gave the opportunity for untalented people to make very boring music”.
He has worked together with many other artist like Jon Anderson from Yes. He also composed many soundtracks to films such as The Bounty (1984) and 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) and solo albums such as Voices (1995) and Oceanic (1996) further cemented his reputation and a long-held fascination with outer space saw him work with the European Space Agency on 2016’s Rosetta and he continued exploring his love of space on last year’s Juno To Jupiter.
In 2021 we saw the deaths of many rich and famous. No matter how much wealth you have or how famous and powerful you are, death waits for no one. Below is just a summary of some of the stars and celebrities we lost this year.
Actress and model Tanya Roberts — known for her roles as Midge in “That ’70s Show” and a Bond Girl in 1985’s “A View to Kill” — died on Jan. 4, one day after her publicist mistakenly announced her death prematurely. The 65-year-old passed peacefully at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where she’d been hospitalized since Christmas Eve after collapsing at her home following a hike.(picture above)
Dustin Diamond, age 44
Diamond was known best for playing the bumbling comic relief Samuel “Screech” Powers in the beloved 1990s TV series “Saved by the Bell.”
“We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond’s passing on Monday, February 1st, 2021 due to carcinoma,” Diamond’s representative said in a statement provided to Insider.
“He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago. In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system,” the statement continued. “The only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution. Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”
Yaphet Kotto, age 81
The veteran character actor was known best for playing Bond villain Mr. Big in 1973’s James Bond movie “Live and Let Die” and Parker in the sci-fi classic “Alien.”
Known for his physically imposing characters, Kotto was a fixture in movie and TV for decades, including roles on the series “Homicide: Life on the Street” and FBI agent Mosely in the beloved comedy “Midnight Run” opposite Robert De Niro. His wife, Thessa Sinahon, announced Kotto’s passing in a Facebook post. It was confirmed by Kotto’s agent, Ryan Goldhar, The New York Times reported.
Kotto died on March 15 near Manila in the Philippines. No cause of death was given.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh age 99
Philip died of “old age” on the morning of 9 April 2021 at Windsor Castle, aged 99, two months before his 100th birthday. He was the longest-serving royal consort in world history. The Queen, who was reportedly at her husband’s bedside when he died, privately described his death as “having left a huge void in her life”
The palace said Philip died peacefully, which was confirmed by Philip’s daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex, who told the press, it was “so gentle. It was just like somebody took him by the hand and off he went.”[171] His death led to the commencement of Operation Forth Bridge, the plan for publicly announcing his death and organising his funeral The funeral took place on 17 April 2021 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and he was interred in the Royal Vault inside St George’s.The Duke’s body is expected to be moved and interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St. George’s, after the death of the Queen.
Charles Grodin, age 86
A master at deadpan humor, Charles Grodin became a comedy fixture in the 1980s and 1990s for roles in “The Great Muppet Caper,” “Midnight Run,” and “Beethoven.” Grodin was also known for writing a number of plays and books. He earned an Emmy for being one of the writers on the 1977 “Paul Simon Special.”
In the 1990s, he showed a different side of his talents, talk show host, when he did “The Charles Grodin Show” on CNBC.
Johnny Solinger,age 55
Former Skid Row singer Johnny Solinger reportedly died on June 26 at the age of 55. The news came about a month after he told fans that he’d been diagnosed with liver failure, according to reports.
The band, which Solinger was a part of from 1999 to 2015, posted a tribute to Solinger that read in part, “We are saddened to hear the news of our brother Johnny Solinger. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.”
Richard Donner, age 91
One of the early architects of the Hollywood blockbuster, director Richard Donner’s filmography is a legendary one.
From the original “Superman” in 1978 starring Christopher Reeve to “The Goonies” and the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, Donner’s storytelling has touched generations.
Then there are the non-franchises that are also memorable: horror classic “The Omen,” the Bill Murray-starrer “Scrooged,” and the hit Western “Maverick.”
And before movies, Donner made his mark in television, having directed the iconic “Twilight Zone” episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” which featured William Shatner convinced a monster is on the wing of the airplane.
Donner died on July 5, was confirmed to Deadline by his wife and business manager Lauren Schuler Donner No cause of death has been revealed.
Charlie Watts, age
Charlie Watts, drummer for the Rolling Stones, died at age 80 on Aug. 24. A statement from his spokesperson, posted to the band’s social media accounts, said Watts “passed away peacefully in a London hospital,” and was “surrounded by his family.”
While he is thought to be one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, and is the only member besides Mick Jagger and Ketih Richards to have credits on every studio album, Watts managed to keep his other interests alive throughout his long career.
Having gone to art school, and became a graphic designer, he helped compose the Between the Buttons record sleeve, and would work with Jagger on conceiving elaborate staging for their tours. Watts also had a jazz quintet on the side, and organized tributes to Charlie Parker.
Norm Macdonald age 61.
Comedian and “Saturday Night Live” star Norm Macdonald died after a private nine-year battle with cancer in September. He was 61.
He was most proud of his comedy,” his friend Lori Jo Hoekstra, who was also his longtime producing partner, said. “He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that ‘a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.’ He certainly never pandered.”
James Michael Tyler, age 59
James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther on Friends, died on October 24. He was 59. His manager confirmed to the BBC that Tyler died on Sunday, peacefully at his home. “If you met him once you made a friend for life,” a statement from his manager read. “[He] is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carno, the love of his life.” In June, Tyler revealed he was battling stage 4 prostate cancer. “Wanting to help as many people as possible, he bravely shared his story and became a campaigner for those with a prostate to get a… blood test as early as 40-years-old,” his manager said, per the BBC. Tyler was well-known for his role as Gunther, the Central Perk coffee shop manager, who had an unrequited crush on Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) throughout the show’s run. While best known for Friends, his other onscreen credits include Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Showtime’s Episodes, and Scrubs.
Graeme Edge, age 80.
Edge was the drummer and last original member of the legendary rock band The Moody Blues.
The band, which was formed in 1964, had a revolutionary sound which has stood the test of time thanks to iconic songs like “Nights in White Satan” and “Tuesday Afternoon.” The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
“It’s a very sad day. Graeme’s sound and personality [are] present in everything we did together and thankfully that will live on,” the band’s current lead singer and guitarist, Justin Hayward, wrote on the band’s website.
“In the late 1960′s we became the group that Graeme always wanted it to be, and he was called upon to be a poet as well as a drummer,” Hayward continued. “He delivered that beautifully and brilliantly, while creating an atmosphere and setting that the music would never have achieved without his words.”
Edge died on November 11, no cause was given.
Michael Nesmith, age 78
The guitarist for the iconic 1960s pop band The Monkees, Nesmith was recognizable for being the tallest of the foursome and often sporting a wool cap.
The band was created at the height of The Beatles’ popularity and became superstars thanks to being on the hit NBC series “The Monkees” in which Nesmith, along with bandmates Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Micky Dolenz did silly comedy while performing chart-topping songs.
Song like “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” and “Daydream Beliver” made Nesmith and the group the first big American boy band.
Over his career, Nesmith won a Grammy and was an executive producer behind the 1984 cult classic movie “Repo Man.”
Nesmith died of natural causes on December 10.
“With infinite love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”
2018 has been a year where we had to say goodbye to a great number of musicians. Here are just some of them and some of their music. May they all rest in peace.
7 January:France Gall
February 1: Dennis Edwards
March 12: Craig Mack
April 20: Tim Bergling aka Avicii
7 May: Maurane
June 18: XXXTentacion
July 8:Tab Hunter
August 16,: Aretha Franklin
14 September: Anneke Grönloh
October 1: Charles Aznavour
October 24:Tony Joe White
November 15: Roy Clark
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John Mahoney, the veteran actor best known for his role as Martin Crane in the TV comedy series Frasier, has died in the US at the age of 77. He passed away on Sunday in his adopted hometown of Chicago after a brief hospitalisation.
Born into an Irish family in Blackpool, Lancashire, Mahoney emigrated to the US as a teenager to join his sister.
Mahoney, the seventh of eight children, was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England on June 20, 1940.The family was evacuated to Blackpool from the Mahoneys’ home city of Manchester, when it was heavily bombed during the Second World War.
He started school at St Joseph’s College, Blackpool. After the war, the Mahoneys moved back to Manchester. Mahoney grew up in the Withington area of the city and discovered acting at the Stretford Children’s Theatre. His Irish father, Reg, was a bakerwho played classical piano, and his mother, Margaret, was a housewife who loved reading. His parents’ marriage was not happy and they either would not speak to each other or have heated arguments. The family situation, combined with the war, fuelled Mahoney’s interest in acting and he vowed to leave Manchester.
Mahoney moved to the United States as a young man when his older sister, Vera, a war bride living in rural Illinois, agreed to sponsor him. He studied at Quincy University, Illinois, before joining the United States Army to speed up the U.S. citizenship process; he received citizenship in 1959.He lived in Macomb, Illinois, and taught English at Western Illinois University in the early 1970s,before settling in Forest Park, Illinois, and later in Oak Park, Illinois. He served as editor of a medical journal through much of the decade.
The actor only got into the profession in his late 30s after he returned to Manchester and saw Albert Finney and Leo McKern in Uncle Vanya. When he came back to Chicago he took an acting class which was run by David Mamet. The playwright and John Malkovich eventually convinced Mahoney to join the Steppenwolf group alongside the likes of Laurie Metcalf, Joan Allen and Gary Sinise.
The actor played in a great number of movies, stage plays and TV Shows. But he will always be remembered as Martin Crane, retired cop and father of Psychiatrists Niles and Frasier Crane.
We could not mention Martin Crane without mentioning his 4 legged companion, Eddie.
For 11 seasons you made us laugh. There has not been one bad episode. Although your lines were always witty . funny and often sarcastic they were also sometimes very touching and profound.
Martin Crane thank you for all the laughs. John Mahoney thanks for being a great actor. let’s hope you can fulfill your dreams wherever you are now.
Rest in Peace.
Ending with one of my favourite scenes.
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I am passionate about my site and I know you all like reading my blogs. I have been doing this at no cost and will continue to do so. All I ask is for a voluntary donation of $2, however if you are not in a position to do so I can fully understand, maybe next time then. Thank you.
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2016 may just have been the worst year for musicians, so many died. In total there have Because there were several big stars who died this year,Prince;Glen Frey;David Bowie for example, some of the lesser known stars were forgotten.
This is a tribute to some of them, may they all rest in peace.
Colin Vearncombe AKA Black
On 10 January 2016, Vearncombe was involved in a road traffic accident, near Cork Airport in Ireland, and placed in a medically-induced coma after sustaining serious head injuries. He died from his injuries at the intensive care unit of Cork University Hospital on 26 January 2016, at the age of 53.Vearncombe left a widow, Swedish opera singer Camilla Griehsel, and three children
Colonel Abrams
Abrams died on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016. He died homeless.
Jimmy Bain
James Stewart “Jimmy” Bain (19 December 1947 – 23 January 2016) was a Scottish musician, best known for playing bass guitar in the bands Rainbow and Dio.He also worked with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, co-writing on his solo albums
Vanity
Denise Katrina Matthews (January 4, 1959 – February 15, 2016), better known as Vanity, was a Canadian singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and model, who turned away from her music and acting career to concentrate on evangelism.Her career lasted from the early 1980s until the mid-1990s. She was the lead singer of the female trio Vanity 6 from 1981 until it disbanded in 1983. She died on February 15, 2016, at the age of 57, due to renal failure.A few weeks later the man who discovered her,Prince, would also pass away.
Matt Roberts
Matt Roberts, the longtime lead guitarist for rock band 3 Doors Down before he left the band in 2012, died 21 August in a hotel outside Milwaukee. He was 38.
Sharon Jones
Sharon Lafaye Jones (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016) was an American soul and funk singer. She was the lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, a soul and funk band based in Brooklyn, New York.Jones experienced breakthrough success relatively late in life,releasing her first record when she was 40 years old.In 2014, Jones was nominated for her first Grammy, in the category Best R&B Album, for Give the People What They Want.
She died on November 18, 2016, in Cooperstown, New York, aged 60, of Pancreatic cancer.
This is a tribute to all the musicians who danced their Last Waltz in 2016. I will try mention all of them but there were so many. So forgive me if I forget a few.
Natalie Cole
She passed away on new year’s eve 2015, but her death was only announcedthe day after on January 1st 2016. Reunited with her Dad the legendary Nat King Cole, I am sure they will be dancing plenty of Waltzes beyond the pearly gates.
David Bowie
AKA David Robert Jones. Sadly passed away on the 10th of January. Only 2 days after his 69th birthday and the release of his prophetic last album ‘Black Star’
I am sure he will be doing some gigs in the sky with some of his friends. Here he is with my all time Guitar Hero Stevie Ray Vaughan on ‘China Girl’
Glenn Frey
Just over a week after David Bowie’s death, Glen Frey,one of the founding members of the Eagles shed his earthly shell on the 18th of January.Last time I saw him live was with the aforementioned Eagles in Dublin. A very generous man. He had been on holiday in Ireland prior to the concert and had read up on the history of Ireland. He also had high praises for David Gray, his music was ‘inspirational’ Glen Frey said.
Prince
One of the biggest shocks came on the 21st of April. One of the biggest stars of all time, Prince, died that day. Singer,Actor,Dancer,Choreographer,Composer,Multi-Instrumentalist, one of a kind.Controversial at times but above everything talented.
Billy Paul
Paul Williams (December 1, 1934 – April 24, 2016), known professionally as Billy Paul, was a Grammy Award-winning American soul singer, known for his 1972 #1 single, “Me and Mrs. Jones”, as well as the 1973 album and single “War of the Gods” which blends his more conventional pop, soul, and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences.
Paul died on the afternoon of April 24, 2016, at his home in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, (September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016)
A Canadian singer, songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. Cohen was inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honour. In 2011, Cohen received one of the Prince of Asturias Awards for literature and the ninth Glenn Gould Prize. A true legend.
I am certain he will have found plenty of ladies on the heavenly dance floors willing to dance with him to end.
These were just a few of those who we had to bid farewell to 2016 was a dark year for the entertainment industry.Below are the other musicians that died this year, because there were so many I may have missed out on some.
Craig Strickland, rising country singer and frontman for Backroad Anthem, was found dead at 29 years old on Jan. 4 after going missing during a duck hunting trip in extreme weather.
Otis Clay, soul singer and Blues Music Hall of Famer best known for 1967’s “That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love),” died Jan. 8 at 73.
Dale “Buffin” Griffin, drummer and co-founder for Mott the Hoople, died at 67 on Jan. 17 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Clarence Reid, better known as funk/R&B singer Blowfly, died Jan. 17 at 76. He wrote and produced tracks for artists like Sam & Dave and KC & the Sunshine Band, and his often R-rated solo songs were sampled by rappers like Snoop Dogg and Jurassic 5.
Mic Gillette, Tower of Power founder and trumpet player, died of a heart attack over the weekend of Jan. 16-17 at 64.
Jimmy Bain, former Dio and Rainbow bassist, died at 68 over the weekend of Jan. 22-24.
Signe Anderson, the original Jefferson Airplane singer who was replaced by Grace Slick, died at 74 on Jan. 28, the same day as Kantner.
Maurice White, a founding member of disco-funk group Earth, Wind & Fire, died Feb. 3 at 74.
Dan Hicks, who led ’60s band Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, died Feb. 6 at 74.
Vanity, an ’80s singer-actress and Prince protege also known as Denise Katrina Matthews, died Feb. 15 at 57.
Jon English, singer-songwriter who starred in Australia’s “Against the Wind” TV series, died March 9 at 66.
Singer Gogi Grant, whose song “The Wayward Wind” topped the charts for 6 weeks in 1956, died March 10 at 91.
Keith Emerson, founder and keyboardist of the progressive-rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer, died March 11 at 71
Frank Sinatra Jr., singer and son of Ol’ Blue Eyes, died March 16 of cardiac arrest at 72.
Lee Andrews, ’50s doo-wop singer and father of The Roots drummer Questlove, died March 16 at age 79.
Daryl Coley, Grammy-nominated gospel singer, died the week of March 16 at age 60.
Steve Young, outlaw country singer best known for “Seven Bridges Road,” died March 17 at 73.
Phife Dawg, Grammy-nominated A Tribe Called Quest rapper, died March 22 of diabetes at 45.
Merle Haggard, country music legend who had more than 30 No. 1 hits, died April 6 on his 79th birthday.
Lonnie Mack, blues guitar great who inspired everyone from Eric Clapton and Keith Richards to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Bonamassa, died April 21 at 74
Julius La Rosa, pop singer famously fired on the Arthur Godfrey show in 1953, died May 12 at 86.
Guy Clark, Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter, died May 17 at 74.
John Berry, original Beastie Boys member, died May 19 at 52 after a long struggle with dementia.
Nick Menza, former Megadeth drummer, died May 21 after collapsing on stage at age 51.
P.M. Dawn’s Prince Be, singer-rapper born Attrel Cordes and best known for the 1991 hit “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” died June 17 at 46 from complications of diabetes and renal kidney disease
Ralph Stanley, bluegrass music legend and “O Brother Where Art Thou” singer, died June 23 at 89.
Bernie Worrell, masterful Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist, died June 24 at his home at age 72.
Scotty Moore, pioneering rock guitarist for Elvis Presley, died June 28 at his home. He was 84
Steven Young, member of M/A/R/R/S (“Pump Up the Volume”) and Colourbox, died Wednesday, July 13.
Bonnie Brown, of Country Music Hall of Fame trio The Browns died July 16 at 77.
Alan Vega, Suicide singer and punk rock pioneer, died July 16 at 78.
Glenn Yarbrough, founding member of folk trio The Limeliters, died Aug. 11 at 86.
Ruby Wilson, blues, soul and gospel singer known as “The Queen of Beale Street,” died Aug. 12 at 68
Joan Marie Johnson, The Dixie Cups singer known for ‘Chapel of Love’ and ‘Iko Iko,’ died Oct. 3 at 72.
Pete Burns, Dead Or Alive singer best known for 1985 hit “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record),” died Oct. 23 after a massive cardiac arrest at 57.
Leon Russell, influential singer-songwriter and all-star collaborator, died Nov. 13 at 74.
Sharon Jones, Grammy-nominated soul singer with The Dap-Kings, died Nov. 18 at 60 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
History of Sorts 
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