Burt Bacharach, who was a musical genius, died he was 95

Burt Freeman Bacharach

was a musical genius whose contributions to popular music will always be remembered died he was 95. As an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist, he was a pioneer in the music industry, shaping the sound of pop music in the 20th century.

Bacharach's partnership with lyricist Hal David produced some of the most memorable and enduring songs of the era. The combination of David's poignant lyrics and Bacharach's complex and unique chord progressions created a sound that was both distinctive and timeless. Together, they created classics like "Walk on By," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head."

Bacharach's music was characterized by his use of jazz harmony, unusual chord progressions
, and unconventional arrangements of instruments for small orchestras. He was a master of melody and rhythm, creating music that was both sophisticated and accessible. His work was admired by audiences and fellow musicians alike, and he inspired a generation of composers and songwriters.

Bacharach's talents extended beyond composition to arranging, conducting, and producing. He had an ear for detail and a dedication to perfection that made his recordings stand out. His contributions to the music industry were recognized with multiple awards, including Grammys, Oscars, and Golden Globes.

Burt Freeman Bacharach's music will continue to inspire and delight generations to come. His unique and timeless sound will always hold a special place in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. We pay tribute to his legacy and honor the indelible mark he has left on popular music.

                                                        ( May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023)

Over 1,000 different artists have recorded Burt Bacharach's songs, making him one of the most successful and influential songwriters of his time. From 1961 to 1972, Bacharach and Hal David's hits were written specifically for and performed by Dionne Warwick, but earlier collaborations (from 1957 to 1963) saw the duo work with other renowned artists such as Marty Robbins, Perry Como, Gene McDaniels, and Jerry Butler. Bacharach's talent for crafting unforgettable melodies and complex chord progressions made him a sought-after composer for a diverse range of performers, from pop to soul and beyond. He wrote hits for singers such as Gene Pitney, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and B. J. Thomas.

Bacharach's success is evident in the number of chart-topping hits he produced. He wrote seventy-three U.S. and fifty-two UK Top 40 hits, including "This Guy's in Love with You," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)," "That's What Friends Are For," and "On My Own." His impressive list of accolades includes six Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, and one Emmy Award.

Bacharach's influence on the music industry was profound. He collaborated with many prominent musical artists of his era, and his songs continue to be appropriated for the soundtracks of major feature films. He is considered a significant figure in easy listening, and his work has influenced later musical movements such as chamber pop and Shibuya-kei. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked Bacharach and David at number 32 on their list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. In 2012, the duo received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first time the honor has been given to a songwriting team.

Bacharach's early years were spent in Kansas City, Missouri, before his family moved to Forest Hills, Queens, New York. He attended Forest Hills High School, where he developed his passion for music. His mother, Irma M. Bacharach, was an amateur painter and songwriter who encouraged her son to practice piano, drums, and cello during his childhood. Although his family was Jewish, Bacharach said that he did not practice or give much attention to their religion. Regardless, his Jewish heritage and upbringing remained an important part of his identity.

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David Van Cortlandt Crosby was an American musician and singer-songwriter died on January 18, 2023, at the age of 81

 David Van Cortlandt Crosby was an American musician and singer-songwriter died on January 18, 2023, at the age of 81. 

David Crosby was an accomplished American musician and singer-songwriter, who made significant contributions to the genres of folk rock and psychedelia. He gained initial fame as a member of the Byrds in the mid-1960s, and later as part of the popular supergroup, Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Crosby's musical talents were evident from an early age, and he began performing in the folk music scene before co-founding the Byrds in 1964. With the Byrds, he helped pioneer folk rock and psychedelia, and the band's cover of

Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" became a number-one hit in 1965. Crosby played a pivotal role in the Byrds' first five albums, as well as the original lineup's 1973 reunion album.

In 1968, Crosby formed Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. The group won the
Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1969, after the release of their debut album. Neil Young occasionally joined the group, resulting in the formation of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY). The core trio of CSN remained active from 1976 until 2016, and the duo of Crosby & Nash recorded three gold albums in the 1970s. The group's reunions were held in each decade from the 1970s through the 2000s.

In addition to his work with the Byrds and CSN(Y), Crosby released eight solo albums over the course of his career, including his solo debut, If I Could Only Remember My Name, in 1971. His last five solo albums were released in the last decade of his life, beginning with Croz in 2014. Crosby also formed a jazz-influenced trio with his son James Raymond and guitarist Jeff Pevar in CPR, and frequently appeared on recordings by other artists, such as Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and David Gilmour.

Crosby's immense musical talent and contributions earned him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for his work with the Byrds and again for his work with CSN. His

combined work with the Byrds and CSNY has sold over 35 million albums, and five albums to which he contributed are included in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time", three with the Byrds and two with CSN(Y).

David Van Cortlandt Crosby will be remembered as a trailblazer in the music industry, who left an indelible mark on the world of music and inspired generations of musicians with his artistry and unique sound.

                                                      (August 14, 1941 – January 18, 2023)

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Cindy Williams an American actress and producer died she was 75.

Cynthia Jane Williams was an American actress and producer died she was 75. William was

known for her role as Shirley Feeney on the television sitcoms Happy Days (1975–1979), and Laverne & Shirley (1976–1982). She also appeared in American
Graffiti (1973) and The Conversation (1974).

(August 22, 1947 – January 25, 2023)
Williams was born in Van Nuys, Los Angeles on August 22, 1947. Williams was married to Bill Hudson of the musical trio Hudson Brothers in 1982. They had two children and the marriage ended in divorce in 2000.

After a brief illness, Williams died in Los Angeles on January 25, 2023, at the age of 75

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Arnold Skaaland was a professional wrestler and manager who died

Arnold Skaaland  was an American professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager.

(January 21, 1925 – March 13, 2007)

Arnold Skaaland was a professional wrestler and manager who was a prominent figure in the world of professional wrestling during the 1960s and 1970s. Born on January 21, 1925, in White Plains, New York, Skaaland was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball, and track.

After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Skaaland began his professional wrestling career in 1947. He quickly made a name for himself in the Northeastern United States, where he wrestled for several years before transitioning into a managerial role.

Skaaland is perhaps best known for managing the legendary wrestler Bruno Sammartino, who was the longest-reigning WWE Champion of all time. Skaaland was a constant presence at Sammartino's matches, and he played an instrumental role in helping the wrestler achieve his success.

In addition to managing Sammartino, Skaaland also managed several other notable wrestlers during his career, including Bob Backlund and Andre the Giant. He was known for his no-nonsense approach to managing and was widely respected in the wrestling community.

Outside of his managerial duties, Skaaland was also a successful wrestler in his own right. He won numerous titles throughout his career, including the United States Tag Team Championship and the NWA World Tag Team Championship.

After retiring from wrestling in the late 1980s, Skaaland remained active in the industry and

was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994. He continued to attend wrestling events and was a beloved figure among fans and wrestlers alike.

Sadly, Arnold Skaaland passed away on March 13, 2007, at the age of 82. He is remembered as a legendary figure in the world of professional wrestling, both for his successful career as a wrestler and for his influential role as a manager.

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Lance Kerwin an American actor, known primarily for roles in television and film during his childhood and teen years in the 1970s died he was 62

Lance Michael Kerwin was an American actor, known primarily for roles in television and film during his childhood and teen years in the 1970s died   he was 62.  We were deeply saddened to hear of your passing. As an American actor known primarily for your roles in television and film during your childhood and teen years in the 1970s, you left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. From your lead roles in the TV series James at 15 to the made-for-TV films The Loneliest Runner and Salem's Lot, your talent and sensitivity as an actor were undeniable.

                           (November 6, 1960 – January 24, 2023)

Your serious acting roles often portrayed anguished characters facing difficult challenges, and you brought a depth of emotion and authenticity to each performance. You were undoubtedly one of America's leading boy actors of the late seventies, a handsome lad with considerable sensitivity as an actor, as noted by former theater critic and British Film Institute governor John Holmstrom.

Beyond your work as an actor, you also gave back to your community, serving as a pastor at

Calvary Chapel in Kapaa, Hawaii, and a program leader at U-Turn for Christ, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization.

We send our deepest condolences to your family and friends during this difficult time. Your legacy will continue to live on through the films and TV shows you starred in and the memories of those who knew and loved you.

Rest in peace, Lance Michael Kerwin.

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Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of music icon Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley, died she was 54

I'm sorry to inform you that Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. She was an American singer and songwriter, with three studio albums to her name. She was also the sole heir to her father's estate after her grandfather and great-grandmother passed away. Her musical career consisted of three studio albums: To Whom It May Concern (2003), Now What (2005) and Storm & Grace (2012), with To Whom It May Concern being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Presley also released non-album singles, including duets with her father using tracks he had released before he died. 

                                         (February 1, 1968 – January 12, 2023)

Elvis and Priscilla with newborn Lisa Marie, 1968

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of music icon Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley, was born on February 1, 1968, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. Her arrival came nine months after her parents' wedding, and she spent her early years splitting her time between Los Angeles, where she lived with her mother after her parents divorced, and Graceland, her father's famous home in Memphis.

Presley's childhood took a dramatic turn when her father passed away in 1977. At just nine years old, she became a joint heir to his estate, sharing the inheritance with her grandfather and great-grandmother. After their passing, she became the sole heir to her father's vast fortune, which was valued at around $100 million when she turned 25 in 1993. In 2004, she made the controversial decision to sell 85 percent of her father's estate.

Despite the challenges of growing up in the shadow of her father's legacy, Presley found her

own passion for music. In the late 1970s, after her father's passing, she attended her first rock concert, where she saw Queen at The Forum in Inglewood, California. She was immediately captivated by the energy and theatrics of the performance and went on to pursue a career in music, releasing three studio albums and multiple singles throughout her career.

Presley's personal life has also been marked by its share of ups and downs. In an interview with Playboy in 2003, she revealed that shortly after her father's death, her mother began

dating actor Michael Edwards, who Presley said would enter her room intoxicated and behave inappropriately. She also has a half-brother, Navarone Garibaldi, from her mother's relationship with Marco Garibaldi.

In 1997, Presley made a touching tribute to her late father by creating a posthumous duet of "Don't Cry Daddy," which was presented at the tribute concert marking the 20th anniversary of Elvis' death. The video featured new instrumentation and vocals from Lisa Marie, blending seamlessly with her father's original recording.

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Richard Jay Belzer a renowned American stand-up comedian, actor, and author who passed away at the age of 78

Richard Jay Belzer was a multi-talented American artist who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry as
a renowned American stand-up comedian, actor, and author who passed away at the age of 78. He was best known for his role as Detective John Munch in various television series, including "Homicide: Life on the Street," "Law & Order," and "The Wire." Belzer's career spanned over four decades, and his unique blend of humor and wit made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.

                                        (August 4, 1944 – February 19, 2023) 

Belzer began his career in comedy in the 1970s, performing in clubs around New York City. He

quickly gained recognition for his sharp wit and dry humor, and in 1981, he released his first stand-up comedy album, "Richard Belzer Live," which was a critical and commercial success. Belzer continued to perform stand-up comedy throughout his career, releasing several more albums, including "Another Lone Nut" and "I Am Not a Cop!"

In addition to his work in comedy, Belzer was also a successful actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Detective John Munch, a character he played on various television shows for over 20 years. Munch was a beloved character among fans of "Law & Order," and Belzer's portrayal of the character was praised for its humor and authenticity.

Belzer was also a prolific author, publishing several books throughout his career. His 1993 book, "UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe," was a New York Times bestseller, and he went on to publish several more books, including "Dead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country's Most Controversial Cover-Ups" and "I Am Not a Psychic! A Novel."

Richard Belzer will be remembered as a talented comedian, actor, and author who made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. His sharp wit, unique style, and iconic performances will continue to entertain and inspire audiences for years to come. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through his work and the memories he created for fans and friends alike.

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