Category: RIP

Rest in Peace: Casey Kasem

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Casey Kasem died today.  Mr. Kasem was 82 and had been in failing health for some time.

Mr. Kasem was best known as the host of his American Top 40 Countdown which appropriately enough counted down Billboard’s best selling records each week.  Casey Kasem also did voice work for commercials, and cartoons (most notably as the voice of Shaggy on the long-running Scooby Doo series).

I was a big fan of the Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 Countdown when I was a kid.  In the last few years I made rebroadcasts of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 Countdown: The 70’s a part of my Sunday morning routine.  I listened to it as I updated the StalloneZone.

Casey Kasem usually ended his show by saying, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”   Sage advice from a man who did just that.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Casey Karem’s family, friends and fans.

R.I.P. – Tom Laughlin

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Tom Laughlin’s family announced via his website that Mr. Laughlin passed away on Thursday.  Mr. Laughlin was 82.  Tom Laughlin was a writer, director, producer and actor.

Best known for his role as Billy Jack, Laughlin played the character in four films.  Billy Jack was a half-white/half native American, former Green Beret solider looking for a peaceful way through life who more often than not found himself in violent situations not of his making.

Although Tom Laughlin has over 35 acting credits it was Billy Jack that made him an international superstar.

Laughin first played the role in the 1967 film The Born Losers.  Billy Jack found himself the only person willing to make a stand against a violent motorcycle gang.

In 1971, Laughlin returned as Billy Jack in the film of the same name.  This time out Billy Jack finds himself going against corrupt city officials, including cops as he tries to find justice for a rape victim and protect the students of the Freedom School.

The Trial of Billy Jack was released in 1974.  After his release from prison Billy Jack returns to the Freedom School only to find things are worse than ever.  Corrupt cops and politicians decide to put a permanent end to Billy Jack and the school.

In 1977, Billy Jack Goes to Washington received a couple of showings but was never given a widescreen release.

After the Billy Jack series Tom Laughlin starred in The Master Gunfighter and played a few small roles, but he never found another character that resonated with the viewing public like Billy Jack.

How could he?  Billy Jack had become an American icon and Tom Laughlin was Billy Jack.

Tom Laughlin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Delores [who co-starred in the Billy Jack films], his three children, and his five grandchildren. His family has asked that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to: Friends of Pine Ridge in Tom’s honor or the Alzheimer’s Foundation in honor of  Delores Laughlin.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom Laughlin’s family, friends and fans.

R.I.P. Roger Ebert

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Roger Ebert, arguably the most popular movie reviewer of our time, and unarguably the first film critic to win a Pulitzer prize, passed away today after a long battle with cancer.

Just two days ago Mr. Ebert had posted that he was taking a Leave of Presence from his role as film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.  While Mr. Ebert was stepping away due to his health and treatments for the cancer that had returned, he was far from retiring.  Mr. Ebert spoke about more movie reviews and writing he planned to do, a redesigned website, and digital presence as well a Roger Ebert video game or app.

So it was a surprise to learn that today Roger Ebert passed on.

Of course it wouldn’t have surprised him.  As Mr. Ebert wrote in his piece, I Do Not Fear Death:

I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear…

R.I.P. Roger Ebert.

R.I.P. – R.B. Greaves

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I just learned that R.B. Greaves passed away on September 27, 2012 at the age of 67. 

R.B. Greaves was best known for his million selling hit, “Take a Letter Maria” which was released in 1969.  He followed up a year later with a cover of “Always Something There to Remind Me” which peaked at 27 on Billboard’s Hot 100.  His cover of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” reached 87 the same year. 

“Take a Letter Maria” ended up selling over 2 million copies and was the first 45 I ever bought.  I loved that song (and still do) and every time I hear it, it takes me back to my childhood.

Our  thoughts and prayers go out to R.B. Greaves, his family, friends and fans.



R.I.P. Neil Armstrong

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Neil Armstrong, the first human to step foot on the moon, died today at the age of 82 from “complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.”  In a statement released by his family, Mr. Armstrong was described “as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, and also as “a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job.”

Neil Armstrong was part of the historic three man crew [Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins] that took humans to the moon for the first time.  On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first to step foot on the moon saying it was “a small step for man, a giant leap for mankind.”  Despite the opportunity that being the first person to accomplish such a historic feat provided, Mr. Armstrong remained humble and rarely stepped into the public spotlight.

Most times that you come by this blog, you’ll find me writing about fictional heroes.  Today’s post is about a true hero.

Rest in Peace, Neil Armstrong.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Armstrong’s family, friends and fans.

RIP Tony Scott

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Tony Scott died yesterday at the age of 68.  It has been reported that Mr. Scott had inoperable brain cancer and that was the reason he committed suicide by jumping from a bridge.

Tony Scott became a name director with Top Gun and then went on to direct hit after hit including: Beverly Hills Cop II, Revenge [under-rated!], Days of Thunder, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide and Man on Fire.

RIP Tony Scott.  Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and fans.


Sage Stallone – Rest in Peace

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Sage Stallone has died. At this point the cause is unclear. Sage was 36.

Sage made his movie debut acting with Sly in Rocky V. Six years later they appeared together on screen in Daylight. Sage was an actor, director, producer, business man and musician. Long time StalloneZone readers know that Sage would contact us from time to time and even shared a personal photo of his mom and dad taken in 1971.

Sage appreciated his fans and was always kind and gracious in our interactions.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans. Rest in Peace, Sage.


Andy Griffith – R.I.P.

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Andy Griffith passed away this morning at the age of 86.

Most of us know Mr. Griffith from his role as Andy Taylor, the sheriff of the fictional town of Mayberry.  The classic series was of course, “The Andy Griffith Show,” one of only three shows [along with “I Love Lucy” and “Seinfeld”]  to ever end their run while on top.

I can’t tell you how many I hours I spent watching “The Andy Griffith Show” … my guess is that you can’t either.  (Well, if you can, tell me, how many hours did I spend watching it?)

What was always refreshing to hear was that Andy Griffith was just as nice in real life as he was on tv.  Mark Evanier wrote a great tribute which confirmed that Andy Griffith was just as caring and smart and nice as Andy Taylor.  Seems fitting, doesn’t it?

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andy Griffith’s family, friends and fans.

Donna Summer R.I.P.

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Donna Summer passed away today after an extended battle with lung cancer.  Ms. Summer was 63. 

Donna Summer was known as the Queen of Disco and rightly so.  She rose to fame in the 1970’s and helped lead a generation into the disco craze.  In 1975, she co-wrote and performed her first hit, Love to Love You Baby which shot up the charts.  Hit after hit followed. 

Ms. Summer had 19 number one hits on the dance charts.  She was the first female singer to have four number one singles in a 13 month period, had three consecutive double LPs to hit #1 on the charts, and she won five Grammys. Donna Summer’s music helped define the Disco era.

I always liked Donna Summer’s music.  I can remember being in Camelot Music the first time I heard her sing, Love to Love You, Baby.  The song came on and she started singing and I was hooked… along with a generation of music lovers.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna Summer’s family, friends and fans.



Davy Jones: R.I.P.

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Davy Jones died today from an apparent heart attack at the age of 66.

Davy Jones was, of course, a member of The Monkees.  Davy was the first Monkee to be chosen due to his years of showbiz experience. It’s a little known fact that Davy Jones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show the same night as The Beatles made their historic appearance… Davy was there performing with the Broadway cast of Oliver!

The Monkees [Davy Jones, along with Mickey Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork] took the world by storm in 1966.  The group was hand-picked by Screen Gems in an effort to create a tv show about a group of young musicians.  Lightning struck and the group not only had a hit tv series but became one of the biggest selling bands of the 60’s.  In 1967, The Monkees sold more albums than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined.  The Monkees even appeared in a feature film called Head that was co-written by Jack Nicholson!

I was a huge Monkees fan and like many kids my age [7], Davy was my favorite Monkee.  I collected their albums, trading cards, comic books and magazines.  I had a model of The Monkeemobile.  I even followed The Monkees after Peter, then later Mike, quit the band.  I was always happy to see Davy pop up on tv [“Love American Style”, “The Brady Bunch”, etc.] or in a stage production or on one of the many reunion tours The Monkees did over the years.  Sadly, I never got to see them perform live.

I recently watched two Biography specials.  One was on The Monkees and the other focused on Davy Jones.  Davy seemed happy with his life and ever-grateful for his fans.  Not too long ago Mark Evanier posted a piece that supported Davy’s kindness and appreciation to his fans.  Davy Jones was that rare entertainer who could sing, dance, and act… and who never took his talents or his fans for granted.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.

RIP: Whitney Houston

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Last night, at a little after 7pm est, as my wife and I were watching The Double on Netflix, our son, Chris, texted us that Whitney Houston had died.  Like most of the rest of the world, we were saddened and surprised, but not shocked.

Whitney Houston was a superstar.  A singer beyond compare.  She was the first female to have an album debut at #1.  She was the first and only recording artist to have 7 straight number one hits.  These are only two of her many recording records.  Whitney  Houston was also an actress appearing in several films, the best known being The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.

Ms. Houston married singer, Bobby Brown, in 1992. Many blame him for Whitney’s descent into drug addiction.  Houston and Brown were married for 16 years and had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown.  Sadly, as the years passed, Whitney made fewer and fewer albums or movies and her appearances in the press were usually something drug-related.  Ms. Houston made at least three attempts at rehab and talked openly about her struggles with drugs in a famous interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2009.  Fans hoped that Whitney had kicked the drugs and things looked promising in 2010 when she began her “Nothing But Love” world tour.  Although drugs had a taken a toll on her, Whitney was back on stage and touring and things seemed to be headed in the right direction.  Whitney Houston was set to appear on the Grammy awards tonight.  It would have been a wonderful step in her comeback.  Unfortunately that was not to be.  Instead the Grammy’s will feature a tribute to the once-reigning queen of pop.

Rest in Peace, Whitney Houston.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and fans.

RIP: Smokin’ Joe Frazier

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Last night the world lost one of the greatest fighters to ever enter a boxing ring.  Smokin’ Joe Frazier passed away at the age of 67 from liver cancer.

Joe Frazier only lost 4 times [twice to Muhammad Ali and twice to George Foreman] in his career which saw him crowned the heavyweight champion of the world.   Joe Frazier will forever be remembered as the first man to beat Muhammad Ali.

Although he fought Ali two more times [losing by decision in the first rematch], it is their third meeting, The Thrilla in Manilla that many consider to be the greatest boxing match ever.   After the fourteenth round, with Joe’s eyes swelling shut, his trainer, Eddie Futch called the fight.  Futch then said to Joe, “Sit down, son. “It’s all over. Nobody will ever forget what you did here today.”

And we won’t.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Frazier’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Andy Rooney

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Andy Rooney, the long time [1978 – 2011] closing commentator for CBS’ 60 Minutes, died yesterday after complications following an undisclosed minor surgery.  Mr. Rooney was 92.

Although best known for his “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney” segment on 60 Minutes, Mr. Rooney actually started working in television right after World War II.  Mr. Rooney worked as a writer for Arthur Godfrey, Garry Moore, Victor Borge, and others.   Yet it was Mr. Rooney’s commentaries on 60 Minutes that made him a household name.  We came to know his likes likes [football, books, shined shoes, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Christmas, etc.] and dislikes [ads in magazines, roadmaps that you can’t fold back, people who ask for autographs, etc.].  Mr. Rooney said what we thought and came to feel like a friend of the family.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Rooney’s family, friends and fans.