2017 Celeb Deaths

[solarpunch]

Lincoln Park lead singer was a shock to me. The events leading up to it was hard to read. Wish someone would have seen the signs before it happened. All we can do is pray for others who are suffering from the same feelings and thoughts. Reach out and love one another. It's the best medicine in my opinion.

[IceWizard]

Glen Campbell, the sweet-voiced, guitar-picking son of a sharecropper who became a recording, television and movie star in the 1960s and ’70s, waged a publicized battle with alcohol and drugs and gave his last performances while in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, died on Tuesday in Nashville. He was 81. (08 Aug 17)

[IceWizard]

An icon has passed , but not without leaving us a legacy that may never be duplicated ... He will be sorely missed by millions

Born March 16, 1926
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.

Died August 20, 2017 (aged 91)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

[IceWizard]

Richard Claxton Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) was an American comedian, civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, conspiracy theorist, and occasional actor. During the turbulent 1960s, Gregory became a pioneer in stand-up comedy for his "no-holds-barred" sets, in which he mocked bigotry and racism. He performed primarily to black audiences at segregated clubs until 1961, when he became the first black comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences, appearing on television and putting out comedy record albums.

Gregory was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960s, when he protested the Vietnam War and racial injustice. He was arrested multiple times and went on many hunger strikes. He later became a motivational speaker and author, primarily promoting spirituality.

Gregory died of heart failure at a Washington, D.C. hospital at age 84 in August 2017.

In 1961, Gregory was working at the black-owned Roberts Show Bar in Chicago when he was spotted by Hugh Hefner. Gregory was performing the following material before a largely white audience:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I understand there are a good many Southerners in the room tonight. I know the South very well. I spent twenty years there one night.

Last time I was down South I walked into this restaurant and this white waitress came up to me and said, "We don't serve colored people here." I said, "That's all right. I don't eat colored people. Bring me a whole fried chicken."

Then these three white boys came up to me and said, "Boy, we're giving you fair warning. Anything you do to that chicken, we're gonna do to you." So I put down my knife and fork, I picked up that chicken and I kissed it. Then I said, "Line up, boys!"

[IceWizard]

Tom Petty, a Mainstay of Rock With the Heartbreakers, Dies at 66


The influential songwriter went into cardiac arrest over the weekend


Tom Petty, a singer, songwriter and guitarist who melded California rock with a deep, stubborn Southern heritage to produce a long string of durable hits, died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 66.

Tony Dimitriades, Mr. Petty’s longtime manager, said in a statement that Mr. Petty suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, Calif., early Monday morning and was taken to the U.C.L.A. Medical Center, where he could not be revived. He was pronounced dead at 8:40 p.m. with family members, friends and bandmates present at the hospital, Mr. Dimitriades said.

[G.Elias]

Was quite a shock to hear about Tom Petty passing away, he was only 66, that aint so old, been far to many this year, far to many.

[graham3735]

Rip forever rock legend and icon Tom Petty. Thank you for the music. You have a room at the top of the world

[barq2]

Totally agree - too many, and 66 really isn't that old. David Bowie was only a little bit older when he died and I found that really shocking (in an I'll always remember where I was when I heard the news way).

[reilli]

Prince, David Bowie, Tom Petty. All way too young.

I am SO glad we went to see Tom Petty's final tour this year, he was someone we had always wanted to see but just never had the right timing so the fact that we got to see him will always be a precious memory.

[IceWizard]

Fats Domino, Early Rock ’n’ Roller With a Boogie-Woogie Piano, Is Dead at 89




Fats Domino, the New Orleans rhythm-and-blues singer whose two-fisted boogie-woogie piano and nonchalant vocals, heard on dozens of hits, made him one of the biggest stars of the early rock ’n’ roll era, died on Tuesday at his home in Harvey, La., across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. He was 89.

His death was confirmed by the Jefferson Parish coroner’s office.