His plain-spoken songs were recorded by Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers and many others. The duo of Johnny Cash and June Carter made his “Jackson” a huge country hit.
Category: Deaths (Obituaries)
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Lucine Amara, 99, Dies; Familiar Soprano at the Met Saw Bias There
She sang with the Metropolitan Opera for decades, often on short notice, including after lodging a successful age discrimination complaint against the company.
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JD Souther, Who Wrote Hits for the Eagles, Dies at 78
A central figure in the Southern California rock scene of the 1970s, he later had a regular role on the TV show “Nashville.”
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Valarie D’Elia, Travel Reporter on TV and Radio, Dies at 64
She steered vacationers and business travelers to choice destinations, talked about the best deals, and offered up savvy tips on how to avoid vexation.
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Harrison J. Goldin, 88, New York City Comptroller in Fiscal Crisis, Is Dead
He weathered the storm as the city’s chief financial officer for 16 years and jousted with Mayor Koch in a public feud and a losing primary bid to replace him.
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R. Peter Munves, Master Marketer of Classical Music, Dies at 97
As an executive at Columbia and RCA Records, he popularized the classics for mass audiences by applying the same techniques used to sell pop music.
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Mary McFadden, Celebrated Designer of Shimmering Dresses, Dies at 85
She took symbols from ancient cultures and translated them into intricate embroideries, beadings and paintings on clothes worn by the likes of Jacqueline Onassis.
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Herbie Flowers, ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ Bassist, Dies at 86
A celebrated session musician who appeared on a host of classic rock albums, he made his most lasting mark with his contribution to Lou Reed’s most famous song.
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Screamin’ Scott Simon, Longtime Sha Na Na Keyboardist, Dies at 75
A mainstay of the rock ’n’ roll nostalgia band, he also wrote the lyrics to “Sandy,” a song heard in the hit film “Grease.”
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Bob Weatherwax, Trainer of Lassie and Other Celebrity Dogs, Dies at 83
Like his father, who taught him the interdisciplinary roles needed for the job, he bred and coached the collies who played the heroic star of television and movies.
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Edward Johnson, C.I.A. Hero in Iran Hostage Crisis, Dies at 81
He was a secret partner who helped rescue six American diplomats in 1980 by passing them off as a film crew. The caper inspired the movie “Argo.”
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Will Jennings, Oscar Winner for ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ Dies at 80
As an in-demand lyricist, he won a shelf of awards for hits with Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton and Dionne Warwick, as well as for the theme song for “Titanic.”