Alex Traub
Posts
Barry Newman, Star of the Cult Film ‘Vanishing Point,’ Dies at 92
Panned when it was released in 1971, the movie gained acclaim decades later. Mr. Newman also starred on TV in the legal drama “Petrocelli.”
Redd Holt, Drummer on Instrumentals That Became Pop Hits, Dies at 91
He played in the Ramsey Lewis Trio when it released “The ‘In’ Crowd” in 1965, and a group he co-led recorded the funky hit “Soulful...
Nicholas Gray, 86, Dies; Paired Hot Dogs With Papaya to Make a Landmark
His Gray’s Papaya, a knockoff of another frankfurter haven, helped turn an unlikely culinary combination into a New York phenomenon.
Owen Davidson, Who Won 8 Grand Slams With Billie Jean King, Dies at 79
In the 1960s and ’70s, he and King dominated mixed doubles tournaments. He was also known for his congeniality, sportsmanship and skill at the net.
Chris Strachwitz, Who Dug Up the Roots of American Music, Dies at 91
Traveling the nation to discover little-known performers for the Arhoolie label, which he founded in 1960, he earned a nickname: El Fanático.
Vida Blue, Pitching Sensation for Champion A’s Teams, Dies at 73
In his rookie season in 1971, he was an unstoppable fastball pitcher. Then he had a fight with the owner of the Athletics that left...
Leon Levine, Who Made a Billion One Dollar at a Time, Dies at 85
He created the discount chain retailer Family Dollar, which found success, and criticism, by catering to the poor.
Bobbi Ercoline, Whose Hug Became a Symbol of Woodstock, Dies at 73
Embracing her boyfriend, a blanket around them, she appeared on the cover of the ubiquitous soundtrack album of “Woodstock,” the 1970 documentary film about the...
Dick Fosbury, 76, Whose ‘Flop’ Transformed the High Jump, Is Dead
His back-first, neck-down leaping style struck competitors and onlookers as a novelty act. After he won an Olympic gold in 1968, it came to dominate...
Melinda Dillon, 2-Time Oscar Nominee, Is Dead at 83
She was a Broadway star at 23 and then quit acting, but later re-emerged in films like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “A...