Clay Risen
Posts
Mary Martin, Who Gave Many Music Stars Their Start, Dies at 85
Her loyalty to artists and her eye for talent made her a force in a male-dominated business. Among her accomplishments: introducing Bob Dylan to the...
Kinky Friedman, Musician and Humorist Who Slew Sacred Cows, Dies at 79
He and his band, the Texas Jewboys, won acclaim for their satirical takes on American culture. He later wrote detective novels and ran for Texas...
Jeremy Tepper, Alt-Country Impressario, Dies at 60
As a journalist, singer, label owner and radio producer, he fostered a community of musicians on the outskirts of Americana.
Bob Kelley, Who Made the Kelley Blue Book an Authority on Cars, Dies at 96
He knew all the data that went into determining a vehicle’s price, but he insisted that it was as much an art as it was...
Fred Roos, Casting Director and Coppola Collaborator, Dies at 89
Widely considered to have the best eye for talent in Hollywood, he shared the best-picture Oscar with Francis Ford Coppola for “The Godfather Part II.”
Frank Shrontz, 92, Dies; Led Boeing in the Last of Its Golden Years
Known for his leadership and his commitment to company culture, he left as chief executive in 1996, opening the door to a corporate makeover.
Phil Wiggins, Virtuoso of the Blues Harmonica, Dies at 69
First as half of the duo Cephas and Wiggins and later on his own, he was one of the best-known musicians playing the style known...
Alex Hassilev, the Last of the Original Limeliters, Dies at 91
The trio’s witty, urbane arrangements made it one of the top acts of the early-1960s folk music revival. His gift for languages helped.
Bill Holman, Whose Arrangements Shaped West Coast Jazz, Dies at 96
His economical, linear writing helped define the sound of Stan Kenton’s band. He also led his own 16-piece ensemble for many decades.
Barbara O. Jones, Actress Who Brought Black Cinema to Life, Dies at 82
Her arresting roles in movies like “Bush Mama” and “Daughters of the Dust” helped shape a generation of independent filmmakers.