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Alex Williams
Posts
James Bernard, a Founding Editor of a Hip-Hop ‘Bible,’ Dies at 58
One of the most influential voices of the seminal magazine The Source, he chronicled rap’s rise and its explosion into the cultural mainstream.
Bahram Beyzaie, Filmmaker Who Led Iran’s New Wave, Dies at 87
Despite a ceaseless battle against government censors, he was celebrated as one of his country’s greatest auteurs, winning praise from luminaries like Martin Scorsese.
Michal Urbaniak, Pioneering Jazz Fusion Violinist, Dies at 82
One of the first jazz musicians from Poland to gain an international following, he recorded more than 60 albums and played with stars like Miles…
Jerry Kasenetz, a King of Bubblegum Pop Music, Dies at 82
With his producing partner, Jeffry Katz, he made lightweight ditties like “Yummy Yummy Yummy” that soared up the charts in the late 1960s.
Rafael Ithier, Ambassador of Puerto Rican Music, Dies at 99
Leading the acclaimed salsa group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, he brought the music of his native island to a worldwide audience for more…
Phil Upchurch, Jazz Guitarist and Sideman to Stars, Dies at 84
A self-taught session man extraordinaire, he played with a constellation of stars, including Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan and Dizzy Gillespie.
Joseph Byrd, Who Shook Up Psychedelic Rock, Dies at 87
A veteran of the Fluxus art movement, he brought an anarchic spirit to the California acid-rock scene with his band, the United States of America.
Ward Landrigan, Jeweler to the Stars, Dies at 84
At Sotheby’s, he provided famous diamonds to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton before reviving Verdura, a venerable jewelry company founded by a Sicilian duke.
Sally Kirkland, Scene-Stealing Actress, Dies at 84
She received an Oscar nomination for the 1987 film “Anna” but spent much of her prolific career as a go-to supporting actress in movies like…
Ken Parker, Who Sought to Reinvent the Guitar, Dies at 73
An inveterate tinkerer, he built groundbreaking guitars that were displayed in art galleries and played by Joni Mitchell, Trent Reznor and many others.