Category : Industry Passings
Industry Passings honoring radio, music, and media professionals whose contributions shaped the business, documenting their careers, leadership, and lasting impact on the industry.
Curtis “Scooby” Senior, Nashville DJ, Dies
Nashville radio DJ Curtis 'Scooby' Senior of WUBT 101.1 The Beat died from heart failure at age 33 while visiting family in Detroit....
Bobby Brown “Disrespected” at Whitney’s Funeral, Left Early
Bobby Brown says he was asked to move three times and denied access to daughter Bobbi Kristina at Whitney Houston's funeral before leaving early....
Live Whitney Houston Funeral Coverage on Radio Facts
Watch live streaming coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral service. RadioFacts provides real-time coverage of the memorial for the legendary R&B singer....
Industry Vet Roland Edison Dies
Music industry veteran Roland Edison, best known for his work at RCA Records and breaking the R&B group SWV, has passed away. Further details have...
Berry Gordy Statement on Passing of Don Cornelius
Berry Gordy pays tribute to Don Cornelius, calling him a pioneer who showcased Black talent through Soul Train. The Motown founder praised Cornelius as a...
Industry Icon Don Cornelius Commits Suicide Dead at 75
Don Cornelius, the legendary creator and host of Soul Train, was found dead at 75 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Sherman Oaks...
Entertainment Attorney Frederick Brown Dies
Prominent entertainment attorney Frederick Brown, who worked at Warner Bros Records and MGM, died August 29, 2011 at age 56 after battling cancer....
Sister who Loaned Berry Gordy $800 to Start Motown Dies
Esther Gordy Edwards, Berry Gordy's sister who loaned him $800 to start Motown Records in 1959, died at age 91. She founded the Motown Museum...
Musician Raymond Jones has Died
Raymond Jones, legendary keyboardist for Chic and composer for Spike Lee films, has died after an illness. He played on classic hits like 'Good Times'...
Cali Swag District Member Shot and Killed
Cali Swag District member M-Bone was fatally shot by a stray bullet outside an Inglewood liquor store. The group is known for their hit 'Teach...
DJ Found Dead
WCIL radio DJ Joshua Eldridge, known as DJ Elrod, was found dead in a hotel room Saturday morning. The 28-year-old Benton resident worked at the...
Popular WKYS Radio DJ William “Ill Will” Walker has Died
WKYS Radio DJ William 'Ill Will' Walker passed away Wednesday after a brief illness that led to two heart attacks. The beloved Washington DC radio...
“THE MARVELETTES” FORMER LEAD SINGER GLADYS HORTON HAS DIED
Gladys Horton, co-founder and former lead singer of Motown's The Marvelettes, has died at age 66. She led the group on their #1 hit 'Please...
Famous Author Sam Yette Dies
Samuel F. Yette, groundbreaking black journalist and author of 'The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America,' died at 81. He was Newsweek's first...
Gospel Legend Albertina Walker Passes Away at 4:30 AM
Gospel legend Albertina Walker, founder of The Caravans and known as the Queen of Gospel Music, passed away at 4:30 AM. The influential artist launched...
Harvey Fuqua, Moonglows Founder, Dies at 86
Harvey Fuqua, founder of R&B group The Moonglows and early mentor to Marvin Gaye, died at age 80 in Detroit. The influential producer discovered Gaye...
Denver DJ Rick Steele Feared Dead After Canal Fall
Denver radio host Rick Steele, 48, is missing after possibly falling into a canal while trying to rescue his dog. The morning show DJ was...
Legendary DJ Joey Ryan Dies
Legendary Detroit radio and TV personality Joey Ryan died on Wednesday June 23, 2010. He was remembered as one of the most familiar voices and...
DJ Randy Jones Dies
Randy Jones, longtime morning DJ for WDHR in Pikeville and voice of local sports, died at age 59. The beloved broadcaster was known for starting...
Kevin’s Summary: UPS, Lil Kim, Mediocrity, Dead Favors
Kevin reflects on current music industry trends, Lil Kim's impact, and the state of mediocrity in hip-hop culture while sharing personal insights....
Former Child Actor Gary Coleman Dead at 42
Former child star Gary Coleman died at 42 in a Utah hospital from an undisclosed illness. The Different Strokes actor struggled for years after the...
Coroner Reports Radio Vet Ed Buggs died from overdose
Baton Rouge radio personality Ed Buggs died from cocaine-induced cardiac event at age 55. Coroner reports aortic dissection caused by drug toxicity led to his...
Legendary Radio DJ Bo Griffen Dead at 51
Legendary radio DJ Bo Griffen, known as 'Bo The Party Animal,' has died at 51 from intestinal cancer. She was famous for Power 96's morning...
Industry Great Hank Spann Has Died
Industry veteran Hank Spann, a legendary radio DJ who worked at WUFO and WWRL, has passed away after a long illness. Spann was a pioneering...
RIP Nate Quick (a tribute)(pics).
(KRNB PD and Radio Legend Nate Quick passed around 10pm last night and was surrounded by friends and family) I knew the time was near...