Industry Passings honoring radio, music, and media professionals whose contributions shaped the business, documenting their careers, leadership, and lasting impact on the industry.
PA DJ Ervin Holton Murdered
Club DJ Ervin Holton, known as DJ E, was murdered in Easton, PA at age 43. Police seek two suspects in the fatal shooting of...
Pat Buchanan’s Racist Rant on ‘White America’
RadioFacts investigates claims about Pat Buchanan's alleged racist rant stating 'White America has died.' The story appears to be false and unverified....
Frankie Crocker: 12 Years Since Legend Passed
Remembering radio legend Frankie Crocker, 12 years after his passing. The WBLS Chief Rocker revolutionized black radio and broke all the rules in the 70s....
Natina Reed, Blaque Rapper and Actress, Dies at 32
Natina Reed, rapper and member of R&B trio Blaque, died at 32 after being struck by a car in Georgia. She was discovered by TLC's...
Another Industry Vet Dies
Music industry veteran Danny Sims, who signed Bob Marley and the Wailers in the early '60s, has died. Sims was instrumental in launching modern reggae....
Rev. Benjamin Cone Jr., Beloved Gospel Artist, Passes Away
Rev. Benjamin Cone Jr., beloved gospel artist and Mississippi Mass Choir founding member, passed away September 16, 2012 in Jackson, MS after extended illness....
Joe “Butterball” Tamburro has Died
Urban radio legend Joe 'Butterball' Tamburro passed away at age 70 after struggling with health issues. He was still hosting shows on WDAS AM....
RIP Maria Cole: Natalie Cole’s Mom Dies from Cancer
Maria Cole, widow of legendary Nat King Cole and mother of Natalie Cole, died at 89 after battling cancer. The former Big Band singer passed...
Urban Radio PD Alvin (AC) Stowe Dies
Urban radio program director Alvin 'AC' Stowe passed away Saturday, June 23rd at 11:05am. Memorial services will be held Thursday, June 28th in Winston-Salem, NC....
Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown Dies
Chuck Brown, the legendary bandleader who created go-go music and soundtracked black Washington for over 30 years, died at 75 at Johns Hopkins hospital....
Former Record Label Exec Dwayne Alexander Stabbed to Death
Former Capitol Records publicist Dwayne Alexander, 48, was fatally stabbed by a 22-year-old student while working as a counselor at a Los Angeles Job Corps...
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....
Murdered DJ’s Assailants Still Free
WGOV radio DJ Stephon Edgerton, known as 'Juan Gatti,' was fatally shot outside the Valdosta station. His assailants remain at large....
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...
Tom Lewis Former WYLD Owner Dies
Originally posted on 2011-12-27 09:56:51...
Conscious Daughters/Rapper Karryl Smith Dies
Karryl Smith, known as Special One from pioneering Bay Area rap duo Conscious Daughters, passed away December 10, 2011 from blood clot complications....
Singer Vesta Williams Dies
R&B singer Vesta Williams died at age 53 in a hotel room. Authorities found prescription bottles and suspect accidental overdose or suicide pending toxicology reports....
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...
“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...