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.
Former A&M Promotions Rep Paulette DeSuzia Dies
Former A&M Records promotions representative Paulette DeSuzia passed away in her sleep. The music industry veteran ran promotion company From A Whisper to A Scream...
Rev. Gerald Thompson, Renowned Gospel Artist, Passes Away
Rev. Gerald Thompson, renowned gospel artist and songwriter behind hits like 'Jesus Is My Rock,' has passed away. The Atlanta International Records artist was known...
Popular Florida DJ Sheldon Martinez Dies
Popular Florida DJ Sheldon Martinez, known as DJ Saxwell, died at age 43 in a car crash on May 18, 2013. The Florida A&M alum...
Music Producer Romanthony Dies
Dance music producer Romanthony, who provided vocals for Daft Punk's hit 'One More Time,' died at his Austin home on May 7, 2013....
Folk Icon, Richie Havens Dies at the Age of 72
Folk legend Richie Havens, famous for his iconic Woodstock opening performance, died at 72 from a heart attack. The beloved musician toured for 40 years....
Renowned Songwriter George Henry Jackson Passes Away at 68
Renowned songwriter George Henry Jackson passed away at 68, leaving behind classic hits like 'One Bad Apple' by The Osmonds and 'Old Time Rock &...
Funeral Services for Roger Ebert Today
Funeral services for beloved Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago....
No Limit Artist Mr. Magic Dies in Car Accident
No Limit Records rapper Mr. Magic (Awood Johnson) and his wife Chastity died in a car accident in Mississippi. The rapper released three albums under...
Founding Member of the Miracles Dies: R.I.P Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers, founding member of the Miracles and Motown legend, died at age 73. Born same day as Smokey Robinson, he helped form the iconic...
Industry Vet Graham Armstrong Dies
Industry veteran Graham Armstrong, former Urban Network staffer and radio executive, died from pneumonia complications. He was known for his passion for African American music...
Country Star Mindy McCready Dead After Celebrity Rehab
Country singer Mindy McCready has died by suicide, marking the fifth death of a Celebrity Rehab participant. She appeared on Dr. Drew's show before her...
Clive Davis Party Marks Year Since Houston’s Death
Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party at Beverly Hilton marks one year since Whitney Houston's tragic death at the same hotel. The music executive faced criticism...
Ohio Players Front Man Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner Dies
Leroy 'Sugarfoot' Bonner, front man of the Ohio Players and funk legend behind hits like 'Fire' and 'Love Rollercoaster,' has died at age 70 in...
Conrad Murray’s Lawyers Fight for His Release
Conrad Murray's lawyers fight for the early release of Michael Jackson's convicted doctor, citing health issues during his imprisonment. Murray served over one year of...
Rapper Freddy E Dies by Suicide
Hip hop artist Freddy E died by suicide at 22 after announcing his intentions on Twitter. The rapper was signed to Tyga's label....
Power 94.7 DJ Jose Ochoa Found Dead
Power 94.7 DJ Jose Ochoa, 35, was found dead in his Redding, CA home from an apparent heart attack. The popular radio DJ had just...
Fontella Bass “Rescue Me” Dies
Fontella Bass, the soul singer behind the hit 'Rescue Me,' died at 72 from heart attack complications. She fought for years to get proper songwriting...
Industry Vet Senator Bennie Turner Dies
Senator Bennie Turner, Mississippi State Senator and radio industry veteran, passed away November 27, 2012. Turner served the 16th district since 1994....
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....
Legendary Motown Bassist Bob Babbitt Passes Away at 74
Legendary Motown bassist Bob Babbitt, member of the Funk Brothers, passed away at 74 from brain cancer complications. He played on iconic hits like 'What's...
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...