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.
Singer Joyce Sims Has Died
80s R&B singer Joyce Sims has died at age 63. Known for hits like 'Come Into My Life' and collaborations with Mantronix, the Rochester native...
90s Rapper Coolio Found Dead at 59
90s rapper Coolio, known for hits like 'Gangsta's Paradise,' was found dead at 59 from an apparent heart attack at a friend's home....
Singer Jesse Powell Has Died
R&B singer Jesse Powell has died at age 51 from cardiac arrest. The 90s vocalist was known for hits like "You" and his impressive 4-octave...
Elvis Actress Shonka Dukureh Found Dead
Shonka Dukureh, the actress who played Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic, was found dead at age 44 in her Nashville home. Police...
Legendary Eartha Kitt Dies Christmas Day
Legendary singer and actress Eartha Kitt died Christmas Day at age 81 from colon cancer. The sultry performer was known for hits like 'Santa Baby'...
Radio Vet and PD Bobby O’Jay has Died
Radio veteran Bobby O'Jay has died at age 68 while working at WDIA Memphis, where he spent 40 of his 42-year career. The Tennessee Radio...
Bettye Hendricks, African American Radio Host, Dies
Bettye Hendricks, host of African American Inspiration on WFLT-AM 1420 for 16 years, has died at age 74. The beloved Flint radio personality was known...
DJ Kay Slay has Died (video)
Hip-hop legend DJ Kay Slay has died at age 55 after a four-month battle with COVID-19. The Hot 97 DJ was instrumental in the station's...
Atlanta Radio Legend has Died
Atlanta radio legend Silas 'Si-man Baby' Alexander has died after battling pancreatic cancer. The beloved DJ spoke openly about his health struggle in recent months....
Law & Order: SVU’ Actor Ned Eisenberg Dies From Cancer at 65
Law & Order: SVU actor Ned Eisenberg died at 65 after a two-year battle with rare cancers. The veteran actor was known for his role...
Industry Legend Dick Griffey Has Died
Music industry pioneer Dick Griffey, founder of SOLAR Records and the man behind Shalamar's success, has died from complications following surgery....
Industry Legend Dick Griffey Has Died
Music industry legend Dick Griffey, founder of SOLAR Records and the man behind Shalamar's success, died from complications of quadruple bypass surgery....
Lynn Tolliver Funeral Information
Funeral services for radio legend Orrin 'Lynn' Tolliver Jr. will be held Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at Pentecostal Church of Christ in Cleveland, OH....
Detroit Radio Legend Frank Beckmann dies at 72
Detroit radio legend Frank Beckmann retires after 48 years at WJR, where he hosted sports shows and called games for all four major Detroit teams....
Industry Vet, WZAK Radio Legend, Lynn Tolliver has Died
Radio legend Lynn Tolliver, who put WZAK on the map in the 80s and 90s, has died after battling medical problems. The industry vet also...
Betty Davis, Iconic Singer, and Trendsetter Dies at Age 77
Betty Davis, iconic funk singer and ex-wife of Miles Davis, died at 77 from natural causes. The pioneering artist was known for hits like 'Get...
Ivan Torres’ Wife Dies in Paraguay Concert Tragedy
Paraguayan soccer player Ivan Torres mourns the death of his wife Cristina Vita Aranda, who was fatally shot during a concert in Asuncion. She was...
Industry Vet Hollywood Hernandez has Died
Music industry veteran Hollywood Hernandez has passed away after battling an illness. Details about memorial services will be announced....
Atlanta Radio DJ Dies
Gary Mitchell, known as DJ Mix Master Mitch, has died from pancreatic cancer at age 56. The Atlanta-area DJ was cousin to Si-Man Baby....
Movies on Netflix Review: “Passing”
Netflix's 'Passing' starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga explores two Black women who can pass for white during the Harlem Renaissance. Rebecca Hall's directorial debut...
Rapper Young Dolph Shot and Killed
Rapper Young Dolph was shot and killed at age 36 in Memphis while buying cookies at Makeda's Butter Cookies. The Memphis rapper was gunned down...
8 Dead, Hundreds Injured at Travis Scott Astroworld Festival
Eight people died and over 300 were injured at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival in Houston due to a deadly crowd surge among 50,000 attendees....
Singer/Writer/Musician Andrea Martin Has Died
Legendary R&B songwriter Andrea Martin has died at age 49. Known for hits like Monica's 'Before You Walk Out of My Life' and En Vogue's...
Sarah Dash of Labelle Fame has Died (video)
Sarah Dash, member of iconic R&B group Labelle known for hit 'Lady Marmalade,' has died at age 76. The singer performed alongside Patti LaBelle and...
Cause of Michael K. Williams Death: Actor Found Dead at 54
Actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on HBO's 'The Wire,' was found dead at 54 in his NYC apartment...