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.
Industry Veteran Vernon Slaughter Dies
Music industry veteran Vernon Slaughter, former VP of CBS Records' Black Music Marketing department, died at 63 from diabetes complications in Phoenix....
Blues Legend Lucky Peterson Has Died
Blues legend Lucky Peterson has died at age 55 at his Dallas home. The musician began his career at age 5 and toured worldwide throughout...
Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff Dies; Timbaland Offers Condolences
Rapper Magoo (Melvin Barcliff) has died at age 50, prompting heartfelt tributes from longtime collaborator Timbaland and the hip-hop community....
Clarence Avant, Influential Music Executive, Dies at 92
Clarence Avant, legendary music executive known as 'The Black Godfather,' has died at 92. The influential power broker shaped careers of countless artists and bridged...
Aspiring Rapper Found Dead in Barrel at Malibu Lagoon
Aspiring rapper Javonnta Murphy, 32, was found dead inside a barrel at Malibu Lagoon State Beach on July 31, 2023. The LA County coroner ruled...
BTB Savage, Ex-Military Rapper, Killed in Houston
BTB Savage, 26-year-old rapper and military veteran, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Houston after discussing a previous robbery attempt on VladTV....
Industry Vet B. Jeffery Grant Clark has Died
Industry veteran B. Jeffery Grant Clark, longtime RCA Inspiration executive and former Buffalo radio DJ, has passed away. The respected music executive was known for...
Iconic Music Composer Burt Bacharach has Died
Legendary composer Burt Bacharach has died at age 94. Known for iconic hits with Dionne Warwick and other stars, his distinctive sound defined decades of...
Jan Gaye, Marvin Gaye’s Ex-Wife, Dies After Book
Jan Gaye, Marvin Gaye's second wife, died Saturday in Rhode Island after publishing her tell-all memoir 'After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye.'...
FAME Singer Irene Cara has Died
Irene Cara, the singer and actress who rose to fame with the 1980 hit "Fame" and "Flashdance... What a Feeling," has died at age 63...
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'...
Tina Davis, VP A&R Empire Distribution
Tina Davis, VP of A&R at Empire Distribution, discusses her decade at Def Jam, managing Chris Brown, and creating BET's 'The Next Big Thing' competition...
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...
Alan Ladd Jr., Legendary Oscar-Winning Producer, Dies at 84
Oscar-winning producer Alan Ladd Jr., who greenlit Star Wars at 20th Century Fox, died at 84 in Los Angeles. The legendary executive was known for...
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...
Mary Wilson’s Daughter Shares Stories at Motown Tribute
Mary Wilson's daughter Turkessa Babich will share stories at a GRAMMY Museum tribute event honoring the Supremes founder. The March 4 event features Motown legends...
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....