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.
Michael Jackson Tribute Festival in Gary, Indiana
The 5th Annual Michael Jackson Tribute Festival returns to Gary, Indiana August 28-30 at his birthplace on Jackson Street. The free festival features performances, competitions...
Popular Club DJ, DJ JR, Dies in Florida after Stabbing
Popular club DJ Jerry Smith, known as DJ JR, died after being stabbed in an Orlando nightclub's VIP section. The 28-year-old identified his attacker before...
Soul Singer Extraordinaire Bobby Womack Dies
Soul legend Bobby Womack has died at age 70. The R&B icon was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease nearly two years ago....
Chicago Mourns House Legend Andre Harris, Celebrates Frankie Knuckles
Chicago house music legend Andre Harris has passed away, as announced during tributes to Frankie Knuckles at Millennium Park. Harris was known for classics like...
Wes “Party” Johnson has Died: Funeral Information
Funeral services announced for beloved radio personality Wes 'Party' Johnson. Memorial service scheduled for May 31, 2014 in Littleton, NC....
Radio GM Brad Deetz Dies in Motorcycle Accident
Radio personality and DLC Media General Manager Brad Deetz, 46, died in a motorcycle accident after colliding with a truck in an intersection....
Quartet Pioneer, Father of D.A. Johnson (Malaco) Dies
Willie Connell Johnson, founder of The Mighty Brooklyn Skyways quartet and father of Malaco executive D.A. Johnson, passed away March 6, 2014....
industry Vet Alan Lott Passes
Music industry veteran Alan Lott has passed away, as announced by his wife Lygia on Facebook. The longtime radio and music executive died March 5th,...
The Warriors’ actor Roger Hill dies at 65
Roger Hill, who played gang leader Cyrus in the 1979 cult classic 'The Warriors,' died at age 65. He delivered the iconic 'Can You Dig...
Jackson, MS Mayor Chokweo Lumumba Dies
Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Lumumba has died, according to Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart. Lumumba was elected mayor in 2013....
R.I.P – Andre 3000’s Dad Dies from Heart Attack
Andre 3000's father Lawrence Walker died from a heart attack on February 12, 2014, after chopping wood during Atlanta's ice storm when he lost power....
Comedian James Hannah Dies
Comedian and writer James Hannah has passed away, as reported by industry comedy site Humor Mill. Hannah was known for his comedy work and writing...
Popular Industry Personal Security Man Marc Roberts Dies
Popular music industry security professional Marc Roberts has died after suffering a seizure in his sleep. The beloved bodyguard protected many artists including radio DJ...
Marvin’s Gaye’s Ex Wife Anna Gordy Passes
Anna Gordy Gaye, sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy and ex-wife of legendary singer Marvin Gaye, has passed away surrounded by family members including son...
Popular ATL Club DJ Nando Murdered
Popular Atlanta club DJ Nando was shot and killed at his Morrow home. The Coalition DJs member was respected for breaking records for Atlanta artists....
Wiz Khalifa’s Uncle Shot and Killed at Shopping Center
Wiz Khalifa's 20-year-old uncle was shot and killed at Pittsburgh's Waterfront shopping center. The chart-topping rapper responded to the tragedy....
Activist and Playwright Amiri Baraka Dies at 79
Legendary activist, poet, and playwright Amiri Baraka died at age 79 after weeks of failing health. Known for influential works like 'The Black Mass' and...
Broadway Star Chuck Patterson Dies
Chuck Patterson, beloved actor from Robert Townsend's 'The Five Heartbeats' and Broadway pioneer, passed away before Christmas 2013....
Memorial Service for the Late Jerry Boulding Announced.
Memorial service for All Access Urban/UAC Editor Jerry Boulding scheduled for January 10, 2014 at West Angeles Church in Los Angeles. The radio legend passed...
New Orleans Music Industry Icon Larry McKinley Dies at 85
New Orleans music industry legend Larry McKinley, co-founder of Minit Records and key figure in the Jazz & Heritage Festival, died at 85 from complications...
Universal Music & Burger Records Tribute Velvet
Universal Music and Burger Records announce a tribute album celebrating the 45th anniversary of The Velvet Underground's influential White Light/White Heat....
Miami DJ Betty Pino Dies from Cosmetic Surgery
Miami Spanish-language DJ Betty Pino, 65, died from sepsis complications after illegal silicone buttock injections caused severe infections requiring amputation....
Former WAOK DJ W. Ron Sailor Sr Dies
Former WAOK DJ and pastor W. Ron Sailor Sr. has died at age 61. The pioneering broadcaster won seven Emmys and was the first African...
DJ Jay Swift Dies in Labor Day Weekend Crash
DJ Jay Swift, popular Montgomery radio personality for 102.7 FM, died from injuries sustained in a Labor Day weekend car crash. The 39-year-old host was...
Brazilian Rapper Shot Dead During Live Performance
Brazilian rapper MC Daleste was fatally shot during a live performance in Campinas. The 20-year-old artist, born Daniel Pellegrine, was killed on stage over the...