Rap Pioneer Big Bank Hank from Sugarhill Gang Dies
Big Bank Hank of the Sugarhill Gang, pioneers of rap music, died at 57 from cancer. The group created the historic 1979 hit 'Rapper's Delight.'...
Tag : obituary
R.I.P to the Mother of Minister Benjamin Cone III
Mrs. Louise Dixon Cone, mother of gospel artist Minister Benjamin Cone III and wife of late Rev. Benjamin Cone Jr. of Mississippi Mass Choir, passed...
R.I.P Joe Sample
Jazz legend Joe Sample, founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, died at age 75 from lung cancer complications. The pianist worked with Miles Davis, BB...
David Anderle Loses Battle to Cancer
Music industry veteran David Anderle has died at 77 after battling cancer. The legendary A&R exec signed Frank Zappa and worked with the Doors at...
Record Vet Dwayne Cunningham Dies
Record industry veteran Dwayne Cunningham has died after his health declined over recent years. The New York native worked at Epic Records and Atlantic Records....
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....
The Industry Bids Farewell to Icon Casey Kasem
Legendary radio host Casey Kasem passed away on Father's Day at age 82. His iconic voice was recognized by generations of music fans worldwide....
Elroy Smith offers Tribute to KJ Holiday
Elroy Smith of Reach Media Inc. pays tribute to late broadcaster KJ Holiday, remembering him as an extraordinary father and man of integrity with an...
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....
Industry Vet Wes “Party” Johnson Dies
Music industry veteran Wes 'Party' Johnson, former Def Jam Senior VP who helped pioneer rap music promotion, has died after battling cancer....
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....
Owner of the Detroit Lions, William Clay Ford Dies
William Clay Ford, owner of the Detroit Lions and last surviving grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford, died at age 88 from pneumonia....
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,...
NFL Player Roy Simmons, Who Later Came Out Dies
Former NFL player Roy Simmons, who made history coming out as gay on The Phil Donahue Show in 1992, died at age 57 in his...
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...
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...
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...
Industry Icon Jerry Boulding Dies
Radio industry legend Jerry 'The Doctor' Boulding, 75, passed away on Thanksgiving evening after a brief illness. The Urban Network executive was known for his...
Radio Personality Stevie Goodtime T Passes
KCOH radio personality Steven Reginald Talton, known as Stevie Goodtime T, passed away from cancer complications. He hosted the popular late-night show 'The Passion Zone'...
Singer Puff Johnson Dies
R&B singer Puff Johnson has died from cervical cancer at 8pm. The music community mourns the loss of the talented artist who battled the disease....
Duane Oliver Taylor: Hip-Hop Publicist
Duane Oliver Taylor was an influential hip-hop publicist who worked with major artists like LL Cool J, KRS-One, Will Smith, and Britney Spears at labels...
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...
Former WCLK PD Bill Clark Dies
Former WCLK radio programmer and Claflin University broadcasting professor Bill Clark passed away from a stroke. The respected radio announcer and drummer was also a...
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...
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....