Throughout his life and career, Michael Jackson was the subject of countless rumors. Talk of plastic surgery, child molestation, and homosexuality dogged him for years. Most importantly, before his death, Michael Jackson was not healthy – physically or emotionally. Author Ian Halperin penned the first book about the King of Pop after his death. His research for the book involved gaining undercover access to the pop star, and as such Halperin was privy to information about Jackson the public may not have known. In this video WatchMojo speaks with Halperin about Jackson’s plastic surgery, his health before he died, and his sexuality.
Jay Bennett was an important member of the band Wilco for 2 consecutive albums that garnered the most consistent critical praise, Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Bennett died in his sleep last night at the age of 45. The cause of death is unknown. His music and talent will be missed, watch him play keys in this 2002 performance with Wilco:
RIP Richard:
Pianist and keyboardist Richard Wright, one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, has died after a short battle with cancer. He was 65.
A family spokesman made the announcement on Monday. No other details were revealed.
“The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time,” the spokesman said.
The British musician and songwriter met his fellow band members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college, where they formed a pre-Pink Floyd group called Sigma 6.
Though he was not prominent as a songwriter in the iconic group, Wright did pen and sing on some of its earlier works and also two popular tracks from the hit 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon: The Great Gig In The Sky and Us And Them. He was better known for helping the band create its iconic sound through the many instruments he played, specifically his contributions on electric organ, keyboard and synthesizer.
Though he left the group to form his own band in the early 1980s after a feud with Waters, by the end of the decade, Wright had rejoined Pink Floyd (by then sans Waters) for its album A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
At the Live 8 concert in London in July 2005, Waters reunited onstage with Wright, David Gilmour and Nick Mason for a short set. Fellow founding Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett died of pancreatic cancer in July 2006.
From Yahoo News:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll whose distinctive “shave and a haircut, two bits” rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79.
Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla., spokeswoman Susan Clary said. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation.
The legendary singer and performer, known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards. In recent years he also played for the elder President Bush and President Clinton.
Diddley appreciated the honors he received, “but it didn’t put no figures in my checkbook.”
“If you ain’t got no money, ain’t nobody calls you honey,” he quipped.
The name Bo Diddley came from other youngsters when he was growing up in Chicago, he said in a 1999 interview.
“I don’t know where the kids got it, but the kids in grammar school gave me that name,” he said, adding that he liked it so it became his stage name. Other times, he gave somewhat differing stories on where he got the name. Some experts believe a possible source for the name is a one-string instrument used in traditional blues music called a diddley bow.
His first single, “Bo Diddley,” introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, often summarized as “shave and a haircut, two bits.” The B side, “I’m a Man,” with its slightly humorous take on macho pride, also became a rock standard.
The company that issued his early songs was Chess-Checkers records, the storied Chicago-based labels that also recorded Chuck Berry and other stars.
Howard Kramer, assistant curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, said in 2006 that Diddley’s Chess recordings “stand among the best singular recordings of the 20th century.”
Diddley’s other major songs included, “Say Man,” “You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover,” “Shave and a Haircut,” “Uncle John,” “Who Do You Love?” and “The Mule.”
Diddley’s influence was felt on both sides of the Atlantic. Buddy Holly borrowed the bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp rhythm for his song “Not Fade Away.”
For the rest of this article head over to Yahoo! News.
Jeff Healey was a great guitarist and well respected musician throughout North America, and especially his native Canada, and shared the stage with some of the all time greats. He was also blind since the age of 1. He was an extraordinary guy who will be missed as a musician. Rest In Peace:
Read more on his death HERE
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