A photographic look at the seminal dance program and its late creator.
Remembrance
A Voice of Gold, a Life of Pain: Etta James, 1938-2012
From her potent R&B singles as a teenager to the immortal ballad “At Last,” and for another half-century, this pop-blues diva endured a life more wrenching than any of her songs
A Photo History of Etta James, Dead At 73
The cross-genre singer of hits like “At Last” has died of complications from leukemia.
Johnny Otis, the Greek Godfather of R&B, Dies at 90
His “Willie and the Hand Jive” was a 1958 summer sensation, but this white impresario was prouder of launching Etta James, Hank Ballard, Littlle Richard and other black artists into the musical mainstream
2011’s 50 Newest Members of Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven
Along with the widely observed deaths of Amy Winehouse and Gil Scott-Heron, a number of lesser-known musical figures passed away in 2011. They didn’t get as much recognition, perhaps, but they made valuable contributions to …
Christopher Hitchens, RIP
Christopher Hitchens, the brilliant, pugilistic essayist and journalist, died Thursday of cancer at age 62. This is not a personal remembrance of Hitchens; I didn’t know him. It’s too bad, because from all accounts knowing “Hitch” was a bracing experience, involving arguments and legendary drinking bouts that Hitchens, inevitably, would …
M*A*S*H’s Harry Morgan Dies at 96
Harry Morgan, best known to TV audiences for playing the gruff, lovable Col. Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H, died Wednesday morning. (Given that he died at the age of 96, I think congratulations are in order along with the condolences.)
Bollywood Bids Farewell to Actor and Icon Dev Anand
Comedian Patrice O’Neal Dies at 41
Ken Russell, Cinematic Provocateur
The Master of Cinematic Vulgarity: Ken Russell (1927-2011)
Called “the British Fellini,” Russell directed Tommy, Women in Love, Altered States, Lisztomania and other over-the-top classics
Andy Rooney Dies at 92
Longtime CBS journalist and 60 Minutes essayist Andy Rooney died Friday night at age 92 of complications from minor surgery, CBS News announced Saturday morning. Just last month, Rooney announced, in the commentary above, that he …
Remembering Jerry Leiber, the ‘Hound Dog’ Poet of Rock ‘n’ Roll
With his partner, Mike Stoller, the lyricist created many of rock’s lushest, most foundational, most irresistible hits