Dropping Like Flies

First Creed, now Blink. Hallelujah !!!

From Billboard 2/22/05:

Blink-182 Going On Indefinite Hiatus

Confirming recent speculation that something was amiss in the Blink-182 camp, the band today announced it was going on an indefinite hiatus "to spend some time enjoying the fruits of their labors with loved ones." In a statement, the trio added, "While there is no set plan for the band to begin working together again, no one knows what tomorrow may bring."

Rumors that the band had split began circulating after Friday's all-star tsunami benefit concert in Anaheim, Calif. Blink was scheduled to play but pulled out of at the last minute due to "unexpected circumstances."

Fuel was added to the flames when Dave Navarro, who performed at the benefit with his cover band Camp Freddy, posted on his blog that Blink didn't perform because they had broken up. He later clarified his posting, saying, "I shouldn't repeat things that aren't confirmed and I apologize to the band and their fans. Honestly, it was a mistake."

Blink's four studio albums and one live set have sold a combined 10.7 million copies in the United States to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group has posted 10 top 10 hits on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, including the No. 1s "All the Small Things" and "I Miss You."


– Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Originally posted by chancegardener:
Blink-182 Going On Indefinite Hiatus

I think the drummer guy is having a reality show on MTV (ala Jessica Simpson and Dave Navarro) and it's causing problems for the rest of the band.

I'm shocked you Apple guys didn't post this. He's credited with the great steal from Xerox, but he did so much more with it than Xerox ever did. A brilliant, outside the box thinker:

Macintosh creator Raskin dies at 61
Apple employee 31 conceived easy to use machine

The Associated Press
Updated: 6:54 a.m. ET Feb. 28, 2005


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Jef Raskin, a computer interface expert who conceived Apple Computer Inc.'s groundbreaking Macintosh computer but left the company before it came to market, has died. He was 61.

Raskin died Saturday night at his home in Pacifica, Calif., his family said in a statement. In December, he told friends he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Raskin joined Apple in 1978 â?? as its 31st employee â?? to start the young company's publications department. At the time, computers were primarily text-based and users had to remember a series of arcane commands to perform the simplest tasks.

In 1979, Raskin had a different idea: A computer that's priced affordably, targeted at consumers and extremely easy to use. A small team, under his command, was put together at Apple to pursue his concept that would eventually become the Macintosh. "His role on the Macintosh was the initiator of the project, so it wouldn't be here if it weren't for him," said Andy Hertzfeld, an early Mac team member.

Raskin, who worked as a computer science professor before joining Apple, was well aware of the research being done in computer interfaces at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center. He worked to bring it to the attention of Apple executives. "Jef was incredibly enthusiastic about what he saw at Xerox PARC," said Dave Burstein, who is working on a film about Raskin's life.

Raskin also named the Macintosh after his favorite apple, though the name was slightly changed because of a trademark issue with another company.

Raskin led the project until the summer of 1981, when he had a falling out with Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder. He left the company entirely the following year. "One of the biggest things I give Jef credit for was putting together the very beginnings of the Mac team with some extraordinary people who didn't necessarily have the credentials, but had everything else to do something great," Hertzfeld said Sunday.

When the Mac was unveiled in 1984, it radically changed the personal computer industry. No longer were users forced to type commands. Instead, its interface mimicked a physical desktop with folders and filing cabinets. Documents could be dragged from one area to another.

The final Mac, however, was priced at an unaffordable $2,495 when it first appeared on the market and sales were disappointing after the first few months. But the concepts behind the Mac interface quickly found their way into other software, including Microsoft Corp.'s Windows.

After leaving Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple, Raskin founded another computer company, Information Appliance, and designed another computer that incorporated his ideas. He also wrote a book, "The Humane Interface," which was published in 2000.

Raskin continued to work on software that incorporates his ideas on interfaces. The first release is scheduled to take place in the next few months, Burstein said.

While best known in the computer industry, Raskin also pursued other interests. He conducted the San Francisco Chamber Opera Society and played three instruments. His artwork was displayed at New York's Museum of Modern Art. He also received a patent for airplane wing construction.

He was an accomplished archer, target shooter and occasional race car driver, friends said. "He believed in having fun, too," Burstein said. "The people who worked with him at Apple talk about how important were the toys and the games and the sense of joy that he demanded."

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7044932/

For some reason, I thought that this guy died several years ago. Must of just retired.

Chuck Thompson

It happened almost right around the corner from me.

Originally posted by Jaguär:
For some reason, I thought that this guy died several years ago. Must of just retired.

Chuck Thompson

It happened almost right around the corner from me.

He had to stop announcing in 2000 because of macular degeneration in his eyes. He couldn't see the events on the field anymore, and couldn't read copy. It was a real shock. He was supposed to be a guest at a Baltimore Colts benefit I attended yesterday, and he was rushed to the hospital early in the morning. Already by 11am when the benefit started, people knew that he had a heart attack and stroke, and that he was on life support. Bad news travels fast.

It's a shame. He was a good man, and a great asset to sports and Baltimore.

Joe Carter, Guitarist in Country Family, Dies at 78


MACES SPRINGS, Va. (AP) - Joe Carter, a member of the famous Carter Family of country music, died on Wednesday at his home here. He was 78.

The cause was cancer, his family announced.

Mr. Carter, who played guitar and sang bass, was a cornerstone of the preservation of old-time mountain music and helped build the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Va., which presented shows of country and bluegrass music every weekend.

Mr. Carter was 5 months old when he traveled with his parents, A.P. and Sara Carter, from Maces Springs to Bristol in 1927 for a recording session that has been called "the big bang of country music." It started the careers of A.P., Sara and her cousin Maybelle Carter as the Carter Family trio.

Joe Carter, who performed at the Carter Family Fold, was the last direct connection to anyone who was at that original session, his friend Tim White said Thursday.

Marty Stuart, Tom T. Hall and John Carter Cash, son of Johnny and June Carter Cash, are listed among the pallbearers for Mr. Carter's funeral tomorrow. June Carter Cash was Maybelle Carter's daughter.

Joe Carter is survived by three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Country singer Chris LeDoux dead at 56

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (AP) – Chris LeDoux, a former world champion bareback rider who parlayed songs about the rodeo life into a successful country music career, died Wednesday from complications of liver cancer. He was 56.

LeDoux checked into the hospital this week, according to Judy McDonough, spokeswoman for Capitol Nashville, his recording company.

LeDoux described his music as a combination of "Western soul, sagebrush blues, cowboy folk and rodeo rock 'n' roll."

By 1989, he had released 22 albums. They were mostly cassettes produced by his parents, which he sold at concerts and rodeos, sometimes out of the back of a pickup truck. He had a loyal, if limited, fan base.

But LeDoux soon became a country star, teaming with Garth Brooks for the Grammy-nominated, top 10 hit "Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy" in 1992.

Brooks has long cited LeDoux as one of his biggest influences.

He recorded songs about cowboys, the ups and downs of rodeo life and his adopted home of Wyoming. In 1976, he became the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's world bareback champion.

In 2003, he released his 36th album, "Horsepower," and celebrated career sales of more than 5 million albums.

Among his other songs were "Hooked On An 8 Second Ride," "Copenhagen," "This Cowboy's Hat," "Even Cowboys Like a Little Rock and Roll," "Riding for a Fall" and "Honky Tonk World."

Danny Joe Brown, the lead singer of the Southern rock band Molly Hatchet, died of complications from diabetes, his family said Monday. He was 53.

Story here.

Full disclosure: I actually own a Molly Hatchet album. And it's not even "Flirtin' With Disaster".

Barebacking is certainly not without its risks.

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
Country singer Chris LeDoux dead at 56

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (AP) – Chris LeDoux, a former world champion bareback rider who parlayed songs about the rodeo life into a successful country music career, died Wednesday from complications of liver cancer. He was 56.

LeDoux checked into the hospital this week, according to Judy McDonough, spokeswoman for Capitol Nashville, his recording company.

LeDoux described his music as a combination of "Western soul, sagebrush blues, cowboy folk and rodeo rock 'n' roll."

By 1989, he had released 22 albums. They were mostly cassettes produced by his parents, which he sold at concerts and rodeos, sometimes out of the back of a pickup truck. He had a loyal, if limited, fan base.

But LeDoux soon became a country star, teaming with Garth Brooks for the Grammy-nominated, top 10 hit "Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy" in 1992.

Brooks has long cited LeDoux as one of his biggest influences.

He recorded songs about cowboys, the ups and downs of rodeo life and his adopted home of Wyoming. In 1976, he became the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's world bareback champion.

In 2003, he released his 36th album, "Horsepower," and celebrated career sales of more than 5 million albums.

Among his other songs were "Hooked On An 8 Second Ride," "Copenhagen," "This Cowboy's Hat," "Even Cowboys Like a Little Rock and Roll," "Riding for a Fall" and "Honky Tonk World."

Got this info from The Lovetones.

"this is sad news..i had the great fortune of having one of my colorsound songs remixed by the silver apples..you can find it on the silver apples remix album here..
www.artist-shop.com/3rdstone/
he will be missed

Dear All,

Simeon from Silver Apples emailed to give the sad news that Danny Taylor, Silver Apple's original drummer passed away last Thursday night (10th March) in Newyork.
Danny had been rushed to hospital that night but could not be revived.
There are no further details at present.

Danny has a son, who until only a few years ago never knew his father's amazing past and his contribution as one half of the ledgendary Newyork duo who were pioneers of a destinct and original electronic and experimental sound that even today is still revered by fans from all over the world.

If anyone would like to send condolences, please email them to me and I will forward them on accordingly.

Please forward this news onto whomever you think would like to be informed.

Many Thanks

Jack"

Wonder if his coffin will open with side flaps?

From AP via WP:

Guitarist Rod Price of Foghat Dies at 57

The Associated Press
Thursday, March 24, 2005; 9:39 AM

WILTON, New Hampshire - Guitarist Rod Price, founding member of the blues boogie band Foghat, died Tuesday after falling down a stairway at his home, a family friend said. He was 57.

The London native's solos drove Foghat to three platinum and eight gold records during the band's quarter-century career. After many years of touring he settled in Wilton in 1994.

Many in town knew Price as a loving father who never missed his son's baseball, soccer or basketball games. Fewer people knew of Price's musical background.

Price had played with Champion Jack Dupree, Eddie Kirkland, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon and Honey Boy Edwards.

In recent years, Price concentrated on his blues projects, cutting several CDs and giving private guitar lessons at his home.

© 2005 The Associated Press

…. And that on the heels of this:

Teen's love of 'Slow Ride' inspires quest


Song replaced bell used to signal lunch
By Chris Moran
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
March 19, 2005

CHULA VISTA â?? A song can champion a cause, but in the case of a clever and persistent high school senior, the song is the cause.

Daniel Dorman's tale begins with a ring and ends with an overpowering anthem. He used Gandhi-inspired tactics to confirm the power of one person to change the world â?? or at least high school lunch period.
And, as Daniel explains, "Every story sounds better with the name 'Foghat' in it."

The ring is, by Daniel's reckoning, an "E-sharp" bell that dismisses fifth period and calls Bonita Vista High School students to lunch. It annoys Daniel, and once he decided it needed to be replaced, there was only one worthy substitute: "Slow Ride," the classic rock staple by 70s rockers Foghat.

So Daniel went to Principal Ramon Leyba and asked: How about playing "Slow Ride" in place of the lunch bell?

<img src="http://crossword.uniontrib.com/uniontrib/20050319/images/foghat300.jpg" alt=" - " />
Daniel Dorman (right) hugged Matt Smith as "Slow Ride" played on Bonita Vista High School's public address system.

Leyba was amused, and told Daniel that he'd look into it. Really, though, Leyba thought that was the end of it. But Daniel was just getting started.

"Gandhi beat the British Empire by not eating," Daniel said, so getting his school to broadcast "Slow Ride" was surely attainable. Also, the 17-year-old said, "I have a lot of free time."

He put it to use with a three-page letter that eloquently made the case for "Slow Ride." He launched a petition drive for Proposition Slow Ride and gathered 300 signatures. He secured the band's endorsement. Foghat sent him what drummer Roger Earl calls "Fogstuff" â?? CDs, autographed photos and the like â?? and wished him well.

Daniel didn't get any follow-up from Leyba after the meeting, so he and his friends devised messages in their Web design class to be delivered to Leyba daily. The first featured a photo of Daniel and an ultimatum that the principal had 10 days to play Foghat. If Leyba didn't play "Slow Ride," Daniel would go on a hunger strike. It was followed the next day with a photo of Daniel holding up nine fingers.

When the countdown reached six days, Leyba called him in. Leyba agreed to play it, but just once. He said it wasn't possible to wire the song into the school's bell system, and he would not waste staff time playing "Slow Ride" each day.

It was a high point for a boy who had almost dropped out of school before he got to high school. Daniel and his mom say the trouble started when he made a threat against a teacher in a moment of frustration. It wasn't a serious threat, but in the wake of the Santana High School shootings that year, administrators didn't take any chances.

Daniel was transferred to Fifth Avenue Academy, a Chula Vista school that specializes in tough cases. He thrived there for two years and then entered Bonita Vista High in 11th grade.

Daniel previously distinguished himself at Bonita Vista High by having an apprentice â?? a student who followed him everywhere, addressed him as "The Daniel," performed menial tasks for him and dressed like him. That meant wearing a derby hat and carrying a pocket watch.

Daniel had 10 applicants for a second apprentice. They submitted résumés providing references, listing favorite television shows and answering questions such as, "If Daniel were to decide to miss school to watch 'Montel,' would the apprentice write down a short synopsis of what Daniel missed that day at school?"

Yesterday at 12:36 p.m., the music played, and Daniel's story had a triumphant ending.

And it has an epilogue. Foghat's Earl called Daniel last weekend. The drummer thought back to his high school days and wondered what would have happened back if he had asked his principal to play Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On."

"He probably would have kicked me out," Earl said, but this Leyba "seems like a reasonable fellow."

So when the band plays at Sycuan Casino this summer, Daniel and three of his buddies will be there as guests of the band. Earl said Leyba's invited, too.

my god, that guy is absolutely hilarious … great article, thanks for posting it …

How did y'all miss this one?

Molly Hatcher singer Danny Joe Brown, 53

By Sean Piccoli
Pop Music Writer
Posted March 12 2005

Danny Joe Brown, a founding member of Southern rockers Molly Hatchet, and singer and co-writer of the band's biggest hits from the late '70s, died on Thursday at his home in Davie of complications from pneumonia. He was 53.

The lone voice in a six-piece band that featured three lead guitarists, Mr. Brown, a Jacksonville native, matched the clamor of Molly Hatchet's music with a big, muscular growl on songs such as Flirtin' with Disaster, Whiskey Man and Gator Country. Mr. Brown co-founded Molly Hatchet in Jacksonville in 1975. The band adopted a hard-rocking sound inspired in part by the boogie and blues of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.


Molly Hatchet also gained a reputation for partying hard, and after 2 million-selling studio albums and constant touring, Mr. Brown quit the band in 1980, citing exhaustion. He put out a solo album and rejoined Molly Hatchet in the 1980s.

Visitation is 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Panciera Memorial Home, 4200 Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood. Services are 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cooper City Church of God, 9191 Stirling Rd., Cooper City, with burial at Lauderdale Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale.

Ska pioneer Justin Hinds passes on
Entertainment
By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter
Friday, March 18, 2005

Justin Hinds of Justin Hinds and the Dominoes fame lost his battle with lung cancer on Wednesday night, Splash understands. He would have been 63 on May 7.

<img src="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/images/20050317T200000-0500_77047_OBS_SKA_PIONEER_JUSTIN_HINDS_PASSES_ON_1.jpg" alt=" - " />

One of the pioneers of the ska era, Hinds who has been ailing for some months, was born in 1942, in Steertown, St Ann. In the early 1960s when Bob Marley and the Wailers making their mark at Studio One and on the Beverly's label, Justin Hinds and the Dominoes (Dennis Sinclair and Junior Dixon) were making their presence felt on the Duke Reid's Treasure Isles label.

Arguably the most prolific group for producer Duke Reid in that period, the Justin Hinds-led Dominoes, drawing heavily from the Bible and popular Jamaican proverbs, recorded some of the finest ska songs including King Samuel, The Higher Monkey Climb, Jump Out A Frying Pan and Baddaration.

But it was the dawn of rock steady which gave Hinds and his backing vocalists, Sinclair and Dixon their signature tune, Carry Go Bring Come.

Although not as prominent in Jamaica in later years, Justin Hinds is a household name in Europe, especially in France where the former Island Record artiste who last performed in Jamaica on Stars "R" Us in January, enjoyed a huge fan-base.

"I'm saddened to hear of his passing. The last time I saw him was in January at the show "Stars R Us" where Tommy Cowan and myself prayed for him backstage," Lloyd Parkes, leader of We the People Band, told Splash. Both Parkes and Cowan are members of the Christian faith.

Michael Barnett, of MKB Productions, promoters of the popular vintage showcase, Heineken Startime, bemoaned the fact that Justin Hinds had not been given the recognition he so richly deserved.

"It's a pity he has passed away without getting the recognition that was due to him, even though he was well respected in Europe, especially in France. I'm happy that I was able to get the chance to work with him on Heineken Startime in December 2003. This was his only appearance on Startime, due to his heavy tour schedules, we were unable to pin him down for other performances," Barnett said.

In his tribute to Justin Hinds, President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) Desmond Young said, "Justin Hinds was one of the pioneers that impacted on the imagination of our people and the wider international community due to his immense catalogue. On behalf of the JFM, condolences to family and close friends."

Noted saxophonist, Dean Fraser, said respect is due to Justin Hinds as he (Fraser) just came from a tour of Europe where the name of late singer kept coming up. "We were talking about him (Justin Hinds) the whole time."

Finally, someone other than than Traci Lords, Tim Russert, and Johnny Unitas, who shared my birthday.

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Ska pioneer Justin Hinds passes on
Entertainment
By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter
Friday, March 18, 2005

Justin Hinds of Justin Hinds and the Dominoes fame lost his battle with lung cancer on Wednesday night, Splash understands. He would have been 63 on May 7.

&lt;img src="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/images/20050317T200000-0500_77047_OBS_SKA_PIONEER_JUSTIN_HINDS_PASSES_ON_1.jpg" alt=" - " /&gt;

Carry Go Bring Come may be Justin Hinds and the Dominoes signature tune, but Rub Up Push Up is just as good!

I saw Justin Hinds and The Dominoes at Phantas sometime in the late 90's. What a great time.

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
How did y'all miss this one?

Molly Hatcher singer Danny Joe Brown, 53

Bombay Chutney didn't.

Ooops, you're right. I guess I was too busy mourning that Chris LeDoux guy to notice.

Originally posted by beetsnotbeats:

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
How did y'all miss this one?

Molly Hatcher singer Danny Joe Brown, 53

Bombay Chutney didn't.

Barney Martin, 'Seinfeld' father, dead

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) – Barney Martin, a former New York City detective who went into show business and became best known for playing Jerry Seinfeld's father Morty on the comedian's hit television series, has died. He was 82.

Martin died of cancer Monday at his Studio City home, according to his publicist, Jennifer Glassman.

Born March 3, 1923, in the New York City borough of Queens, Martin served as a navigator in the Air Force during World War II before starting a 20-year career as a New York City police detective.

Martin showed a talent for making deputy police commissioners laugh during presentations. In the 1950s, he began writing on the side for comedy shows such as "Name That Tune" and "The Steve Allen Show."

Martin got his start in film when Mel Brooks featured him in "The Producers" in 1968. That role launched Martin into Broadway theater, where he appeared in several musicals, including "South Pacific," "The Fantasticks," All American" and "How Now Dow Jones."

He is credited with creating the role of Roxy's unappreciated husband, Amos Hart, in the musical "Chicago."

Martin also appeared in several television series in the 1990s, including "The Tony Randall Show," "US," "Sydney" and "Zorro and Son."

In "Seinfeld," Martin was the third actor to play the part of Seinfeld's father and became the one most identified with the role of the Florida retiree.

He said at the show's wrap party in 1998: "Playing Jerry's dad was like having whipped cream on top of a mountain of ice cream."

He is survived by his wife and son. A daughter died in 2002 of cancer.

CNN