JULY 2023
Tony Bennett Dies at 96
WWII Veteran Released Over 60 Albums
Crooner Tony Bennett, first signed to Columbia Records in 1949—a staggering 74 years ago—, died July 21 at the age of 96 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The New York born vocalist utilized the GI Bill to take singing courses after joining the service during World War II, where he served as an infantryman. He released a number of popular hits, performing with fellow music industry legends from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s such as Count Basie and Art Blakey, and more recently with Grammy-winner and actress Lady Gaga. Hits like “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” made him a household name, and a fixture on the concert stage. Bennett earned 20 Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), a pair of Emmy Awards, and holds the Guinness World Record for: The longest time between the release of an original recording and a re-recording of the same single by the same artist. Condolences from the Gazette to Bennett’s relatives, collaborators, and countless fans worldwide.
Randy Meisner, Eagles co-founder, Dead at 77
Eagles Announce Death of Bassist After Wednesday Night Passing
A key part of the harmonies that made the Eagles a dominant supergroup in the 1970s, co-founder Randy Meisner died in Los Angeles as a result of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on July 26th. He was 77.
In recent years, the band’s original bassist had been plagued by a number of health issues, compounding a stretch that included the death of his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, after she accidentally shot herself in 2016.
Don Felder, a former bandmate, called Meisner “the sweetest man in the music business.” He joined Glen Frey, Bernie Leadon and drummer Don Henley in the early ‘70s to form the band, which would go on to become one of the most popular and successful acts in music history, despite shifting lineups as the years passed.
From the Eagles official statement:
“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”
Though Meisner had left the band, he appeared with the original lineup during the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. That year saw the induction of Fleetwood Mac, Santana and The Mamas and Papas as well.
As a solo artist, Meisner had several hits, including “Deep Inside My Heart” and “Hearts On Fire.” He was a consistent performer, and appeared on numerous albums alongside other industry heavyweights, such as Dan Fogelberg , Ricky Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and fellow Eagle Joe Walsh, among others. He was also a member of Poco, but left that band prior to the release of their debut album.
Meisner had an ex-wife and three children from his first marriage. The Gazette offers our condolences to members of Randy’s family, and our heartfelt thanks for his musical contributions, heard on the radio every day.
JUNE 2023
Treat Williams, Star of HAIR and Everwood, Killed in Tragic Motorcycle Accident
In a heartbreaking announcement shared to social media, members of the late actor Treat Williams’ family confirmed his death following a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Vermont. According to a police statement, the stage and screen star was thrown from his 1986 Honda cycle after a SUV turned in front of him, leading to the fatal collision. He was rushed to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead. Police continue to investigate.
Williams had gotten other roles prior to his 1979 breakout hit, HAIR, where he played beloved counterculture hippie George Berger, including being the understudy for the character of Danny Zuko in Grease—a role he would eventually make his own. HAIR, however, launched the versatile actor’s career in a way few roles can.
The actor worked with the elite of Hollywood, including directors Stephen Spielberg, Sidney Lumet, Milos Forman, Sergio Leone and a number of other industry heavyweights.
Williams crossed over from the big screen to television easily, bringing the same edge and grit he showed off in films like “Prince Of The City,” appearing on Blue Bloods, the streaming series We Own This City, Law and Order, and of course, Everwood.
Travolta said in an Instagram story that Williams would be missed as he shared a photo from their time together as young talents on the rise on Broadway.
“Treat Williams and I got our start together in NYC appearing in 2 Broadway shows, ‘Grease’ and ‘Over Here’,” said grieving star John Travolta. “I’m so sorry Treat. My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed.”
Photos, memories and sorrow poured in from across the entertainment world, with celebrities, producers and screenwriters expressing their consolation to Williams’ family. He is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, and their children, Gill and Elinor Williams. The Gazette staff is saddened by this loss, and the loss of a talent very near and dear to the hearts of countless New Yorkers.
Revered Novelist Cormac McCarthy Dies at 89
Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who penned best sellers such as “The Road,” “Blood Meridian” and “No Country For Old Men,” died June 13th of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe. He was 89.
McCarthy, often compared to William Faulkner for his rural settings, bleak landscapes and Old Testament style, as well as his characters’ frequent vernacular foibles and a sometimes-fleeting relationship with punctuation, broke virtually every rule of the craft in carving out both his reputation and an enormous following.
He found commercial success with “All the Pretty Horses” in 1992, and catapulted to numerous Top 10… lists for magazines and annual reviews, winning both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, enormous literary achievements for the smalltown boy from Knoxville, TN.
In 2007, the Coen brothers adapted the novel “No Country for Old Men”, which went on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture.
Following the release of “The Road,” (which garnered him the Pulitzer), McCarthy fell silent, with a near-total absence from the publishing scene. Then, in 2022, his publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, made a huge announcement: It would publish a pair of linked novels, “The Passenger” and “Stella Maris.” The books would be about mutually-obsessed siblings, a brother and sister, and the legacy of their physicist father.
In 2009, Christie’s auction house sold McCarthy’s Olivetti typewriter—the one he used to write “The Road” and “No Country for Old Men,” for $254,500. The author , who bought the Olivetti for $50 in 1958 and used it until 2009, donated it so the proceeds could be used to benefit the Santa Fe Institute.
Recently, he had made more news in the film industry, having agreed to write the screenplay for a movie adaptation of “Blood Meridian,” a horrifyingly violent tale of bounty hunters in the Southwest who sell the scalps of murdered indians. At least four studios and production teams had tried in the past to bring the novel to the big screen, with no success. According to McCarthy, though, he had an advantage, saying, “I know how to crack it.” It’s unknown as to whether a draft of the screenplay had been completed at the time of his death. The Gazette staff offers our condolences to McCarthy’s son, John, friends and family, and the writing community who found him such an inspiration.
John Romita Sr, Legendary Comics Creator, Passes Away at 93
The Artist Who Followed Steve Ditko on Spider-Man Helped Make It Marvel’s Biggest Title
John Romita Sr., a fixture at Marvel Comics for decades and famous for co-creating the infamous Wolverine, as well as his extensive run on “The Amazing Spider-Man”, passed away in his sleep on June 13th, as confirmed by his son, John Romita Jr. He was 93.
Romita Jr, also a heavyweight in the comics industry, said of his father, “He was the greatest man I ever met.”
The elder Romita was born in Brooklyn on January 24, 1930, and graduated from the School of Art & Design in Manhattan. He first spent eight years at DC Comics before joining Marvel to work with founder Stan Lee on a property centered around a teenager working for a big time newspaper. That property? “The Amazing Spider-Man.”
Immediately, members of the entertainment industry began posting fond memories and condolences, photos and stories of having met the legend at conventions. Filmmaker James Gunn, who directed Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy, posted: “Sorry to hear about the great comic book artist John Romita Sr passing at the age of 93,” Gunn wrote. “My brother & I wrote Mr. Romita when we were young kids & sent him drawings of superheroes we were working on. He wrote us back, telling us what he liked about the drawings! A truly memorable experience in my life, making me feel like the magic of comic books, which seemed so otherworldly, wasn’t actually that far away. My thoughts & condolences are with his family & loved ones.”
“I got to moderate a panel with John Sr for Fred Greenberg at the Great Eastern Convention at the Penta Hotel in Manhattan in the early ‘90s,” recalls Far Hollow resident and longtime comic creator Joe Monks. “Heck of a guy, amazing personality, and as a very young man with virtually zero comic credits to my name, he made it easy. As with George Perez, you never felt uncomfortable or awkward around John even knowing you were in the presence of royalty. I was grateful Fred gave me the chance, and that our paths crossed several times. This is a loss the entire industry feels.”
Romita would eventually go on to become Marvel’s art director, a position he held after taking it on in the early ‘70s and remaining at the helm through the 1980s. The Gazette mourns the loss of a true New York born-and-bred legend, and extends its condolences to John Jr, extended family, and literally hundreds of millions of fans who grew up with the work of John Romita, Sr.
MAY 2023
Notorious Bad Guy ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham Dies at 79
Wrestling World Mourns Loss of Iconic Champion
WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham passed away on May 17th according to his family. The three-time heavyweight champion was 79.
According to TMZ Sports, Graham was hospitalized in an intensive care unit three weeks earlier and had bbattled multiple health problems in recent years. On the 17th, he was removed from life support.
Fellow legends mourned the champ’s passing publicly, with multiple titleholder Ric Flair (The Nature Boy) and The Iron Sheik paying their respects on Twitter, and dozens of current and former wrestlers like multimedia creator Rusty Gilligan saying goodbye via social media. As Vince McMahon took over the then-WWWF and built it into an entertainment juggernaut filled with flamboyant characters, Graham was the champion fans loved to hate. His WWE bio describes him as “perhaps the single-most influential performer in WWE history.”
His heel persona, outrageous interviews and dazzling fashion sense inspired future stars, such as Hulk Hogan and Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura, who later became governor of Minnesota.
Our condolences go out to the Graham family.
New Wave/Synthpop Legend Andy Rourke Dead at 59
Pancreatic Cancer Takes The Smiths Bassist
Andy Rourke, whose basslines anchored iconic new wavers the Smiths, died on May 18, Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr confirmed through his publicist. According to Marr, Rourke’s death followed “a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.” Rourke was 59.
Rourke joined the Smiths shortly after Marr and singer Morrissey formed the group in 1982. His springy, melodic basslines interacted dazzlingly with Marr, bouncing off Marr’s unique guitar riffs and virtuoso leads. Rourke frequently looked outside The Smiths and the burgeoning new wave/synthpop grooves of fellow acts of the time, drawing from genres such as chamber pop and goth, helping enable the band to make statements with their lyrics while keeping the music danceable.
The final Smiths studio album, Strangeways Here We Come, was released in 1987, while internal conflicts were tearing the band apart. Rourke would go on to play with Morrissey in the singer’s early solo career, and would later guest with artists like Sinéad O’Connor and the Pretenders. He was also part of the supergroup Freebass with Peter Hook (New Order), and Mani, of the Stone Roses. The Gazette staff offers its condolences to Rourke’s family and the millions of passionate Smiths fans worldwide.
APRIL 2023
Carol Locatell, Friday the 13th V Actress, Dies At 82
Carol Locatell, remembered well by horror fans for her role in Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, where she played Ethel, Junior Hubbard’s quirky, foul-mouthed mom, died April 18th after a long battle with cancer. She was 82. Locatell’s portrayal went over big with fans, making Ethel among the most-quoted characters of the Friday the 13th franchise.
Ron Sloan, who played Junior, announced the passing of his movie mother on Facebook, where he shared memories of Locatell, a longtime friend. His statement, in part:
“Dearest friends, fans, and Horror family,
With great sadness, it breaks my heart to announce that my Friday the 13th Part 5 Mom, (Ethel Hubbard) Carol Locatell has passed away. She had battled cancer for many years. For the longest time, I thought she kick cancers ass, cause she really was a tough lady. I have shared more laughter with Carol, than you could ever imagine. Her interaction with her fans truly warmed my heart.
She would offer lines like “You big dildo eat your f*cking slop”, “Who the f*ck are you and what the f*ck do you want”.
We were not only great friends, but we were family. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be Actors in horror films, knows the meaning of the Horror Family. This is truly a life experience for me and I am so proud to have Carol Locatell share her private life with her husband, Greg, with my wife Lisa. From laughter to tears, I was truly blessed to work with this wonderful, brilliant, actress / mom.
Her sailor mouth will truly be missed at the next convention. Please say a prayer for her and her family.”Locatell’s film career included roles in Bug, The Daytrippers, Coffy, Best Friends, The Family Stone, and The Way You Look Tonight, while her television career spanned over five decades, appearing in a number of popular series, from The Flying Nun to Shameless (2019), while also appearing in Bonanza, M*A*S*H, ER, NYPD Blue, Scandal and Mad Men, among others. Condolences go out to her family, and her Friday the 13th family as well.
MARCH 2023
Blazing Saddles Screenwriter Norman Steinberg Dead at 83
Norman Steinberg, the screenwriter whose career included such classics as “Blazing Saddles”, passed away at the age of 83. His family confirmed his passing in a statement made through the Writers Guild of America.
Steinberg, who got his start writing comedy after encouragement from Mel Brooks, snagged a job writing for The Flip Wilson Show, where he won an Emmy. In the early 1970s, he was brought in by Brooks to work on a screenplay that would later become “Blazing Saddles”, one of Brooks’ biggest films, which will see its 50th anniversary next year. Steinberg also wrote “Johnny Dangerously” and the Peter O’Toole film “My Favorite Year.” Steinberg, who began his career as an attorney, would later go on to teach a masters program for budding film students at Long Island University. He’s survived by his wife, Serine Hastings, son Nik and daughter Daphne, and multiple grandchildren and stepchildren. The Gazette staff offers our condolences and thanks for the countless laughs.
Lance Reddick, of Blockbuster John Wick Series, Dead at 60
The actor, known for playing Charon in the 4-installment-film-franchise, its latest release blowing up box offices right now, was found dead in his Studio City home, police said. While his cause of death hasn’t been released, authorities believe it was likely natural causes. Reddick also starred in the hit HBO series The Wire, had completed a season of the upcoming Disney Percy Jackson series (as Zeus), with recurring roles in other series including “Bosch,” “Fringe,” “Oz” and more, with films like Resident Evil and Godzilla vs Kong among his roles. Our best wishes go out to the Reddick family and his dogs.
FEBRUARY 2023
Last of the Universal Monsters Has Left Us
Ricou Browning, the Original Creature From the Black Lagoon, Dies at 93
The Gill-Man for Universal Pictures’ iconic monster movies, Creature From the Black Lagoon, Revenge of the Creature (1955) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956) has passed away. He was 93.
Browning had all the tools necessary to portray the famed underwater menace, being both an experienced stuntman and underwater cinematographer. One-sheets, lobby cards and model kits of the Creature frequently sell on collector’s sites and at memorabilia shows for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. The rock band The Dead Elvi play the song, “Creature Stole My Surfboard,” at the Chiller Theatre Expo, where Browning was a guest multiple times and a fan favorite.
Browning went on to direct underwater sequences in other famous and franchise films, including 1980’s Caddyshack, Thunderball (1965), Hello Down There (1969), and Never Say Never Again, starring Sean Connery and Klaus Maria Brandauer, while also adding Producer to his lengthy list of film successes along the way. Lesser-known among his career accomplishments, he co-created the much-loved Flipper property.
In addition to acting and his extensive stuntwork, Browning directed several motion pictures, his first being Salty, centered around the titular sea-lion, and Mr. No Legs, about a wheelchair-bound protagonist equipped with shotguns built into his wheelchair. You can view his extensive list of film and TV credits on IMDB.com.
The Argo Theater has announced special screenings of Creature From the Black Lagoon all weekend, with a Lagoonathon of all three films back-to-back Saturday night.
Raquel Welch, ‘60s and ‘70s Movie Vixen, Dies at 82
Raquel Welch, who rose to fame with roles in legendary SciFi films Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C. in 1966, becoming an international sex symbol almost overnight, passed away on February 15th after a brief illness, family members said.
Welch, whose scenes in a deerskin bikini in Hammer Films’ One Million Years B.C. rocketed her to superstardom, was a highly sought-after actress and performer, winning a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in 1974’s: The Three Musketeers. (A role she reprised the following year for the sequel: The Four Musketeers). In 1995, Welch was named one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History by Empire magazine, While PLAYBOY ranked her #3 in their 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century rundown. Her career spanned early work in 1958 through 2017.
Welch is survived by her children, Tahnee Welch and Damon Welch.
Stella Stevens, Golden Globe Winner and Longtime Hollywood Star, Dies of Alzheimer’s at 84
Film and TV superstar Stella Stevens, whose roles put her opposite Hollywood’s biggest names, from Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby to Jerry Lewis and Gene Hackman, passed away February 17th due to Alzheimer’s, her son, actor and producer Andrew Stevens told reporters. She was 84.
Her career, which spanned seven decades and over 200 film and TV roles, included everything from blockbuster thrillers to family-friendly comedies like The Nutty Professor. She immediately drew the attention of filmgoers, snagging the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year in 1960. From there, she showed she could handle any role, be it in a disaster epic like Poseidon Adventure, gritty crime dramas like Police Story, spoofs like the Matt Helm films starring Dean Martin, or a romantic comedy like Girls! Girls! Girls! with Elvis Presley. No icon was too big to put Stevens on screen with. She also appeared on dozens of TV shows, including The Love Boat, Flamingo Road, The Commish and Santa Barbara.
“Alzheimer’s is an insidious disease which affected not only my mother, but my grandmother and great aunt,” Andrew said following his mother’s passing, noting she was in Stage 7 of the disease.
The Gazette staff extends its deepest condolences to the Browning, Stevens and Welch families.
JANUARY 2023
Lisa Loring, Actress Who Brought Wednesday Addams to Life In 1960s TV Show, Dies at 64
Early last week, child star and pop culture icon Lisa Loring, who appeared on a number of television series during her career, suffered a ‘massive stroke’, after which she was placed on life support. After 3 days, the family made the difficult decision to remove her from the machines, and she passed quietly Saturday evening.
Loring appeared in numerous TV shows, including Barnaby Jones, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., Fantasy Island, and reprised her most famous role in the television movie: Halloween with the New Addams Family in 1977. She also had a recurring role in the soap opera As the World Turns, and made numerous appearances at horror and pop culture conventions, where she was a fan favorite. Loring was 64, and is survived by her two daughters, who were present and holding her hands at the time of her death.
Lance Kerwin, the child actor who became a teen heartthrob as the title character in the NBC TV series James at 15, passed away Jan 24th at the age of 62. Kerwin, whose career began in the early ‘70s with appearances on shows like Little House on the Prairie and Wonder Woman, is likely best-known by Far Hollow residents as Mark Petrie in the 1979 horror miniseries “Salem’s Lot,” based on the novel by Stephen King. Kerwin co-starred alongside such Hollywood heavyweights as David Soul (Starsky and Hutch), Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard), and legendary stage and screen actor James Mason. Mister Kerwin is survived by a daughter, Savanah Kerwin.
In other news of the deceased, freelance journalist Klint Finley reports on the demise of underground
cult comic Cry For Dawn, a sad passing indeed.