Fred Curry obit

Former NWA Champion Flying Fred Curry Passes Away At Age 82

 

He was not on the list.

The wrestling world has lost a veteran champion, as former NWA titleholder Flying Fred Curry has passed away at the age of 82.

The news was confirmed by Bobby Fulton, who announced Curry’s passing and paid tribute to the longtime star known for his technical skill and explosive offense inside the ring.

"The legendary “Flying” Fred Curry, one of the first “high flyers” in wrestling has passed! He helped me with many opportunities! He’ll be deeply missed & my heart is broken! My prayers for his wife, children & family! I’ll have further details of his life on my Facebook!"

Fred Curry, whose real name was Fred Thomas Koury Jr., was the son of notorious heel “Wild” Bill Curry and followed directly in his father’s footsteps into the wrestling business. He began his career in the 1960s, quickly gaining attention for his speed and especially his dropkicks, which became his signature move. At the time, Curry’s rapid-fire dropkick combinations were considered among the best in the business.

Curry spent much of his career competing throughout the Midwest and Texas territories during the height of the territorial era. Early in his run, he teamed with his father, and the duo captured the NWA International Tag Team Championship as well as the Detroit version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship. He later held those same Detroit titles alongside Tony Marino.

During his time in Texas, Curry regularly teamed with Fritz Von Erich and became a familiar name in the region. He also had a notable feud in Big Time Wrestling against The Original Sheik over the United States Championship, further cementing his role as a respected babyface competitor during that era.

In the late 1970s, Curry transitioned to the WWWF, where he continued working as a fan favorite. During that stretch, he teamed with stars like Ivan Putski and competed against teams and wrestlers including The Valiants, Johnny Rodz, Victor Rivera, and Baron Mikel Scicluna.

Curry’s legacy stretches back to one of wrestling’s most influential eras, where his high-flying style and championship success helped define the fast-paced offense that many wrestlers use today.

Fred Curry’s passing marks the loss of another respected name from wrestling’s territorial days, leaving behind a legacy built on speed, skill, and championship success.

Fred Simon obit

R.I.P. Fred Simon, the last original member of The Lost Generation

 He was not on the list.

(April 3, 2026) The post on the Facebook page of the classic R&B group The New Lost Generation this afternoon gave us the bad news about group co-founder Fred Simon.

It’s taken me a minute to be able to write this post. So with a very heavy heart, my husband Fred Simon, the last original member and one of the founding members of The Lost Generation and New Lost Generation has died.

Few Chicago-based vocal groups of the early 1970s captured the blend of streetwise soul and social consciousness as effectively as The Lost Generation. Emerging from the Windy City’s fertile soul scene, the group—originally consisting of Simon and his brother, lead singer Lowrell Simon, along with Jesse and Leslie Dean and Larry Brownlee—crafted a sound that married tight harmonies with insightful lyrics. Their 1970 Brunswick Records debut album introduced audiences to their biggest hit, “The Sly, Slick and the Wicked,” a track that would become a staple of Chicago soul and later a favorite for hip-hop sampling.

Fred Simon’s steady presence helped anchor the group’s harmonies, and his collaborative instincts were key during their formative years under producer Carl Davis. The Lost Generation followed up with hits like  “Someday” and “Talking the Teenage Language” through the middle of the 1970s.

After the breakup of the original group, Fred Simon became central to the formation of The New Lost Generation, a reimagined version of the act that carried forward the original’s sound well into subsequent decades. He also toured as part of the legendary act The Chi-Lites for several years. Fred Simon’s role in all thes acts underscores his importance not just as a performer, but as a custodian of a distinct Chicago soul sound that still resonates to this day. May he rest in peace.

Bo Lueders obit

Bo Lueders (Hardlore, Harms Way) has passed away

 He was not on the list.

Guitarist of Harms Way and ½ of the HardLore Podcast Bo Lueders has passed away. Cause of death is still unknown.

Lueders had spent the last 20 years playing in the Chicago hardcore outfit appearing on all the group's studio albums, EPs and more. Lueders and co-host Colin Young launched their hardcore/punk podcast in 2022 and have since become a staple piece of documentary content for hardcore and more since.

This is a developing story, we will keep you updated.

The full statement provided by Hardlore:

It is with heavy, broken hearts that we share that our beloved Bo Lueders has passed away.

He will be remembered for his unwavering empathy and compassion for his friends & family and his magnetic, inimitable presence on & off the stage.

We kindly ask for grace and privacy as we navigate this extremely difficult time.

For those struggling with depression or urges to self harm, help is always available. We're not in this alone.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988.

Producer and brother/band mate of HardLore cohost Colin Young, Taylor has shared the following short statement following the passing of his friend:

Being able to see the world as much as we did together is unprecedented and something I never took for granted and never will. A friend like you is a rare thing. I wish things were different. Love you forever

Hardlore co-host Colin Young shared the following message about his partner and long time friend:

I am writing this in hopes that it reaches you in some way cosmically. I will love, mourn, and celebrate you forever.

This beautiful thing we built together was the greatest honor of my life, and my only solace is knowing that we documented a lifetime of memories, at first to share with the world, but now to look back on and and preserve your warm, kind soul forever.

Say hey to Cayle and Cliff Burton for us, and feel free to stop by and haunt me any time.

Every song is about you now.

Let's do it all again in the next life.

Dee Freeman obit

Dee Freeman Dies: ‘The Young and the Restless’ & ‘Sistas’ Actress Was 66

 

She was not on the list.

Dolores ‘Dee’ Freeman, the actress who appeared in The Young and the Restless and Tyler Perry’s Sistas, has died. She was 66.

The actress’ family announced that she died on Thursday following “a brave and fearless fight” with stage 4 lung cancer, sharing a statement on her Instagram profile.

“On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you,” they prefaced in the post. “Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026 after a brave and fearless fight with cancer.”

The family continued, “Thank you to everyone who supported Dee during her battle. It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her. We know Dee is up there in heaven being the force of nature she always was. Now she’s doing it with her angel wings on. Rest in peace, Dee.”

Born in Louisiana on June 6, 1959, Freeman served in the United States Marine Corps for six years before relocating to Japan and working as a radio DJ.

Freeman made her onscreen debut in a 1995 episode of ABC’s Coach, going on to appear in shows like Party of Five, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Suddenly Susan, Seinfeld, Caroline in the City, Kenan & Kel, The X-Files, The Hughleys, Six Feet Under, ER, Bones, Dexter, The Young and the Restless, Shameless and Tyler Perry’s Sistas.

From 2010 to 2015, Freeman starred in the parody reality show Pretty the Series as Ribina Champagne.

Recently, Freeman was adapting her one-woman show Poison Gun into a novel, inspired by her family’s history.

Freeman is survived by her children Amber and Shane, an ex-husband and multiple exotic animals.

Actress

Don't Move

Maryanne Winston

Post-production

 

KJ Smith Black, Crystal Renee Hayslett, Devale Ellis, Novi Brown, Mignon, Ebony Obsidian, and Nzinga Imani in Sistas (2019)

Sistas

5.7

TV Series

Valerie Barnes

2026

1 episode

 

Sydney Cole Alexander in The Country They Call Life (2025)

The Country They Call Life

Short

Julianne

2025

 

Jillian Clare in The Case Within (2023)

The Case Within

Podcast Series

Tamara

2023

2 episodes

 

Reasonable Doubt (2022)

Reasonable Doubt

6.6

TV Series

Judge Paula Coombs

2022

1 episode

 

Paula Rhodes in Delicate State (2021)

Delicate State

7.4

Doctor Freeman

2021

 

NCIS: Los Angeles (2009)

NCIS: Los Angeles

6.8

TV Series

Leona

2021

1 episode

 

Do Us Part (2020)

Do Us Part

TV Series

Tricia

2020

6 episodes

 

Anacostia (2009)

Anacostia

7.9

TV Series

Donna Alexander

2017

1 episode

 

Darielle Deigan, Meredith Bowen, and Hannah Sawicki in Standardized Patience (2016)

Standardized Patience

6.5

TV Series

Ruth

2017

1 episode

 

Soojeong Son and Ginny Leise in Urban Teach Now (2016)

Urban Teach Now

9.5

TV Movie

Mrs. Macmaster

2016

 

Grant Rosenmeyer and Lindsey Shaw in Temps (2016)

Temps

5.2

Shandra

2016

 

William H. Macy, Steve Howey, Cameron Monaghan, Shanola Hampton, Jeremy Allen White, Ethan Cutkosky, and Emma Kenney in Shameless (2011)

Shameless

8.5

TV Series

Mrs. Seery

2016

1 episode

 

The Loony Zoo

TV Short

Dee

2015

 

Weight (2015)

Weight

7.2

TV Movie

The Weigh Off Trainer

2015

 

Jennifer Elise Cox, Dee Freeman, Melissa Peterman, Terri Simmons, Kirsten Vangsness, Michael Taylor Gray, and David Robert May in Pretty the Series (2010)

Pretty the Series

8.0

TV Series

Ribina ChampagneRibina

2010–2015

24 episodes

 

Dee Freeman, David Scott Lago, Jenelle Riley, Trey Carlisle, Kate Scott, Kyra Kronfeld, and M.L. Martin in Nobody's Perfect (2015)

Nobody's Perfect

Short

Dr. Tina Cruz

2015

 

Perception (2012)

Perception

7.5

TV Series

Social Worker (uncredited)

2014

1 episode

 

Way of Seeing

3.6

Short

Amy

2013

 

An Average American Marriage (2012)

An Average American Marriage

TV Movie

Andy's Mother

2012

 

Rising Sun (2012)

Rising Sun

7.8

Short

Olivia Jackson

2012

 

Pet Bytez (2011)

Pet Bytez

Short

Dee

2011

 

Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Balthazar Getty, Rachel Griffiths, Sarah Jane Morris, John Pyper-Ferguson, Matthew Rhys, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig, and Dave Annable in Brothers & Sisters (2006)

Brothers & Sisters

7.5

TV Series

Kate Lawson

2011

1 episode

 

Eileen Davidson, Bryton James, Joshua Morrow, Gina Tognoni, Justin Hartley, Melissa Claire Egan, and Peter Bergman in The Young and the Restless (1973)

The Young and the Restless

5.4

TV Series

JudgeNurse

1997–2009

3 episodes

 

Reservations (2008)

Reservations

8.1

Rose

2008

 

Michael C. Hall in Dexter (2006)

Dexter

8.6

TV Series

Mrs. Owens

2008

1 episode

 

David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel in Bones (2005)

Bones

7.8

TV Series

Sgt. Frances Diamond

2008

1 episode

 

Passing the Time

5.3

Short

Ms. Laird

2007

 

Ghost Whisperer (2005)

Ghost Whisperer

6.5

TV Series

Mail Carrier Ghost

2007

1 episode

 

Halfway Home (2007)

Halfway Home

7.6

TV Series

Serenity's Mom

2007

1 episode

 

Freezerburn (2005)

Freezerburn

6.7

Detective Hauser

2005

 

Jill Hennessy in Crossing Jordan (2001)

Crossing Jordan

7.0

TV Series

Mrs. Jenkins

2005

1 episode

 

10-8: Officers on Duty (2003)

10-8: Officers on Duty

7.1

TV Series

2004

1 episode

 

Anthony Anderson, Eddie Griffin, Michael Imperioli, and Method Man in My Baby's Daddy (2004)

My Baby's Daddy

4.5

Peaches

2004

 

Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

7.6

TV Series

Samantha 'Sammy' Robbins (2003)

2003

1 episode

 

Michael Rapaport, Jeri Ryan, and Chi McBride in Boston Public (2000)

Boston Public

7.3

TV Series

Isabella Ventura

2003

1 episode

 

The Guardian (2001)

The Guardian

7.4

TV Series

Mrs. Regas

2003

1 episode

 

Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Ming-Na Wen, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Eriq La Salle, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic in ER (1994)

ER

7.9

TV Series

Dr. Lutz

2002

2 episodes

 

Michael Chiklis in The Shield (2002)

The Shield

8.7

TV Series

Glenda

2002

1 episode

 

Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodríguez, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths, Michael C. Hall, Peter Krause, and Mathew St. Patrick in Six Feet Under (2001)

Six Feet Under

8.7

TV Series

Susan Langmead

2002

1 episode

 

Thank You, Good Night (2002)

Thank You, Good Night

4.8

Club Owner

2002

 

Bonnie Bedelia, Nancy McKeon, Lela Rochon, Lisa Vidal, and Tracey Needham in The Division (2001)

The Division

6.6

TV Series

Principal

2002

1 episode

 

Title logo graphic - "Motel Jerusalem" (2001)

Motel Jerusalem

8.6

Short

Agent Annie Deets

2001

 

Elise Neal, Ashley Monique Clark, Dee Jay Daniels, Marietta DePrima, John Henton, D.L. Hughley, and Eric Allan Kramer in The Hughleys (1998)

The Hughleys

6.2

TV Series

Sonya

1999–2001

6 episodes

 

Blue Hill Avenue (2001)

Blue Hill Avenue

6.3

Violet

2001

 

The District (2000)

The District

7.2

TV Series

Alice Fahey

2001

1 episode

 

Stranger Inside (2001)

Stranger Inside

6.3

TV Movie

Group Therapy Women

2001

 

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)

The X-Files

8.6

TV Series

Sgt. Paula Duthie

2000

1 episode

 

Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson in Kenan & Kel (1996)

Kenan & Kel

7.8

TV Series

DMV worker

1999

1 episode

 

Sherilyn Fenn, Lynn Redgrave, Corinne Bohrer, Richard Lewis, Jonathan Penner, and Rain Pryor in Rude Awakening (1998)

Rude Awakening

7.3

TV Series

Desk Nurse

1999

2 episodes

 

Jenifer Lewis in Jackie's Back! (1999)

Jackie's Back!

7.1

TV Movie

Tired Woman

1999

 

The Landlady (1998)

The Landlady

4.6

Jenny Hagen

1998

 

Caroline in the City (1995)

Caroline in the City

6.3

TV Series

Customer

1998

1 episode

 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards in Seinfeld (1989)

Seinfeld

8.9

TV Series

Service Assistant

1998

1 episode

 

Gregory Hines in The Gregory Hines Show (1997)

The Gregory Hines Show

7.6

TV Series

Cindy

1997

1 episode

 

Silk Stalkings (1991)

Silk Stalkings

6.6

TV Series

Beckerman

1997

1 episode

 

Robert Davi and Ally Walker in Profiler (1996)

Profiler

7.2

TV Series

Agent Margo Klein

1997

1 episode

 

Brooke Shields, Judd Nelson, Eric Idle, Nestor Carbonell, Rob Estes, Kathy Griffin, Barbara Barrie, Currie Graham, and Sherri Shepherd in Suddenly Susan (1996)

Suddenly Susan

5.9

TV Series

Audience Member

1997

1 episode

 

David Keith, Matt Craven, Blair Underwood, Lisa Vidal, Matt Beck, Wendy Davis, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Lindsay Frost, Cole Hauser, and Louis Mustillo in High Incident (1996)

High Incident

7.7

TV Series

Danetta

1997

1 episode

 

Lara Flynn Boyle, James Frain, and John Slattery in Red Meat (1997)

Red Meat

5.3

Prostitute

1997

 

Tim Conlon in Lost on Earth (1997)

Lost on Earth

8.2

TV Series

Shopkeeper

1997

1 episode

 

ABC Afterschool Specials (1972)

ABC Afterschool Specials

7.2

TV Series

Policewoman

1996

1 episode

 

Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (1996)

Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal

6.4

TV Series

Mrs. Parker

1996

1 episode

 

John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and French Stewart in 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996)

3rd Rock from the Sun

7.8

TV Series

WaitressDMV Clerk

1996

3 episodes

 

Neve Campbell, Lacey Chabert, Matthew Fox, and Scott Wolf in Party of Five (1994)

Party of Five

6.9

TV Series

Mom

1996

1 episode

 

Shelley Fabares, Craig T. Nelson, Bill Fagerbakke, Kenneth Kimmins, and Jerry Van Dyke in Coach (1989)

Coach

7.0

TV Series

Mother

1995

1 episode

 

Dee Freeman, Roberta Hanlen, Lynn Allinger, and Chloe Gay Brewer in Trailer Park Queen

Trailer Park Queen

Short

Linda Sue

 

Producer

Beau Marie and Shon Lange in The Astronaut (2023)

The Astronaut

Short

producer

2023

 

The Loony Zoo

TV Short

executive producer

2015

 

Pet Bytez (2011)

Pet Bytez

Short

executive producer

2011

 

Writer

The Loony Zoo

TV Short

writer

2015

 

Pet Bytez (2011)

Pet Bytez

Short

writer

2011

 

Thanks

Anacostia (2009)

Anacostia

7.9

TV Series

special thanks

2017

2 episodes

 

Self

13th Annual Indie Series Awards (2023)

13th Annual Indie Series Awards

TV Special

Self - Pre-Show Host

2023

 

From the Mouths of Babes (2012)

From the Mouths of Babes

6.7

TV Series

Self

2014–2019

4 episodes

 

Red Carpet Report (2009)

Red Carpet Report

6.2

TV Series

Self

2011

1 episode

 

The Captain (2008)

The Captain

7.3

Short

Self - Coach Home Team

2008

 

Jason Elvie Ty obit

Misua Dies: ‘Drag Race Philippines’ Star Was 27; Show Halts Production

 

Not on the list.

Production has been paused on Season 4 of Drag Race Philippines following the sudden death of Misua, who passed away Thursday. A cause of death was not announced. She was 27.

The show and producer World of Wonder announced Misua’s death on Instagram.

“We are heartbroken to share that Misua, a talented Queen set to appear on season four of Drag Race Philippines passed away in her sleep the morning of April 2. She brought light, artistry, and joy to those around her, and she will be deeply missed. We have paused production to care for and support our cast and crew during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who loved her. We are in contact with her family who have asked for privacy during this hard time.”

Misua, known as Jason Elvie Ty outside of drag, was a member of the Haus of LaFeya and performed at the Rampa Drag Club. Ty worked as a graphic designer.

Season 4 of the show had just started filming when Misua’s death occurred. The queens had not yet been announced.

Misua’s family remembered Ty on Facebook writing, “Jayson was our dearly loved son, brother, friend, mentor, and most of all, Jayson is a star. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and close friends.”

Drag Race Philippines is a Philippine reality competition series based on the U.S. franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race. Host Paolo Ballesteros, who also serves as main judge, leads contestants as they participate in different challenges, one of whom will become the Philippines’ Next Drag Superstar.

Season 3 of the series aired in 2024. Maxie was crowned the winner with Khianna as the runner-up.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under’s Hannah Conda commented on World of Wonder’s Instagram post: “Absolutely heartbreaking! My thoughts are with my Filo family. I love you all and sending my love! She was an absolute star!”

RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World winner, Blue Hydrangea, also wrote, “Devastating! Sending all my love to everyone involved

James Gadson obit

Legendary Drummer James Gadson, Who Backed Diana Ross, Bill Withers & Marvin Gaye, Dies at 86

Tributes poured in from Questlove, Beck and other artists. 

He was not on the list.

Legendary drummer James Gadson, who backed iconic artists including Diana Ross, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye, has died. He was 86.

Gadson’s wife, Barbara, confirmed his passing to Rolling Stone on Thursday (April 2), noting that he had recently faced health challenges, including a surgery and a fall that injured his back.

“He was a wonderful man,” Barbara said. “He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and one hell of a drummer.”

Gadson became one of the defining funk, soul, and disco drummers of the 1970s, providing the beats on classics such as Withers’ “Lean on Me” and “Use Me,” The Jackson 5’s “Dancing Machine,” and Ross’ “Love Hangover.” During that decade, he also played on Gaye’s “I Want You,” Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” and Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band’s “Express Yourself.”

“Most grooves, especially for dance music, are very simple,” Gadson told Modern Drummer in 2007. “Even so, to learn them, you have to slow them down. A lot of times we do all these rudimental things to see how fast we can play. I think you have to slow it all down and simplify it. Then you can kind of feel whether it’s danceable or not.”

As a highly in-demand session player, Gadson also recorded with the Temptations, Leonard Cohen, Bobby Womack, B.B. King, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Herbie Hancock, Paul McCartney, D’Angelo, Beck, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Lana Del Rey, and Harry Styles.

Born on June 17, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, Gadson grew up in a musical family. His father was a drummer who bought him and his brother cornets to play in their school’s drum and bugle corps. As a teenager, he sang doo-wop with a group called the Carpets and later discovered funk music while stationed in Louisiana with the Air Force, according to Rolling Stone. After leaving the service, he joined his brother’s band, playing keyboards and singing, while also teaching himself to play the drums.

Gadson later began playing drums with Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and recorded several albums. He also served as a drummer at various times for artists touring through Kansas City, including Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, Jimmy Reed, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding.

“At first, during the time I didn’t really know how to play R&B, it was awful,” he told Modern Drummer. “I wouldn’t even charge them it was so bad. I felt bad about wasting their studio time. I couldn’t keep a steady pattern because I was coming from a free-jazz mindset.”

Numerous artists paid tribute to Gadson following his passing.

“My heart is heavy at the passing of my old friend the legendary drummer James Gadson,” Beck wrote on Instagram. “He played drums on many of my records over the decades, from midnite vultures on and has been a significant part of the sound of so many of my songs.”

The musician added, “I feel fortunate to have known this gentle giant of a man who was such a musical force and left his mark on so much classic music, from bill withers to I will survive.”

Questlove also remembered Gadson, writing on Instagram, “Some drummers are soulful. Some drummers are funky. Some drummer are a rockin. Some drummers are swinging——but NO drummer, has impacted the art of breakbeat drummer (danceable drums) like James Gadson.”

Ray Parker Jr. commented on Instagram, “We played together over 50 years. He changed the world.”

Dick Farley obit

The death of Richard J. Farley

 He was not on the list.

Dick Farley, a defensive back for two seasons with the San Diego Chargers who went on to a prolific career as a college football coach, has died. He was 79.

Former Fordham coach and ACC Network analyst Dave Clawson announced the news of Farley’s passing April 2 on X.

“Heartbroken today over the loss of my coach and mentor who became a close friend,” Clawson wrote. “Anyone who had the privilege of playing for Coach Farley can attest to the character of the man and the impact he had on them. He was the major inspiration of why I wanted to be a college coach. Love you and thank you Coach Farley.”

A college standout at Boston University, Farley was drafted in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Chargers. He played two seasons in San Diego (1968-69), starting in five of his 24 games on the field.

After retiring as a player, Farley was hired in 1971 as an assistant football and track coach at Williams College, a small liberal arts school in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

In 1987, he succeeded Bob Odell, a Hall of Fame player from Penn, as the Division III school’s head coach.

Over the next 16 years, Farley’s teams went 114-19-3 — an .849 winning percentage that was sixth best on the all-time list at the time of his retirement. Williams never lost back-to-back games over a 128-game span at one point.

In 2006, Farley was inducted into the National Football Foundation’s Hall of Fame.

“It is a somber moment for the college football community when we lose a figure as impactful as Coach Dick Farley,” NFF Chairman Archie Manning said. “He wasn’t just a winner, winning 85 percent of his games, but he was a steadfast advocate of the ‘scholar-athlete’ ideal at the Division III level. We extend our deepest condolences to the Farley family and the entire Ephs community.”

Biographical details

Born    May 30, 1946

Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.

Died    April 1, 2026 (aged 79)

Playing career

1967    Boston University

1968–1969      San Diego Chargers

Position           Defensive back

Coaching career (HC unless noted)

Football

1972–1986      Williams (assistant)

1987–2003      Williams

Track and field

1972–1987      Williams

1987–2026      Williams (assistant)

Head coaching record

Overall            114–19–3 (football)

College Football Hall of Fame

Inducted in 2006

Tzruya 'Suki' Lahav obit

Israeli lyricist and poet Tzruya 'Suki' Lahav dies at 74

---

A major figure in Israeli music, Lahav passed away at the age of 74 after an illness, leaving behind a significant body of work and lyrics that have become classics

 She was not on the list.

Tzruya 'Suki' Lahav, one of Israel’s most influential songwriters and poets, has died at the age of 74 following a prolonged illness, her family confirmed. She is survived by her partner and three sons.

A central figure in Israeli music for decades, Lahav began her career in the Paratroopers’ Brigade entertainment troupe before emerging as a leading voice in songwriting. She went on to write a string of enduring hits, including “Yemei Hatom,” “Perach,” “Af Ahat,” and “Romeo,” songs that became deeply embedded in Israeli culture.

Her work extended to some of the country’s most iconic musical projects, including contributions to the legendary album “Sof Onat HaTapuzim” by the band Tamouz. Over the years, her lyrics were performed by top Israeli artists such as Rami Kleinstein, Rita, Yehudit Ravitz, and Yehuda Poliker.

Beyond music, Lahav was also an accomplished author, publishing several literary works and earning major recognition for her contributions to Israeli culture, including the ACUM Lifetime Achievement Award and the Erik Einstein Prize.

Her son, musician Yonatan Lahav, paid tribute to her, describing her as “an exceptional woman, intelligent, with a pure heart and full of love for life,” adding that her songs “touched the hearts of so many.”

Lahav’s legacy leaves a lasting imprint on Israeli music and literature, with her words continuing to resonate across generations.

She was a violinist, vocalist, actress, lyricist, screenwriter, and novelist. Lahav was a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band from September 1974 to March 1975, then returned to Israel and found success there.

Tzruya Lahav was born and raised in Ayelet HaShahar in northern Israel, where she played kibbutz harvest music as well as classical music, growing up.

Following her service in the Israeli military, she arrived in the United States in 1971 with her husband Louis Lahav, a recording engineer who in 1972 began working with Springsteen, who in turn was looking for a violinist. On record with Springsteen, most of Suki Lahav's parts did not make it to released form, but she sang the choir-like vocals on "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" from the album The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle and played violin on "Jungleland" from the Born to Run album. In concert, Lahav's violin were a focal point of slow songs during Springsteen's shows of this time, and her "pale" "willowy" presence on stage contrasted with Springsteen's.

During their time in the US, a daughter, Tal was born. She was killed in a road accident at the age of three and a half. They returned to Israel in the spring of 1975.

The couple divorced in 1977. Lahav, now known by her Hebrew name Tzruya (or sometimes transliterated as Tsruya), was briefly married to the actor Shabtai Konorti. After the divorce, she established a family with Moshe Albalek in Jerusalem. By 1985, she had two children and little involvement in the music industry. Then she began working as a violinist and violist, appearing with the Israeli Kibbutz Orchestra, and as an actress.

She became a successful lyricist, writing for prominent musicians and singers in Israel; "Shara Barkhovot" ("Singing in the Streets"), the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 performed by Rita, featured her words, and some of her songs are considered icons of Israeli music. She also recast existing song lyrics from other languages into Hebrew, such as the Leonard Cohen song "Famous Blue Raincoat" in 1993. In 1999, she wrote the lyrics for the multi-ethnic collaborative, Glykeria's recording "Tfilat Ha'imahot" ("The Mothers' Prayer"), which also featured Amal Murkus and Yehudit Tamir. In 2003, the album No Longer the Sea: A Collection Of Tzruya Lahav's Songs was released, featuring performances by Rita, Yehudit Ravitz, Meir Banai, Yehuda Poliker, and others. Her songs have also been performed by Israeli artists Gidi Gov, Rami Kleinstein, and Ricky Gal. In 2004, a show of her songs was produced in Tel Aviv.

Lahav authored screenplays, including the 1996 Israeli crime film Kesher Dam, and two novels: Andre’s Wooden Clogs (Kinneret, 2002), based on the true-life story of a boy's survival of The Holocaust in the Netherlands (in Hebrew, also translated to Dutch, Italian ), and The Swamp Queen Does The Tango (Am Oved, 2004), an adult fairy tale (in Hebrew). Both books won numerous awards and prizes for literature, including the Yad Vashem Prize and the Minister of Culture's prize for first work. She also taught creative writing in Jerusalem, where she lived in the German Colony neighborhood.

Actress

Pause

Short

Grandmother (voice)

2006

 

Soundtrack

Uri Banai, Nir Friedman, Sami Huri, Dana Modan, Karin Ophir, Ami Smolartchik, and Ayelet Zurer in Florentine (1997)

Florentine

7.4

TV Series

lyrics: "Na'amid Pney Yetomim"

1997

1 episode

 

Eurovision Song Contest (1956)

Eurovision Song Contest

7.2

TV Series

writer: "Shara barchovot"

1990

1 episode

 

Bill Leader obit

Bill Leader (1929-2026)

 

He was not on the list.

I’m sorry to say that Bill Leader (1929-2026) has passed on. A legendary, remarkably modest and remarkably prolific engineer and producer of folk and traditional music from Britain and Ireland from the mid-50s to the end of the 70s (and very occasionally thereafter). Recorded history in that sphere would be unrecognisable without his herculean contribution to documenting it.

He recorded dozens of now revered musicians, several of whom maybe no one else would have – the very first albums by Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, Bert Jansch, The Watersons, Sweeney’s Men, Archie Fisher, Barbara Dickson, Gerry Rafferty (yes, really), Dick Gaughan, The Boys of the Lough, Robin & Barry Dransfield, Roy Bailey, Vin Garbutt, Dave Burland…

And classic albums by Irish trad icons like Willie Clancy, Martin Byrnes and Seamus Ennis, and Christy Moore’s proto-Planxty ‘Prosperous’…

Many of these were for his own labels Trailer and Leader (1969-78) – after 15-odd years recording for Topic, Decca, Argo and Transatlantic, he put his money where his mouth was and captured magic, locking it down forever. Albeit, circumstances mean that much of that music never made it into the digital era – at least not yet.

Mike Butler is four volumes into his brilliant eight-volume ‘Sounding the Century’ series on Bill Leader and his milieu. I understand that Volume 5 is nearly ready for the crowdfunding process to see it into print. The series is already a fabulous testimony to Bill’s output – and great fun too. It will continue to be so.

Carl Bonafede obit

Carl Bonafede

October 16, 1940 — March 30, 2026

 

He was not on the list.

Carl Bonafede, 85, of Lincoln Park, Illinois, died on March 30, 2026, after a brief illness. Born Carl Buonafede to parents Calecero Calcedonio and Antonia Lena Buonafede in Chicago’s Little Sicily, the city remained his lifetime home. The Buonafedes had immigrated with their parents from Sicily, so Carl was the first U.S. citizen born to them, as well as their only child.

Born an entertainer with a penchant for music, his first public performance was as a singer and accordion player, at age 10, on the old Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour on Channel 7. That event foreshadowed a lifetime career in front of audiences, both entertaining and presenting some of the very best musical entertainment Chicago offered. His audience seemingly never went home for the next 70 years, as he remained vital in the world of rock and roll music, and remained a visible face in contemporary performances as well as a friendly, if not immediately recognizable, voice on Chicago radio stations.

Carl earned the nickname, “The Screaming Wildman” from his trademark rapid-fire delivery and the ability to squeeze three minutes of information into a 30-second spot on Chicago’s radio air waves. Bonafede bought bundles of overnight airtime, sold his own sponsorships, and recorded his own commercials with his trademark staccato syllables that rang out and were memorable, if nothing else.

As a teenager, he began hosting dances at area high schools and served as promoter for the events, driving around in a big sedan, handing out flyers to kids after school, and using a rather oversized PA system on top of his roof to announce the dances coming up that weekend. Then when event night came, he was the DJ for the evening, and he might even sing a novelty song if you asked. Bonafede frequently loved to remind us that he was doing that drive-by-and-promote number before The Blues Brothers’ movie and thought he just might have been one inspiration behind that scene.

A singer himself, Carl found that he liked to record novelty songs and released four singles that found a home in some teenagers’ collections, including “Baby Sittin Blues" (Impala), “Story That’s True” and “Were Wolf” (with the Gem Tones, TEK Records), and “The Good Old Days” (USA Records, billed as The Screaming Wildman).

Eventually he turned to signing acts and then booking them for recording at Chess Studios or stage time. Then he’d take the vinyl pressings and the bands to local radio stations and try to get them to hear his latest “greatest hit ever.” Music promoters respected his spirit, and he was key behind the early careers of Ral Donner; Mickey, Larry, & The Exciters,” “Thee Prophets” and he began affiliating with the CASK agency. He also had his own Chi-Town Records label. Eventually some bands would move on to the Willard Alexander Agency and ultimately, the William Morris Agency, having first garnered attention thanks to Carl.

The groups of teenagers who gathered in the ballrooms such as The Vogue Ballroom, The Holiday Ballroom, and others began to enjoy personal appearances by area teenagers in new bands, fresh out of their parents’ basements. Bonafede was constantly surveying teen market interests and saw there was a potential future in managing and producing local bands with “some” talent to help take them to the next level of popularity in the Midwest.

Two bands who have Carl Bonafede to thank for their careers and whose music is still played on radio stations—terrestrial and satellite alike—include The Buckinghams and The Daughters of Eve.

Highlights of his career include being co-producer on “Kind of a Drag,” written by James Holvay and recorded by The Buckinghams in Chicago’s famed Chess Studios. It hit #1 on the charts and stayed on top for two weeks in February, 1967. This was the precursor to the band’s ultimately being named “The Most Listened to Band in America” by Billboard magazine. The song “Hey Lover” recorded by The Daughters of Eve is still popular today, and charts close to 1,000 streams per week on Pandora.

Both bands’ successes are testimonies to Bonafede’s relentless promotion, unique marketing skills, and effervescent delivery of his rationale on why they are truly “The best musicians in America!” He loved colorful adjectives and many of his early poster advertisements had as many colors in them as Crayola put in their “big box.”

Another highlight was when Paul Shaffer happened to say Bonafede’s name on The David Letterman Show, the same night that Chicago Bears’ favorite, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, was on. As a young man growing up in Canada, Shaffer had heard Bonafede’s late night commercials as those 50,000 Watts of Screaming Wildman reverberated through the air. Being remembered was not some small thing to Carl; it was everything.

Friends of Carl Bonafede thought of him often, even in the last 20 years when he was no longer producing musical events. The Buckinghams invited him to introduce them on stage several times over the years at concerts and festivals and he would be instantly recognizable by his unique attire, which was always a fashion statement of the highest order.

Record DJ, booking agent, band manager, record producer, music distributor, and vocalist–of all the acts that Bonafede has managed, it’s a testament to his eye for “something special” and his ear for what makes a hit, that members from every band he managed or produced are still today making their living as musicians. Carl knew how to spot talent and nurture it to success.

Astrophysicists tell us that radio broadcasts launched 60 years ago are still somewhere out in space. Never mind that planets 60 light years away may not have any kind of radios to convert the waves into signals to sing along (as far as we know). This means that somewhere in space—The Screaming Wild Man is still on the air. You just have to have the right kind of receiver to hear him.

Carl Bonafede was a hard-working, self-made man who loved his friends as family and remained true to them throughout his life. He is as identifiable with the best of Chicago radio as all the other beloved air personalities. Bonafede lived frugally but was generous with both his time and love for others. Carl never stopped working, whether he was selling watches on weekends or umbrella hats outside Wrigley Field, and he meticulously made out his checks on his manual typewriter to pay his bills.

In his final days, Carl was blessed to have the time, attention, and devoted care of three people, especially: Hank Zemola, Robert Zemola, and Susan Rakis. The three of them made sure he made it to doctor’s appointments, to and from care facilities when PT was needed, delivered groceries and medicines, and checked in on him regularly. These gifts afforded him the dignity of being able to live in the same home he was raised all of his life. Carl’s faith in God never waivered and he had a genuinely sweet spirit about him that he worked hard to cover, but it still shone through to those who knew him. Of his life one can truly say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Amen and amen.

                                                                                                                 ~~Dawn Lee Wakefield

Visitation for Carl will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 10:00 am until time of funeral service at 12:00 noon at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, Illinois. Fr. Richard M. Yanos Officiating.  Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.

Tony Rivers obit

Tony Rivers dead: Iconic musician and friend of Cliff Richard dies aged 85

Tony Rivers, who was best known for fronting Tony Rivers and the Castaways and performing the theme song for Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? has died at the age of 85

 He was not on the list.

Tony Rivers has died at the age of 85. The singer was best known for fronting Tony Rivers and the Castaways and singing the theme tune for hit BBC sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? He passed away on Wednesday, two months after he fell ill with sepsis.

The music star, who also headed up Harmony Grass and performed their single Move a Little Closer, was good friends with fellow musician Cliff Richard, who led the tributes.

He wrote: "Tony Rivers has passed on, leaving me shocked and upset at losing yet another talented friend. He featured on many of my albums and tours, creating backing vocals that lifted my tracks into what I could only have dreamed of. He was the “Master” of harmonies. God Bless you Tony, I shall miss you greatly. Rest in Peace, Cliff.”

The star, who was born Anthony Thompson was born in Shildon and took guitar lessons as a teenager, having been inspired by 1950s teen idol Buddy Holly.

After singing at a holiday camp, he founded The Cutaways, which was later renamed Tony Rivers and the Castaways and some of their best known songs include God Only Knows and Girl Don't Tell Me, which was originally a hit for The Beach Boys.

Tony also turned his attention to a solo career after group success, and worked with major stars like Jonny Rotten, Elton John and Pjnk Floyd throughout his career.

Tributes soon flooded social media, with one fan writing: "A great loss to music . Great vocalist in both his own groups and with Cliff . Did a lot of session work and his own recordings.

"Our group the Shakanes were second on the bill to the Castaways in Brentwood many moons ago . I think I have virtually all his recordings ……will treasure them and his book."

Another wrote: "Great loss ,saw him many times with Castaways, and later with Cliff. Great harmony singer and arranger will be missed.RIP Tony and thanks for the great music."

A third said: "Great loss ,saw him many times with Castaways, and later with Cliff. Great harmony singer and arranger will be missed.RIP Tony and thanks for the great music," and a fourth wrote: "So Sorry Cliff that you Have Lost Another Good Friend. That was Such A Beautiful Tribute Cliff. Rest in peace Tony . My condolences To His Family. Xx"

Walt Maddox obit

Walt Maddox, leader of “Blue Moon” act The Marcels, dies at 88

 

He was not on the list.

(March 30, 2026) He was part of a group that helped establish the golden age of doo-wop, and he continued to spread the gospel of vocal music for more than six decades. Today we say a sad goodbye to Walt Maddox of legendary vocal group The Marcels, at age 88. The news came to us via a social media post from his friend, former KDKA-TV Pittsburgh anchor Paul Martino.

Emerging from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the late 1950s, The Marcels carved out a distinctive niche by blending traditional doo-wop harmonies with a playful, almost comedic rhythmic bounce—an approach that would help them stand apart in a crowded field.

Formed as a pioneering multi-racial group, The Marcels encountered problems, particularly in the South, which eventually led to a shakeup of the group personnel in 1961 into a version that featured lead singer Cornelius Harp, bass vocalist Fred Johnson, and Maddox, whose steady presence contributed to the group’s tightly knit vocal arrangements. Though The Marcels are best remembered for their 1961 smash “Blue Moon,” a reimagined standard that became a number one hit, their success was rooted in the chemistry of all members, including Maddox’s supporting vocal work.

Maddox’s time with The Marcels coincided with the group’s most visible period, as they followed up “Blue Moon” with charting singles like “Heartaches” and “Summertime.”  But as the 1960s progressed and musical tastes shifted, The Marcels experienced lineup changes and a gradual decline in mainstream popularity.

After years of touring on the “oldies” circuit, The Marcels split in the mid 1990s, and several spinoff versions were formed. Maddox had perhaps the most popular version, Walt Maddox & The Marcels, which continues to perform in multi-act doo-wop shows to this day. The Marcels were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.

Though not a household name, Walt Maddox remains an important piece of The Marcels’ story—a contributor to an impactful chapter in American popular music, where vocal prowess and just a touch of innocence led to and endless number of timeless joy-filled songs.