John Dymond obit

Beaky of 60s Pop Group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky Mick and Tich Has Died

 

He was not on the list.

One of only two remaining members of the 60s UK chart-topping group, ‘Beaky’ of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky Mick and Tich has died…

OBITUARY By Ian Woolley

Formed in Salisbury, the quintet found fame with a zany sense of dress and catchy songs which had them in the charts more weeks than the Beatles during their 60s decade of hits. ‘Legend Of Xanadu’ even made the top of the charts in 1968.

They would practice in Tich’s front room in Salisbury, and in 1961, they started out as Dave Dee and the Bostons.

As the original members gradually retired, Rhythm guitarist Beaky and his band were still performing along with Tich until he passed away shortly after leaving the band.

John Dymond was born in 1944 and his career was well documented in our 2020 issue of THE BEAT.

Apart from a short spell living in Spain, Beaky returned to his hometown in Salisbury, Wiltshire where he lived up until his death.

In the interview, Beaky told of how the band members got their individual names. Beaky added, “I joined the band as a guitarist and became Beaky.  This was given to me by Stan, who called me the ‘Beak’ (due to the size of my nose)”!

Beaky told us, “One day on the way to a gig, Trevor Davies, bought a bar of chocolate and opened the window, he inadvertently threw out the bar instead of the wrapper. It was a dozy thing to do, and the name stuck.”

Fellow musician Michael Smitham said on social media, “It seems like a lot of my old friends have been ‘dropping off the earth’ in recent times, and just this morning John ‘BEAKEY’ Dymond decided it was his turn. Dymond by name and ‘Diamond’ by nature, ‘Beake’ was a lovely man. Always a joke saved for the dressing room. A million anecdotes about his life as a pop star, and his time as a Bar Owner in Spain. An excellent onstage performer with a very relaxed style who could command the audience right to the back row of the theatre!”

“He will be very sadly missed by his band mates, his contemporaries in bands who worked with him over many years, and of course his family and friends.

Sail on Beake. We’ll see you ‘on the green’!,”  he went on to say.

Of the original five members, only drummer Michael Wilson (Mick) remains.

He was 81 years of age and was just shy of his 82nd birthday which would have been on 10th July. No cause of death has been given at this time.

Slaine Kelly obit

Irish actress Slaine Kelly dies aged 43

 She was not on the list.

Irish actress Slaine Kelly has sadly passed away at just 43 years old, leaving behind her young son, Knox.

The Dublin woman, who starred in The Tudors, alongside Jonathan-Rhys Meyers, died on Saturday 4 July. Her cause of death hasn't been officially revealed, but actor Paddy Courtney said: 'Her life was stolen by cancer.'

Slaine is survived by both her mum and dad, Marion and Joe, her brother Darragh and Knox, who is 11.

The actress is best known for her role in the iconic 2009 Barry's Tea ad, which saw Slaine work alongside Love Hate actress Charlie Murphy.

The mum-of-one, who also worked as a film producer, is responsible for Irish comedy The O’Briens, which she made and starred in.

Slaine's death notice reveals she passed away peacefully at home in Dublin, with her family by her side.

The star also had a deep love of animals. She helped found St Anne’s City Farm, a community volunteer-led farm located in St Anne's Park.

'Slaine Kelly, Allen Terrace, Dublin. Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family,' the late star's RIP.ie death notice read.

'An actress, film producer, Slaine will be fondly remembered for her work, her spirit, and for helping to found St Anne’s City Farm,' the statement read.

Tributes poured in for Slaine, with actor Paddy Courtney writting: 'Her life was stolen by cancer, but her spirit of giddy curiosity & divilment will live on in all those who knew her.

'I was lucky enough to circle her orbit in many roles as pal, co-star and confidant,' he penned.

Fair City's Jenny Dixon also paid tribute, writing: 'It’s so very very sad, no words, Slaine x.'

Filmography

Film

Year     Film     Role     Notes

2004    Ouch!  Nurse # 1        

2005    George Candy 

2005    Jack's Hat        Girl in the Park          

2006    Studs   Footballers Girlfriend  (uncredited)

Double Take    Jane Collins    

Mebollix          Woman jogging in park         

2007    Poetic Licence Lisa's Friend   

Perpetual Darkness     Young woman

2008    The Bet           Lynn   

2009    The Letter        Jessica

Talk of the Town         Sarah  

Psychosis         Kristy 

Koda   Suzie  

2010    Missed Connections    Jubilee Girl     

Social Work    Female temptress        

Alpha 66         Helen Wilson  

The Best Years            Atlanta Earle  

Sodium Party  Claire  

2011    Sket     Nurse Charlotte Peters           

2012    Comedown      Nurse Sally Mitchell  

2012    The Best Years            Atlanta Earle  

2013    The O'Briens   Una Blake      

2015    Rise Of The Footsoldier Part 2           Lucy   

Television

Year     Title     Network          Role     Notes

2005    The Last Furlong        RTÉ     Young Woman at Airport       

Podge and Rodge: A Scare at Bedtime           RTÉ     Ex-girlfriend   

2007    The Tudors      Showtime        Jane Howard/Jane Popincourt Either Woman - (1 episode)

2008    Raw     RTÉ     Gorgeous Woman       (1 episode)

Sparky D obit

RIP Sparky D: DJ Premier, MC Sha Rock & Others Remember The Pioneering Female Battle Rapper

 She was not on the list.

Hip-Hop is mourning Sparky D, the pioneering MC whose fearless battle rhymes during the Roxanne Wars helped reshape the role of women in rap.

Hip-Hop Mourns Sparky D, Trailblazing Battle Rap Pioneer And Roxanne Wars Legend

Hip-Hop has lost one of its earliest female trailblazers with the death of Sparky D, born Doreen Broadnax, a pioneering MC whose fearless performances helped establish women as a formidable force during the genre’s formative years.

Best known for her role in the historic Roxanne Wars, Sparky D emerged as one of the defining voices of rap’s first great battle movement. Her 1985 response record, “Sparky’s Turn (Roxanne You’re Through),” became one of the standout releases from the era. She managed to push through at a time when female MCs were fighting for recognition.

Famed producer DJ Premier said he recognized her early in his history.

“One of the 1st Female Battle MC’s representing Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. I became an instant fan when she battled @imroxanneshante in the early 80’s and I always bought her records from day 1,” he said on Instagram.

“Her relentless voice and delivery made her an instant force to be reckoned with. I’m blessed to have met her once I got into the game and I’m glad that @nas and I were able to give her flowers on our new record “BOUQUET.”

Long before battle rap became a global phenomenon, Sparky D proved that women could compete at the highest level. Her willingness to step into lyrical confrontations helped expand opportunities for future generations of female artists while cementing her place in Hip-Hop history.

The Roxanne Wars remain one of the culture’s most influential moments, spawning dozens of answer records and introducing audiences to a wave of emerging talent. Sparky D stood among the movement’s most respected voices, earning admiration for her uncompromising style and authentic presence on the microphone.

MC Sha Rock, widely regarded as the first female rapper posted, “The HIP HOP WORLD has taken a tremendous loss. RIP to our sister Doreen Broadnax aka “Sparky D” as my sister Roxanne Shante, @nikki D, Queen-Lisa Lee, Pebbles Riley (poo) said…. We must love on each other now.”

Later in life, Sparky D forged ahead, even though she said many opportunities were closed to her. She said she was unable to get employment or booked for a shows. “All the doors were closed to me,” she said on the Portia Show.

She also discussed addiction and turning her life over her life to God as a gospel artist.

News of her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from members of the Hip-Hop community, many recognizing her contributions to the culture and the path she helped create for the artists who followed.

Sparky D leaves behind a legacy built on courage, resilience, originality and lyrical excellence. Her voice helped write an important chapter in Hip-Hop history and it will echo for generations to come.

Rest in power, Sparky D. Your contributions to Hip-Hop will never be forgotten.

Bill Archer obit

Archer Center Mourns the Passing and Recognizes the Enduring Legacy of Congressman Bill Archer (1928 – 2026)

 

He was not on the list.

Former U.S. Representative William Reynolds Archer, Jr., the visionary namesake and founder of the Archer Center, passed away on July 4, 2026, at his farm in Stanley, Virginia. He was 98 years old. His passing on the 250th anniversary of America’s founding is a fitting final tribute to a lifelong patriot who dedicated his life to his family, his faith, his nation, and the State of Texas.

Descended from some of Germany’s earliest settlers to Texas, Congressman Archer followed a deep family tradition of public service. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, later transitioning to local politics as a council member and mayor pro tempore for Hunters Creek Village. He served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives, earning a reputation as a reformer who championed transparency and good government.

In 1970, Archer was elected to the United States House of Representatives, winning the Houston congressional seat vacated by President George H. W. Bush. Over his 30-year tenure representing west Houston, Archer won every reelection with at least 80% of the vote. He was widely revered in Washington for his integrity, civility, and fierce commitment to bipartisan cooperation. Under the "Archer Rule"— a philosophy stating that no member of the Texas Delegation should speak ill of another—he championed respect and collaboration across party lines.

During his final six years in office, Archer served as the Chairman of the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee when America enjoyed some of its most successful economic times. In this role, he spearheaded major landmark legislation, including:

The 1997 Balanced Budget Act, achieving his two-decade goal of balancing the federal budget included in a bill giving Americans tax relief.

Sweeping Welfare and Healthcare Reforms, working closely with President Bill Clinton to extend the life of Medicare.

Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), paving the regulatory pathway for modern Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Middle-Class Tax Relief, including expanding IRAs, easing the estate tax, and creating the $500 per child tax credit.

"My dad would often tell me that while it was rewarding to pass major legislation, he felt his greatest accomplishment was in helping individual people," said William “Reyn” Archer III, his eldest son. "He cared deeply for the power of one person achieving their best. Through the Archer Center, he leaves a lasting legacy of that desire for Texas and Texans."

Upon his retirement from Congress in January 2001, Archer established the Archer Center in partnership with The University of Texas System to cultivate future generations of leaders. The center expanded on a high school internship program he started during his first year in Congress in 1971.

“The University of Texas System is fortunate, proud, and honored to have Congressman Archer’s name permanently associated with our work and our mission,” said Chancellor John M. Zerwas, MD. “Through his extraordinary legacy of leadership and public service, thousands of Archer Fellows have been exposed to the highest ideals of civic engagement and inspired to carry those values forward in their own lives and careers.”

Since 2001, more than 2,200 undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students have participated in the Archer Fellowship Program. In the spring of 2026, Mr. Archer made his final public appearance at the Library of Congress to celebrate the program's landmark 25th anniversary. Today, Archer Fellows intern across the White House, Capitol Hill, federal agencies, nonprofits, and international organizations. Alumni have gone on to build impactful careers, earning prestigious honors including Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Fulbright, and Schwarzman Scholarships.

"Chairman Archer believed profoundly in the power of public service and invested in students long before they recognized their own potential," said Katie Romano, executive director of the Archer Center. "Every Archer Fellow — past, present, and future — carries his legacy forward."

Funeral arrangements are pending, and further information will be shared as it becomes available.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Archer Center to support the continued education of future public servants.

Keith Mitchell obit

Former Saints linebacker Keith Mitchell passes away at age 51

 

He was not on the list.

Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Keith Mitchell passed away on Thursday, in news first released by KBTX. It was later confirmed by the team. Mitchell was just 51 and cause of his death has not yet been made available. Before a standout seven-year NFL career, Mitchell was a star linebacker with the Texas A&M Aggies.

At Texas A&M, Mitchell had 34 sacks and an additional 18.5 tackles for loss. His 14.5 sacks and added 10.5 stops for negative yardage in 1996 earned him first team All-American honors. Despite his outstanding production, Mitchell's perceived lack of size caused him to go undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft. New Orleans took a chance on him, bringing him in as an undrafted rookie. He rewarded their faith by carving out an immediate role and earning a starting job by his second season.

Mitchell played for the Saints for five seasons and started 59 of 64 contests between 1998 and 2001. During his five years with New Orleans he had 19.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 21 passes broken up, 9 fumbles forced, 8 fumbles recovered, and scored 2 defensive touchdowns. Mitchell earned Pro Bowl honors in 2000 with both of those scores, a career-best 6.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 4 fumbles recovered.

Keith Mitchell played the last two years of his career with the Texans and Jaguars. A spinal injury suffered in 2003 with Jacksonville ended his career. Despite the injury hampering his mobility, Mitchell overcame it to become a motivational speaker, author, and yoga/fitness instructor.

He played for the Saints from 1997 through 2001 and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2000. He also played for the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars during his professional football career.

The Saints extend their sympathies to the Mitchell family during these challenging times

Brian Potter obit

R.I.P. legendary 1970s hitmaker Brian Potter

 

He was not on the list.

(July 2, 2026) He quietly helped create some of the most popular soul and pop music of the 1970s and 80s, with an amazing collection of hit songs for Tavares, The Four Tops, and so many more. Today we mourn the passing of legendary songwriter and producer Brian Potter. The Four Tops posted the notice of Mr. Potter’s passing on social media:

“The Tops family are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Potter. Brian, alongside his musical partner Dennis Lambert, wrote and produced several hits for the Four Tops, including ‘Ain’t No Woman Like The One I’ve Got’, ‘Are You Man Enough?’, ‘Keeper Of The Castle’ and produced the album of the same name. The Tops family send our heartfelt condolences to Brian’s family and friends. We are so grateful for his contribution to the world of music and to the legacy of the Four Tops.”

Though never a household name to casual listeners, Potter’s music was very much part of the soundtrack of a generation. Working most famously alongside longtime partner Dennis Lambert, Potter brought a polished, accessible touch to records that crossed genres with ease. In addition to the Tops and Tavares, Lambert and Potter wrote and produced for a remarkable list of artists, including the Temptations, Glen Campbell, Dusty Springfield, the Grass Roots, the Righteous Brothers and Player.

For soul fans, Potter’s work with the Four Tops and Tavares remains especially important. After the Tops left Motown, Lambert and Potter helped guide a new chapter in their career, co-writing and producing hits including “Keeper of the Castle” and the million-selling “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got).” They also wrote and produced the first record I ever bought, the Four Tops’ “Are You Man Enough.” The duo helped Tavares emerge as a supergroup with “It Only Takes a Minute,” the act’s highest charting pop hit and one of its signature songs.

Potter’s reach extended far beyond R&B. He was part of the team behind Glen Campbell’s blockbuster “Rhinestone Cowboy” era, earning Grammy nominations in 1976 for Producer of the Year with Lambert and for Record of the Year for Campbell’s iconic single. His catalog also included songs that became pop-radio staples, from “One Tin Soldier” (Coven) to “Don’t Pull Your Love” (Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds).

Brian Potter leaves behind a body of work that may have lived behind the names on the marquee, but it was heard, loved and sung by millions. And we’ll continue singing those songs for years to come.

With his writing partner, Dennis Lambert, Potter wrote and produced hits songs for the Four Tops, Tavares, the Grass Roots, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, Evie Sands, Coven, Hall and Oates, and Glen Campbell. Potter and Lambert were nominated for a Grammy Award for their production on Rhinestone Cowboy.

Selected discography

Songwriting credits

"Whatcha Gonna Do About It" (Small Faces, 1965)

"One Tin Soldier" (The Original Caste, 1969; Coven, 1971; Skeeter Davis, 1972)

"To Love You" (Country Store, 1969; Tavares, 1974)

"It's a Cryin' Shame" (Gayle McCormick, 1971; Conway Twitty, 1972)

"Don't Pull Your Love" (Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, 1971; Glen Campbell, 1976)

"Two Divided by Love" and "The Runway" (The Grass Roots, 1972)

"Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)" and "Keeper of the Castle" (the Four Tops, 1972)

"Are You Man Enough" (the Four Tops, 1973, from the film Shaft in Africa)

"Ashes to Ashes" (The 5th Dimension, 1973)

"Who Gets Your Love" (Dusty Springfield, 1973)

"Rock and Roll Heaven" (the Righteous Brothers, 1974)

"Dream On" (the Righteous Brothers, 1974; The Oak Ridge Boys, 1979)

"Look in My Eyes Pretty Woman" (Tony Orlando & Dawn, 1974)

"Mama's Little Girl" (Linda George, 1974) (also in the film Felicity, 1979)

"This Heart" (Gene Redding, 1974)

"It Only Takes a Minute" (Tavares, 1975)

"You Brought the Woman Out of Me" (Evie Sands, 1975)

"Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.)" (Glen Campbell, 1975)

TunnelVision (movie soundtrack, 1976)

"Perfect Dancer" (Marilyn McCoo, 1979)

Production credits

Keeper of the Castle (the Four Tops, 1972)

Cameo (Dusty Springfield, 1973)

Hard Core Poetry (Tavares, 1974)

In the City (Tavares, 1975)

Rhinestone Cowboy (Glen Campbell, 1975)

Bloodline (Glen Campbell, 1976)[9]

"Baby Come Back" (Player, 1977)

Inner Secrets (Santana, 1978)

Jim Walden obit

Longtime college football coach Jim Walden, who led Washington State to a bowl game, dies at 88

 

He was not on the list.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Longtime college football coach Jim Walden, who played quarterback in the Canadian Football League before leading Washington State to a bowl game and spending nine seasons at Iowa State, died Thursday. He was 88.

The two schools announced his death in statements Friday. No cause was given.

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Walden,” Cougars athletic director Jon Haarlow said. “He will forever be remembered as a great Coug who deeply loved Washington State. Our heart is with Coach Walden’s family, friends and all the former players whose lives he positively impacted.”

Walden was born and raised in Aberdeen, Mississippi, and played quarterback in junior college before transferring to Wyoming, where he played for future Nebraska coach Bob Devaney. He led the Cowboys to two championships in the old Skyline Conference.

Walden was chosen by Cleveland in the NFL draft and Denver in the AFL draft in 1960, but he chose instead to play in the CFL for the BC Lions because he was offered more money. He also played for Calgary and Edmonton before getting into coaching.

Walden returned to Mississippi and spent several years coaching high school football before Devaney hired him at Nebraska, where he was an assistant on the Huskers' national championship teams in 1970 and 1971.

He also spent time at Miami (Florida) before moving to Washington State, where he became the head coach in 1978. He went 44-52-4 over 10 seasons, highlighted by a berth in the Holiday Bowl in 1981, before moving onto Iowa State, where he went 28–57–3.

After his coaching career, Walden spent time doing radio color commentary for the Arena Football League and Washington State.

PULLMAN, Wash. (July 3, 2026) – Washington State University Hall of Fame Football Coach Jim Walden passed away Thursday in Coeur d'Alene. He was 88.

Walden, who served as the Cougars head coach from 1978-86, was not one to hold back as a player or a coach, and neither were his Cougar football teams from the time he took over between the 1977 and 1978 seasons through his final campaign in the fall of 1986. The Cougars displayed many of the same characteristics Walden exhibited, including a passion for the sport and an outspoken and charismatic personality, plus a willingness to take more than a few chances.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Walden,” said WSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Haarlow. “He will forever be remembered as a great Coug who deeply loved Washington State. Our heart is with Coach Walden’s family, friends and all the former players whose lives he positively impacted.”

Taking the reins after WSU had three head coaches in three years, Walden assured the Cougar faithful he not only would stay around, but he would stay to build a winner. Four years later he guided WSU to the 1981 Holiday Bowl, WSU’s first postseason bowl game since the 1931 Rose Bowl.

Walden delivered on his promises while defeating every team in the Pacific-10 Conference. He finished his nine-year Cougar stint with 44 wins, at that time, second on the Washington State all-time list, while also being named Pac-10 Coach of the Year twice, in 1981 and 1983. After retiring from coaching in 1994, Walden showed his Crimson colors by returning to the Palouse, where he has served as Bob Robertson’s broadcast sidekick for 11 seasons.

Walden was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, where he was an All-American quarterback. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

He was the head coach at WSU from 1978 through 1986, compiling a 44–52–3 (.460) record in nine seasons and coached some of the greatest players in school history, including Jack Thompson, Rueben Mayes, Kerry Porter, Ricky Reynolds, Paul Sorensen, Pat Beach, Brian Forde, Lee Blakeney, Mark Rypien, Dan Lynch, Keith Millard, and Erik Howard.

 

Playing career

1958–1959      Wyoming

1960–1961      British Columbia Lions

1961–1962      Calgary Stampeders

1962    Edmonton Eskimos

Position           Quarterback

Coaching career (HC unless noted)

1964–1968      Amory HS (MS)

1969–1970      Nebraska (GA)

1971–1972      Nebraska (assistant)

1973–1974      Miami (FL) (off. backfield)

1975–1976      Miami (FL) (DC)

1977    Washington State (off. backfield)

1978–1986      Washington State

1987–1994      Iowa State

Head coaching record

Overall            72–109–7 (college)

Bowls  0–1

Accomplishments and honors

Awards

2× Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1981, 1983)

Kjell Nilsson obit

'Mad Max'

Kjell Nilsson Dead at 76 

He was not on the list.

Kjell Nilsson, who played Lord Humungus in the classic "Mad Max 2" film, has died.

Chris Carbaugh, Kjell's rep, tells TMZ ... the actor died Thursday in Queensland, Australia, surrounded by family after a four-year battle with kidney disease.

The Swedish-born Kjell was an Olympic-class weightlifter ... which came in handy when he was cast as the terrifying, metal-masked Lord Humungus in "Mad Max 2" -- known in America as "The Road Warrior."

Kjell appeared in several other films ... but he was best known for 'Mad Max.'

Chris tells TMZ ... Kjell was a wonderful person who inspired many as a weight-training coach. He loved the 'Mad Max' fans and embraced the role.

Nilsson was an Olympic-class weight lifter who was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. He moved to Australia in 1980 to train Swedish athletes for the Moscow Olympics. In Australia, he met actress Kate Ferguson, and they married in Sweden. She persuaded him to return to Australia and to look for work in the Australian film industry.

In the 1981 post-apocalyptic science fiction action film Mad Max 2 (also known as Mad Max: The Road Warrior), he played the main antagonist "Lord Humungus", the leader of a gang of marauders that besiege a settler compound in the Australian wastelands. He leads a rag-tag band of biker-berserkers, and he gives speeches to the settlers exhorting them to surrender, while utilizing psychological warfare. Time magazine's Richard Corliss stated that in Nilsson's portrayal, "malevolence courses through his huge pectorals, [and] pulses visibly under his bald, sutured scalp."

A year later, he appeared in The Pirate Movie (1982), a musical and comedy film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Christopher Atkins and Kristy McNichol. In 1984, he had a role in the TV movie Man of Letters, and in 1987, he played the role of a nurse in The Edge of Power.

 

He was 76.

 

RIP

 

Actor

Kjell Nilsson, Aaron Kearney, Jayden Caulfield, and Sarah Mudle in Howlin' Refrain (2023)

Howlin' Refrain

7.7

Bronson

2023

 

The Edge of Power (1989)

The Edge of Power

4.9

Jorma

1989

 

Hard Knuckle (1988)

Hard Knuckle

5.3

TV Movie

The Bouncer

1988

 

Sons and Daughters (1982)

Sons and Daughters

6.1

TV Series

Mike Thurgood

1985

2 episodes

 

Man of Letters (1984)

Man of Letters

TV Movie

Male Nurse

1984

 

Stanley: Every Home Should Have One (1984)

Stanley: Every Home Should Have One

6.4

Athletic Club Attendant

1984

 

Christopher Atkins, Kristy McNichol, Ted Hamilton, Bill Kerr, Garry McDonald, and Chuck McKinney in The Pirate Movie (1982)

The Pirate Movie

5.4

Pirate

1982

 

The Road Warrior (1981)

The Road Warrior

7.6

The Humungus

1981

 

Tommy Hunter obit

Tommy Hunter, 'Canada's Country Gentleman,' dead at 89

Celebrated musician died Thursday of natural causes, manager confirms

 

He was not on the list.

"Canada's Country Gentleman" Tommy Hunter, the celebrated musician whose professional career spanned from the 1950s into the early 2010s, has died.

The singer and guitarist died Thursday of natural causes, entertainment promoter and manager Brian Edwards confirmed to CBC News.

Hunter was 89.

Born on March 20, 1937, in London, Ontario, Hunter got an early start as an entertainer. He began taking guitar lessons at around nine years old, which soon led to him booking gigs, playing in churches and eventually landing on the radio.

He joined CBC's Country Hoedown in 1956 as a rhythm guitarist before making his biggest mark: hosting The Tommy Hunter Show, which debuted as a radio show before transitioning to television. That series ran for 27 years, going off the airwaves in 1992.

A mainstay in the Canadian broadcast and music landscape, its near-three decade run was among the most successful in North America — and even extended to U.S. viewers via a Nashville Network syndication.

Throughout its history, it attracted the star-powered names of Gordon Lightfoot — who had earlier made his mark as a dancer on Country Hoedown — along with Loretta Lynn, Anne Murray and Johnny Cash.

Hunter's early-career finds also helped build what would later become household names: including Garth Brooks, a 14-year-old Shania Twain (then known as Ellie Twain) and even CBC's The World This Hour longtime anchor Tom Harrington as a child.

Larry Mercey credited much of his group's success to appearances on The Tommy Hunter Show. He was a member of the Mercey Brothers, a Juno-winning Canadian country group active for 30 years until 1989.

"Tommy Hunter was a very great country show," he told CBC News, "and he really helped a lot of careers, there's no doubt about it."

He said he would miss Hunter.

"I think he was loved across the country, really," he said. "He was very much loved in the country music scene."

Hunter toured across Canada

Both before and after The Tommy Hunter Show concluded, Hunter toured across the country; most notably with his backup band, The Travellin' Men — a name borrowed from his show's theme song, Travellin' Man.

But when CBC cancelled his TV program, he was devastated. In an interview with CBC News decades later, he recalled how television executives told him over dinner that they would be ending The Tommy Hunter Show with a series of specials.

"I didn't hear 'specials,' all I heard was [that] they're going to cancel the show," he said. "I felt like I had failed, the whole thing. What did I do wrong?"

But it wasn't the end for Hunter. He continued to perform until his 75th birthday in 2012, ending his professional career with a long farewell tour. After stops across the country, he played the final concert in his hometown.

Shaun Glass obit

Metal Veteran Shaun Glass (Broken Hope, SOiL, Repentance) Dead at 57

The metal lifer died a month after suffering a stroke

 He was not on the list.

Shaun Glass, a member of the bands Broken Hope, SOiL, Repentance and others over the years, died at 57 years old on Wednesday, July 1st. His passing came roughly a month after suffering a stroke.

Glass’ passing was announced by his wife Michelle, who wrote, “It is with an extremely heavy heart that I share that Shaun passed away this morning after suffering a medical emergency on May 31. Shaun and I met in 2003 and married in 2010. In 2012, we welcomed our son — Shaun’s pride and joy, as anyone who knew him well already knows. Our lives will never be the same. We are devastated, and we ask for privacy and respect as our family begins to navigate this unimaginable loss.”

She added, “Shaun was many things to many people, but to us he was always a husband and a Dad first. Please keep our family in your prayers, thoughts, or however you send positive energy.”

After starting out in the bands Terminal Death and Sindrome in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Glass became the bassist of the Chicago death metal act Broken Hope in 1995, staying with them until 1997 before rejoining the band from 2012 to 2014.

He had departed Broken Hope in 1997 to form SOiL as their rhythm guitarist, and stayed with the alt-metal act until 2007. During his decade in the band, he achieved success with Mainstream Rock radio hits “Halo,” “Unreal,” and “Redefine.”

Most recently, Glass formed the metal band Repentance in 2018, and was an active member until his passing. The group had just announced a new album Retaliate that was set to be released on July 17th, but was delayed following Glass’ medical emergency.

SOiL issued the following statement in the wake of Glass’ passing: “We’d like to take a moment to say goodbye to our former guitarist Shaun Glass who passed away earlier today. Although we have been estranged and not on good terms since his departure in 2007, he was still an integral part of SOiL in the early years. And for a long time he was a good friend and comrade. We had many laughs and many good times back in the day. We will look back at those times with fond memories and smiles. It’s sad to hear of his passing and we would like to send his family our condolences during this time of grief.”

Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn, a close friend of Glass, wrote, in part, “My world lost a legend today. A lot of people reading this won’t know who Shaun Glass was, but to everyone who did, Shaun was a fucking legend. A star who burned so goddamn bright, it was impossible not to love him.”

Our condolences go out to Shaun Glass’ family, friends, and bandmates during this difficult time.

LeRoy Irvin obit

Los Angeles Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin Dies at 68 After Cancer Battle

He recorded 1,457 career punt return yards and 4 touchdowns, 61 career kickoff returns for 1,180 yards and 11 total touchdowns across multiple positions. 

He was not on the list.

LeRoy Irvin, a standout cornerback who spent the bulk of his National Football League career with the Los Angeles Rams and earned recognition as one of the franchise's most celebrated defensive players, has died. He was 68.

The Rams confirmed his death in a post on X on July 2, writing, "We mourn the loss of Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

While the team did not disclose further details surrounding the circumstances of his passing, Los Angeles-based journalist Eric Geller—who worked alongside Irvin on a broadcasting team after his retirement from professional football—revealed on X that the former defensive back had been fighting throat cancer. According to Geller's July 2 post on X, Irvin "lost his battle, ironically enough, to throat cancer last night."

Irvin's NFL journey began in 1980 when the Rams selected him with the 70th overall pick in the draft. Over the next decade, he became one of the team's most dependable players in the secondary, starting 104 games across 10 seasons with Los Angeles before closing out his professional career with a final season in Detroit with the Lions.

During his time in the league, Irvin recorded 35 interceptions and was honored with Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections on two separate occasions, cementing his legacy as one of the premier cornerbacks of his era. He recorded 1,457 career punt return yards and 4 touchdowns, 61 career kickoff returns for 1,180 yards and 11 total touchdowns across multiple positions.

Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, a former teammate, expressed his grief in an Instagram post on July 2. "Devastated to hear about the passing of my brother, teammate, and Rams legend Leroy Irvin," Dickerson wrote. "Leroy wasn't just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy. Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation."

Dickerson accompanied the post with a photograph of the two men smiling together at an event hosted by Dickerson's foundation.

Geller, who co-hosted a public access television broadcast of Buena Park High School football games with Irvin after his retirement, remembered the former Ram with a mix of grief and warm humor. "LeRoy was a great defensive back for the Rams and played his final season for the Detroit Lions," Geller wrote. "He was an even better person and friend. I will miss that raspy voice and that sense of humor that made me smile and laugh whenever we met up at some Rams function. R.I.P. LeRoy!"

Irvin is survived by his four children: Leroy III, Charles, Sarah, and Julius, according to his IMDb biography.

Irvin worked with former Los Angeles Rams teammate Vince Ferragamo at End Zone Mortgage in Anaheim Hills, California. He started a company called Original Mini's Inc with former Rams teammates Eric Dickerson, Larry Westbrook, and Mike Hope. The company holds an NFL license and offers a line of NFL Licensed products. In the 1986 Rams promotional video, Let's Ram It, he called himself the "Iceman" and stated that interceptions were his game.

He appeared on the talk show Go Curvy as well.

Moritz Borman obit

Moritz Borman Dies: Producer On Several Oliver Stone Pics, ‘Terminator’ & ‘The Crow’ Sequels And More Was 71

 He was not on the list.

Moritz Borman, a veteran producer whose credits include several Oliver Stone movies along with Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, The Crow: Salvation and others, died July 1 in Munich, where his upcoming film was being shot. He was 71.

Eric Kopeloff and Philip Schulz-Deyle, his longtime producing partners who were working with Borman on John Lee Hancock’s untitled Monsanto movie for Netflix, said he died of apparent natural causes.

“As both a producer and entrepreneur, Moritz helped shape the landscape of independent filmmaking, building creative and financial bridges between Europe and Hollywood,” the pair said in a statement to Deadline. “He will be remembered not only for his achievements, but also for his generosity, optimism, integrity, and unwavering passion for cinema.” Read their statement in full below.

Along with the Stone-directed Snowden, Alexander, Savages, W. and World Trade Center, Borman’s dozens of producing credits also include such films as Under the Volcano, Mindhunters, K-10: The Widowmaker and Basic Instinct 2, among others.

In 1997, Borman founded Pacifica Pictures, which produced such films as Where the Money Is, Up at the Villa, Philip Noyce’s The Quiet American and Neil LaBute’s Nurse Betty. That film starred Renée Zellweger, Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock and Greg Kinnear and premiered at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, not long after Pacifica merged with Intermedia Films.

Born on April 16, 1955, Borman started out as a TV director and producer in his native Germany before moving to Los Angeles, where he attended the American Film Institute. His first Hollywood feature credit was as a producer on legendary filmmaker John Huston’s 1984 movie Under the Volcano, starring Albert Finney and Jacqueline Bissett.

Borman went on to serve as a producer or executive producer on several other features during the next 35 films. Along with the aforementioned titles, he worked on The Wedding Planner, National Security, The Life of David Gale, Basic, Welcome to Mooseport, Escobar: Paradise Lost, The Little Prince and Playmobil: The Movie, among others.

In 2009, Borman sued his fellow Terminator: Salvation producers Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek and their company Halcyon, claiming breach of contract and failure to pay his producing fees. The suit was settled quickly out of court.

Here is the full statement from Kopeloff and Schulz-Deyle:

It is with profound sadness that we, as Moritz Borman’s longtime producing partners, announce his passing.

Moritz was one of the most accomplished and respected independent producers of his generation. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he produced more than 25 feature films, frequently collaborating with Oliver Stone. Moritz’s films include Under the Volcano, The Quiet American, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, Alexander, World Trade Center, W, Savages, Snowden.

As both a producer and entrepreneur, Moritz helped shape the landscape of independent filmmaking, building creative and financial bridges between Europe and Hollywood. He will be remembered not only for his achievements, but also for his generosity, optimism, integrity, and unwavering passion for cinema.

Most recently, Moritz devoted himself to bringing our upcoming John Lee Hancock feature to the screen. After many years of development, he was immensely proud to see the project finally enter production. We will continue the film in the spirit of excellence and commitment that defined his career, honoring the vision he worked so tirelessly to realize.

Our thoughts are with Moritz’s family, his friends, and the many colleagues around the world whose lives he touched.

His legacy will endure through the films he made, the filmmakers he inspired, and the lasting impact he had on our industry.

Borman died in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, on 1 July 2026, at the age of 71.

 

Filmography

Year     Film

1984    Under the Volcano

1985    The Lightship

1989    Homer and Eddie

Seven Minutes

2000    The Crow: Salvation

Where the Money Is

Nurse Betty

2001    The Wedding Planner

Blow Dry

2002    K-19: The Widowmaker

The Quiet American

Dark Blue

2003    National Security

The Life of David Gale

Basic

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

2004    If Only

Welcome to Mooseport

Mindhunters

Suspect Zero

Alexander

2006    Basic Instinct 2

World Trade Center

2008    W.

2009    Terminator Salvation

2010    The Nutcracker in 3D

2012    Savages

2014    Escobar: Paradise Lost

2015    The Little Prince

2016    Snowden

2019    Playmobil: The Movie

TBA    Monsanto