Portrait of Lou Reed by Chuck Close (Photo By Gail)
Lou Reed, a pioneering and wildly influential rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, passed away today, October 27th, 2013 in NYC. Although Reed just underwent a liver transplant in May of this year, the cause of death appears to be liver failure. Very sad. Reed was 71 years old. Rolling Stone has a career comprehensive Obituary and This Link. Favorite Lou Reed Songs: “Perfect Day” and “Satellite of Love.” RIP.
1923 – 2013 (Image Source)
American painter, illustrator and sculptor Richard Artschwager passed away on February 9th at the age of 89. I recently visited the Whitney Museum here in Manhattan and had the chance to see a retrospective of Artschwager’s work, which surprised me with its diversity and freshness.
Exclamation Point (Chartreuse) Soft Sculpture by Richard Artschwager at The Whitney Museum .
Read more about the artist’s life and work at This Link. RIP.
Reg Presley sang lead on what is probably the most-covered sixties-era pop song of all time, “Wild Thing.” And now he’s dead. The Troggs’ vocalist has passed away on February 4th, 2013 at age 71 after a year-long battle with lung cancer. Read an engaging obituary recalling Presley’s life and career at This Link. Trivia: “Wild Thing” was written by Angelina Jolie’s uncle!
Reg Presley sang lead on what is probably the most-covered sixties-era pop song of all time, “Wild Thing.” And now he’s dead. The Troggs’ vocalist has passed away on February 4th, 2013 at age 71 after a year-long battle with lung cancer. Read an engaging obituary recalling Presley’s life and career at This Link. Trivia: “Wild Thing” was written by Angelina Jolie’s uncle!
Early this morning (February 1st, 2013), a true icon of New York City passed away when former Mayor Ed Koch succumbed to congestive heart failure at the age of 88. More than any other politician or public figure, Koch personified the New York spirit. Koch was Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989 and, prior to that, served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977.
Ed Koch’s entertainment ties included a stint as a judge on The People’s Court and as a film critic via his Web show Mayor At The Movies. He also appeared in more than 60 Hollywood films and TV shows as himself, including The First Wives Club, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Sex And The City, Spin City and Saturday Night Live.
The New York Times has a lengthy but utterly fascinating obituary detailing Koch’s impressive life and career at This Link. RIP, Ed!
