Category Archives: People Who Died, Died

Before “Presidents’ Day” was concocted, the February birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington (12th  and 22nd  respectively) were celebrated separately. That meant TWO days off from school, which in the dead of winter was a most welcome hiatus. The big … Continue reading →

No, not you, Jesus — first we have a real immortal. Ludwig van Beethoven December 16, 1770 – March 26, 1827

The talented and quirky author W.P. Kinsella died over the weekend. Or, as they say in show biz, “He’s dead, Jim.” I’m glad he received some recognition, although it irks me that he’s best known as the guy who wrote … Continue reading →

In 1983, David Bowie announced the amibitous schedule for his Serious Moonlight Tour: 50 American cities, one show in each except for New York (two) and Philadelphia (three). Bowie loved Philadelphia, and we loved Bowie. Guido and I had been … Continue reading →

On this day in 1980, some armed mutant shot and killed John Lennon. Many words have flowed to describe that assassination’s enduring personal impact, but I always go back to this short piece from Ray Davies, writing 30 years later. … Continue reading →

Walk On the Wild Side was a song everybody knew and got a kick out of, ‘way ahead of its time as was its creator, Lou Reed. But I didn’t know until seeing the obituary in today’s New York Times … Continue reading →

Red Mascara, who became New Jersey’s most persistent lobbyist with his 55-year bid to make a ditty he had written the official song of the state of Sinatra and Springsteen, died on June 20 at his home in Phillipsburg, N.J. … Continue reading →

Actually, they ALL are. Thanks and godspeed to Don Featherstone, inventor of the ubiquitous pink flamingo lawn ornament. In memory, South Floridians will be flying theirs at half-neck for the remainder of the week.  

Not too many tourists find their way inside the Liquor & Rubber Balls Sports Emporium and Muffler Bearings Replacement Service — it’s a Regulars’ kind of dive, and unless you are one, you’re probably less than comfortable in a lesbian … Continue reading →

Can’t let Concrete Charlie slip away without a note, can we? Chuck Bednarik was a bit before my time, already a legendary local hero by the time I started paying attention to sports. He was the last of the tribe … Continue reading →