R.I.P Ryan Sandberg

 When I was younger baseball came to me through the TV superstations like the Braves on WTBS and the Cubs on WGN. One of the baseball diamond stars of my younger days was Ryan Sandberg. He passed away on July 28th at the age of 65.

He was a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He was the National League MVP in 1984. He was a 10-time All Star.

                                             Some highlights...

65 feels a bit young to pass away, but cancer does not care. He will be missed by his family, friends and baseball fans.

R.I.P Robbie Knievel

 

Above Robbie Knievel jumps 24 trucks. 

Robbie Knievel followed is legendary father's occupation as a motorcycle stuntman and daredevil. His dad being "Evel" Knievel. Robbie passed away at the age of 60, not from a jump gone bad but from cancer.

Below is footage of him at age 11 riding with his dad.

He will be missed by his fans, friends and family may he rest in peace.

R.I.P BJ Thomas

 I am sure I heard other songs on the radio, but one of the first I remember hearing was "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head."

Three years ago, much later than when I first her the song, I was able to see him life in a very small concert hall.

"The Eyes of a New York Woman"

I left that song out when I wrote about seeing him on a Monday's Music Moves Me post, but someone said in the comments it was his favorite.

"Hooked on a Feeling" with Sara Niemietz. She is a talented singer who sang with him when she was 4.  Her post was how I heard the news.

The world lost a talented singer, songwriter may he rest in peace!

R.I.P Michael Stanley

 Michael Stanley passed away yesterday. Cancer claimed another rocker. He was also a popular radio personality in Cleveland.                    

                                             Let's "Strike Up The Band"

                                              

                                                His last Top 40 hit "My Town"

"He Can't Love You" was his first

Cleveland lost one of their musical heroes. He will be missed by his city, his family, friends and fans.

       

R.I.P Leon Spinks

 Boxer Leon Spinks passed away last week. Spinks was an Olympic Gold Medalist who won the light heavyweight division in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. He is most famous for defeating Muhammad Ali in 1978 and becoming the Heavy Weight Champion of the world. He would lose a rematch and his career never reach those lofty heights again.

In the end cancer defeated Spinks. He will be missed by his family, friends and fans.

R.I.P Dustin Diamond

 Dustin Diamond will best be remembered as the character Screech from "Saved by the Bell." He passed away from cancer at the age of 44.

Some scenes from "Saved by the Bell"...

Post "Saved by the Bell" he appeared in various shows, Celebrity Big Brother, and even ventured into celebrity boxing. He also had a stand up career.

Here he is in an interview in 2012...

Once again cancer takes someone way too early. May he rest in peace.

R.I.P Eddie Money

Eddie Money passed away yesterday at the age of 70 due to cancer.

                                                      "Shakin'"

Eddie Money had a string of hits in the 70s and 80s. His songs can be heard on classic rock radio stations in frequent rotation.

"Take Me Home Tonight"

"Baby Hold On"

"Two Tickets to Paradise"

He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

R.I.P Jim Vance

Jim Vance was one of the longest running news anchors in the Washington D.C. area and perhaps anywhere else. He worked for 45 years at WRC TV. In that time he won 19 local Emmy Awards, was named "Washingtonian of the Year" by Washingtonian Magazine, and inducted into the National Black Journalist Hall of Fame.

Having lived in the area before I have many memories of watching him deliver the news. His employer must of felt the same way.

Here is attribute video..

Here is a blooper, where he can't stop laughing..

He was a great anchorman and the DC Area lost a local television icon. May he rest in peace.

R.I.P Buckwheat Zydeco

Stanley Dural Jr better known as Buckwheat Zydeco has passed away at the age of 68. The bandleader, accordionist, and one of the biggest names in current zydeco music lost his battle with cancer.

I had the opportunity to experience Buckwheat Zydeco live and in person. The best way to appreciate his legacy and music is through the nusic.

"Tee Nah Nah"

Hey Ma...

Zydeco will live on but Buckwheat Zydeco will certainly be missed.

R.I.P Miss Cleo

Youree Dell Harris was better known as Miss Cleo, the famous pyschic. If you watched TV in the 90s I am sure you watched her commercials.

Here is one to refresh your memory...

Did she see her death coming? I know too soon. But she probably did since she passed away from cancer. 53 is way too early to pass away, especially the older I become.

Do you remember her commercials? Did you ever call her? 

A to Z Challenge: R.I.P Rubin "Hurricane" Carter

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter died today at the age of 76 he was battling prostate cancer. The name might not ring a bell to some. Rubin Carter was a boxer in the 1960s. He was a contender compiling a record of 27-12-1.

Bob Dylan summed him up in this song performed by Ani DiFranco..(sorry couldn't find A dylan version not muted or messed up)

Here is Rubin in action against Emile Griffith...

Rubin Carter was convicted twice for multiple murders he did not commit. The conviction ended his boxing career. His 19 years in prison. A movie was made about his life and here is the trailer...

Here is a speech he gave some years after his release....

He lost a career, he lost many years of his freedom, and somehow turned into a better person through it. May he rest in peace.

Capital Fringe: The Actual Dance

The Actual Dance gave great insight on what it is like to be the spouse of someone who comes down with cancer, in this case breast cancer. Since, my mom has had cancer (not breast cancer) and I know a little about what my Dad has gone through. I have an Aunt who has survived Breast Cancer. I have blogged about several people who haven't survived cancer. You can read my review here.

Samuel A. Simon has put together a show that is heart touching and honest. His performance is well done and from the heart. He is also perhaps one of the warmest people at The Capital Fringe. He greets the audience afte the show, he offers to talk about the show at a local coffee house, and he shares on stage what he went through.

I thought it was more of an autobiographical story telling than a play. The show didn't blow me away. However, it was a touching show and not bad for his first play. It is worth seeing if you want to know how cancer effects others not just the victem. If you want to see honesty this show bares it.

R.I.P. Sally Ride

Sally Ride was the first American woman to go into space. Opening the door for woman in the space program and becoming an example that woman could become whatever they want to be. You can read more about he in this MSNBC article about her death.Interestingly, the Russians had put a woman in space 20 years ahead of America.


Here is a video about her in space...

Here she talks about being the first U.S. woman in space, in her own words..

Here is more about her death..

I know I have blogged about musicians and other celebrities who have died. A lot of them have died due to cancer just like Sally Ride. I know a lot of regular, ordinary folks have died of cancer. I know many of them where someone's hero, someone's mom, dad, brother, sister, son, daughter, or somebody of some importance to someone. It is a terrible disease and I hope they find a cure soon. Thank you Sally for breaking that barrier, for being a role model, and your service to the space program. 

R.I.P George Marino

George Marino was an engineering giant in the music world. The mastering engineer is one of the important people behind the scenes who make an album (or whatever you listen to music nowadays) sound the way it does. George had worked with albums by Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, John Lennon, Guns and Roses, AC/DC, the Cure and many, many more. Some of the biggest names in music. This page lists his credits, it is quite impressive.

He died of lung cancer. Sad news he will be missed in the music world.