Keith D. Milby :: blog

I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died overnight in his study in Stamford, Connecticut.After year of illness, he died while at work; if he had been given a choice on how to depart this world, I suspect that would have been exactly it. At home, still devoted to the war of ideas.

As you might expect, we’ll have much more to say here and in NR in the coming days and weeks and months. For now: Thank you, Bill. God bless you, now with your dear Pat. Our deepest condolences to Christopher and the rest of the Buckley family. And our fervent prayer that we continue to do WFB’s life’s work justice.

Major Andrew Olmsted was killed in Iraq serving his country. He had a friend publish this post in that event.

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his family.

Man this made me sad. I did not even know of him but now I will never forget him.

Just another sign I am getting old. The heroes of my youth are passing along to a better life.

All the best Evil, you will be missed.

Source: Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69

I am sad to see him go. I have fond memories of him from my youth. Grand Ol’ Opry and all you know.

He has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. He will certainly be missed.

Tom Spaulding has a great write up.

Mime Legend Marcel Marceau Dies at 84

Marcel Marceau, the master of mime who transformed silence into poetry with lithe gestures and pliant facial expressions that spoke to generations of young and old, has died. He was 84.

Wearing white face paint, soft shoes and a battered hat topped with a red flower, Marceau breathed new life into an art that dates to ancient Greece. He played out the human comedy through his alter-ego Bip without ever uttering a word.

I was truly fascinated with this girl I met many years ago, ‘84, and she was the one that introduced me to the art of Marcel Marceau. I am forever thankful for that experience. She also introduced me to The Brother from Another Planet for which I often reference in my memories. Especially whenever I see Joe Morton in some other role on television or a movie.

I may have lost touch with the girl, but I will always have the memories.

He will forever be remembered for the music he left with us.

Luciano Pavarotti, opera’s biggest superstar of the late 20th century, died Thursday. He was 71. He was the son of a singing baker and became the king of the high C’s.

Pavarotti, who had been diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment last month, died at his home in his native Modena at 5 a.m., his manager told The Associated Press in an e-mailed statement.

His wife, Nicoletta, four daughters and sister were among family and friends at his side, manager Terri Robson said.

“The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer,” Robson said. “In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness.”

The passing of a legend. He has been around all of my life of course. He has influence many aspects of entertainment even more than I realize.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Merv Griffin, the former talk-show host who became a Hollywood billionaire by investing in real estate and creating the popular game shows “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” has died of prostate cancer at age 82, a spokeswoman said on Sunday.

Griffin’s first success came from singing the 1950 novelty hit “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts,” and he spent 23 years hosting a talk show that bore his name. For years it was the most successful syndicated television program in the United States.

President Ford was in office just as I was coming to the age of conciseness, so I barely remember him.

till, I am sorry to see him go. He certainly lived a nice long life.

I am a big fan of Lou Rawls and always enjoy his music and his talent. I am very sorry to see him pass from this life and on to the next, but I am sure he has gone on to better things.

Thank You Low Rawls.

From the AP: Grammy-Winning Singer Lou Rawls Dies