October 12, 1942 – February 23, 1995
The Temptations were a lot of things. Groundbreaking. Unpredictable. Entertaining. And a total mess. David Melvin English, AKA Melvin Franklin, was the foundation of the group, both vocally and temperamentally. His mellow bass vocals became one of the Temptations’ most recognizable features. Franklin and long-time friend, Otis Williams, were the only two original members to never leave the group. Continue reading
January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001
Aaliyah Haughton was an R&B superstar in the making. In the years since she first came on the pop music scene, Aaliyah has sold more than 25 million records. Her first hit single, the Grammy nominated “Try Again” coincided with her first starring role in a film, 2000’s Romeo Must Die. She was well on her way to becoming a crossover star in both music and Hollywood when her life was tragically cut short. On August 25, 2001, the overloaded charter plane carrying Aaliyah and her crew crashed after takeoff in the Bahamas while returning from shooting the music video for “Rock the Boat.” Continue reading
September 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974
Known to the world as “Mama Cass,” Ellen Naomi Cohen, AKA Cass Elliot, was a singer and member of the American vocal group, the Mamas & the Papas. Elliot’s voice can be heard prominently on many of their best-known recordings, including “California Dreamin'” and “Monday Monday.”
September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004
Ray Charles Robinson’s beginnings in Georgia and Florida were tough. Already dealing with the realities of extreme poverty, Ray witnessed his brother drown in a wash tub at the age of 5. He also began to lose his sight around the same time and, by the time he was 7 years-old, was completely blind.
Fast forward a little bit and things went alright for Ray. Despite struggles with legal issues and substance abuse, Charles had a meteoric career in music using jazz, blues, rock and gospel influences to become one of the best-selling artists of all time. His impact on music was staggering. He successfully crossed over into the pop and country mainstream, becoming one of the first African-American artists to do so. He consistently ranks in the Top 10 on lists of the top singers/entertainers/performers of all time.
December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971
James Douglas Morrison, AKA “The Lizard King,” was a poet, songwriter and the lead singer of the influential American rock band, the Doors. Energetic, soulful and wild, he set the showmanship standard for many future frontmen.
And he LOOOOVED heroin.
May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977
Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby was a talented singer. His rich baritone voice epitomized the easy-going crooner of the 1940’s and ’50’s. He was a box office and record sales titan for more than two decades.
But, enough with the niceties.
Bing was also an incredibly…how to say it…”grumpy” individual. Rumors and stories of his abusive relationship with his family are numerous. Whether they’re true or not? Not for me to say. So, no need to dive into them here.
April 25, 1918 – June 15, 1996
A celebrated jazz vocalist, “Lady Ella” Fitzgerald was known as the “Queen of Jazz” and the “First Lady of Song.” She earned 13 Grammy awards as well as a number of other honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ella’s unmistakable voice is often praised for its pure tone and flawless diction.
December 08, 1925 – May 16, 1990
“THE ENTERTAINER” HE DID IT ALL
The inscription on Sammy Davis, Jr.’s grave marker could not be more accurate. He DID do it all. The multi-talented singer/dancer/actor/impersonator was a dynamo packed into a skinny, 5′ 5″ frame. By the age of 3, he was already performing on stage with his father, Sammy Davis, Sr. and Will Mastin as part of the Will Mastin Trio (Davis, Sr. and Mastin are also buried at Forest Lawn Glendale, right next to Sammy.) His career would see great heights despite personal setbacks. In 1954, Davis was in a serious car crash that resulted in the loss of his left eye, something he would use to his own self-deprecating sense of humor throughout his life. He found even greater fame along side pals Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in the legendary Rat Pack. The friends remained close throughout their lives and Sinatra remarked upon his death that Sammy was “one of the finest human beings I ever knew in my life.”
December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998
“The Chairman of the Board.” “The Voice.” “Old Blue Eyes.” Francis Albert Sinatra had a lot of names. But, mostly, everyone just called him “Frank.”
Hoboken, New Jersey’s favorite son was one of the largest entertainers in the world for decades. His smooth and unmistakable baritone catapulted him into super-stardom and made him the idol of a generation. From his early days singing with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey to his unprecedented success as a solo artist, Sinatra wowed audiences and radio listeners with his rich voice and unique phrasing.
June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969
I grew up in Kansas. I’ve heard every “Wizard of Oz” joke 17,000 times (you’re not original, people. Please stop.) I should hate the movie. I should hate everything about it. But, I don’t. I actually love it.
Judy Garland was born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, MN and was an entertainer from the start. Her family were vaudevillians and she and her sisters performed as The Gumm Sisters in a number of short films as girls. At some point – for any number of reasons depending on who you ask – they changed the name of their act to The Garland Sisters. Good move. And after that, the legendary name of Judy Garland would stick.
Judy starred in more than 40 films including the classics Meet Me in St. Louis, In the Good Old Summertime and, of course, The Wizard of Oz. She became an icon and had worldwide fame.
Celebrity Graveland 