January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012
Aaaat Laaaaaaaast….
The opening words of Etta James’ (born, Jamesetta Hawkins) classic ballad “At Last” are unmistakable. James was a prolific singer whose career covered and influenced nearly every genre imaginable. She won six Grammys, a host of other awards and was an 1993 inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Whether she was belting Jazz, R&B, Gospel or straight Blues, Etta was without equal. Continue reading
December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998
Carl Wilson was a guitarist/songwriter/vocalist who skyrocketed to fame alongside brothers, Brian and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine as the Beach Boys. Though a background singer for the early years of the band, Carl broke out with lead vocals on such hits as “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations.” He also became the defacto leader of the band after big brother, Brian, retired from touring. Wilson’s career, though weighted heavily by it, was not confined to the Beach Boys, however. He recorded a couple of solo albums in the 1980’s and was a common fixture in the studio, working with fellow superstars like Chicago and Elton John.
October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011
David Nelson was the oldest son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. He, his parents and his brother, Ricky, rose to popularity with the highly successful radio and television program The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. David also directed a number of episodes of the show and continued acting and directing long after the show ended. Though, he stepped out of the public life for the last nearly 20 years of his life.
David died in 2011 of colon cancer. Continue reading
May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985
Sometimes you are just born into show business. Eric “Ricky” Nelson was certainly that. At the age of 9, he began playing himself on the long-running radio and television show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, alongside his mother and father and brother, David. During the run of the show, and well after it ended, Ricky became a very successful musician. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and had over 50 singles on the Billboard charts during his career.
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
I hesitated adding a post about Michael Jackson for one, simple reason: I have not personally visited his grave, nor do I see it happening any time soon. He is interred within the halls of the most secure, private mausoleum in Los Angeles – and probably the whole country: The Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Glendale.
However, A) I didn’t feel right posting about Farrah without posting about Michael, given the close proximity of their deaths sort of bind them together forever. And B) His death and burial was the single, biggest celebrity death media spectacle this side of Elvis, so he sort of needs to be included.
So… Continue reading
March 8, 1922 – June 17, 2008
December 25, 1913 – July 27, 2012
Actress/dancer Cyd Charisse and crooner Tony Martin were married for 60 years, a rarity for a Hollywood couple.
Charisse (born Tula Ellice Finklea) had a storied career throughout the so-called Golden-Age of Hollywood. Her stunning looks and remarkable dancing made her a popular star. She is probably most known to audiences for her turn opposite Gene Kelly in the “Broadway Melody Ballet” in 1952’s Singin’ In The Rain.
January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977
Elvis Aaron Presley was a little-known singer/songwriter who struggled his entire career to find an audience.
OR…perhaps it’s more accurate to say that he was one of the biggest pop-phenomena in the history of the world.
The “King of Rock and Roll” – a title that barely scratches his impact on popular music – was a talented singer, actor and hip-jiggler who starred in more than 30 movies and had over 35 number one singles. His rise to stardom, at the perfect intersection of time, history and relevance ushered in a new era of music that was both ground-breaking and controversial. He paved the way for nearly every rock and roll artist to follow. He was simply without peer.
March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965
Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Alabama, raised in Chicago, and, from an early age, began a long career in music that would lead to him becoming one of the most recognizable voices of the 20th century. Nat dropped the “s” from his last name and picked up the nursery-rhyme-inspired middle name “King” and burst his buttery-voiced way into the Big Band, Jazz and Pop music worlds. Also a gifted pianist, Cole made a lasting impact with such mega-hits as “Unforgettable,” “L-O-V-E” and “The Christmas Song.” He was also the first African-American to host his own television variety program, The Nat King Cole Show.
April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959
A revolutionary Jazz vocalist known to many as “Lady Day,” Billie Holiday had no equal. Her life was filled with hardship and drama from the beginning:
Underage prostitution? Check.
Drugs and alcohol? Check.
Abusive relationships? Check.
Married to a mafia enforcer? Check.
Arrested in a drug raid of her hospital room as she lay dying? Check.
She crammed a lot of life, both good and bad, into 44 brief years.
February 29, 1916 – February 24, 1994
One of the most popular Big Band-era female vocalists, Frances Rose “Dinah” Shore was probably most known for her later work in television – specifically The Ed Wynn Show, Colgate Comedy Hour and a number of self-titled variety programs. She worked with everyone from Bob Hope to Nat “King” Cole, Bing Crosby, Jack Lemmon and Ella Fitzgerald – racking up an impressive number of Emmys along the way.
Celebrity Graveland 