George David Weiss was a prolific songwriter who wrote such hits as "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "What a Wonderful World," recorded by Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong respectively.
He died of natural causes at his home in Oldwick, New Jersey on August 23, 2010. He was 89.
Among his other hits was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" recorded by The Tokens. He collaborated on several Broadway musicals including "Mr Wonderful" starring Sammy Davis Jr. and "Maggie Flynn", featuring Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. He also testified before government agencies on copyright issues on numerous occassions.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Edward Kean - Wrote for "Howdy Doody"
Edward Kean was a long time writer for the "Howdy Doody Show" which ran on NBC from 1947-1960. He wrote the iconic theme song which millions of Baby Boomers sang as they watched the show.
Mr Kean died on August 13, 2010 at a nursing home in Michigan of complications from emphysema.
He is credited with much of the show's writings and the expression "kowabunga" which has been used by Bart Simpson in "The "Simpsons" animated comedy show.
Mr Kean died on August 13, 2010 at a nursing home in Michigan of complications from emphysema.
He is credited with much of the show's writings and the expression "kowabunga" which has been used by Bart Simpson in "The "Simpsons" animated comedy show.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Satch Davidson - MLB Umpire
Satch Davidson, a National League baseball umpire from 1969-1984, was behind home plate during two of the game's biggest home runs.
He was calling balls and strikes on the night Henry Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth's home run record. He was also behind the plate when Carlton Fisk won Games 6 of the 1975 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.
He died on August 21, 2010 at his home in Houston at the age of 75 from an undisclosed cause.
He umpired many other memorable games including no-hitters by Jim Maloney and Don Wilson on consecutive days in Cincinnati.
He was calling balls and strikes on the night Henry Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth's home run record. He was also behind the plate when Carlton Fisk won Games 6 of the 1975 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.
He died on August 21, 2010 at his home in Houston at the age of 75 from an undisclosed cause.
He umpired many other memorable games including no-hitters by Jim Maloney and Don Wilson on consecutive days in Cincinnati.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Jack Parnell - Jazz Drummer
Jack Parnell had a long career as a jazz drummer and appeared with Tom Jones and Barbara Streisand as well as many other stars. He was also the music director of "The Bennie Hill Show".
He is best known for being the bandleader on "The Muppet Show" during its five year run.
Mr Parnell died on August 8, 2010 at his suburban London home at the age of 87 after a year-long battle with cancer.
He is best known for being the bandleader on "The Muppet Show" during its five year run.
Mr Parnell died on August 8, 2010 at his suburban London home at the age of 87 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Bobby Hebb - Song Writer
Bobby Hebb was a songwriter who scored big with his 1966 hit "Sunny" about a smiling girl. It was also recorded by Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye and Jose Feliciano.
Mr Hebb died in Nashville, Tennessee on August 3, 2010 at the age of 72. His cause of death was not announced.
The song was written in respone the the murder of Hebb's brother outside of a Nashville nightclub and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy a few days later.
At the height of the song's popularity, he toured with the Beatles. He continued to write songs up until 2007 and had his own publishing company and record label, Hebb Cats.
Mr Hebb died in Nashville, Tennessee on August 3, 2010 at the age of 72. His cause of death was not announced.
The song was written in respone the the murder of Hebb's brother outside of a Nashville nightclub and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy a few days later.
At the height of the song's popularity, he toured with the Beatles. He continued to write songs up until 2007 and had his own publishing company and record label, Hebb Cats.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Jack Tatum - Involved in Famous NFL PLays
Jack Tatum was involved in two infamous plays in the NFL. During an exhibition game between the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders on August 12, 1978, Tatum was playing safety. While Patriots receiver Daryl Stingley was running a crossing pattern, Tatum delivered a crushing hit with his helmet which broke Stingley's fourth and fifth vertebrae and left the receiver paralyzed for life.
It was a very controversial play for which Tatum never apologized or was penalized by the NFL. He attempted to contact Stingley, but they never connected. Stingley died in 2007. Tatum made it worse by publishing a book in 1980 about his hard hitting playing : "They Call Me Assassin".
Tatum died at the age of 61 on July 28, 2010 after a heart attack in Oakland. He suffered from diabetes and previously had a leg amputated.
Tatum was also a central figure in "The Immaculate Reception" during the Raiders playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972. With 22 seconds left in the game, Tatum stripped the ball thrown from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to receiver Frenchy Fuqua. The ball bounced off Fuqua's foot and ricocheted into the arms of Steelers running back Franco Harris who never broke stride and ran for a 42 yard winning touchdown.
It was a very controversial play for which Tatum never apologized or was penalized by the NFL. He attempted to contact Stingley, but they never connected. Stingley died in 2007. Tatum made it worse by publishing a book in 1980 about his hard hitting playing : "They Call Me Assassin".
Tatum died at the age of 61 on July 28, 2010 after a heart attack in Oakland. He suffered from diabetes and previously had a leg amputated.
Tatum was also a central figure in "The Immaculate Reception" during the Raiders playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972. With 22 seconds left in the game, Tatum stripped the ball thrown from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to receiver Frenchy Fuqua. The ball bounced off Fuqua's foot and ricocheted into the arms of Steelers running back Franco Harris who never broke stride and ran for a 42 yard winning touchdown.
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