R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron

R.I.P. Captain Beefheart

Don Van Vliet better know as Captain Beefheart has passed away at the age of 69.

R.I.P. Irvin Kershner

The man who directed Empire Strikes Back, the best of all the Star Wars movies.

R.I.P. Solomon Burke

The King of Rock & Soul has passed away at the ago of 70.

R.I.P. Manute Bol

The 7 foot 7 inches former NBA star has passed away at the age of 47. From Wikipedia:

Manute Bol (English pronunciation: /məˈnuːt ˈboʊl/; October 16, 1962 - June 19, 2010[1]) was a Sudanese-born basketball player and activist. Until the debut of Gheorghe Mureşan, Bol was undisputedly the tallest player ever to appear in the National Basketball Association. Bol was believed to have been born on October 16, 1962 in either Turalie or Gogrial, Sudan. He was the son of a Dinka tribal chief, who gave him the name "Manute," which means "special blessing." Manute Bol was 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) and 225 lb (102 kg).

R.I.P. Dennis Hopper (Actor, Artist, Photographer)

So Dennis Hopper passed away today at the age of 74 due to complications from prostate cancer. Hopper was a legendary actor who had memorable roles in films like Easy Rider, Blue Velvet and Apocalypse Now. What you might not know is that he was an accomplished photographer and painter with close ties to art legends like Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Willem De Kooning, and Ed Ruscha. These are some of my favorites of Hopper's photos.

R.I.P. Frank Frazetta

Artist Frank Frazetta is dead at the age of 82. For my money he was the premier illustrator in the fantasy genre. If you like busty babes battling demons he was your man.

R.I.P. Lena Horne

Actress and singer Lena Horne has passed away at the age of 92.

R.I.P. Guru

Sad news today that rapper Guru has passed away after battling cancer at the way too young age of 43. Guru was one half of Gang Starr along with DJ Premier. Their mix of jazz samples, dope beats and wordy lyrics is what hip hop should be about.

R.I.P. Malcolm McLaren

The former Sex Pistols and New York Dolls manager passed away today at the age of 64 after a battle with cancer. McLaren had a huge impact on the early look and attitude of Punk Rock.

Alex Chilton R.I.P.

Very sad news that Alex Chilton has passed away just days before he was to perform with Big Star here at SXSW.

R.I.P. Mark Linkous

Very sad news today the Mark Linkous who is best know for Sparklehorse has committed suicide. I saw Sparklehorse a few years back at ACL and really enjoyed it. His collaboration with Danger Mouse 'Dark Night of the Soul' was one of the best albums from last year.

J.D. Salinger R.I.P.

Well crap, yesterday it was Howard Zinn and then today J.D. Salinger has left us.

R.I.P. Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn was a historian and political activist who challenged the truth of what we are taught is our history. His book A Peoples History of the United States made heroes out of farmers and union organisers who brought about change on a grassroots level. Mr. Zinn's spirit and intellect will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Jay Reatard

Sad and shocking news that Memphis Garage-Punk rocker Jay Reatard is dead at the way too early age of 29. No cause of death has been released yet.

Vic Chesnutt R.I.P.

Sad news came this holiday season that VIc Chesnutt has died of an apparent suicide. The 45 year old native of Athens Georgia has worked with everyone from Michael Stipe, Lambchop, and Elf Power to Widespread Panic, Van Dyke Parks, and A Silver Mount Zion. He had been touring the last couple months with a band that included Guy Picciotto of Fugazi and member of Black Heart Procession.

R.I.P. Jeanne-Claude

The artist passed away at he age of 74 from complications of a brain aneurysm. Along with her husband Christo she created huge scale art installations across the globe such as The Gates in Central Park. Christo has vowed to honor a promise between them that in the case of death the art would continue to live on.

R.I.P. Mr Magic

Roc Raida R.I.P.

The talented DJ and former member of the DJ crew X-Ecutioners was found dead this weekend at the way too young age of 37.

Jim Carroll R.I.P.

The New York City poet and musician died last Friday at the age of 60 of an apparent heart attack. In the late seventies he fronted the Jim Carroll Band who got a record deal with a little help from Keith Richards. Much like Patti Smith he was taken in by the early punk rock scene that was exploding in NYC at the time. He is best know for his book Basketball Diaries about his young days as a high school basketball star who lived a double life as a junkie and hustler.