"Mrs. Cheeseburger" -- via the Denver Post. Her husband, Louis Ballast, invented the cheeseburger in 1935. They and their five children sold them and many other delights at their restaurant, the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In at 2776 Speer Blvd. in Denver for decades.
Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Ralph Mooney
Master of the steel guitar -- via the Los Angeles Times. An originator of the Bakersfield sound that invigorated country music in the 1960's; he co-wrote the classic "Crazy Arms."
Dorothy Young
The last living link to Houdini -- via the Telegraph. She was the great magician's last stage assistant; later, she was an actress, a dancer, and a writer.
Ruth Adams
Accordionist and member of the World's Most Dangerous Polka Band -- via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Obituary billboards discouraged: Ghana
Via the Ghanian News Agency, "The Banmuhen of Gomoa Akyempim, Okofo Meresi Okai Annan, has appealed to local government assemblies to ban the erection of billboards with the portraits of departed individuals along streets and roads." More details -- via ghanamma.com.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Stanley Herbert Ross aka Rosenthal
Sound engineer-producer -- via the Los Angeles Times. He co-founded Gold Star Recording Studio, which produced more than 100 Top 40 hits, including "La Bamba," "Tequila," "Good Vibrations," "Inna-Godda-Da-Vida," and "For What It's Worth."
Sherman Washington
Leader of the Zion Harmonizers and godfather of the Jazz Fest Gospel Tent -- via the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Jim Seaver
Western Civilization professor and opera radio host -- via LJ World. His "Opera is My Hobby" weekly program ran from Sept. 19, 1952 to the first week of March in 2011 -- one of the longest-running radio shows in American history.
Leonard "Bud" Lomell
Honored solider -- via the Independent. Pointed out to me by a very friendly and supportive gentleman over in Blighty. Thank you, sir!
Friday, March 18, 2011
'Win your own funeral' contest?
Oh, those wacky Germans. A Bavarian radio station's right to run a "win your own funeral" contest was held up a by a court this week. The contestant who submits the best "last words" will win funeral insurance worth 3,000 euros. Being in bad taste does not constitute sufficient legal grounds for banning the competition.
Jet Harris
Bassist -- via the Daily Echo. Best known for his work with the Shadows, he was probably the first to use the electric bass in Britain, and led the way in innovating with it and popularizing its use.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Michael Gough
Actor of stage, screen and television -- via ATV. Although he may be fated to be remembered as Alfred the butler in Tim Burton's "Batman" film and its less inspiring sequels, his real legacy is as a horror, science fiction and suspense actor. His absolutely magnificent cold, clean delivery of lines full of ludicrous menace made him an indelible acting presence. His work in films such as the Hammer "Horror of Dracula," "Horrors of the Black Museum," and "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors" is a treat. He was equally well-versed in Shakespeare (he played Lear) and contemporary theatre (he won a Tony for his work in Ayckbourn's "Bedroom Farce"). Among his later triumphs were roles in "Top Secret!", "The Serpent and the Rainbow," and much work as part of Tim Burton's ensemble of character actors. More on him from the Guardian and the Telegraph.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Donny George Youkhanna
Archaeologist -- via the New York Times. He tried to protect, and recovered much of, Iraq's ancient treasures.
Hank Rubin
Father of the Berkeley Food Movement -- via the Volunteer. He was the first to advocate the use of locally grown, wholesome ingredients in restaurant fare. He also wrote and taught extensively on food and wine. Early in his life, he was a volunteer in the Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War, and later fought in World War II.
Cleo Johnson
Pioneering African American model and founder of the first black-owned modeling and charm school -- via the Chicago Tribune.
Beverley Randolph
Stage manager -- via Broadway.com. More from Playbill. Being a stage manager is incredibly difficult -- that she did it for 30 years is a testament to her commitment and skill!
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