Category: Obit

Jazz Legend Wayne Shorter Dies at 89

Posted on by Carmen Roberts

The music world is remembering pioneering jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter who died March 2.

Jazz innovator, creator of a distinctive jazz sound, and 12-time Grammy winner describe saxophonist Wayne Shorter. His music lets you experience the legend. (Music “Footprints”) Already well known on the jazz world in the late 1950s – Shorter helped expand its sound over his eight-decade career – early on as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and The Miles Davis Quintet, and as a founder of Weather Report. (Music “Birdland”) He collaborated with greats including Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan and fellow Buddhist Herbie Hancock, who says he’s lost his best friend, but that Shorter left us with love and compassion for all. Carmen Roberts  Fox News

Shorter’s closest friend and fellow SGI Buddhist, Herbie Hancock, said in a statement, “Wayne Shorter, my best friend, left us with courage in his heart, love and compassion for all, and a seeking spirit for the eternal future. He was ready for his rebirth. As it is with every human being, he is irreplaceable and was able to reach the pinnacle of excellence as a saxophonist, composer, orchestrator, and recently, composer of the masterful opera …Iphigenia. I miss being around him and his special Wayne-isms but I carry his spirit within my heart always.”

Shorter’s long-time label, Blue Note Records said, “Visionary composer, saxophonist, visual artist, devout Buddhist, devoted husband, father, and grandfather Wayne Shorter has passed away at age 89, departing the earth as we know it and embarking on a new journey as part of his extraordinary life. Shorter was surrounded by his loving family in Los Angeles at the time of his transition.”

Winter the Dolphin Dies

Posted on by Carmen Roberts

Winter fans mourn the loss of dolphin who ‘inspired hope, was loved by millions.’

A dolphin without a tail that captured many Americans’ hearts died Thursday night.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be closed Friday so the staff can grieve the loss of their friend, Winter.

Winter the dolphin was the beloved star of the “Dolphin Tale” movies, inspired by her true story of losing her tale and finding so many friends.

“We’re here because of the most amazing animal and friend that I’ve ever known and I hope you love her as much as I do.”

Everyone at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida and all its visitors who grew to love Winter are heartbroken now. The aquarium says the 16-year-old bottlenose dolphin with an unprecedented prosthetic tail died Thursday evening despite urgent efforts to treat a gastrointestinal problem. Like all her years at the aquarium, Winter was cared for to the very end, dying in the arms of animal care experts. Carmen Roberts. Fox News.


Winter was two months old when her tail became entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral, forcing its amputation.

“Dolphin Tale” was released in 2011 and chronicled Winter’s recovery and the unprecedented effort to fit her with a prosthetic tail.

A sequel followed three years later.

War Correspondent Joseph Galloway Dies at 79.

Posted on by Carmen Roberts

Foreign correspondent Joe Galloway covered the front lines of battle in Vietnam.

Longtime American foreign correspondent Joseph L. Galloway best known for his book about a pivotal battle in the Vietnam War died Wednesday at 79. His book, “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young,” was made into a Hollywood movie in 2002.

 “Before that day the soldiers of North Vietnam and America had never met each other in a major battle.”

The story recounted his and Army Lt. General Hal Moore’s experiences in the 1965 battle in the Ia Drang Valley. During that bloody fight Galloway rescued wounded soldiers under fire and became the only civilian to receive a U.S. Army medal of valor for actions in combat during the Vietnam War. Carmen Roberts. Fox News

Galloway spent decades as a foreign correspondent for UPI, US News & World Report, and Knight Ridder newspapers. He also served as a consultant for the Ken Burns’ PBS documentary “The Vietnam War.” The native of Refugio, Texas died in a hospital near is home in Concord, NC.

Galloway (center) aboard a Marine CH-34 helicopter in Vietnam the year after Ia Drang
“We Were Soldiers Once … And Young” starring Mel Gibson as Lt. General Hal Moore

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First Human to Fly Faster Than the Speed of Sound Dies at 97

Posted on by Carmen Roberts

Retired Brigadier General Chuck Yeager was a 24-year-old Captain on that day decades ago.

Captain Chuck Yeager Breaks the Sound Barrier in 1947

Chuck Yeager made history flying an X-1 jet on October 14, 1947.

USAF: “With all four rockets firing Yeager flies to 56,000 feet in less than two minutes.”

The US Air Force documenting the flight of the legendary pilot.

USAF: “And he does it. The first human to crack the sound barrier.”

Yeager died last night at 97. Carmen Roberts Fox News

Beloved Singer-Songwriter Mac Davis Dies at 78

Posted on by Carmen Roberts

The music world loses a singer-songwriter whose career spanned five decades.

Mac Davis 1981

Mac Davis wrote and sang his own hits breaking through to no.1 on the American Pop Charts with this song in 1972.

Baby baby don’t get hooked on me...

But the beloved singer-songwriter is better known for writing hits for performers including Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones and Elvis.

On a cold and gray Chicago morn a poor little baby child is born in the ghetto …

The multi-talented Davis from Lubbock, Texas became a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, had his own variety TV show and acted in films and performed on Broadway. He died yesterday at 78 following heart surgery. Carmen Roberts. Fox News.


New generations may also know Davis’ work because he co-wrote “Young Girls” for Bruno Mars.

On another sad note Helen Reddy – who also died yesterday at 78 – recorded one of Davis’ songs – “I Believe in Music.” It was the B-side of her 1971 breakthrough hit, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him.”