Donna Summer Has Died

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Dance, Pop,

Donna Summer has died at the age of 63. The "Last Dance" singer passed away this morning in Florida after a battle with cancer. According to gossip website TMZ, the Queen of Disco had attempted to keep the extent of her illness from fans and was recently trying to finish up her latest album.

Donna was a five-time Grammy Award winner and the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the Billboard chart. She also charted four number-one singles in the United States within a thirteen-month period.

Donna, who was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in 1948, married actor Helmuth Sommer in 1973 before giving birth to the couple's daughter Mimi later that year. Although the marriage crumbled in 1975, she kept an altered version of her ex's surname to use as her stage name. She married Brooklyn Dreams musician Bruce Sudano in 1980 and the couple went on to have two daughters, Brooklyn, born in 1981 and Amanda the following year. In 1994, the family moved from Los Angeles to Nashville where Donna took time out from showbusiness to focus on painting but had recently returned to the recording studio.

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LFO Singer Loses Battle with Leukemia

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop,

Rich Cronin, lead singer for the musical group LFO, passed away this week after a long health battle. He was 36 years old.

Rich, who penned the trio’s breakout hit “Summer Girls,” was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005. Despite a number of setbacks—including chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, a stroke and a return of the disease—Cronin was able to perform again with his former band members last summer.

“He was so happy,” Brad Fischetti told EW about Rich’s return to the stage. Although the group had hoped to hit the road again later this year, Cronin found himself back in the hospital.

“We really became soulmates,” Brad recalled about their last tour together. “Devin [Lima] and I both realized how much we loved him, despite the differences we had in the past. In New York City at the Highline Ballroom, he thanked the crowd at the end of the show. I’ll always have that voice in my mind, because it was such a sincere thank you. Really, that’s the memory that’s sticking out in my brain.”

Read More | CNN

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Bale of Hay Kills Former ELO Musician

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Gossip, Rock,

A former member of the Electric Light Orchestra was killed Friday afternoon in southern England.

Mike Edwards, a cellist with ELO between 1972-1975, was driving in Devon when a giant bale of hay struck his van. The bale, which may have fallen from a nearby tractor, rolled down a hillside onto the road below.

After being hit by the 1300-pound object, Edwards may have swerved into another vehicle. The 62-year-old musician died at the scene.

According to the Daily Mirror, Mike chose to leave ELO—the group behind hits like “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “Mr. Blue Sky”—in order to become a Buddhist.

Read More | MSNBC

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Mix Tape: Dee Snider Rocks A&E, Rush Rocks Hollywood

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Awards, Gossip, Reunions, Rock,

-A&E is going to give you a chance to rock with Dee Snider. The Twisted Sister frontman and his family will be the focus of a new A&E reality series called Growing Up Twisted. The series begins July 27.

-Former Kinks bassist Pete Quaife passed away last Thursday at the age of 66. The group’s co-founded had been undergoing kidney dialysis for over 10 years.

-A rock band from Canada recently made its place in Hollywood. Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were in California on Friday to claim the 2,412th star on the Walk of Fame.

-Despite all their problems, Steven Tyler claims Aerosmith is back on track. “The band has never been better, I’m singing better,” the group’s lead singer claimed. “It’s been beautiful and I realized when I was taking care of my problems that the band is all I really care about.”

Gallery: Mix Tape: Dee Snider Rocks A&E, Rush Rocks Hollywood

Slipknot’s Paul Gray Dead

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Artist News, Rock,

Paul Gray, best-known as the bass player in hardcore band Slipknot, was found dead in his Urbandale, Iowa hotel room on Monday.

Gray, also known as #2 and The Pig, will be autopsied on Tuesday. Investigators related to the case say no foul play is suspected.

Paul was one of the three original members of the band, which has earned a total of 7 Grammy Award nominations. “Before I Forget” won in 2006 for Best Metal Performance.

Gray was busted for cocaine possession in 2003, resulting in a rare photograph of the performer’s face. The bassist habitually wore a mask while playing on stage.

Read More | E! Online

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Ronnie James Dio Loses Battle with Cancer

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News,

Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio has died.

The 67-year-old musician - who replaced Ozzy Osbourne as the frontman of Black Sabbath in 1979 - passed away Sunday in a Houston hospital after losing his battle with stomach cancer.

“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7.45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all,” Wendy, his wife and manager, wrote on his official website.

“We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever,” she added.

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Mix Tape: Record Deal for Glee Actor, Dixie Chicks Minus One

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Upcoming Releases, Country, Rock,

-Glee‘s Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester) will be taking a break from teaching to do a little singing of his own. The 31-year-old has just scored a deal with Mercury Records.

-Garage-punk rocker Jay Reatard passed away at the age of 29. Reatard, who was found in his Memphis home, “died in his sleep” according to his label. No cause of death is known yet.

-Dixie Chicks’ Martie Maguire and Emily Robison have been working on a side project without Natalie Maines. The Columbia Records release will reportedly come out sometime this year.

-Superficial, Heidi Montag’s debut album, has finally dropped. I doubt it will blow up as big as her new breasts.

-Valleys of Neptune, new album of never-before-heard Jimi Hendrix songs, will be released on March 9. The legendary guitarist died in September 1970.

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Singer Teddy Pendergrass Dies at Age 59

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Videos, R&B / Soul,

Teddy Pendergrass, the voice behind the hit “If You Don’t know Me By Now,” passed away yesterday in Philadelphia. He was 59.

The singer, who had been paralyzed from the waist since a 1982 car accident, had been battling colon cancer.

“To all his fans who loved his music, thank you. He will live on through his music,” his son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said.

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Cyndi Lauper’s Captain Lou Albano Dead at 76

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music Videos,

Even if you’re not a follower of the WWE, chances are you’re familiar with Captain Lou Albano. The 76-year-old with the unforgettable rubber-banded beard passed away at his home Wednesday morning.

The former wrestler and 1996 WWE Hall of Famer was a fixture in a number of classic Cyndi Lauper music videos. In addition to “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” (shown above), Lou was also featured in “Time After Time,” “She Bop” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

Although he has been receiving hospice care, no cause of death has yet been released for Albano.

Read More | People

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Guitarist Les Paul Dead at 94

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Artist News, Rock,

You may not recognize his face, but if you’re into music you’ve certainly heard his name. Les Paul was considered by many in the music industry to be a genius, something of a catalyst for modern guitar playing. If nothing else, you’ve heard of the almost-legendary guitar named for him, the Gibson Les Paul.

Paul helped create modern music as we know it today, and he continued to make sweet melodies until he was into his 90s. He died quietly this week in New York, aged 94.

“We owe many of his inventions that made the rock ‘n roll sound of today to him, and was the founding father of modern music,” said B.B. King on Paul’s death. “This is a huge loss to the music community and the world.”

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Read More | CNN

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