gatorcast from paul smith

Funny I don’t remember seeing his picture before, but I would know his voice anywhere..I will miss his  insight.

(CNN) — Veteran broadcast journalist Daniel Schorr died at a Washington hospital Friday morning, according to National Public Radio. Schorr was 93.

Schorr, who began as a foreign newspaper correspondent in 1946, helped launch CNN as its senior Washington correspondent in 1980 after two decades with CBS.

NPR, which Schorr joined as senior news analyst in 1985, said he died peacefully after a short illness.

(CNN) — Dennis Hopper, the one-time Hollywood enfant terrible who portrayed such indelible characters as “Easy Rider’s” biker Billy and “Blue Velvet’s” and huffing villain Frank Booth, died of prostate cancer Saturday morning at his home in Venice, California, his wife said. He was 74.

Hopper, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last October, was surrounded by his children when he died, his wife, Victoria Hopper. told CNN.

(CNN) — Condolences continued to pour in late Sunday night following the death of heavy metal rocker Ronnie James Dio, who lost his battle with stomach cancer earlier in the day.

“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. 16th May,” his wife, Wendy Dio, said in a message on his official website.

Dio, 67, followed Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath’s lead vocalist in 1979.

“Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away,” she wrote. “Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.”

The rock community paid tribute to Dio in messages late Sunday.

“In addition to his powerhouse vocal ability, Ronnie was a true gentleman who always emanated great warmth and friendship to us and everyone around him,” KISS said. “We will miss him.”

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian called Dio’s death a big loss.

“So many memories of Ronnie. Toured together many times. He always had a kind word and a smile, and he loved the Yankees,” Ian said.

Musician Slash summed up the loss in one sentence: “Ronnie died at 7:45 a.m., but his music will live for eternity.”

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, who became friends with Dio while touring Europe, said the rocker will be missed.

“I still have this image of him standing on stage in front of 100,000 belting out ‘Man on the Silver Mountain’ and remember the shivers it sent up my spine,” Sixx said.

He called Dio “one of the kindest souls I have ever met and his talent was beyond inspirational to so many of us.”

“Those of us that had the opportunity to know Ronnie can tell you what a wonderful and passionate man he was,” Sixx said.

Dio most recently was touring with Heaven and Hell, a version of Black Sabbath renamed for legal reasons. All shows were canceled last March because of his illness.

His last public appearance was in April at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards when he accepted a vocalist of the year award for his work on last year’s Heaven and Hell album. Dio appeared frail, but he spoke while accepting his award.

Born Ronald James Padavona in 1942, Dio’s professional music career began as a high school student in the late 1950s.

His 1960s rock group The Electric Elves evolved into Elf by the early 1970s, when the group played heavy blues rock.

Dio’s rock became darker with his band Rainbow, which he left in 1979 to join Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath released three albums with Dio, including “Heaven and Hell” in 1980, “Mob Rules” in 1981 and “Live Evil” in 1982.

Dio left that band in 1982, but he had a brief reunion with the group a decade later.

He formed the group Dio in 1982 and later Heaven and Hell.

My grandmother Gladys loved this guy.  She faithfully watched both TV shows Bonanza and Trapper John MD.  I guess I became a fan of him too along the way through her.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25 (UPI) — U.S. actor and civil-rights advocate Pernell Roberts died of cancer at his Malibu, Calif., home, his wife aid Monday. He was 81.  Eleanor Criswell told the Los Angeles Times Roberts died Sunday. Best known for his roles on the TV shows “Bonanza” and “Trapper John, M.D.,” the Georgia native marched with civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, his family said in a statement issued to CNN.

His film credits include “Desire Under the Elms,” “Ride Lonesome” and “Four Rode Out.” He guest starred in more than 60 TV shows and served as host of “FBI: The Untold Stories.”

Roberts’ family said Criswell, his fourth wife, was with him when he died Sunday, CNN said.

His only son, Chris, died in 1989 after a motorcycle crash.

I simply loved Michael Jackson.   In 1986, I saw him in concert in Jacksonville, Florida.  At the time it was the best show I had ever been to.  My first album was Off the Wall.

Michael, RIP.

I remember listening to Michael Jackson between innings at my high school baseball games. The songs became part of my high school experience.

You knocked me off my feet… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEU9Q8NlOiY  [UTube]

(CNN) — Michael Jackson, the show-stopping singer whose best-selling albums — including “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad” — and electrifying stage presence made him one of the most popular artists of all time, died Thursday, CNN has confirmed.  Michael Jackson, shown in 2008, was one of the biggest pop stars in history.  

He was 50.

He collapsed at his residence in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California, about noon Pacific time, suffering cardiac arrest, according to brother Randy Jackson. He died at UCLA Medical Center.

Yesterday I went to funeral for a 19 year girl. Melissa was the step-daughter of a fellow brother knight, Joe Thorton. She was killed in an automobile accident on I-75 last Thursday night. Death is always shocking but this one was closer to home. On Thursday night I was with Joe at a meeting for the knights at Queen of Peace. Joe is such a wonderful man. At the reception following the funeral I spoke with him briefly and he said that it was very strange going through it because he always heard about accidents like this but never thought it would be so close to him. He commented that the Lord must have a reason for this happening. Because I know that praying the Rosary is so special to him, I told him when I found out about the accident that I would pray the Rosary for Melissa. I did on Monday and it was comforting.

At the funeral, her boyfriend Justin of 5 years stood up before Mass and read a REAL love letter from her dated Sept. 30th. He said he wanted to say somethings about her, but decided to just read the letter. It was so touching. The reason I say REAL love letter is because it was a foreshadow in a way to what was going to happen. She expresses her love for Justin and his and her family and says “if I never get the chance to say it before I die, I love all of you.”. It was very sad, but I am sure it was helpful to all that loved her. I had never experienced anything like it before.

I also saw many young people there. I have been to many funerals but never for a 19 year old.

Joe said to me that Melissa was “very deep” in her thoughts and words. While I did not know her in life, she touched me in her death.

God Bless and may God hold you in his arms Melissa.