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Mexican music director and producer Lynn Fainchtein, known for her work as music supervisor on films such as Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Amores Perros and Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, died on Friday (March 1) at the age of 59 in Madrid, Spain, where she lived, informed the record label Casete, which she co-founded.
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A cause of death has not been disclosed; a spokesperson for Casete told Billboard Español that he had no information at this time. An outpouring of messages of condolences from musicians, cultural institutions, filmmakers, journalists, actors and personalities of the music and film industry in Mexico flooded social networks during the early hours of Friday, when news of her passing broke.
“Rest in peace Lynn Fainchtein, a beacon of light and music. May the best soundtrack always accompany you,” said Alejandra Frausto, Mexico’s Secretary of Culture, on her X account.
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“‘Que Viva Mexico’ forever with your musical supervision, dear Lynn Fainchtein. In ‘Roma,’ ‘Babel,’ with ‘Abel,’ or with ‘Precious,’ ‘Los adioses’ (or goodbyes) are always sad,” wrote the Filmoteca de la UNAM, using titles of films in which the artist worked.
Fainchtein studied psychology at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), but for more than three decades, she served as an innovative broadcaster, film, radio and television producer.
In her early days, she worked as an announcer for the local Mexico City station Rock 101, where she met Mexican filmmaker Iñárritu, who was then working in advertising and voice-overs. Eventually, she became one of his closest collaborators in his award-winning film career.
With Iñárritu, she worked as music supervisor on all of his films, including the Oscar-nominated (and/or Oscar-winning) Bardo, The Revenant, Birdman, Biutiful, Babel, 21 Grams and Amores Perros.
“Alejandro always starts working on the music when he is almost finished with the script. For him, music is as important as production, art, wardrobe, makeup. He is a director who works on music a long time before and takes it as a very important part of his projects,” said Fainchtein in an interview with Billboard Español in December 2022.
In 2018, she served as music supervisor for Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, winner of the Golden Lion at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and Academy Awards for best director, best foreign language film and best cinematography.
In 2022, Cuarón invited Lynn to oversee and create the music for his first television series for Apple TV+, Augustus, which would premiere this year, starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline and Sacha Baron Cohen, according to her official website.
She was head of programming and news producer for MTV LATAM until 2000. In 2012 she co-founded the independent record label Casete with musician and producer Camilo Lara, Héctor Reyes Guevara and Paco Arraigada.
As music supervisor and producer, she participated in numerous films and shows for Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Apple, Fox and Star+, among many other studios. She also collaborated regularly with La Corriente del Golfo, the production company founded by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, where she supervised the music for Abel, Déficit, J.C. Chávez and Mr. Pig.
Among her other major projects are David France’s Oscar-nominated documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, Patricia Riggen’s The 33, Luis Estrada’s ¡Qué Viva México, La Dictadura Perfecta and El infierno, as well as Jonás Cuarón’s most recent film, Chupa, released on Netflix in 2023.
Last year, Fainchtein supervised the music for Perdidos en la Noche, by fellow award-winning Mexican filmmaker Amat Escalante, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Lisandro Meza, one of the biggest names in Colombian music, died on Saturday (Dec. 23) at the age of 86, almost three weeks after being hospitalized due to a stroke, informed the Specialized Clinic La Concepción in Sincelejo, in his native state of Sucre, Colombia, where he was.
“La Concepción regrets to report the sensitive death of maestro Lisandro Meza Márquez, minstrel of sabanera music, cumbia, porro, vallenato and disseminator of Colombian music to the world,” the clinic said in a statement signed by its manager, Guillermo Ruiz.
En estos momentos de profundo dolor, la familia Meza se une para lamentar la partida de nuestro pilar, Lisandro Meza. Su amor, sabiduría y música seguirán inspirándonos. Agradecemos el apoyo y las condolencias en este difícil momento. 🕊️🌹 #LutoFamiliar #LisandroMeza pic.twitter.com/IMeFhDIFkh— Lisandro Meza (@Lisandromeza) December 24, 2023
Meza’s family confirmed the passing of their “pillar” on the singer’s official account on X (formerly Twitter,) saying that “his love, wisdom and music will continue to inspire us,” and thanking everyone’s “support and condolences at this difficult time.” The Colombian Ministry of Culture highlighted that “his art embraced cumbia, porro, paseo and vallenato” and that “songs like ‘El Guayabo de la Ye’ and ‘El Hijo de Tuta’ will remain forever in our memory.”
Lamentamos el fallecimiento del cantante y compositor Lisandro Meza. Su arte abrazó la cumbia, porro, paseo y vallenato. Canciones como “El guayabo de la ye” y “El hijo de Tuta”, quedarán por siempre en nuestra memoria. Descansa en paz, maestro de la música colombiana. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/IH4xMCoTvF— MinCultura Colombia (@mincultura) December 24, 2023
Born on Sept. 26, 1937 in Los Palmitos, Meza became known in the 1950s with compositions that became popular in the Colombian Caribbean, according to El País. In 1965, he joined Los Corraleros de Majagual as an accordionist, a group in which he worked with other greats vallenato singers and songwriters such as Alfredo Gutiérrez and Calixto Ochoa. In 1969, he competed in the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata and came in second place, after Nicolás “Colacho” Mendoza, but the attendees stated that Meza should have won, and nicknamed him since then “el Rey sin Corona” (“the King without a Crown”,) reports the same newspaper.
Over the decades, Meza recorded dozens of albums, of his own or with other groups, releasing hits such as “Senderito de Amor,” “El Macho,” “El Hombre Feliz,” “Ni que Estuviera Loco,” and many others.
“Maestro Lisandro Meza, on behalf of all the Colombian people, thank you for being born in this land. Until we meet again,” Carlos Vives wrote on his X account, where he also published three photographs of himself with the accordionist and musician.
Other Colombian artists expressed their sorrow for his passing. “Lamenting the death of maestro Lisandro Meza. Condolences to all his family and friends,” wrote Juanes. While Jorge Celedón tweeted: “Maestro #LizandroMeza, a great of Colombian musician, leaves us today. I feel enormous sadness for his departure […] I will always remember that noble hug and greeting every time we met.”
Lamentando la muerte del maestro Lisandro Meza. Sentido pésame para toda su familia y amigos.— JUANES (@JUANES) December 24, 2023
El maestro #LizandroMeza un grande de la música Colombiana, nos deja hoy, siento una enorme tristeza por su partida, un abrazo solidario a su familia, mucha fortaleza en este duro momento, recordaré siempre ese noble abrazo y saludo cada vez que nos encontrábamos…🙏🙏— JORGE CELEDON (@Jorgitoceledon) December 23, 2023
Meza was married for more than six decades to Luz Domínguez and, according to different media outlets, and he was the father of 16 children.
Veteran entertainment attorney Kendall A. Minter, whose diverse range of past and present clients included songwriter-producers Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox and D’Mile, MC Lyte, Kirk Franklin, Lena Horne and the Backstreet Boys, has died. He passed away suddenly from medical complications on Dec. 6 in Atlanta. He was 71.
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Minter, a longtime social advocate who also represented politicians, religious leaders, churches, authors and sports figures, was also the general counsel and an officer of the Living Legends Foundation. In 2015 Minter was presented with the 32-year-old organization’s Chairman’s Award.
“Kendall and I have been friends and colleagues for more than 30 years,” said Living Legends chairman David C. Linton in a statement released by the organization. “Kendall is one of the reasons why the Living Legends Foundation has maintained and survived as one of the leading and one of the few Black music organizations. We’re still standing because of his guidance. He helped us sustain the organization through some turbulent times, especially during the transition from the old model of the recording industry to today’s model, providing us with steady and sound legal counsel. We’re forever grateful for his service and leadership, not only to the Living Legends Foundation, but to the other Black organizations that he helped build during the past 40 years as well as his commitment to a long list of Black music and entertainment executives that he mentored and counseled.”
Before his death, Minter was Of Counsel with the entertainment & sports practice group at Greenspoon Marder LLP in Stone Mountain, Georgia. At Greenspoon Marder, he represented clientele in the areas of entertainment, corporate, intellectual property, sports and new media matters.
He also led and maintained his 43-year law practice, now known as Minter & Associates, based in Atlanta. Over the course of that period, his varied clientele past and present also included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Miriam Makeba, Peter Tosh, Musiq Soulchild, Goodie Mob, Montell Jordan, Ashanti, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Teddy Riley, Heavy D & The Boyz, radio pioneer Frankie Crocker, boxer Evander Holyfield, the Government of Jamaica and The Central Park Five, now known as The Exonerated Five, among others.
Minter also co-founded and served as the first executive director of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) and was the former chairman of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. He served as a board member as well for Sound Exchange, Georgia Music Partners and the DeKalb Entertainment Commission.
Born May 24, 1952 and raised in the Flushing section of Queens, NY, Minter earned his B.A. in political science from Cornell University in 1974 and his law degree from Cornell Law School in 1976. His first job out of law school was as association general counsel and corporate representative for broadcasting at Fairchild Industries. Over the course of his law career, Minter practiced with firms in Georgia, New York and the District of Columbia. He launched his first solo practice, the Law Firm of Kendall A. Minter, in 1980 and later opened affiliated offices in Los Angeles and London.
Minter’s other accomplishments include writing the book Understanding and Negotiating 3600 Ancillary Rights Deals: An Artist’s Guide to Negotiating 3600 Record Deals. He served as well as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University in the School of Music and the College of Law, where he taught copyright and music publishing.
Details about funeral services for Minter will be announced shortly.
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Norman Lear, a screenwriter and producer behind several hit sitcoms that were huge in the 1970s, has died. Lear, who produced The Jeffersons and other beloved Black sitcoms, was involved with over 100 shows and worked as a producer well into the next century after his initial encounter with fame.
Norman Lear was born July 22, 1922, in New Haven, Conn. After a stint in the military in the 1940s, Lear got involved in entertainment by first working in public relations. Along with his cousin’s husband, comedian and writer Ed Simmons, Lear and Simmons wrote comedy sketches for the likes of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis for their comedy variety show.
In 1959, Lear created his first television show, The Deputy, with Henry Fonda. Lear then became known as a comedy writer through the 1960s. In 1971, Lear saw the debut of his show All In The Family, which went on to become a hit with critics and viewers alike. Sanford & Son was another hit that came the following year in 1972.
All In The Family spawned spinoff series too such as Maude in 1972, and The Jeffersons in 1975. The Jeffersons, which ran for 11 seasons and starred Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, and Marla Gibbs, is one of the longest-running sitcoms of all time. Good Times, starring Esther Rolle and Jon Amos, was developed by Lear in 1974 although he just served one year as its lead producer.
Lear served as the executive producer of the One Day At A Time revival in 2017 for Netflix and has a credit as an executive producer for the I Got A Monster documentary in 2023.
Lear is survived by his wife, producer Lyn Davis, six children from his three marriages, and four grandchildren.
Norman Lear was 101.
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Less than three months after Denny Laine’s wife, Elizabeth Hines, started a GoFundMe to help with his “critical” health issues following a serious bout of COVID-19 followed by a bacterial infection, Hines has shared that the rock legend – who co-founded The Moody Blues and Wings alongside Paul and Linda McCartney — died on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
“My darling husband passed away peacefully early this morning,” Hines wrote on Laine’s Facebook page on Dec. 5. “I was at his bedside, holding his hand as I played his favorite Christmas songs for him. He’s been singing Christmas songs the past few weeks and I continued to play Christmas songs while he’s been in ICU on a ventilator this past week. He and I both believed he would overcome his health setbacks and return to the rehabilitation center and eventually home. Unfortunately, his lung disease, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), is unpredictable and aggressive; each infection weakened and damaged his lungs. He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained. All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar. Denny was so very thankful to all of you who sent him so much love, support and the many kind words during these past few months of his health crisis-it brought him to tears. I thank you all for sending both of us love and support.”
The English musician, born Oct. 29, 1944, took up guitar in his youth, inspired by jazz guitar great Django Reinhardt. After a stint in a band called The Diplomats, he became a co-founder of the legendary British rock outfit The Moody Blues in 1964 alongside singer Mike Pinder. Laine lent a lilting lead vocal performance to the group’s first hit, a smash cover of “Go Now,” which topped the U.K. singles chart and reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Laine’s tenure with the group was brief – following 1965’s The Magnificent Moodies, he left the band, which would go on to help pioneer prog-rock with its second album, Days of Future Passed. (His membership in the Moody Blues ensured his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.)
Following the Moody Blues, Laine formed the Electric String Band, released a couple solo singles and played alongside Cream skinsman Ginger Baker in Ginger Baker’s Air Force. But an unexpected phone call from an old friend returned Laine to the top in 1971. Paul McCartney, whom Laine had known since the early ‘60s, rang him up and invited Laine to join a new band the former Beatle was forming alongside his wife, Linda McCartney. For the next decade, Laine and the McCartneys were the sole constants of the band’s ever-shifting lineup – in fact, it was solely the core trio that crafted what became the band’s most celebrated album, 1973’s Band on the Run.
“In order to move forward, you have to try new things,” Laine told Billboard earlier this year about the tumultuous sessions in Lagos, Nigeria, that birthed the classic LP. “It’s like being a gambler. You gamble with things because it’s more exciting. It’s more appealing. It’s not the normal, everyday 9-to-5 job, it’s more of a ‘Let’s try something new.’”
The title track became one of Wings’ six Hot 100-topping singles, while the album became one of the band’s five Billboard 200-topping albums. The LP also featured his first McCartney co-write on a Wings album with “No Words.” On follow-up album Venus and Mars, and every Wings album thereafter, Laine would contribute lead vocals and writing credits to at least one song.
Wings officially wrapped by the 1980s, but Laine and McCartney stayed in touch, with Laine playing on Macca’s Tug of War (1982) and Pipes of Peace (1983), in addition to co-writing the “Ebony and Ivory” b-side, “Rainclouds.”
McCartney contributed to Laine’s solo efforts released during the tenure of Wings, including the delightfully lo-fi Buddy Holly covers album Holly Days in 1977 and Japanese Tears in 1980. Laine’s final solo effort, The Blue Musician, came out in 2008, though he continued to perform live. Laine had announced tour dates for 2023, but his health issues forced him to cancel them.
Laine is survived by five children, two of whom he shared with late ex-wife Jo Jo Laine, and his widow, Elizabeth Hines.
“It was my absolute honor and privilege to not only be his wife, but to care for him during his illness and vulnerability,” Hines wrote in the Facebook post announcing his death. “Thank you to Dennys surgeons, doctors, specialists, physical therapists and nurses at Naples Hospital for working so hard to help him. Thank you for your compassion and support for me during these past several emotional months. My world will never be the same. Denny was an amazingly wonderful person, so loving and sweet to me. He made my days colorful, fun and full of life-just like him. Thank you sweetie for loving me, for all the laughter, friendship, fun and for asking me to be your wife. I will love you forever Please give Denny’s friends and family the time and privacy needed as we grieve our loss. Much love, Elizabeth Hines.”
Nigerian rapper Oladips has died at 28, his management team confirmed in a statement shared to Instagram on Wednesday (Nov. 15). A cause of death for the rapper was not revealed publicly. “We are saddened to inform the general public that Oladipupo Olabode Oladimeji aka OLADIPS has passed away on Nov. 14 Tuesday evening at […]
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Matthew Perry, an actor who became one of the most recognizable television stars of his era, died over the weekend inside his home. Perry was one of the stars of the hit sitcom Friends, and fans of the show are remembering him via the X platform.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub inside his Los Angeles, Calif. home on Saturday (October 28). Perry was discovered unresponsive in the hot tub around 4 p.m. local time and the cause of death is still unknown to the public. Per the account of authorities, there seems to be no foul play. A cause of death will be later announced by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Perry made his mark on pop culture as Chandler Bing on Friends, which aired on NBC. The series also starred Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. Warner Bros. Television Group, which produced the show, issued a statement to the Times in honor of Perry.
“We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry,” the statement began. “Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”
“We are incredibly saddened by the too soon passing of Matthew Perry,” NBC added in a statement to the Times. “He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch perfect comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations.”
Perry was born in Williamstown, Mass. on August 19, 1969. His father, John Bennett Perry worked as an actor and his mother Suzanne Marie Morrison worked as a journalist in Canada and was the former press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Perry’s stepfather is Canadian journalist Keith Morrison.
After living as a child in Canada, Perry found work as a child actor. He starred in small roles in Beverly Hills 90210, and Charles In Charge, among other movies and shows. Things changed for Perry in 1994 with the debut of Friends, a huge hit that lasted for 10 seasons on NBC. Perry also played the role of Oscar Madison on the CBS reboot of The Odd Couple.
Matthew Perry was 54 years old.
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Photo: Getty
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Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of rock band Smash Mouth, died on Labor Day after dealing with a host of health complications over the years. Harwell retired from public life back in 2021 after a Smash Mouth performance where he reportedly threatened audience members and made obscene gestures.
USA Today obtained an official statement from Smash Mouth’s manager Robert Hayes detailing that Steve Harwell was surrounded by his family and friends in his final days at his home in Boise, Idaho.
From USA Today:
“Steve Harwell passed away this morning Sept. 4, 2023 at his home in Boise, Idaho. He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” Hayes said in a statement.
“Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom,” the statement continued. “And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable.”
Smash Mouth was known for its massive hit “All Star” from the band’s second album Astro Lounge, which sold triple platinum. The band’s debut album, Fush Yu Mang, sold double platinum on the back of the single “Walkin’ On The Sun.”
The band’s last released studio album was Magic, released in 2012. The band also dropped a single, “Camelot,” in 2021 but it was not attached to a full album project.
Shortly after an October 2021 concert appearance where Harwell appeared intoxicated and gesturing violently to the crowd, he retired after citing health concerns.
Steve Harwell was 56.
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Young Capone, a rapper with connections to Jermaine Dupri, has died after he was reported missing earlier this summer. Young Capone was reported missing in Chicago back in July but details of his death are still largely unknown.
The news regarding the passing of Young Capone, real name Rodriguez Smith, was delivered by his publicist, Aleesha Carter, on August 16.
From Carter’s IG:
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This is with a heavy heavy heart that I’m even posting this. We made magic when we strategically put out projects, always. Young Capone aka Dopeboy Ra aka Rara was one of my first Hip Hop/ Rap clients, and I can’t believe the news I just got of his unexpected passing! A friend…a client and just huge in East Atlanta. This is not the easiest post at all. Rest easy, RIP.
As reported by Billboard, Young Capone signed with Dupri’s So So Def imprint after making moves on the East Atlanta Hip-Hop scene in the early 2000s. Over the years, the rapper changed his name to Dopeboy Ra and worked alongside T.I. and the Hustle Gang crew on the 2017 album, We Want Smoke.
Carter also shared details of a candlelight vigil in honor of Young Capone to be held this Friday (August 25) in Decatur, Ga.
Dupri also posted an image of his former signee, sharing the track they performed together “I’m Hot” with Daz Dillinger in the background.
Young Capone was 35.
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Clarence Avant, a famed executive who dedicated his working life to a wide range of entertainment interests, has died according to reports. Dubbed “The Black Godfather,” Clarence Avant stood both as a powerful and influential figure in the world of entertainment and also a mentor to those who went on to forge their own formidable paths.
Clarence Avant was born on Feb. 25, 1931, in Greensboro, N.C. In the late 1940s, Avant moved to New Jersey and began working at a music lounge in Newark. Mentored by Joe Glaser, Louis Armstrong’s manager, Avant learned the ropes of the music business under his tutelage in the 1950s ahead of managing the careers of Lalo Schifrin and Jimmy Smith in the 1960s. Avant also managed the careers of Sarah Vaughan, and jazz producer Creed Taylor among others.
Avant oversaw the sale of the soul label Stax Records, adding to a number of other deals he helped broker at the time. Avant was also once the chairman of the board at Motown Records and went on to become the first Black board member at PolyGram. Avant’s interests also moved into the world of politics, and he advised Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama.
As a mentor to future greats, Avant lent his time to assist Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, L.A. Reid, Sylvia Rhone, Jimmy Iovine, Babyface, Jheryl Busby and more. Avant’s imprint on the entertainment world that powerful figures such as Quincy Jones lauded him for his efforts and lasting influence.
In a statement from his children, Nicole Avant and Alex Avant, and his son-in-law Ted Sarandos, the family made note of Avant’s significant contributions to the culture at large.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant. Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports. Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come. The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss. Clarence passed away gently at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023. He was 92,” the statement reads.
Avant was the subject of a documentary titled The Black Godfather, highlighting his rich career behind the scenes as one of the most powerful executives of his era. We feature the trailer for the 2019 documentary below.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, tributes to Clarence Avant have been posted. We’ll share a handful below.
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Photo: The Avant Family