obituaries
Roger Nichols, best-known for co-writing such Carpenters hits as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “I Won’t Last a Day Without You” with lyricist Paul Williams, died on May 17. He was 84.
Williams confirmed Nichols’ death in an extended, and deeply affectionate, post on Instagram. Williams didn’t list a cause of death, though he reported the basic circumstances of the death. “Roger Nichols passed away peacefully four days ago, at home with his beautiful family …his wife Terry and the daughters he was so proud of, Claire and Caitlin at his side.” (See full text of Williams Instagram post below.)
Nichols signed as an artist to A&M Records in 1968, a year before Karen and Richard Carpenter were signed to the Los Angeles-based label. His debut album Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends was produced by Tommy LiPuma, engineered by Bruce Botnick, and featured session contributions from Van Dyke Parks, Randy Newman and Lenny Waronker. Although the album failed to crack the Billboard 200, A&M co-founder Herb Alpert thought there was something there and recommended that Nichols be hired by A&M’s publishing company as a staff songwriter. It was during this period that he was introduced to Williams.
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That was a characteristically astute call on Alpert’s part. Williams and Nichols were one of the hottest pop songwriting teams of the early 1970s.
Williams and Nichols took off as songwriters in the fall of 1970, when they had two songs in the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. On the charts dated Oct. 17 and 24, Carpenters’ version of “We’ve Only Just Begun,” a ballad which had originated as “soft-sell” commercial for Crocker-Citizens National Bank, was in the top five (on its way to a No. 2 peak). Three Dog Night’s “Out in the Country” was holding at its No. 15 peak.
The Carpenters smash, an instant standard, was lushly romantic. The Three Dog Night hit was a fresh-sounding mix of pop, rock and folk. Having two simultaneous hits by two different acts in two different styles caught the industry’s attention. “We’ve Only Just Begun” went on to receive two Grammy nominations – for song of the year and best contemporary song — at the first live Grammy telecast in March 1971. (It lost both awards to Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”)
Williams and Nichols continued writing songs for the Carpenters, including “Rainy Days and Mondays,” a superb and remarkably adult ballad which reached No. 2 (it took Carole King’s letter-perfect “It’s Too Late” to keep it out of the top spot), “Let Me Be the One” (another first-rate ballad that the duo never got around to releasing as a single), and “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” a 1972 album track that was finally released as a single in 1974, when it climbed to No. 11.
Barbra Streisand covered “I Won’t Last a Day Without You” on her ButterFly album later in 1974. On her following album, Lazy Afternoon, she recorded another Williams-Nichols song, “I Never Had It So Good.” Both of those albums went gold.
Art Garfunkel recorded a tender Williams-Nichols song, “Traveling Boy,” for his first solo album, 1973’s Angel Clare, which made the top 10 on the Billboard 200. The song was released as the third single from the album, and bubbled under the Hot 100.
Nichols also had some successes with other collaborators. He teamed with William Lane to write “Times of Your Life,” which Paul Anka recorded in 1975. Like “We’ve Only Just Begun,” this song was also adapted from a popular TV commercial – for Kodak. Anka’s recording reached No 7 on the Hot 100 in February 1976.
Nichols retired soon afterwards, but his songs live on. R.E.M. covered “Out in the Country” as a B-side for their 2003 single “Bad Day.” Rumer covered “Traveling Boy” on her 2012 album Boys Don’t Cry.
Nichols was honored during Florida Chapter Presents The Recording Academy Honors 2006 at Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami.
He was nominated for the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Nov. 12, for the class that will be inducted on June 12. He wasn’t elected (the competition is fierce every year), but the ballot listed the five songs that are probably his most famous and enduring: “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” “Out in the Country,” “Times of Your Life”
In a comment on Williams’ Instagram post, Nichols’ daughter Claire wrote, “My mom, Terri, and my sisters, Caroline and Caitlin, are all so proud of the man he was, and are in awe of the legacy he leaves.”
Here’s the full text of Williams’ Instagram post announcing Nichols’ death.
“The first song, Roger Nichols and I wrote was called “it’s hard to say goodbye. “… Sadly, we hit the nail on the head. Roger Nichols passed away peacefully four days ago, at home with his beautiful family …his wife Terry and the daughters he was so proud of, Claire and Caitlin at his side. They were his dream come true. His greatest joy“Roger was my writing partner and my music school… a collaboratorfor years and a friend for life. I was an out of work actor looking for a career in music when I was signed by A&M records publishing. They were looking for a lyricist for Roger Nichols. An industrial strength, lucky break that changed my life.“We wrote almost every day for several years. He was as disciplined as he was talented. I had the attention span of a sea otter… I was ready for a break after three hours and Roger would plunge ahead for another four or five. The words were born of the beauty in his completed melodies.I wrote what I heard, note for note…word for word. The lyrics waiting in the emotion already in his music. He made it easy.“After many wonderful productive years, I wanted us to write songs for movies. He had another dream. He said I wanna go fishing … wanna go back to Montana. He smiled and said something about having a family and maybe making a home by a nice little river… it was clear that he was already gone. A few years ago, I visited him and met Terry and the girls at the house by the river …and I knew he found his dream.“One last story. Roger was really excited when his daughter Caitlin was getting married last September. He chuckled and asked, “can you picture me wheeling down the aisle in my wheelchair, holding my daughter’s hand?”“Of course, I said yes then …. and right now Roger, I can picture thousands of proud dads and their beautiful daughters that walked down the aisle to your gorgeous music or danced their father and daughter dance to We’ve only just begun… picture them standing and applauding what you brought to their lives and to mine. You brought love and beauty into this world, and we will never forget you.In gratitude with much love… Paul”
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Val Kilmer, a prolific actor who got his start in the 1980s, starred in a series of films, both dramatic and comedic, throughout his long career. On April 1, Val Kilmer passed away from an illness, and fans on X are honoring the star.
Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, according to a Wikipedia entry. Kilmer was accepted into the Juilliard School in its Drama Division and was reportedly the youngest person at the time to do so.
Kilmer began his stage career in 1981, and in 1983, he appeared in The Slab Boys with Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, and Jackie Earle Haley. The following year, Kilmer appeared in Top Secret!, an action comedy directed by the filmmaking trio, Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker. Perhaps Kilmer’s biggest roles were star turns in Top Gun, Tombstone, The Doors, Heat, and voicing Moses/God in the animated film, The Prince of Egypt, among other roles.
In 2015, Kilmer suffered a health complication that sparked rumors in Hollywood that the actor was suffering from cancer, a fact he confirmed two years later in 2017 by revealing he was suffering from throat cancer. Initially, Kilmer didn’t seek medical treatment as it went against his Christian Science faith, but eventually did so.
Kilmer would continue to act after getting treatment, which rendered his voice a whisper, last appearing in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick opposite Tom Cruise in the role of Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky.
On X and across social media, many are honoring the life of Kilmer, including many of his peers in Hollywood. We’ve got those reactions in the gallery below.
Kilmer is survived by his daughter, Mercedes, and Jack, also an actor like his father. Val Kilmer was 65.
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Photo: Getty
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Val Kilmer, a prolific actor who got his start in the 1980s, starred in a series of films, both dramatic and comedic, throughout his long career. On April 1, Val Kilmer passed away from an illness, and fans on X are honoring the star.
Val Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, according to a Wikipedia entry. Kilmer was accepted into the Juilliard School in its Drama Division and was reportedly the youngest person at the time to do so.
Kilmer began his stage career in 1981, and in 1983, he appeared in The Slab Boys with Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, and Jackie Earle Haley. The following year, Kilmer appeared in Top Secret!, an action comedy directed by the filmmaking trio, Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker. Perhaps Kilmer’s biggest roles were star turns in Top Gun, Tombstone, The Doors, Heat, and voicing Moses/God in the animated film, The Prince of Egypt, among other roles.
In 2015, Kilmer suffered a health complication that sparked rumors in Hollywood that the actor was suffering from cancer, a fact he confirmed two years later in 2017 by revealing he was suffering from throat cancer. Initially, Kilmer didn’t seek medical treatment as it went against his Christian Science faith, but eventually did so.
Kilmer would continue to act after getting treatment, which rendered his voice a whisper, last appearing in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick opposite Tom Cruise in the role of Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky.
On X and across social media, many are honoring the life of Kilmer, including many of his peers in Hollywood. We’ve got those reactions in the gallery below.
Kilmer is survived by his daughter, Mercedes, and Jack, also an actor like his father. Val Kilmer was 65.
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Photo: Getty
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We are sad to report that ATL rapper Young Scooter reportedly died today (Mar. 28) as he celebrated his 39th birthday.
WSB-TV reports that Atlanta PD responded to the shooting near the intersection of Luckie Street NW and Mills Street NW, blocks away from State Farm Arena, where the NCAA College Basketball tournament is taking place.
The shooting occurred around 6:45 pm. Scooter was rushed to the hospital, where police confirmed that he died from his injuries.
Fellow ATL rappers Playboi Carti and Ralo paid tribute to Scooter on social media.
Raised in Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood, Scooter (real name Kenneth Bailey) was among the first artists to sign with Future’s Freebandz imprint in 2012. One year later, he jointly signed with Waka Flocka Flame’s Brick Squad Monopoly.
He first gained notable recognition with his Street Lottery mixtape (2012), led by the single “Colombia.” The track became a regional hit, with rappers Rick Ross, Birdman, and Gucci Mane hopping on the remix.
Scooter would later earn his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with his guest feature on Future and Juice Wrld’s “Jet Lag.” The track peaked at #72 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Scooter would go on to release 20 mixtapes within the course of his career, making a lasting impact on Atlanta’s Hip-Hop scene. His contributions to the game will never be forgotten.
This is a developing story.
Check Out Our Throwback Interview With Young Scooter From 2013
REPORT: Young Scooter Shot & Killed In Downtown Atlanta
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John Amos, the actor famed for portraying James Evans on Good Times, amongst other roles, has passed away. He was 83.
Variety reports that Amos’ reps confirmed that he actually passed away over a month ago, on August 21, in Los Angeles from natural causes. It is unclear why it took so long for the public to become aware of his death.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” said Amos’ son, Kelly Christopher Amos, in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. most recently in ‘Suits LA’ playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”
Born in Newark and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Amos’ most popular role as an actor was easily as the middle-aged, blue collar father James Evans on Good Times. But it is worth noting that Amos was infamously fired after three seasons on the hit show due to disagreements with its writers. Apparently, Amos felt the scribes didn’t understand the Black people they were supposed to be writing about.
“The truth of it was when the show first started, we had no African-American writers on the show, and some of the attitudes they had written, as per my character and, frankly, for some of the other characters as well, caused me to say, ‘Uh uh, we can’t do this, we can’t do that.’ And they’d say, ‘What do you mean we can’t do this?’,” Amos told Sway In The Morning in 2017. “They’d go on about their credits and all the rest of that and I’d look at each and every one of them and say, ‘Well, how long have you been Black? That just doesn’t happen in the community. We don’t think that way. We don’t act that way. We don’t let our children do that. I was laying down what I thought were good rules to make the show stronger and better, they didn’t agree with me.’”
Other beloved characters in the late actor’s portfolio include Kansas City Mack in 1975’s Let’s Do It Again, Cleo McDowell in 1988’s Coming To America, and the adult Kunta Kinte in 1977’s miniseries Roots.
As soon as news of Amos’ passing start to spread, tributes to his greatness began pouring in over social media. We’ve compiled some of the more notable reactions below.
Rest in powerful peace John Amos.
John David “JD” Souther, known for his work as an artist, songwriter and actor, and his collaborations with artists including the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, died peacefully at his home in New Mexico, according to a statement posted on his official website on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Souther was 78.
Souther forged a friendship with the Eagles’ Glenn Frey and would collaborate as a writer on many of the Eagles’ biggest hits, including “New Kid in Town,” “James Dean,” “Doolin-Dalton” and “Best of My Love.” Souther also co-wrote the Eagles’ 1979 hit “Heartache Tonight” alongside Frey, Bob Seger and Don Henley, and co-wrote Henley’s 1989 hit song “The Heart of the Matter.” Souther also wrote songs including Bonnie Raitt’s “Run Like a Thief,” and Ronstadt’s “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues.” Souther and Ronstadt also collaborated together on songs including “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Hearts Against the Wind,” which was featured in the 1980 film Urban Cowboy starring John Travolta.
In the process, Souther became one of the foremost musical architects in the 1970s country-rock scene. Souther was born in Detroit and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He began recording with a local group in Texas known as The Cinders; the group would release a single on Warner Bros. as John David and the Cinders.
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Souther made his self-titled debut in 1972, and then teamed with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay to release the album The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. Souther followed with the 1976 solo album Black Rose, which included a collaboration with Ronstadt, “If You Have Crying Eyes.”
Souther’s most well-known solo hit came in 1979 with “You’re Only Lonely,” which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1981, Souther nearly notched another top 10 on that chart, as his collaboration with James Taylor, “Her Town Too,” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2015, he released his final album, Tenderness, telling Billboard at the time, “I wanted simple melodies and really beautiful arrangements. I wanted a really nice landscape for these stories to play out in. I just wanted to drive a little more gently; Mario Andretti once said the ideal is to win the race at the slowest speed, meaning you protect the equipment. It’s smooth. Winning a race is about power, but it’s also about being smooth…I think I sang this album better than I’ve sung any album before,” he says. “I’m not singing licks and trying to do fancy things. I’m just singing the melody; it seems to tell the story better. I didn’t have to strain. It didn’t tempt me to sing a bunch of licks or to oversing or sing too loud. Linda Ronstadt always tells me to pronounce the words, and she’s right. It makes a big difference. It gives the song more truth.”
As an actor, Souther appeared in movies including My Girl 2, Deadline and Postcards From the Edge, and in television series including Thirtysomething, Purgatory and a recurring role on Nashville.
Souther was honored with one of songwriting’s highest honors, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, in 2013.
“It’s been said that JD Souther could have been a major artist if he had kept more of those beautiful, introspective songs he wrote for himself,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. “He had the aching tenor voice, the good looks that got him TV acting jobs. But he was happy to co-write ‘New Kid in Town’ and ‘Best of My Love’ with his friends the Eagles and give ‘Prisoner in Disguise’ to Linda Ronstadt. He wasn’t a star of country-rock, but he was crucial to its enduring power.”
Souther had been set to launch a new tour with Karla Bonoff on Sept. 24 in Phoenix. Souther is survived by two sisters, his former wife and her daughter, as well as his dogs Layla and Bob, as well as many colleagues within the music community.
Donations in Souther’s honor can be made to the Best Friends Animal Society.
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Fatman Scoop, born Isaac Freeman III, has reportedly passed away. He was 52.
The CT Insider reports that Scoop’s tour manager confirmed his passing. On Friday evening (August 30), Scoop reportedly suffered some type of medical emergency while on stage at the Hamden Town Center Park in Connecticut. CPR was performed before he was transported to a local hospital.
Scoop’s tour manager, Birch Michael aka Pure Cold, took to social media to announce the beloved rapper and hyepman’s death. “I am honestly lost for words… You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today,” said Pure Cold in his post. “Thank you so much, I love you x.”
Scoop and his booming voice came to fame in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, thanks to his earworm hooks on party break tracks like “Where U @?” with Crooklyn Clan. But it was own club-rocking anthem, the Faith Evans (and many more) sampling “Be Faithful” that made him a star. It reportedly took years to get the track’s multiple samples cleared. He also featured on Missy Elliott’s his singled “Lose Control” with Ciara.
But real heads remember Fatman Scoop as the former radio promotions man at Tommy Boy Records who would be seen in the label’s famed ads in back of The Source magazine.
Recently, Fatman Scoop linked up with the Bronx rapper Dyce Peso, appearing on a song called
Since news of his collapse and unfortunate passing broke, social media has been mourning and honoring the Hip-Hop legend for his contributions to the culture.
Rest in powerful peace Fatman Scoop.
This story is developing.
3. Trigger Warning
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On May 1, it was revealed that Dallas Penn, a dot connector, fashion architect, sneaker savant, pioneering podcaster and much, much more—had passed away. He was 53.
“Dallas has ascended to the music that was waiting for him,” posted his wife on Penn’s Facebook page. “From September 1970 to April 2024, he always said it don’t stop, it won’t stop, and he’s waiting for us all at the Funkadelic Stevie Wonder Sean Price party in the sky. Rest my love and see you in our other lifetimes. Love you always, for all time.”
Instantaneously, the tributes began pouring in, a testament to the indelible impact Penn managed to leave on culture. In the early 2000’s Dallas Penn paved ground as a vlogger and podcaster, harnessing the then still relatively untapped power of interconnect networks of “The Internets.”
Penn was critical in the creation of The Combat Jack Show with Reggie “Combat Jack” Show, which is often credited with popularizing the podcast format, particularly in Hip-Hip circles. You can just ask DJ Ben Hameen, he was there.
But it’s DJ Premier who may have said it best about the Queens native with the all-city rep. “To know Dallas Penn is to love Dallas Penn.Funny, Super Hip Hop, Lo Gear Head, will look at you like he doesn’t believe you,” he wrote in an Instagram tribute.
Penn’s sharp wit, passionate insight and enthusiasm for life itself made him a friend to many in this industry—including the writer of this story. Hip-Hop Wired was fortunate enough to include Dallas Penn and the late Combat Jack as contributors.
Hip-Hop Wired’s condolences go out to the family and friends of the inimatable Dallas Penn. Rest in power dear friend—it never stops. See more tributes to Dallas Penn in the gallery.
Sandra Crouch, the late Andraé Crouch’s twin sister who co-wrote “Jesus Is the Answer,” has died. She was 81.
Sandra Crouch passed away on Sunday, March 17 at Northridge Hospital in Northridge, California, following complications from radiation for a non-cancerous brain lesion, Billboard has learned.
Sandra and Andraé were born on July 1, 1942, in Los Angeles to parents who went into ministry and founded Christ Memorial Church C.O.G.I.C. in 1951. The siblings began performing music together around 1960 as The COGICS, alongside friends who were active at church.
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Andraé went on to form the group Andraé Crouch & The Disciples, and Sandra worked as a percussionist in Hollywood. As a percussionist, Sandra’s credits included playing on notable projects like The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” Neil Diamond’s Tap Root Manuscript and Janis Joplin’s Pearl album.
In the 1970s, Crouch joined her brother with The Disciples, singing, playing and co-writing songs including “Jesus Is the Answer,” which became a mainstay on gospel radio.
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Among the twins’ musical accomplishments together was backing Michael Jackson on several songs on History – Past, Present and Future Book 1, and on “Man in the Mirror” when Jackson performed it live at the Grammys in 1988. Both Andraé and Sandra also worked on film soundtracks for 1985’s The Color Purple, 1993’s Free Willy and 1994’s The Lion King.
Sandra released three of her own albums in the 1980s, all of which resulted in Grammy nominations — and collected a Grammy for one of them.
Her first solo album, We Sing Praises — featuring singles “He’s Worthy,” “There’s Power in the Blood” and “We Need to Hear From You” — was released in 1983. The set earned Crouch three nominations and won the award for best soul gospel performance, female at the 26th annual Grammy Awards.
We’re Waiting, Crouch’s sophomore solo album, arrived in 1985 with the song “Completely Yes.” The album and track were nominated for best soul gospel performance by a duo, group, choir or chorus at the 28th annual Grammy Awards, though Crouch did not take home an award this time around.
Crouch’s third and final solo album, With All of My Heart, was released in 1992. It received a nomination, but did not win, for best gospel album by a choir or chorus at the 35th annual Grammy Awards. She went on the road in support of the album with Daryl Coley and the Richard Smallwood Singers on the Gospel: Good for the Soul Tour.
Sandra won two GMA Dove Awards for traditional gospel album, first for We Sing Praises in 1984, and then for With All of My Heart in 1993.
Andraé Crouch had taken over their parents’ church, Christ Memorial COGIC in San Fernando, California, in 1998 and ordained Sandra as a co-pastor, which defied the COGIC denomination’s policy against female preachers. They gave the church a new name: New Chris Memorial Church.
Sandra assumed the role of senior pastor beginning in 2015, when her brother passed.
The church’s assistant pastor, Kenneth J. Cook, released a statement about Sandra’s death last week via social media, writing, “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce that at 12pm today, March 17, 2024, our beloved Senior Pastor Sandra Elaine Crouch transitioned into the arms of the Lord. We as believers know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We will forever cherish the memories and teachings we received from her.”
Crouch’s life will be celebrated with an April 16 viewing and musical tribute at New Christ Memorial Church, followed by a homegoing service on April 17.