Head Stones
 DENNIS COLE 1940 - 2009 He looked like he had been plucked from the surf of a Southern California beach. Photogenic blond hunk/TV star, Dennis Cole, didn’t have that signature role that would mark him specifically in pop history. Instead, he may best be remembered as 'what’s his name' on TV who was in…well….everything. Read More...
MARY TRAVERS of
ROBERT QUARRY COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE 1925 - 2009 Playing the deadly Count Yorga in two successful low-budget films of the 70s has made Robert Quarry a cult film favorite. Originally conceived as a soft porn feature, “The Loves of Count Yorga” was switched to mainstream horror when Quarry signed on. His “Dashing, Dark, and Deadly” vampire character prompted AIP to groom him as Vincent Price’s obvious successor. Watch your back, Vincent! Read More...
SOUPY SALES 1926- 2009
Early baby boomers revered Soupy Sales—TV’s loveable goofball who logged in over 5,000 live TV programs and 20,000 pies in the face. The irreverent slapstick king goes down in TV history for his famous adlib telling his young viewers to mail him those green pieces of paper with the pictures of the bearded guys that are in Mommy’s purse. Read More...
DICKIE PETERSON of BLUE CHEER 1946- 2009 He was one of the first “acid rockers.” Dickie Peterson (left in front) was the lead singer and bass player in the San Francisco-based group known in the late 60s as “The Loudest Group on the Planet.” He named his psychedelic blues band after a potent strain of LSD—Blue Cheer. The group recorded 6 albums from 1968 to 1972 and one unforgettable decibel-splitting single “Summertime Blues” —blazing the early trail of the metal scene. Read More...
PATRICK SWAYZE
 NATASHA RICHARDSON 1963 - 2009 If you believe that talent in famous acting families is passed down through their genes, then Natasha Richardson might be your case in point. She is the member of the renowned Redgrave family, being the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and director John Richardson. But as gifted as Natasha was on stage and in film, she'll unfortunately be remembered more for her untimely and startling death. Read More...
HENRY GIBSON
FARRAH FAWCETT
SKY SAXON
DEL MONROE 1936 - 2009
JODY McCREA
GALE STORM
GORDON WALLER (left) of
MOUSEKETEER CHERYL HOLDRIDGE 1944 - 2009
2008 BOOMERHEADSTONES
 GEORGE CARLIN 1937 - 2008 George Carlin stands as one of the most influential comics of all time. He started out in the early 60s as one of the many straight-laced (albeit one of the more amusing) stand-ups that typified the era. But by 1970 he had evolved into a loveable “too-hip-for-the-room” troublemaker. Pushing the boundaries as far as he could, he was arrested in 1972 for obscenity. Cynical, insightful, ground-breaking, controversial, complex, and always entertaining—that was George Carlin. Read More...
  DENNIS YOST of THE CLASSICS IV 1943 - 2008 He had a voice that could touch you. As lead singer of one of the very first soft-rock bands ever, Dennis Yost fronted The Classics IV. 40 years after the songs were recorded—“Spooky,” “Stormy,” and “Traces of Love” remain timeless musical pieces that can transport you to a really good place. Read More...
HARVEY KORMAN 1927-2008 Zany second banana Harvey Korman was one of variety TV’s most brilliant sketch artists highlighted by 10 years of “The Carol Burnett Show.” He was also a major Mel Brooks player, going down in celluloid history as Hedy (pardon me that’s Hedley) Lamarr in the 1972 comedy classic “Blazing Saddles.” Read More...
 PAUL NEWMAN 1925 - 2008 A movie star for 50 years with over a dozen signature roles, a race car champion winning his final race at age 70, and a tremendous humanitarian who gave hundreds of millions of dollars to charity, Paul Newman lived such a full life that even his megahit “Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid” was just a blip on his personal radar screen. Read More... . .  1937 - 2008 He was a crossover country artist with 2 massive hits (“Amos Moses” and “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”), a movie star alongside Burt Reynolds in the “Smokey and the Bandit” film series, and a successful songwriter for artists as big as Elvis. But Jerry Reed is best remembered by musicians as “Mr. Guitar Man”—probably one of the most well-respected “guitar-pickers” ever. Read More... .  ISAAC HAYES 1942 - 2008 Isaac Hayes’ enduring musical theme song, “Theme from Shaft, ” is only part of a huge legacy. Younger audiences know him as “Chef” from “South Park.” But his writing credentials and contributions to soul, R&B, disco, and pop music are highly regarded by both music critics and fans. The lush and sensual arrangements-- many times highlighted by his deep soulful voice--helped change the direction of R&B music in the early 1970s. In a career that spanned over a half century, Hayes was able to infuse an energy so infectious into his records that they are as fresh today as they were decades ago. Read More... . .  BERNIE MAC 1957 - 2008 The sudden death of Bernie Mac on August 9, 2008 took everyone by surprise. Reports of his hospitalization had been constantly downplayed. But the 50-year-old comedian succumbed to pneumonia, which may or may not have been brought on by a mysterious immune system disorder called sarcoidosis. Read More... . .  JOHN PHILLIP LAW 1937 - 2008 Despite 50 starring roles in international films, John Phillip Law never quite attained the stature of A-list actor. But as a huge consolation prize, he ensured a place in pop culture history as Pygar, the strikingly blond, bronzed, but blind angel in one of the biggest cult films ever—1968’s “Barbarella.” Read More...  DODY GOODMAN 1914 - 2008 Nutty to the core, Dody Goodman could get a laugh saying hello. An improbable early show-biz career as a ballerina switched course as soon as she opened her mouth on “The Jack Paar Show” in 1958. Her comic timing made her perfect for the talk and game show circuit. She also accumulated two signature acting roles: the befuddled mother of “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” and the equally confused school secretary at Rydell High in “Grease.” Read More... . .  . DICK MARTIN 1922 - 2008 You can bet your sweet bippy that anyone who grew up in the 1960s will recognize his name. He was one-half of the comedy team who hosted THE break-through, revolutionary variety show of the decade. Dick Martin (right) of Rowan & Martin and more importantly “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” has died in Los Angeles at the age of 86. Read More... .  . MIKE SMITH of THE DAVE CLARK 5 1943 - 2008 He was the voice of a musical group that rivaled the Beatles in 1964—but his name has gone largely unnoticed. Mike Smith, the rather anonymous lead singer & keyboard player of The Dave Clark 5, displayed his singing or what Rolling Stone called outstanding "soul-shouting” on 17 Top 40 hits between 1964 and 1967. Mike Smith passed away on February 28 just days before the group would be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Read More... . R.I.P. 3 MEMORABLE SUPPORTING ACTORS .  STEPHEN OLIVER 1941- 2008 Known for playing rugged hotheads in B-movies and TV and sporting a most impressive pompadour haircut, Stephen Oliver had his most acclaimed role early in his career in the enormously popular TV series “Peyton Place.” Unfortunately, he was unable to parlay this success onto the A-list like fellow co-stars Mia Farrow or Ryan O’Neal. But even though he languished in B-movies, his portrayals always brought the quality of the film up a notch. Stephen Oliver died at age 66 on April 5. Read More... .  IVAN DIXON 1931-2008 Known primarily from his years as a regular on TV hit “Hogan’s Heroes,” Ivan Dixon had a long career as an actor and director. But along the way he appeared in some important African-American productions in three mediums (stage, film and television) always garnering excellent reviews. Ivan passed away on March 16 at the age of 76. Read More... .  STANLEY KAMEL 1943 - 2008 Long-time character actor Stanley Kamel passed away on April 8. His 40+ year career goes all the way back to “Mission: Impossible.” But he is best known for his final role—Dr. Charles Kroger, psychiatrist to TV’s number one obsessive-compulsive detective, Monk. Read More... . .  1947 - 2008 Legendary drummer Buddy Miles, well known for his collaboration with Jimi Hendrix, along with having his own signature song “Them Changes” has died at age 60. Miles was a large presence—both on stage and in his recordings. His soul/funk voice was as well respected as his phenomenal drumming--participating in some legendary albums of psychedelic rock. Read More... .  1937 - 2008 Smoky-voiced fan-favorite Suzanne Pleshette passed away on January 17, 2008 after a 50-year career. It is hard to take...because in that half-century she never really went away---making film or TV appearances nearly every year since she began in 1957! Her 1963 appearance in Alfred Hitchcock’s cinema classic “The Birds” will ensure her fame forever. She is the first major player to pass away from the classic ‘70s “The Bob Newhart Show,” where she played her signature role of “Emily Hartley.” Read More... .  ALLAN MELVIN "Sam the Butcher" THE BRADY BUNCH 1923 - 2008 You know his face and you know his voice. But you might not know his name. Veteran actor Allan Melvin worked his way as a second banana in the 1950s "Sgt. Bilko" to shooting the breeze with good friend Archie Bunker in the 1980s. Along the way, he became the voice of Magilla Gorilla. But he goes down in pop culture history for his 8 episode run (Is that all?) as Sam the Butcher in the undying icon "The Brady Bunch." Read More... .  VAMPIRA MAILA NURMI 1921 - 2008 Maila Nurmi, who brought life to the pop culture icon Vampira, passed away on January 10 ironically "of natural causes" at the age of 86. Inspired by the Charles Addams' cartoon characters in "The New Yorker" magazine, Nurmi’s Vampira became TV's first horror host. Her image today can be placed beside well-known horror icons Dracula and Frankenstein and be identified. An amazing feat, since episodes of her TV show have long been destroyed and her most famous movie appearance was in Ed Wood’s “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” Read More... CONTINUE TO SCROLL DOWN FOR 2007 BOOMERHEADSTONES
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MICHAEL BLODGETT
1939 - 2007 One of the "beautiful people" of the '60s, cult movie actor and author/ screenwriter Michael Blodgett died on November 14, 2007. He is best known as playboy Lance Rocke in the nutso “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.” But he also had roles in other cult pictures: playing Susan Strasberg's lover in a dream sequence in the psychedelic "The Trip"; a victim of a beautifully voracious vampire in the under- appreciated "The Velvet Vampire"; and was able to display his pectorals in low-budget beach romps, "A Swingin' Summer" and "Catalina Caper". L.A. baby boomers will remember him fondly as the host of the 1967 teen beach show “Groovy.” He went on to become a successful author and screenwriter (Turner & Hooch, Rent-a-Cop). Read More... |
RONNIE BURNS  1935 - 2007 No, he wasn’t as popular as Ricky Nelson... but Ronnie Burns, the handsome son of George Burns and Gracie Allen, is well remembered by older baby boomers from his regular appearances as “himself” on his parents’ sitcom. Ronnie attended the Pasadena Playhouse to learn his trade, but never really had acting in his blood (he was actually adopted). He did do other 50s TV, including a stint as a hipster on a classic Honeymooners episode. But after a role in 1961's low-budget juvenile delinquent film "Anatomy of a Psycho", he retired--choosing real estate investment and the raising of Arabian horses. It is hard to believe that he was 72 years old (!) when he passed away on November 14, 2007. Sadly, the last remaining link to the classic "Burns & Allen" is gone. Read More...
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***HONORABLE MENTION***
THOSE FAMILIAR CHARACTER ACTORS
ALICE GHOSTLEY
1926 - 2007 Needless to say, Alice Ghostley always brought a rather quirky style to any of the characters she played,(being constantly compared to her contemporary Paul Lynde). She started on stage in New York where she brought down the house in "New Faces of 1952" singing the hilarious "The Boston Beguine." She won a Tony in 1965, just as she was gathering steam in TV. She guested in dozens of sitcoms always bringing her inimitable style of nervous energy and confusion with her. She is probably best known for her TV roles of accident-prone witch Esmerelda on “Bewitched” and the bizarrely off-kilter Bernice on “Designing Women”. Her credits in film include "To Kill A Mockingbird", "The Graduate", and "Grease". She was 81 when she passed away on Sept. 21. Read More...
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CHARLES LANE
1905 - 2007 Baby boomers hail him as the quintessential “meanie”, appearing in almost every sitcom of the 60s and 70s. But say the name “Charles Lane” to most people and you would get a blank stare. Bespectacled and ever-scowling, Lane specialized in smaller roles playing the miserly banker, the grumpy civil servant, or the impatient businessman. He lived to the ripe old age of 102, showing up in hundreds of movies and TV shows spanning seven decades. His 1931 film debut led to small but pivotal roles in classics like 42nd Street. He was a favorite of Frank Capra appearing in 9 of his films. Later, he became a TV fixture, starting with "I Love Lucy" appearances. His most famous role might be "Petticoat Junction's" Homer Bedloe, the mean railroad V.P. intent on sending the Hooterville Cannonball to the scrap-heap. He was honored at age 100 at the TV Land Awards where he quipped, "If anyone's interested, I'm still available." Read More...
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EVEL KNIEVEL
1938 - 2007
He was an American original. Motorcycle daredevil and master of self-promotion, Evel Knievel died at age 69 on November 30, 2007. His mind-boggling stunts were watched by the world with one eye open in amazement and one eye closed in horror throughout the 1960s and 70s. He is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the man who has broken the most bones—and that would be 35! He broke his first bones in a motorcycle race in 1962, but it was 1965 when he realized he could draw a crowd jumping over things (rattlesnakes and a mountain lion). When he started jumping over cars, his star would rise. His televised crash landing in 1968 at Caesars Palace (successfully jumping over the fountains) resulted in a week-long coma and his becoming a legend. From then on, his successes (jumping 50 cars at the LA Coliseum or 13 Buses at London's Wembley Stadium) or failures (jumping Idaho's Snake Canyon in 1974) always caused mass media attention and more broken bones. Read More ...
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"MR. WHIPPLE"
DICK WILSON
1916 - 2007
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***HONORABLE MENTION***
THE ROCKER WHO WROTE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR COMMERCIALS
THOMAS W. DAWES OF "THE CYRKLE"
1943 – 2007
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DAN FOGELBERG
1951 - 2007
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DENNY DOHERTY
of THE MAMAS & PAPAS
1940 - 2007