Dick Clark: he GONE.
He was simply a Legendary Broadcaster.
“Would you like a tape?”
Davy Jones died today at 66 years old.
Davy held a special place in the Blog family. When I was 9 years old, the Monkees played at the Walworth County Fair in Wisconsin. You couldn’t turn on Nickelodeon or Nick at Nite back then without seeing Monkees reruns, so for me, it was like the Beatles were coming. I staked out the only hotel in town, and eventually met Mickey and Peter. Davy was more elusive. Throughout the day I kept bumping into an English woman pushing a stroller. Being 9, I assumed this to mean that a Monkee fan from England had flown to Wisconsin to see the concert. She found this amusing. Eventually she came clean and told me the truth: she was Davy’s wife, and if I wanted, she would take me to meet him. I did want. She brought me to their room, where Davy had just woken up. He was wearing some sort of strange, full body pajama dress like something out of A Christmas Carol, but other than that he was totally awesome and sat and talked with me for awhile. My big question during the interview: “Do you have a boat? I do.” I was 9. He declined my offer for a boat ride, but gave me a tape called “Davy Sings The Monkees” instead. I listened to it non-stop for months, sometimes on my boat.
Years later, my 10 year old sister went to a Chicago Theatre production of Grease, starring Davy Jones as Vince Fontaine (possibly the son of Johnny Fontaine from the Godfather?). During intermission, Davy singled out my sister to dance with him during the Sock Hop. Since they were about the same height, they talked the whole time, mostly about horses. Davy was a jockey. My sister was a girl, and therefore liked horses.
My brother, sadly, never got to have a Davy Jones Encounter. We often teased him that he needed to stalk Davy in order to join the exclusive club my sister and I were in: kids who hung out with Davy Jones.
I’ll miss you, Davy. Enjoy the Last Train to Heaven.
Jan Berenstain died today.
We used to read these books at the lakehouse when we were little, until somebody told us they were Jewish bears. Just kidding. There aren’t any Jewish bears, just bearded Jews. Although he lives in Colorado now, so maybe he’s converted a couple of bears. Anyway, I liked these books when I was a youngin’. I’m also not sure why this became so unnecessarily racist. I had a 5 AM call today, barely slept last night and I’m very tired. Plus deleting takes too much time. Screw it. Besides, my favorite Berenstain Bear book is about Christmas. So, you know, ponder that for bit. Mull it.
Sorry to Jewish people and bears. I celebrate and respect both of your cultures as I do all cultures. I’m going to take a nap.
Don Cornelius… R.I.P.
Heavy D… he GONE.
Heaven just got a little heavier.
The Andy Rooney Game… has ended.
It’s simple to play. Just take the first and last sentence he says and nothing else.
Macho Man Randy Savage: he GONE.
After all of those Slim Jims, after besting any challenger to his supremacy, Macho Man was done in by a tree.
This is a sad day.
UPDATE: After actually reading the story I linked to, I learn that it wasn’t just a tree, it was a heart attack, too. That’s a tough tag team to tango with.
Damn you, Slim Jims!! Your deliciousness is only outdone by your heart clogging sodium!
Osama Bin Laden: He GONE.
Empire Carpet Guy: he GONE
Lynn Hauldren has passed away at the age of 89.
More famous in Chicago than Eagle Man, The Menard’s guy, or the guy that sells his car to Victory Auto Wreckers (for cash, ON THE SPOT!), Lynn Hauldren taught generations where they could get new carpet and the number to call to do so.
I had a brief telephone relationship with Lynn in the 1990’s while trying (unsuccessfully) to get him to appear on my old TV Show. He had two requests: that his Barbershop Quartet could perform, and that we make no mention whatsoever of Empire Carpet. It didn’t work out, but mainly because he refused to meet with High Schoolers at any time outside of weekdays at lunchtime, potentially costing us our perfect attendance in our very important typewtitinG calsses.
Rest in Peace, Lynn. Hopefully Heaven gives you next day delivery with zero interest payments until July.
Nate Dogg. He GONE.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble in heaven now.
Leslie Nielsen: He GONE.
Tom Bosley: he GONE. The dad from Happy Days and the Father from Father Dowling Mysteries has passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 83.
Goodbye, Mr. C. Enjoy your aerobics in Heaven.
Greg Giraldo: he GONE.
I know this happened on the 29th, but Tumblr took a little time off yesterday afternoon to play golf or something. I’ve always enjoyed Greg Giraldo when I’d see him on Comedy Central or hear him on Raw Dog Comedy.
Seemed like a fun guy to get a beer with.
“I’ve tried to lead a straight, clean life, not set any kind of a bad example. ” -Elvis Presley
Today is August 16th. The King of Rock and Roll Died today (or did he?) in 1977.
Check out this video of the BBC’s original announcement from 33 years ago.
