TOP 10

 BOOMERHEADSTONES

OF

2008

 2008 DEATHS OF BABY BOOMERS & THEIR FAVORITES

 

 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..

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 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...

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#9
BERNIE MAC

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...

#8
MIKE SMITH
of THE DAVE CLARK FIVE

 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...

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#7
TIM RUSSERT

The enthusiasm for politics oozed out of him.  A most intelligent and cunning TV commentator and reporter, Tim Russert actually started out in the political arena himself, giving him an insider’s viewpoint.  His influence in broadcasting grew to the point where every major political figure found it imperative to appear on “Meet the Press,” a 50-year old show that Russert took to new heights.  Read More...

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CULT FIGURES WE LOST IN 2008

VAMPIRA     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...

ALLAN MELVIN BRADY BUNCH'S SAM THE BUTCHER      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...

RUDY RAY MOORE "DOLEMITE"      1927 - 2008 Rudy Ray Moore is a true cult figure.  His popularity grows every year but he is still not well-known to the mainstream audience.  He gained some notoriety in the 1970s by self-producing a string of blaxploitation films that only gain in cult-status as the years go by.  “Dolemite,” “The Human Tornado,” “Petey Wheatstraw, the Devil’s Son-in-Law,” and “Disco Godfather” are now bizarrely as popular as stalwarts “Shaft” and “Superfly.” .  MAJEL BARRETT-RODDENBERRY     1932 - 2008  The first lady of “Star Trek” Majel Barrett-Roddenberry passed away on December 18, 2008. She married series creator Gene Roddenberry directly after the original Star Trek ended. She had been involved herself with Star Trek from the very beginning—appearing in the pilot “The Cage” as “Number 1.”  When the pilot was tested, it was reportedly said that her character was too pushy for a woman.  Even though that character was not continued, she did as the recurring Nurse Chapel.

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...    BETTIE PAGE     1923 - 2008 She was the 1950s definition of cheesecake.  “The girl who you wished lived next door”, pin-up Bettie Page combined an innocent wholesomeness with our naughtiest desires.  Her dark black bangs and curvy figure led to a 1955 Playboy “appearance” which took Bettie and the magazine to new heights.  Putting away her whips and stockings, she retired two years later and went into seclusion. Her image never did and is even more prevalent today.   Bettie has gone from 1950s underground phenomenon to one of 2008’s leading camp classics.

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#6
ISAAC HAYES

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...

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HONORABLE MENTION

ANOTHER SOULFUL PRESENCE

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...

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 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...

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HONORABLE MENTION

2 MORE SITCOM WIVES (AND MOTHERS)

DODY GOODMAN  "MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN"    1914 - 2008 Nutty to the core, Dody Goodman could get a laugh saying hello.  As she seemingly struggled to get words out, audiences couldn’t help but laugh at her loopy personality.  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...

BEVERLY GARLAND  "MY THREE SONS"  .  1926- 2008 Beverly Garland’s feisty appearances in B-movies of the 1950s have been forgotten by many—unfortunately erased by her most famous portrayal as Fred MacMurray’s sweet 2nd wife, Barbara, in the last 3 years of “My Three Sons.”  But Beverly had a big career both before and after that sitcom.  Cult movie fans know her as a scream queen in several Roger Corman films.  And she played opposite some of the most absurd monsters in movie history (a giant cucumber comes to mind).  Read More...

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#4
HARVEY KORMAN

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...

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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...

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 #3
LEVI STUBBS

         

1936 - 2008

He was the lead singer of a group that stayed totally intact for 41 years.  One of Motown's greatest voices ever, Levi Stubbs led this super-group to 24 Top 40 hits--including classics like "Reach Out, I'll Be There," "It's the Same Old Song," and "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)."  It's the story of the Four Tops.  Read More...  

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BEFORE WE GET TO THE ACTOR OF THE CENTURY,

LET'S PAY TRIBUTE TO SOME OF THE SUPPORTING ACTORS WHO PASSED AWAY THIS YEAR:

SAM BOTTOMS     1955 - 2008 When you think of acting brothers, you might think of the Baldwins or the Bridges.  But don’t forget that other set of 'B'rothers.  More well-known in the 80s but just as talented—it’s the acting Bottoms Brothers.   Sam Bottoms (“Apocalypse Now,” “Outlaw Josey Wales,” “Last Picture Show”) passed away on December 16, 2008 of a brain tumor.

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...

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...

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...

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 #2
PAUL NEWMAN

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...

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 #1
GEORGE CARLIN

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...