sonic slang

RIP Michael Jackson

The King of Pop, dead at 50.  I guess we shouldn't be too surprised, but still - Wow...

RIP Jay Bennett

The ex-Wilco mate was 46.

RIP LeRoi Moore

Sad news tonight - LeRoi Moore, saxophone player for the Dave Matthews Band, has died due to complications from a 6.30 ATV accident. He was 46.

RIP Isaac Hayes

Grammy winner, soul legend and stone cold pimp Isaac Hayes has died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee.  The singer was found unconscious next to his treadmill and pronounced dead at Baptist East Hopsital. 

1942-2008

Springsteen Remembers Tim Russert with Surprise "Thunder Road"

Tim Russert was a huge Springsteen fan - So much so that the Boss himself paid tribute with a rendition of "Thunder Road" at his memorial service this week.  A fitting and well-earned send-off. 

R.I.P. Danny Federici

It's a sad day at SS, as long-time E Street keyboardist Danny Federici has passed away after a three-year battle with melanoma.  The news was posted to Springsteen's official site late Thursday night.

Federici had taken a leave from active duty in E Street in November, but in recent months had return to action for selected gigs.  A friend of The Boss since they were teenagers, Springsteen had this to say about his passing:

“Danny and I worked together for 40 years,” Mr. Springsteen said on Thursday. “He was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure, natural musician. I loved him very much. We grew up together.”

Head over to the official site to see a clip from Federici-heavy classic and fan favorite, "Sandy."

RIP Heath Ledger, 1979-2008

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Heath Ledger, and although the intense media scrutiny that followed his passing yesterday in Soho definitely showcased the not-so-heartwarming side of the blogosphere, (TMZ was squatting outside like vultures from minute one), it sort of inspired us to start bringing you guys something other than musical suicide tie-ins, the latest Britney drama and the occasional mp3.  So the winter slumber is over and we're back - hopefully better than ever.  Thanks for waiting.  RIP Heath.

Quiet Riot Lead Singer Dead at 52

You might know them best as the lone metal entry on many an 80s compilation disc, but Quiet Riot (they of "Cum On Feel the Noise" fame) never stopped making music.  In fact, the band's last disc Rehab was release in late-2006.  And though it took lead singer Frankie Banali's passing to get them back on our radar, SS is still flying the flag at half-mast today and flashing our devil horns for metal heads everywhere.  RIP.

RIP Donda West

Taking a moment to be sincere - Kanye West's mom Donda passed away yesterday, and by all accounts she seemed to be a pretty sweet gal and a wonderful mother who, let's face it, raised a pretty damned talented son.  This 2005 clip of Kanye serenading Donda with "Hey Mama" would normally be a tad schmaltzy for SS, but today it feels right. 

Watch the clip after the jump, then go call your mother.  She misses you.

RIP Robert Goulet

SS is flying the flag at half-mast today.  Though many of you might know him best for his role in Beetlejuice or Will Ferrell's parodies, (and perhaps a few for his rendition of the Canadian National anthem at the beginning of Wrestlemania VI) Robert Goulet was a class act.  Our personal favorite quote: "I don't work out. I pay people to do that for me."

Pay your respects after the jump.