Ben Madilynn
The grim reaper had quite a harvest this year. As the old joke goes, somebody up there must be forming a band to provide music for some heavenly event. So, some of the best were taken to do that forever gig.
This month alone saw the loss of several great artists. Heartthrob balladeer Jack Jones of “The Love Boat” theme, Sons and Lovers, Lollipops and Roses at the age of 86 from leukemia; Mitzi Gaynor, lovely star of movie musicals like South Pacific, Les Girls and Golden Girl last Oct. 17 at 93; Liam Payne, pop idol and founding member of one of the greatest boy bands of all time, the One Direction at 31 from a fall from the third story of a hotel while in vacation in Buenos Aires, Argentina last Oct. 16.
And more. Our very own Gilopez Kabayao, renowned violinist from Negros and the very first Filipino to perform at Carnegie Hall in the US, gone at the age of 94; and Cissy Houston, gospel singer of the group Sweet Inspirations and mother of Whitney Houston and aunt of Dionne Warwick, last Oct. 7 from complications of Alzheimer disease.
At this time of the year, when we take a pause to remember and say a prayer for our departed loved ones, we think too of the music from those who have now gone to the great beyond.
Sajid Khan, 71, Dec. 22, 2023, Indian singer and actor who appeared in Filipino movies including “The Singing Filipina” with Nora Aunor, of cancer.
Remy Umerez, 83, Dec. 25, 2023, long time entertainment writer and music publicist for Vicor Music Corp.
David Soul, 80, Jan. 4, American TV star of the series, “Starsky & Hutch,” and singer of the hit song Don’t Give Up on Us.
Melanie, 76, Jan. 25, American pop singer and songwriter, Lay Down (Candles in the Rain), Brand New Key.
Chita Rivera, 91, Jan. 30, American star of Broadway musicals best known as the original Anita of “West Side Story” and Velma of “Chicago.”
Dingdong Eduque, 62, Feb. 25, Filipino singer, arranger and songwriter, Hold On and Set You Free.
Steve Lawrence, 88, March 7, American singer and actor famous for his duets with his wife Eydie Gorme and hits like More, Portrait of My Love, Pretty Blue Eyes, Go Away Little Girl.
Park Bo-Ram, 30, April 11, K-pop star of Mamamoo and actress of “Prison Playbook” and singer of the songs Celepretty and Orange Moon, died of alcohol poisoning.
Mark Jones, 83, June 8, songwriter of the hits Suspicious Minds, Always on My Mind, Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me.
Francoise Hardy, 80, June 11, French singer, songwriter, actress and model, one of the famous Ye Ye Girls.
Angela Bofill, 70, June 13, American singer of This Time I’ll Be Sweeter, Break It to Me Gently, Angel of the Night.
James Darren, 88, Sept. 2, American singer, Goodbye Cruel World and star of the “Gidget” movies.
Sergio Mendez, 83, Sept. 5, Brazilian pianist and arranger, Latin pop music legend, leader of Brazil 66 who created hits like Mas Que Nada, The Trouble with Hello is Goodbye, The Fool on the Hill and others.
Will Jennings, 80, Sept. 6, American Grammy and Academy Award winning lyricist of songs like My Heart will Go On, Up Where We Belong, Tears in Heaven and others.
Kris Kristofferson, 88, Sept. 28, American singer and Grammy winning songwriter, Me and Bobby McGee, Help Me Make It Through the Night, For the Good Times and actor, “A Star is Born,” leading man of Barbra Streisand.
Coritha, 73, Sept. 29, Filipino folk singer and songwriter of Oras Na, Lolo Jose, Sierra Madre, after a stroke that left her paralyzed.
