Life is a song worth singing and boy did Teddy Pendergrass ever sing! It is with great sadness that we report the news of Teddy’s passing yesterday at the age of 59.

As the lead singer for Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes and later as a solo act Teddy Pendergrass came to embody all of the sophistication and raw emotion that was endemic to classic TSOP sound of the 70′s and early 80′s. He will truly be missed.

Update The funeral arrangements for Teddy Pendergrass have been announced. You can read about them here.

Here’s another great Teddy Pendergrass Tribute Mix from DJ Wonder. This mix does contain some explicit language.

DJ Jaycee has done a wonderful “Afternoon Delight”(V-103 Atlanta) mix dedicated to the memory of Teddy Pendergrass. You can download it for free here.

Part of the Teddy Pendergrass legacy is his incredible discography that has been sampled such notable artists as Mobb Deep, D’Angelo, 9th Wonder and most recently the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes classic “I Miss You” provided the soundscape for Big Boi’s “Shine Blockas”.

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Image Source: Morwenna Lasko & Jay Pun

Before we get into the actual post I wanted to provide some background information and context about Johnny Gilmore for readers who may not be familiar with him. Here’s a link to a news article concerning his tragic passing last week.

Also you can find out more information about Johnny on his newly setup website www.johnnygilmore.com and information about donating to the family and benefit concerts on the Johnny Gilmore Memorial Page on Facebook. There was an incredible memorial concert held last evening which I had every intention on attending, my automobile had other plans. But in talking to some of the organizers and a few of the attendees I understand that it was a success and an honor benefitting such a great musician and person.

When a tragedy like this occurs it often alerts us to the precarious nature of life that is often the lot of the professional touring musician. Tragedies like these should serve as a clarion call to all of us: musicians and lover’s of music that as a society we can and should concern ourselves with the role of the “true artist” in our society and more specifically the totality of their well-being.

Now a few words about an incredible musician. Thanks to the Grown Folks family for allowing me this space to speak.

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Michael Jackson’s This Is It in HD

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As the world still mourns the passing of the Greatest Entertainer that ever lived, ironically, still not buried, comes the definitive cause of death: homicide.

His death is still hard to comprehend and with this news, simply tragic. It didn’t have to happen. Not like this. But it did.

Michael, we love and miss you deeply.

Rest in peace.

MJ Tributes around the web

Michael Jackson – RIP from Rax Lakhani on Vimeo.

We will miss you

Michael Jackson Birthday Tributes Led By Spike Lee Birthday Party

Source:www.eonline.com

Adam Goldstein, who survived a plane crash with Travis Barker last year, was 36.

As word broke this evening of yet another tragic industry death, celebrities and fans alike expressed their shock and condolences via twitter:

John Mayer: In complete shock.

Lindsay Lohan: i can’t believe this.. i’m in shock. why? why? r.i.p. adam.

Alyssa Milano: May you rest in peace, Adam. You touched many with your light and will be missed like crazy.

Ryan Seacrest: So sad the hear about adam. a very kind and generous guy.

Dr. Drew: I lack the words to describe my feelings.

Ashton Kutcher: much love to my boy AM.
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R.I.P. Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001)

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MTV Tribute

Whether you’re familiar with his name or not, you’ve definitely been impacted by his innovation and contributions to the music industry. The story is courtesy of the the San Francisco Chronicle.

Les Paul, guitar innovator, dies at 94

Claudia Luther, Los Angeles Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009
Les Paul, the virtuoso guitarist, entertainer and relentless innovator whose drive to produce the sounds he wanted from his recordings and instruments helped pave the way for rock ‘n’ roll, died Thursday. He was 94.

Mr. Paul was popularly known for a series of hit songs recorded in the 1950s with his wife, singer Mary Ford, including “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios.”

One of the finest pickers on the American music scene, Mr. Paul was often cited as a major influence on other guitarists, including Chet Atkins, who called him “one of my idols.”

But for many other music fans, it was Mr. Paul’s innovations that will ensure his legacy. They include an early electric guitar as well as new ways to create multiple tracks and echo effects for recordings, which he used in his recordings with Ford and which later were broadly adopted by other musicians.

“When most people think of the electric guitar, they think of Les Paul,” said Dan Del Fiorentino, historian for the National Association of Music Merchants, a trade group for the music-products industry. “He wasn’t the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, but he certainly made it famous.”
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Jay Dee, T3, Baatin

Detroit native, known for spiritual lyrics, had recently returned to group

Titus (Baatin) Glover, the Detroit rapper who co-founded the much-acclaimed Slum Village, has died.

The circumstances of his death remain unknown, associates said this afternoon. Baatin’s body was found this morning in the 14000 block of Anglin Street and is at the Wayne County medical examiner’s office, said family friend Ty Townson.

Funeral arrangements are not yet set. Friends and family members will gather for a public remembrance at 8 p.m. Sunday at Elements Gallery, 2125 Michigan Avenue in Detroit.
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