RIP Thread!!

Quote from Backdrifter

Some losses this last month:

Peter Oosterhuis, golfer, aged 75.

Bernard Hill, actor, aged 79. Most recently known for the Lord Of The Rings films, before that as the captain in Titanic. But many of my generation have him etched in our memories as Yosser Hughes in the intense 1982 drama series Boys From The Blackstuff (and its slightly lighter in tone origin TV play The Black Stuff), both by Alan Bleasdale. The series conveyed the desperation and anger of being long-term unemployed, with his Yosser character embodying that theme in the depiction of his increasingly becoming unhinged as he tries to look after his three kids alone with no money. The episode focusing on his plight is still embedded in my mind as one of the darkest and most upsetting TV dramas I've seen. He's reduced to earnestly repeating "gissa job" like a mantra to anyone he encounters, including his fellow unemployed - his doing that are the last words spoken in the series.

Because we don't often mention anyone other than public figures - condolences to you Mr.Farmer on the loss of your father - I wanted to remember Kris Hallenga, a breast cancer awareness campaigner who died last month aged 38. She was diagnosed at the age of 23 after a whole year of being fobbed off by her doctor, and told she didn't have long to live. She responded by founding the breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel, which did a lot to spread the message particularly to young people to check their breasts. Those who knew her said she was a lively energetic person who lived a full life in the face of knowing she was approaching an early death, though not as soon as her prognosis suggested. In the time she had left she undoubtedly helped people, and deserves to be remembered.

Display More

Lovely post Backdrifter. One of the best, most moving I've read anywhere. Here's to Kris Hallenga, and the other folks you mentioned 🍻

And now sadly we must add Dr Michael Mosley. He did a lot of good work promoting healthy diets without being faddish, advocating sensible adjustments to food intake while maintaining a spread of good nourishment. He was a regular TV personality, and published a range of books. Four years ago I had a major health scare and had to make significant lifestyle changes, mainly in terms of diet. His recipe books formed the basis of this, and made it very easy to do. I still abide by the principles set out in those books, and while I will live with a potentially life-threatening condition for the remainder of my days I barely notice having to make any effort, and it's thanks to the sound advice and very nice recipes in his books which make me feel I'm not especially 'deprived' of anything, while allowing me the occasional indulgence (as evidenced in the food & drink thread here!). I have a lot to be grateful to him for, as I'm sure many others do.

He was on holiday in Greece, and went for a solo walk that turned into a hike into remote mountainous terrain that proved too demanding. He appears to have collapsed, and despite searches being carried out it was impossible to reach him in time.

Well said Backdrifter. Long may you continue to enjoy his advice- and educate and entertain us at the forum

Very saddened to learn Donald Sutherland has died, aged 88. One of those consistent figures in my film and tv viewing for as long as I can remember, an actor who had that 'comforting' quality even when he was playing unpleasant roles.

His career was so rich and goes back to the early 60s after he graduated from drama school in London (after initially studying engineering in his native Canada) and started appearing in British TV shows following a period on stage at Perth Rep in Scotland. Hollywood roles followed but he returned to the stage later in his career. A huge loss to the acting profession. 😪

Some recent RIPs:

Actors -

Shannen Doherty, best known for Heathers and Beverly Hills 90210. She died in July at the horribly early age of just 53.

Shelley Duvall, a favourite of director Robert Altman in a number of whose films she featured. Obviously though she's probably most remembered for her part in The Shining as the terrified wife of the lead character who loses his mind. She's often quoted as saying she suffered through the shoot, including that she had to cry for "at least 9 of the 13 months it took to shoot" but she's also said she wouldn't have swapped the experience for anything.

Edna O'Brien, novelist

Dr Ruth Weistheimer, sex therapist

John Mayall, known as the 'godfather of British blues' often referred to as a one-man 'blues academy' because so many later high-profile musicians played with him in their early years - Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce. The British Blues wave he started rippled back across the Atlantic to the US where blues had become a dormant genre, and helped revive the careers of John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters among others.

Kenneth Grange, designer. Probably not a hugely well-known name but the range of items he designed is astonishing: Kodak cameras, Kenwood mixers, Parker pens, Morphy Richards irons, Ronson lighters, Anglepoise lamps. It's said that British householders in the 1970s will have been familiar with a range of everyday items designed by him to be easy to hold and use. But beyond those sorts of things he also designed coin-operated parking meters, bus shelters and the InterCity 125 train with its distinctive aerodynamic nose. For Brits of a certain age his work will be embedded in our lives.

Finally, my mum's former nextdoor neighbour Margaret. When my parents retired to the English westcountry 25 years ago she was their first neighbour and she was kind to them. When my dad died 20 years ago she was a big help to my mum and helped her to get through a difficult time. Mum since moved to an assisted flat but stayed in touch with Margaret. She's very sad to learn of Margaret's death, and I am too.

Sorry to hear about your family friend Backdrifter. Sad times and happy memories I guess.

Will Jennings, 80. Apparently he wrote lyrics for a lot of commercial songs that I wouldn't care about, but what put him on my radar was his being the main lyricist on five consecutive Steve Winwood albums (ARC OF A DIVER thru REFUGEES OF THE HEART).

Quote from DecomposingMan

Will Jennings, 80. Apparently he wrote lyrics for a lot of commercial songs that I wouldn't care about, but what put him on my radar was his being the main lyricist on five consecutive Steve Winwood albums (ARC OF A DIVER thru REFUGEES OF THE HEART).

Indeed..always liked Winwood stuff . Back in the High life album was a big one for me in the mid 80s. Jennings was a big part of the albums as co writer. Rip

Rebecca Horn died last Friday. She was the artist who came up with the suitcase idea for the song Secret World. That eventually also made it on stage during the Secret World tour ...

Quote from DecomposingMan

Will Jennings, 80. Apparently he wrote lyrics for a lot of commercial songs that I wouldn't care about, but what put him on my radar was his being the main lyricist on five consecutive Steve Winwood albums

While not really clicking with many of the hits he co-wrote I have to admire and respect his obvious knack of being able to pen lyrics which had that something that enabled them to dovetail with the music and create hugely popular songs. That's quite some skill. His name is on some massive number 1 hits by a range of artists so that's a hell of a legacy.

James Earl Jones, aged 93. My word, what a career. Over 80 films, extensive stage work.

There's the obvious role he's known for but as it's understandably being talked about a lot, I'll mention his first feature film role, that of one of the pilots in Dr Strangelove, a favourite of mine.

Blimey I didn't know he'd gone. Great voice, although part of me still wishes they'd stuck with David Prowse for Darth Vader's lines.

"Embrace the Daaark Side, alroit my lovuuuurrrsss"

Paul Di Anno . Iron Maidens original singer when they were great, before Bruce Dickinson came along and ruined them . I saw them a couple of times back then and they raw, exiting and brilliant. Unfortunately Di Anno had problems and was sacked but by all accounts he was never bitter. I saw Maiden at at festival after he left and they were terrible. ( It s a mystery to me why they became so big) . I never saw him again but was quite exited as I was planning to see him in a couple of weeks in Wolverhampton UK. Suddenly he's gone. A great shame.

Sad news indeed. I don't agree with you about the later incarnation of Maiden but this world would be boring if we were all the same. Maiden with PDA were a very different band, almost punky at times, but full of raw energy and, yes, exciting.

I'm envious you got to see them in those early days. I can only call upon their first two albums plus Maiden Japan. I prefer the polish, complexity and general proggy over-the-topness of Maiden fronted by Bruce, but the early years were great too.

Shame Paul didn't get on top of his addictions back then. He might have made a much bigger splash.