This year has, unfortunately, been filled with a slew of heartbreaking celebrity deaths. In October, "Friends" fans were shocked by the sudden death of Matthew Perry at age 54. Actors Richard Roundtree, Suzanne Somers, and Piper Laurie also died, as did musician Rudolph Isley.
In September, "Harry Potter" star Michael Gambon, "NCIS" actor David McCallum, musicians Steve Harwell and Jimmy Buffett, and 702 singer Irish Grinstead all died. In August, actor Arleen Sorkin, "The Price is Right" host Bob Barker, "This Is Us" actor Ron Cephas Jones, and musician DJ Casper, the man behind the 1998 party hit "Cha Cha Slide," died as well. The month before, we lost actors Angus Cloud and Paul Reubens, famed singers Tony Bennett, Sinéad O'Connor, and Jane Birkin, and musician Coco Lee. News of their deaths followed that of beloved actor Alan Arkin, who died on June 30. Also in June, reality star Anna Shay and "Everwood" actor Treat Williams died,...
In September, "Harry Potter" star Michael Gambon, "NCIS" actor David McCallum, musicians Steve Harwell and Jimmy Buffett, and 702 singer Irish Grinstead all died. In August, actor Arleen Sorkin, "The Price is Right" host Bob Barker, "This Is Us" actor Ron Cephas Jones, and musician DJ Casper, the man behind the 1998 party hit "Cha Cha Slide," died as well. The month before, we lost actors Angus Cloud and Paul Reubens, famed singers Tony Bennett, Sinéad O'Connor, and Jane Birkin, and musician Coco Lee. News of their deaths followed that of beloved actor Alan Arkin, who died on June 30. Also in June, reality star Anna Shay and "Everwood" actor Treat Williams died,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Victoria Edel
- Popsugar.com
Lil Tay is alive and well.
On Thursday, the family of the 14-year-old internet star released a statement to TMZ saying that she and her brother are not dead, despite a now-deleted Instagram post from Wednesday claiming otherwise.
Read More: Lil Tay’s Ex-Manager Cannot Confirm Or Deny ‘Legitimacy’ Of Family’s Statement Over Rapper’s Death
“I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say,” Lil Tay said in the statement. “It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess.”
She added, “My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumours regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong.
On Thursday, the family of the 14-year-old internet star released a statement to TMZ saying that she and her brother are not dead, despite a now-deleted Instagram post from Wednesday claiming otherwise.
Read More: Lil Tay’s Ex-Manager Cannot Confirm Or Deny ‘Legitimacy’ Of Family’s Statement Over Rapper’s Death
“I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say,” Lil Tay said in the statement. “It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess.”
She added, “My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumours regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong.
- 8/10/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Lil Tay’s former manager is calling for “cautious consideration” in the wake of the rapper’s family announcing her sudden death on her Instagram account.
In a statement to Et, Harry Tsang said, “given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family.” He added, “This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved.”
Tsang’s statement comes after Lil Tay’s father, Christopher Hope, told Business Insider he could not comment on the family’s Instagram post. He also declined to answer whether Lil Tay — real name Claire Hope — was still alive.
“I am writing to keep you informed about the evolving situation related to the reported passing of Liltay. I, Harry Tsang, her last-known manager, feel it is important to provide you with the most accurate and timely information possible,...
In a statement to Et, Harry Tsang said, “given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family.” He added, “This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved.”
Tsang’s statement comes after Lil Tay’s father, Christopher Hope, told Business Insider he could not comment on the family’s Instagram post. He also declined to answer whether Lil Tay — real name Claire Hope — was still alive.
“I am writing to keep you informed about the evolving situation related to the reported passing of Liltay. I, Harry Tsang, her last-known manager, feel it is important to provide you with the most accurate and timely information possible,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Rodriguez, the singer-songwriter who gained renewed fame thanks to the documentary “Searching for Sugar Man”, has died at age 81.
The news of his passing was shared on his official website, which posted, “It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today.”
Read More: John Gosling, Keyboardist For The Kinks, Dead At 75
The statement added, “We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family. Rodriguez was 81 years old. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace.”
Rodriguez, who hailed from Detroit, broke onto the music scene playing in clubs around the city while working on a Chrysler assembly line during the day.
After attracting the attention of producers Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey, he released his 1970 debut album Cold Fact.
Both his first and second album, Coming From Reality, were commercial failures,...
The news of his passing was shared on his official website, which posted, “It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today.”
Read More: John Gosling, Keyboardist For The Kinks, Dead At 75
The statement added, “We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family. Rodriguez was 81 years old. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace.”
Rodriguez, who hailed from Detroit, broke onto the music scene playing in clubs around the city while working on a Chrysler assembly line during the day.
After attracting the attention of producers Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey, he released his 1970 debut album Cold Fact.
Both his first and second album, Coming From Reality, were commercial failures,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
DJ Casper, the creator of the dance hit and wedding reception staple “Cha Cha Slide,” died Monday following a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 58.
His death was reported by his wife Kim to Chicago’s ABC7.
Born and raised in Chicago as Willie Perry Jr., DJ Casper wrote the instructional line-dance song in 1998 for his nephew’s aerobic class. Originally titled “Casper Slide Pt. 1,” the song, in which Casper provided step-by-step dance instructions – “To the right now/To the left/Take it back now y’all/One hop this time” – grew in local popularity and within two year a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” began turning up on the radio.
With the backing of Chicago’s M.O.B. Records, the song, retitled “Cha Cha Slide,” became an international dance hit. He once marveled to the Chicago ABC affiliate, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
His death was reported by his wife Kim to Chicago’s ABC7.
Born and raised in Chicago as Willie Perry Jr., DJ Casper wrote the instructional line-dance song in 1998 for his nephew’s aerobic class. Originally titled “Casper Slide Pt. 1,” the song, in which Casper provided step-by-step dance instructions – “To the right now/To the left/Take it back now y’all/One hop this time” – grew in local popularity and within two year a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” began turning up on the radio.
With the backing of Chicago’s M.O.B. Records, the song, retitled “Cha Cha Slide,” became an international dance hit. He once marveled to the Chicago ABC affiliate, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
DJ Casper, whose song “Cha Cha Slide” became a staple at weddings and parties across the world, has died at the age of 58.
The Chicago native — whose real name was Willie Perry Jr. — had been battling kidney and liver cancer since 2016. According to ABC 7 Chicago, he passed away on Monday, August 7th.
DJ Casper initially wrote “Casper Slide Pt. 1” as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked as a Bally fitness trainer. After the song was picked up by a local Chicago radio studio, he released a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” — which would eventually become known the world over as “Cha Cha Slide.” The song was released by Universal Records and featured a companion music video inspired by Chicago’s stepping movement.
Over the years, DJ Casper also worked as an on-air personality for Chicago radio station V103.
DJ Casper, Creator of “Cha Cha Slide,” Dead...
The Chicago native — whose real name was Willie Perry Jr. — had been battling kidney and liver cancer since 2016. According to ABC 7 Chicago, he passed away on Monday, August 7th.
DJ Casper initially wrote “Casper Slide Pt. 1” as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked as a Bally fitness trainer. After the song was picked up by a local Chicago radio studio, he released a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” — which would eventually become known the world over as “Cha Cha Slide.” The song was released by Universal Records and featured a companion music video inspired by Chicago’s stepping movement.
Over the years, DJ Casper also worked as an on-air personality for Chicago radio station V103.
DJ Casper, Creator of “Cha Cha Slide,” Dead...
- 8/8/2023
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Music
DJ Casper, who created the world-famous “Cha-Cha Slide”, has died. He was 58.
The DJ — who was born Willie Perry Jr. — died on Monday, after a battle with cancer, ABC News reports.
The Chicago native reportedly created the iconic dance and song as a step aerobics routine, when he was helping his nephew, who worked as a fitness trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness, according to NPR.
The craze started soon after, when DJ Casper was inundated with requests to play the song at parties and events. It was soon picked up and played by Chicago’s Wgci-fm in 2000, and eventually released by Universal Records.
The song became a staple of birthday celebrations, bar mitzvahs and wedding receptions across the globe.
DJ Casper spoke with ABC7 Chicago in May, and reflected on his contribution to pop culture, sharing, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
The DJ — who was born Willie Perry Jr. — died on Monday, after a battle with cancer, ABC News reports.
The Chicago native reportedly created the iconic dance and song as a step aerobics routine, when he was helping his nephew, who worked as a fitness trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness, according to NPR.
The craze started soon after, when DJ Casper was inundated with requests to play the song at parties and events. It was soon picked up and played by Chicago’s Wgci-fm in 2000, and eventually released by Universal Records.
The song became a staple of birthday celebrations, bar mitzvahs and wedding receptions across the globe.
DJ Casper spoke with ABC7 Chicago in May, and reflected on his contribution to pop culture, sharing, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
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