Whitney Houston Dies in Beverley Hills – Grammy Tribute Planned

Whitney Houston Dead at 48 in Beverley Hills

Award winning singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday night at the Beverley Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Houston was 48 years old.

Houston was at one point married to musician Bobby Brown and both were notorious drug users who spent time in drug rehab.

Police say it does not appear that there was any foul play but until a complete autopsy can be performed they cannot rule out a drug overdose.

Houston Partied Friday Night in L.A.

TMZ is reporting that no illegal drugs were found in Houston’s hotel room but there were prescription drugs and evidence that the Grammy Award winning singer may have drowned in the bath tub.

Whitney had performed as late as Friday night at a local hotel as part of the 2012 Grammy preshow celebration and was photographed looking intoxicated and agitated.



The 2012 Grammy committee has announced that the Awards show will now take on a different tone and that singer Jennifer Hudson will present a tribute to Houston at Sunday night’s Grammy Award telecast.

By Sunday morning Houston’s official website added a splash page that simply read “In Loving Memory.”

RIP Whitney Houston. You are now in the arms of the Angels… may you find some comfort there.

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Comedian Patrice O'Neal Dead From Stroke at 41

Patrice O'Neal Performing His Comedy Routine

Comedian Patrice O’Neal has died from complications after suffering a stroke last month.

O’Neal was a stand-up comedian who was seen frequently on TV and comedy clubs throughout New York and the rest of the United States.

He was also a fixture on the Opie and Anthony syndicated radio program.

Patrice was last seen on television last September on Comedy Central’s roast of Charlie Sheen, where his own fight with diabetes became a punch line.

O’Neal also appeared in numerous small roles on television including The Office, Scary Movie 4, The Jury, and Arrested Development.



The Boston native was known for his rough comedy and says he frequently had people walk out of comedy clubs saying,

“A lot of people walk out of my show. If I've got 250-300 people in the audience, 20 will walk out. I average about 20 walkouts, which is good. Because everybody else stays, and I love that. That's what comedy is. Not everybody should be laughing at everything at the same time. That's not even natural. My thing is to feel natural, because I don't want to feel like I could just make people laugh at every single joke, every single time, with the same decibel level. I like to be loved or hated - I don't like mediocre. So I'd rather have the entire crowd hate me than to have 90% hate me.”

Charlie Sheen and other celebrities took to twitter and Facebook Tuesday to give O'Neals friends and family their condolences.

RIP Patrice.

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Gary Speed Found Dead – Commits Suicide at 42

Footballer Gary Speed found dead at age 42 from suicide

Whales football manager Gary Speed was found dead today in his home in Huntingdon Cheshire.

Speed died after committing suicide by hanging himself inside his home.

The football association released a statement to the press saying,

“The Football Association of Wales are sad to announce the death of the national team manager Gary Speed. We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family. We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time.”

Gary’s death came as a surprise to those who knew him and he is survived by his wife and two sons. The incident has been turned over to the coroner’s office for further investigation.



Gary Speed had just appeared on the BBC's Football Focus show on Saturday night – less than 24 hours before taking his own life.

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Death Photo - Moammar Gadhafi Has Been Killed in Libya

Major News outlets around the world are reporting that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi had been found – and killed.

A spokesman for the Transitional National Council has confirmed to news organizations that Gadhafi is dead and has released a photo of the dead leader being moved by soldiers.

Muammar Qaddafi had ruled Libya for 42 years and had been involved in a bitter war for the last eight months.

Muammar Qaddafi Death Photo

Soldiers say they found Gadhafi hiding in a sewer drain after he fled the house they were searching.

He was killed by TNC fighters after a brief struggle.

United States news outlets while not confirming, are reporting his death.

There has been no word yet from President Obama, Congress, The Pentagon, or any National Security agency, but comments are expected soon.

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Justin Bieber Death Threats – “Stay Out of Peru or Else!”

Some days it just doesn’t pay to be a mega millionaire rock star.

Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber has barley left Mexico on his way to Brazil as part of his South American concert tour and he is already getting death threats about performing in Peru.

Bieber has been warned by a Facebook fan site (that we will not name here) that when he comes to Peru, someone will jump on stage and push him off into a frenzied front row crowd armed with eggs and glass bottles who will kill him.

Hmmm.

Usually when you plan to murder someone you don’t broadcast to the World exactly how you are going to do it, or when or where, but hey – we’ve never been to Peru and are not familiar with their local murdering customs.

We don’t really see it as a possibility and suspect Bieber is taking this all in stride.

By Monday afternoon the fight had moved to twitter as well as Facebook, with twitter fans begging Bieber to stay safe.

Trending the hashtag "#BiebsStayOutOfPeru" one follower begged,

"We don't want you to get killed. You mean everything to us. Please, it's for your own safety!"

Bieber is not a newbie when it comes to these sorts of things either.

He has been the subject of many death threats, and death hoaxes over the years. Who can forget the screaming headline last year of “Justin Bieber is Dead”.

His girlfriend Selena Gomez and other past girlfriends have also been the target of death threats.

Yawn…..

The closet anybody has ever came to ruffing up the pop sensation was in Australia last year when a teenage boy climbed in through the arena roof and threw eggs at the singer while on stage.

Related: Bieber gets pelted with eggs in Australia – Video

Of course the teen was quickly arrested and now must suffer them shame of the World for being known as the kid who threw eggs at Justin Bieber.

Anyway, we suspect this threat will quickly fade and the show in Peru will go over just fine.

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Eerie – All These Musicians Died When They Were 27 – “Forever 27” Artist List

In light of the sudden death of singer Amy Winehouse today, we came across this creepy phenomenon called “27 Club” or “Forever 27”.

Some people just refer to them as “The 27’s”

What is it and who are they?

It is a list of famous artists and musicians that all died when they were 27-years-old.

Some call it a coincidence, others may call it divine, but it is mostly just sad that we have lost so many talented people at age twenty seven.

Jimi Hendrix – Drugs
Janis Joplin – Heroin Overdose
Jim Morrison – Drug Overdose
Amy Winehouse – Unknown at this time
Kurt Kobain – Suicide

Biographer Charles R. Cross says,

"The number of musicians who died at 27 is truly remarkable by any standard. While humans die regularly at all ages, there is a statistical spike for musicians who die at 27".

There is even a book “The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll” by Eric Segalstad and Josh Hunter that discusses the life of not only the above artists, but 30 other musicians that died when they were 27.

Coincidence?



Other notable names are Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan of the Grateful Dead, Pete Ham of Badfinger, Gary Thain of Uriah Heep, D. Boon of the Minutemen, Pete de Freitas of Echo & the Bunnymen, and Rudy Lewis of The Drifters.

And the list goes on…….

Truth can be stranger than fiction some times.

Remember kids – stay in school and don’t do drugs.

And finally, watch your back Lady Gaga.

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Dead - Amy Winehouse Found Dead in Her London Apartment

There is some sad news in the world of alternative music today.

Twenty-seven year-old singer Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment Saturday afternoon.

London police were called shortly after 4:00 PM and asked to assist a female who turned out to be Winehouse.

When police arrived they found the singer dead.

Witnesses told reporters that they suspect drugs and alcohol was the cause of death.

Police have not commented on a possible overdose.

Winehouse had cancelled the remainder of her European tour last month after appearing intoxicated on stage in Serbia Belgrade and was heckled by the audience.

Related: Amy Winehouse wasted on stage in Serbia Belgrade – Video

In 2007 the singer married musician Blake Fielder-Civil, but the couple had an increasingly violent relationship. Blake was sent to prison in 2008 on charges of obstruction of justice and they divorced in 2009.

Mitch Winehouse, her father, has not commented on her death but is currently travelling to London from New York.

R.I.P and God speed Amy.

You’re in the arms of the Angels now – may you find some comfort there.

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Columbo Actor Peter Falk Dead at 83 - Just One More Thing...

I grew up watching Lieutenant Columbo.

I remember getting frustrated at how long it would take him to actually bust the bad guy even though he knew who it was from the very beginning.

With his dirty old raincoat, beat up old car, floppy eared dog, and wife that we never got to meet - Lt. Columbo always knew how to outsmart the crooks.

And here is a little bit of trivia – during the entire Columbo series the viewer was never told what his first name was, and it remains a mystery to this day.

His Shtick was to ask very basic, and sometimes annoying questions, and just as he was walking toward the door to leave he would stop, turn, and say, “Just one more thing…”

And it was always THAT question that got the criminal busted.

But it was entertaining, and little did I know that Peter Falk and Columbo would become an American Icon.



Falk died yesterday at the age of 83 from complications from dementia at his home in Beverly Hills.

Friends say Falk was involved in a bad car accident in 2008 and suffered a bad head injury and was never the same man.

But Falk did much much more than just play Lt. Columbo.

His career started back in 1957 and by the time he retired had been in over 100 movies and TV shows.

Some of the greats included Murder, Inc., The Untouchables, The Twilight Zone, Murder by Death, The Cheap Detective, The Princess Bride, and others.

Peter Falk was one of the greats - and I expect to see his dirty old raincoat in the Smithsonian’s American History Museum next time I’m in Washington D.C.

Hey, don’t laugh – they have the same “Fonzie” lunchbox there that I had when I was in school.

Feel old yet?

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Photo - “Jackass" Star Ryan Dunn Killed in Fatal Car Crash

Anybody who has ever watched the television show “Jackass” knew who Ryan Dunn was.

Last night, the 34 year old was killed in a fatal car crash near West Goshen Township in Pennsylvania.

News reports say Dunn, and another passenger, were killed around 3:30 am Monday morning. His death was confirmed by Bam Margera's mother according to TMZ.

Dunn’s 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 apparently lost control and smashed into a guard rail before ending up in the woods and bursting into flames.

Friends say Ryan was drinking at a local bar before getting behind the wheel and downed at least 3 beers and 3 shots of hard liquor before leaving.

Related: Jackass Steve-O Arrested in Canada

Dunn’s costars Bam Margera, Johnny Knoxville, and Steve-O are aware of the accident and have started to send condolences either by twitter or through their representatives.

Johnny Knoxville tweeted,

“Today I lost my brother Ryan Dunn. My heart goes out to his family and his beloved Angie. RIP Ryan , I love you buddy.”

Jason “Weeman” Acuna

“RYAN DUNN-- a super awesome memory was at the J RODY walston & the business show!!! I MISS YOU BUD!! You were always a happy kick-ass dude!!

And film critic Rodger Ebert has already stirred up the pot by tweeting,

“Friends don't let jackasses drink and drive."

Dunn had posted a picture on twitter earlier in the evening showing him drinking with friends.

MTV has also responded by saying,

“We're deeply saddened by the passing of a member of the MTV family, Ryan Dunn. Our hearts and thoughts are with his friends and family.”

Watch “Jackass” Ryan Dunn Best Stunts


RIP and God Speed Ryan, and watch out for those toy cars and condemns!

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CNBC Anchor Mark Haines Has Died – He was 65

Mark Haines, host of CNBC’s “Squawk Box” has died.

Anybody who ever watched CNBC knew who Mark Haines was. He frequently argued with not only the guests, but also his fellow colleagues.

Haines had been around for a long time and was one of the founding anchors when the network started 20 years ago when it was called FNN – Financial News Network.

In fact, it was a first of a kind and no other network existed that covered strictly the financial sector.

Haines hosted CNBC’s morning show “Squawk Box”.

Mark died unexpectedly at his home last night, the financial news network said.

CNBC President Mark Hoffman said,

"With his searing wit, profound insight and piercing interview style, he was a constant and trusted presence in business news for more than 20 years. From the dot-com bubble to the tragic events of 9/11 to the depths of the financial crisis, Mark was always the unflappable pro. Mark loved CNBC and we loved him back. He will be deeply missed."

Watch Mark Haines and Barney Frank Spar on Air


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Macho Man Randy Savage Dead at 58

Professional wrestling fans are in shock today.

One of the greatest heroes of the sport has died.

TMZ is reporting that Macho Man Randy Savage was killed in a car accident around 9:30 this morning in Seminole Florida.

FHP says Savage was travelling in his vehicle when he had a heart attack, swerved across the center median, and crashed head on into a tree.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital near Tampa.

Cops say alcohol was not an issue and that Randy’s wife was also in the car and suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Both were wearing their seat belts.

Macho Man Randy Savage wrestled for the WWF from 1985-1994 and the WCW from 1994-1999 and was known for his flamboyant costumes and feuds with fellow wrestlers Ric Flair and Jake "The Snake" Roberts.


In real life, Randy was known to be feuding with fellow WWF wrestler Hulk Hogan, and had just recently started speaking to the Hogan whose real name is Terry Bollea.

After learning of his death Hogan tweeted,

"I'm completely devastated, after over 10 years of not talking with Randy, we've finally started to talk and communicate. He had so much life in his eyes & in his spirit, I just pray that he's happy and in a better place and we miss him. We miss him a lot. I feel horrible about the ten years of having no communication. This was a tough one I just pray that Randy's happy and in a better place and we miss him”.

Savage was the celebrity spokesman for Slim Jim snack foods during the 1990’s, and was cast in the 2002 film Spider-Man as the wrestler Bonesaw McGraw.

He also made appearances on several TV shows including The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Nikki, Walker Texas Ranger, Mad About You, and Baywatch.

God speed Macho Man.



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President Obama Announces Osama Bin Laden is Dead

President Obama broke into all national broadcasting networks Sunday night to announce some very big news.

Obama told the country that Osama Bin Ladin is dead and the USA has the body.

CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other networks are all confirming the report.

It is expected that the terrorist threat level will be raised over the short term in case there is any backlash from radicals.

The White House and military troops around the world have been moved to security level “Bravo” force protection – one of the highest levels available.

Washington is also reporting that the death was caused by “United States” military assets.

Obama says “Actionable military intelligence” was used.

Bin Laden was killed in a mansion outside Islamabad Pakistan and other family members were also killed.

The State Department said it will be releasing an official death photo soon.

Developing.......

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