In Memoriam
Total 1744 Posts
Legendary Canadian concert promoter Nick Panaseiko a.k.a. Promo Man has passed away. Thanks to Bob Klanac, I was lucky enough to chat with him on Toronto Mike'd for over an hour. We chatted about him working with Freddie Mercury, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, KISS, RUSH, Bill Cosby, Liberace,
I knew Michael Blake best from his role on Degrassi as Paul, who dated Lucy. He went on to become one of Canada’s most respected Shakespearean actors.
Ryno played 16 seasons in MLB as a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs, making 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and winning nine consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991.
I'm sorry to learn Donna Lypchuk has passed away. She was a writing legend of the Queen West art scene whose work I read in Eye Weekly. She was also a photographer, playwright, critic, pundit, curator, poet, columnist, swimmer, pet lover and author of books on tarot, astrology, numerology, channeling,
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, seemed larger than life to this 80s kid following WWF wrestling. In 1984, he defeated the Iron Sheik to win the WWF heavyweight championship and the rest is history. He had a memorable role in Rocky III, I watched his cartoon show Rock and Wrestling,
Chuck Mangione was the flugelhorn player, trumpeter and composer whose composition “Feels So Good” became an unlikely pop hit in 1978. I'll confess I know him for his recurring appearances on King of the Hill. Here's a compilation.
Ozzy Osbourne, a.k.a. The Prince of Darkness, was a founding member and the lead singer of Black Sabbath who went on to have a successful solo career upon being fired from the band. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ozzy Osbourne (@ozzyosbourne) Shout out to
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was the actor best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
Mark Bonokoski wrote for The Toronto Sun from 1974 until his retirement in 2023. Here's Lorrie Goldstein writing about Bono. Here's what Mark wrote on Facebook last month after disclosing that his lung cancer was terminal and he did not have long to live. Doctors say the days of treating
Connie Francis was the pop singer best known for the hit song “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” and the viral “Pretty Little Baby.” But my Connie Francis jam will always be Stupid Cupid, as heard on my Mini-Pops album.
Wayne Thomas tended goal for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers from 1973-80 before a lengthy career in hockey as a coach and an executive.
Just last week I recorded an episode devoted to Dave Stieb. Dave Stieb was the Blue Jays ace when I discovered the team in the early 80s, but before Jimmy Key emerged as a stellar starting pitcher, there was a clear #2. His name was Jim Clancy. I wrote this
Lee Elia was a baseball lifer who managed the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs who I knew best for this epic rant.
Mark Snow was the television and film composer best known for creating the theme for The X-Files.
Bobby Jenks was a two-time All-Star closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox who once tied an MLB record, retiring 41 batters in a row.
Lyndon Byers played parts of ten seasons in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks before becoming a popular Boston sports media personality.
Michael Madsen was the actor best known for his frequent collaborations with Quentin Tarantino—Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Volume 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. RIP Bump Bailey
Alex Delvecchio was the longtime center for fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe with the Detroit Red Wings.
Dave Parker, the Cobra, was a seven-time All-Star who won two National League batting titles and was the 1978 National League Most Valuable Player. He was a member of two World Series championship teams, winning with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and the Oakland Athletics in 1989, and he played
Bobby Sherman was the singer and actor who was a teen idol in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He had a series of successful singles, notably the million-seller "Little Woman".
Mick Ralphs was a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople.
Ron Tayor pitched for five teams (Cleveland, St. Louis, Houston, New York, and San Diego) during his 11-year career in the majors, posting a career 3.93 ERA. He's the only Canadian to win two World Series titles with two different teams. After his playing days ended, Taylor went on
Buzz Hargrove was National President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) from 1992 until his retirement in 2008.
Steven Leckie was the lead singer of the legendary Toronto punk band The Viletones.
Brian Wilson was the co-founder and primary songwriter of the Beach Boys.
