R.I.P.s

[Low D]

Sam Sniderman, founder of the "Sam The Record Man" chain of stores and a big supporter of Canadian music, has died at 92.

The chain - begun in 1937 and grew to 140 locations - preceded Sam to the grave in 2001, although its flagship Yonge Street location remained in business until 2007. One independent franchise store, in Belleville, Ontario, continues to bear the Sam the Record Man name

I have fond memories of him because when that flagship store on Yonge St. took over the old CIBC bank building next door, which had been vacant for years, Sam personally told my friend Colin, the jewelry vendor, that he would NOT have to move his stand from the sweet spot he had occupied for years.

That was a time: banks out of business, record stores expanding, street vendors regarded as legitimate... Was it a golden age?

[soulfinger]

Harry Pilling

5'3" former Lancashire Batsman has died aged 69. He and Clive Lloyd were famously referred to as looking like mop and bucket. Harry recalled Kent fast bowler Alan Brown's frustration when refused an lbw appeal against him: "Too high? If it hit him on the head it still would have hit the wicket." Harry was a lovely bloke. RIP.

[firehazard]

Harry Pilling

5'3" former Lancashire Batsman has died aged 69. He and Clive Lloyd were famously referred to as looking like mop and bucket. Harry recalled Kent fast bowler Alan Brown's frustration when refused an lbw appeal against him: "Too high? If it hit him on the head it still would have hit the wicket." Harry was a lovely bloke. RIP.

I have Harry's autograph from one of the times I saw him playing for Lancs in Essex back in the 70s. It was unusual, as a not-particularly-tall youth (I had my growth spurt a bit later), to meet a sportsman that I could look straight in the face. He and Lloyd batting together were a memorable sight. And yes, a thoroughly good bloke he was. RIP.

[Mike from Boston]

Andy Williams, 84

[soulfinger]

Frank Wilson - RIP

Motown writer and producer. Responsible for the costliest soul single of all time.... £25,000 paid in 2009 for one of two surviving demos of Do I Love You, Indeed I do. I remember the first time I heard it like it was yesterday.

[DzM]

Another very good friend of mine, Norm Barringer, died yesterday.

I have known Norm since I was 18. We have camped with each other more times than I can count. We have snorkeled and scuba-dived off the Northern California coast near Fort Ross. We went to many years of Burning Man. In the time I've known him and Eve I've seen them have two fine boys, Quentin and Grayson, the oldest of which is now a surly 17.

Two of my favorite people have died this year. 2012 is shaping up to be genuinely shitty.

[Low D]

DZM, i'm so sorry for your loss.

[old barney greyheron]

dzm...i like your doodah..dont know the correct term.. that thing....sometimes i feel so happy etc...i'm a big lou reed/velvets fan...x

[Low D]

Raylene Rankin, of Cape Bretton Island's Rankin Family, has died of cancer. She was 52.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot ... -dies.html

[Christine]

Sorry for your loss , DzM.

Eric Hobsbawm, historian, writer, Marxist, jazz afficionado.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/cultu ... -1917-2013

[Mike from Boston]

Larry Reynolds, 80 of Boston and Galway

Larry was a giant in the traditional Irish music scene in Boston. A fiddle player who I swear hosted a dozen seisuns a week throughout Greater Boston. For almost fifty years, he kept Irish music alive in Boston. He was a great guy. He provided the music at the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day Breakfast when Billy Bulger ruled and is immortalized in film as he and his sons are the wedding band in the Jeff Bridges film Blown Away

Great story in the Boston Globe about his funeral. Pretty cool picture of the people in the church, many brought their instruments and played for Larry one last time.

http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/10/11 ... story.html

[Charles]

R.B. Greaves - 68 - soul/pop singer

"Take A Letter Maria" is one of my favorite 60s pop songs.

[Tal]

Rafael Lesmes, aka Lesmes II, died in Valladolid at 85 years of age.http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/ ... mes_II.htm

[Tal]

Robin Fior R.I.P.

[Mike from Boston]

NFL Great Alex Karras 77

Followed up a great football career with an acting career, best known for his role in Webster and his infamous bit as Mungo in Blazing Saddles.