TheKeysOfMarinus

The exact words of the court filing are “major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia)”. That sounds like it’s referring to the pre-existing mental issues he has had for decades that most fans are aware of. Even if he does have dementia, it seems quite low for news outlets to take the words “(such as dementia)” and report a diagnosis.

This is from December 2023.

I’ve always thought she might end up being one of the last major pop stars of the 60s standing. Having been born in 1948, she has to be the youngest performer associated with the “British Invasion” period.

That’s Paul Jones, John Paul Jones is Led Zeppelin’s bassist and keyboardist

You could edit it?

What happened, do tell!

Brian Wilson’s wife and manager Melinda dead at 77. She is largely credited with separating him from controversial psychologist Eugene Landy - the story is dramatised in Love & Mercy (2014)

Man, bless him. He sounded totally fine in 2016 but it seems like his voice was already diminished in 2022.

I think journalist Bill Harry (b. 1938) is one to watch. Perhaps not a big enough name for the committee but he is certain to obit - he created Mersey Beat magazine in 1961, thus coining the famous name for the Merseyside rock scene, and had a close association with the Beatles - he arranged for Brian Epstein to see them perform at the Cavern Club. He’s one of the last people alive who had a big impact on the Beatles’ story pre-fame. He is active on social media but I believe he has been quite unwell for some time.

Steve Boone was born 23 September 1943 according to his fb account.

The book came out in 2012.

Leah Owen, Welsh-language singer and broadcaster, has died of cancer aged 70. She gets a BBC obit but it’s in Welsh so doesn’t currently count for DDP etc.

Pleasantly surprised he’s made the list. I think it’ll prove canny.

Jesus Christ. Stop.

Only When I Laugh has done well for a sitcom of its vintage - all four regulars and writer were still alive until 2022 took out Peter Bowles (85) and writer Eric Chappell (88). The other three regulars are still about at 88, 87 and 77. It’s a stark comparison to something like Oh No It’s Selwyn Froggitt where the entire cast is dead and the only living writer we know of is Roy Clarke, who was only involved with the pilot.

I think it may be time to start thinking about Brian Wilson. After 20+ years of endless tours, he had a very quiet 2023 and made his only public appearance of the year seated at “Grammy Salutes the Beach Boys” in April. He’s had surgery in the past for a hereditary back problem and having watched him be helped walk to his piano when I saw him live in 2016, I expect he uses a wheelchair now. Some fans found it hard to watch his last tour in 2022 - see this clip of Brian performing “God Only Knows” then. Now, all of this doesn’t mean he’s about to die but he is 81, I think it’s unlikely we will see him tour again and he has had more than his fair share of health issues over the past 60 years.

RIP Richard. Not unexpected news but sad especially as this time of year. He was part of one of the most loved periods of Doctor Who and very good in it too, especially in Season 11. I hate to bring it up but if anyone’s wondering why this news might get a muted reaction from Who fans, it’s because Franklin’s reputation isn’t the best because of this account from a fan. I can’t speak on the veracity of the claim but it’s quite serious and I’ve seen it mentioned on social media before when his name comes up.

Ray has been teasing a reunion for about.. 12 years? It’s become clear that Ray and Dave are not on the same page about how best to do it, that Dave doesn’t want Mick Avory in the fold but Ray wants basically all the surviving old Kinks members to chip in, and it’s probably never going to happen.

Welcome!

Loved Denny, excellent musician and songwriter. Quite sad that the man who co-wrote “Mull of Kintyre” needed a GoFundMe.

That’s quite surprising - Maurice looked pretty ancient in “The Great Hunger: The Life and Songs of Shane MacGowan” (1997) and the tabloids reported that he was in ill health when Shane got married in 2018 and would be likely to miss the ceremony.

I’m saying that’s all folks. Mostly because I’d love it to be true.

The press release features a Not Going Out Christmas special entitled “Wilfred” that “sees the couple invite Wilfred, a lonely pensioner from the nearby care home, to join them for Christmas dinner”. The actor playing Wilfred isn’t included, though (could well be Hayes too); might be another opportunity for form spotting, whoever it is.

Jeepers, just watched the Masked Singer footage. That’s a bit sad.

Admire them too, fab band.