TheKeysOfMarinus

Frankie Valli seems to have recovered okay from his health issues though, no? He was touring again last year.

I don’t think he is as dead cert as people are saying, but definitely a good choice.

I really thought William Russell might turn up this year. Like others, I don’t think this is the year for Cheney, Duvall or Alda. If we need more Hollywood legends, I think Michael Caine deserves more traction.

Aw, what a miss! It's been a proper clearout year, hasn't it?

The last King of England died in 1702.

I’ll repeat what I said in the 2023 thread - Ray Davies, who’ll be 80 in 2024 and seems to spend a lot of time in his old pub haunts in London.

I hate to say this because he's a hero, but I think Ray Davies (b. 1944) might be one to consider. Maybe not 2023 but still. He's gone pretty quiet and I've heard first-hand some quite sad stories about drinking from fairly recently.

That is true. I think he was more visible around a decade ago - he did the Olympics opening, a BBC Four doc and some new albums - but that’s only a few things and he’s always been fairly quiet.

I hope so - I’ve never understood why he’s made the list. He’s not ill, he’s just dramatic as he always has been.

Stephen Greif, Travis in Blake’s 7 (before Brian Croucher) and Henry Fenning in Citizen Smith amongst various TV roles, dead at 78.

I think it's looking quite likely sadly. The press release that accompanied the trailer formally announces the return of Jacqueline King (Sylvia Noble) and Karl Collins (Donna’s husband Shaun) so the omission is glaring.

It's probably nothing but may be worth keeping an eye on Mike Oldfield (b. 1953). Next month will mark six years since his last studio album, the last time he did anything in the public eye. A 50th anniversary Tubular Bells tour is happening without him next year. His long-term collaborator Robin Smith is arranging and conducting it but no sign of Oldfield. It may be that he's just happy to retire but you'd expect him to mark it himself in some way, considering the previous sequels, re-recordings and tours.

Nile Rodgers is reporting Thom Bell dead. Acclaimed songwriter (La-La Means I Love You, I'm Stone in Love with You, Could It Be I'm Falling in Love, Ghetto Child, You Make Me Feel Brand New, Are You Ready for Love) and producer known for the Philly sound. A big loss for soul music. https://twitter.com/nilerodgers/status/1606019623211700258

What a coincidence - I was about to bring him up! My understanding is he lives in the UK, but if he is still about, it is strange he doesn’t make any appearances as you say.

Apparently, the family aren’t making a confirmation until Monday but it seems likely it’s true. Sad news - he was very big for a while. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02wGHR4NVb9FTusdX22CFPLTjCRZFxS6Vje8h1EjwNEyqpdqtWRfs8wopboRbKRuRxl&id=682719275

Good question. Almost every 60s compilation album misses them out because of licensing, with beat-era bands like the Searchers, Tremeloes, Mindbenders filling that gap. Heartbeat was a bit like that too. So I guess that’s what radio would’ve been like - a Beatle-shaped hole filled in by contemporaries and imitators.

Has anyone ever looked into Dolly Cooper? Can't find a birth date or death date anywhere online. A rhythm & blues vocalist of the 50s. She recorded for Dot Records and performed with Lionel Hampton and Little Richard, but never found any great success. Almost certainly dead but.. who knows, eh?

Oh nice! I imagine quite a few of us here are Wikipedians. I’m on there as humbledaisy incidentally.

Esteemed Wiki editor Jkaharper, reveal yourself! I know you’re lurking!

I feel like Steele might go on and on and end up a DL perennial, even though he’s looked ancient for years. Clark seems to be doing well too.

That’s quite something isn’t it? For comparison, there are still a few 60s Star Trek writers knocking about.

He had quite an ugly, spiteful meltdown after his predilection for exposing himself made news. He’s certainly finished when it comes to Doctor Who, I think.

No longer hanging around. Sad news about the powerhouse in a great band and - eek - a DDP hit for me.

Doesn’t sound autotuned at all to me.

Agreed. People have wild expectations of celebrities - how many 71 year olds look that good?