Johnny Cash (1932–2003), legendary musician known as “The Man in Black"

His signature songs included "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues."

Edward Gorey, Comedian of the Macabre

Eccentric and influential, Edward Gorey wrote and illustrated more than 100 books.

The Great Escape

Jack Harrison was the last known survivor of a famous escape plot by Allied prisoners during WWII. But was the escape worth the terrible price some paid?

Football or Soccer, UK and USA Share a Love of the Game

As World Cup fever grips the America and the U.K., we look back at some folks who helped shape the game in both countries.

Jimmy Dean Before He Was Sausage King

Those who grew up in the 1980s are more likely to associate Jimmy Dean with processed meat than country music.

They Don't Make Them Like They Used To

Retired General Motors president and former CEO died June 13, 2010, at the age of 87. Reading his obituary provided a lesson in how much Detroit CEO culture and corporate careerism in general have changed since the post-war auto boom of the 1950s.

Nicholas Ray: A Stranger Here Myself

Nicholas Ray is one of America’s most influential filmmakers, but you’d be forgiven for never having heard of him.

Johnnie Cochran: OJs and No Js

On June 16, 1994, America was transfixed by a slow moving, white Ford Bronco creeping down the 405 freeway in Los Angeles pursued by a phalanx of police vehicles and news helicopters. The owner of the vehicle would be arrested in his driveway and charged with murder.

Remembering Dad

To celebrate Father’s Day, we’re highlighting some recent Guest Book messages where people pay loving tribute to those special men who, though no longer with them, still remain in their hearts.

The Awful Frank Sidebottom

A look back at the classic comedy of Chris Sievey and his alter ego Frank Sidebottom.

Missing In San Francisco

For 18 days in the winter of 1974, Angelina Alioto was one of the biggest news stories in the country.

Hiromu Naruse, Master Test Driver

Toyota’s 67-year-old designer and master test driver died in a crash near the Nurburgring test track in Germany.

Michael Jackson, King of the Web

Michael Jackson’s death became the first high-profile passing since the rise of social media and played out largely over the internet.

Peter Quaife, The Forgotten Kink

When Kinks bassist and founding member Peter Quaife died in 2010, media in the United States took little notice.

Teddy Pendergrass is Back

This morning we were surprised to see among the top 10 most popular search terms reported by Google.After all, Pendergrass—singer, songwriter, drummer, and soul pioneer—died Jan. 13, 2010, nearly 6 months ago.

Close Encounters of the Eccentric Kind

Father Paul Ingelsby, Anglican priest and UFOlogist, once tried to convince the Queen that "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was a mind control plot.

Rammellzee, Hip-Hop Pioneer

Music blogs were buzzing yesterday with the news that legendary had died at age 49. As is increasingly the case these days, the news first broke not over the wires but on Twitter, where fellow old school hip-hop Renaissance man Fab Five Freddy first shared news of his death.

Going Out In Style

As the obituary for Debby Lynn Underwood Gross says, "If you don't share her appreciation of laughter at the expense of etiquette and decorum, read no further."

July 4th: A Bad Day for Ex-Presidents

A "great day" in the lives of American revolutionaries John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the 4th of July proved important right up until the end.

Stephen Gilbert, Ratman Writer

Stephen Gilbert fought the Nazis and advocated for nuclear disarmament. But mostly, he is remembered for a story about rats.

Ed Limato: The Nicest Shark in Hollywood

Ed Limato was a rarity in Hollywood — an agent who was genuinely liked by his clients and colleagues.

George Best: The Best to Never Play the Game

We take a look back at perhaps the best football player never to win the World Cup. In fact, he never even played in the tournament.

Nathan Henn, Volunteer Killed in Uganda

American aid worker Nathan Henn was among the 74 killed by twin bombings in Uganda, the blasts targeting crowds gathered to watch the World Cup final on TV.

The Big Stein

Who said it: Yankees owner George Steinbrenner or Seinfeld's the Big Stein?

Phil Harris, The Unlikeliest TV Star

TV viewers were devastated when "Deadliest Catch" captain Phil Harris died suddenly.

Adam Frey: Champion On and Off the Mat

We look at the legacy of wrestler Adam Frey, a true champion on and off the mat.

Alain Robbe-Grillet and the Origins of Inception

We take a look back at screenwriter and novelist Alain Robbe-Grillet, whose 1961 art film Last Year At Marienbad bears a striking resemblance to blockbuster Inception.

Is Mel Gibson Dead?

No, Mel Gibson isn't dead. The story is merely the latest in a long line of recent internet death rumors spread on sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Jack Craig: Watching the Watchmen

In 1967, reporter Jack Craig received an unusual assignment — report on the NFL championship game on TV but focus on the telecast, not the game.

Dick Buckley, Chicago Jazz Stalwart

Dick Buckleyhosted jazz programs on WBEZ in Chicago for 30 years.

Carl Gordon, Late Bloomer

In his late 30s, Carl Gordon found himself twice-divorced, stuck in a dead-end manual labor job with the feeling that his life was going nowhere. By the time he died this week at age 78, he’d appeared in 26 TV shows and movies and a slew of Broadway productions.

John Callahan, Equal Opportunity Offender

Cartoonist, musician, author, quadriplegic, and Portland fixture John Callahan died July 24, 2010, at age 59.

Matthew Weikert: Bringing Afghanistan Home

In 2010, hundreds came together in Illinois to honor a Marine and Army veteran who had recently been deployed to Afghanistan.

Ansel Adams: Father of American Photography

Though he died more than 25 years ago, Ansel Adams’ name has been all over the news this week thanks to a lucky garage sale find.

Theo Albrecht, Unknown Billionaire

He hadn’t spoken publicly since 1971. The last photograph taken of him was snapped in 1987. He was once kidnapped for 17 days, and liked growing orchids. Oh, and he had an estimated net worth of $16.7 billion...

Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Late Blooming Tenor

Susan Boyle wasn’t the first British singing sensation to blossom relatively late in life. Anthony Rolfe Johnson became an opera star despite not even being able to read music at age 30.

Peter Fernandez, Voice of Speed Racer

Fans of anime and manga owe a debt of gratitude to Peter Fernandez, who helped bring "Speed Racer" to American audiences in the 1960s.

Clint Formby, Radio Philosopher

The "Day-By-Day Philosopher" had the longest-running consecutive radio broadcast in history.

Papa Jacques Montouroy, Aid Worker

The legendary aid worker spent decades in war-torn locales, providing food to the hungry and teaching poverty-stricken kids to play soccer.

Marilyn Hudson, Book Lover

Marilyn Hudson read up to one book a day and an estimated 15,000 books lined her home. But this wasn’t what made her one of Southern California’s most important champions of literature.

George Brandon Ellis, Jack of All Trades

WWII Air Force bomber. Realtor. Dry cleaner. Publisher. Clown, musician, stand-up comedian, fisherman — there wasn’t much George Brandon Ellis didn’t do in his life.

Catfish Collins Played Rhythm Guitar for P-Funk and James Brown

Even if you know the name Bootsy Collins , you may not be familiar with the man who got him into music in the first place:his big brother Phelps, aka (19432010).

Elliott Smith, Reluctant Star

The 1998 Oscars telecast featured some of the biggest names in pop music — and then there was Elliott Smith.

Hideto Matsumoto, Japanese Guitar God

When rock band X Japan finally made its live U.S. debut, its most beloved member wasn't there.

Hedy Lamarr: Actress and Inventor

If you’re reading this over a Wi-Fi connection, you have Hedy Kiesler Markey to thank.

Robert Johnson: Legend and Reality

Robert Johnson (1911–1938) is widely celebrated as the greatest of the early Mississippi bluesmen, a primary inspiration for rock stars such as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Led Zeppelin, and countless more in the worlds of blues, rock, and jazz. His sparse recorded output and the sketchy details surrounding his life have also inspired a mythology that sometimes obscures the reality of his artistic accomplishments.

The Enigma of Bruno S.

Director Werner Herzog plucked street performer Bruno S. out of obscurity and made him a movie star. But what happened when the cameras stopped rolling?

Shots Heard 'Round the World

Home run hero Bobby Thomson's famous hit was only one of many shots deemed globally audible.

The Afterlife of Pat Tillman

Though Pat Tillman died six years ago, a new documentary opening tomorrow shows that questions still linger about the events surrounding his death.