Joe Strummer, Punk Iconoclast

Today in 1977, The Clash released their first single. To mark the occasion we profile the late Joe Strummer, co-founder of the influential punk rock outfit...

Doug Fieger Had the Knack

Doug Fieger's name may not be a household word, but if you've been around for the past three decades or so, we bet you've heard one of his songs...

Randy Savage: Showman and Macho Man

"Oooh yeah!" We're remembering Macho Man Randy Savage's seven world championships, his showmanship, and his fantastically flashy costumes.

Joe Alaskey (1952 - 2016), voice actor for Bugs Bunny and many more

Joe Alaskey, a comedian and Emmy Award-winning voice actor who succeeded Mel Blanc in lending his voice to Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester, has died, according to multiple news sources.

Pat Summitt (1952 - 2016), legendary college basketball coach

Pat Summitt, the legendary former coach of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team, has died of Alzheimer’s disease, according to multiple news sources. She was 64. Summitt coached the Lady Vols basketball team to eight NCAA championships. That was the record at the time of her retirement in 2012. That record has now been passed by Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut. She was the first NCAA coach to reach 1,000 victories and she has the most wins of any female basketball coach in NCAA history. Summitt was born in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1952. She played college basketball at the University of Tennessee at Martin and was an All-American. She won a silver medal playing for the USA team in the 1976 Olympics.

Roger Tsien (1952 - 2016), Nobel Prize winner for Alzheimer's research

Roger Tsien, a Nobel Prize winner who helped develop a method to track cancer cells and follow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 64.

Thomas Mikal Ford (1962–2016), costar on Martin

Thomas Mikal Ford, a star of TV's "Martin" and "New York Undercover," died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 after suffering an aneurysm in his abdomen, according to multiple news sources. He was 54.

Michael Massee (1955–2016)

Actor known for playing Gustav Fiers aka The Gentleman in the movie “The Amazing Spider-Man.”

Mark Gray (1952 - 2016), country music singer-songwriter

The country music singer-songwriter co-wrote No. 1 hit songs for group Alabama.

Sheila Abdus-Salaam (1952–2017)

Sheila Abdus-Salaam, the country’s first female Muslim judge, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, according to multiple sources. She was 65.

Billy Joe Walker Jr. (1952–2017), country music guitarist and producer

Guitarist-producer worked with Travis Tritt, the Dixie Chicks, and the Beach Boys…

Ed Lee (1952–2017), San Francisco's first Asian-American mayor

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — MayorEdLee, who oversaw a technology-driven economic boom in San Francisco that brought with it sky-high housing prices despite his commitment to economic equality, died suddenly early Tuesday at age 65.

Asma Jahangir (1952 – 2018), prominent human rights activist in Pakistan

OnTime Magazine'slist of the 100 most influential womenf

Harry Anderson (1952 – 2018), “Night Court” star

Played the quirky Judge Harry T. Stone on the popular sitcom…

Pegi Young (1952–2019), musician, philanthropist, Neil Young's former wife

Philanthropist and singer Pegi Young co-founded the Bridge School.

James Ingram (1952–2019), R&B singing legend

James Ingram (1952–2019) was a chart-topping singer known for the hit R&B song “Baby, Come to Me,” a duet with singer Patti Austin which reached number one in 1983. He first came to fame in 1981 when he sang vocals on the songs “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways” on the Quincy Jones album “The Dude.”

Fred McLeod (1952–2019), beloved Cleveland Cavaliers announcer

Longtime Detroit Pistons broadcaster moved to the Cavaliers in 2006.

Johanna Lindsey (1952–2019), bestselling romance novelist

Johanna Lindsey was the bestselling author of more than 50 romance novels. She often wrote historical romances, with settings including medieval England, Viking-era Norway, the American Wild West, and Regency England. Some strayed from the historical pattern, including a time-travel series and a futuristic series set in outer space. Lindsey’s books were dismissed by some as bodice-rippers, but they were wildly and beloved by her readers and sold more than 60 million copies. Her titles included "Savage Thunder," "Captive of My Desires," "Once a Princess," and her most recent, 2019's "Temptation's Darling." Several of her novels featured cover model Fabio, including 1987’s “Hearts Aflame,” an early career hit for the young model.

Neil Peart (1952–2020), legendary drummer for Rush

Neil Peart was the drummer and primary lyricist for classic progressive rock band Rush. Known for his technical proficiency and his elaborate drum kit, he is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock drummers in history. The youngest person ever inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame — he was in his early 30s when he received the honor — Peart inspired deep loyalty from his fans for his intelligent, inventive lyrics and his dedication to his craft. Some of the Rush songs most notable for Peart’s playing are “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” and “YYZ.” Peart was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with his bandmates, and he was voted Best Rock Drummer by Modern Drummer readers every year from 1980 to 1986, as well as in 2006 and 2008.

Bobbie Battista (1952–2020), former CNN anchor

BobbieBattista wasa former anchor for CNN, most notably asone ofthe first anchorsfor CNN Headline Newswhich launched in 1981.She moved to CNN in 1988 where she hosted numerous shows including NewsHour,WorldDay, andTalkBackLive.In 1986, she was voted best newscaster in Cable Guide magazines annual readers poll.Battista was an anchor for many historical moments including the Challenger disasterand the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.She left CNN in 2001.

Rishi Kapoor (1952–2020), Bollywood romantic star

Rishi Kapoor was an Indian actor known for starring in over 100 Bollywood films. He was a romantic lead, singing and dancing for 30 years before transitioning into an acclaimed character actor.

Fred Dean (1952–2020), Pro Football Hall of Famer with Chargers and 49ers

Fred Dean was an NFL defensive end who played for the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers, winning two Super Bowls with the 49ers.

Billy Brown (1952–2021), patriarch of “Alaskan Bush People” reality series

Billy Brown was a reality TV star known for the long-running “Alaskan Bush People.”

María Mendiola (1952–2021), singer known for “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”

MaríaMendiola was a singer with Baccara, a Spanish disco duo known for their 1977 hit, “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.”

David Amess (1952–2021), British Member of Parliament

David Amess was a British Member of Parliament (MP) who had represented the Conservative Party since 1983.

Jerry Remy (1952–2021), Boston Red Sox All-Star and commentator

Jerry Remy was an All-Star second baseman for the Boston Red Sox as well as a color commentator after his retirement.

Phil Saviano (1952–2021), clergy abuse survivor featured in “Spotlight”

Phil Saviano was a survivor of childhood clergy abuse whose work to help other survivors and uncover predatory behavior in the church was featured in the Oscar-winning 2015 film “Spotlight.”

Eddie Mekka (1952–2021), played Carmine on “Laverne & Shirley”

Eddie Mekka was an actor who played Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa on “Laverne & Shirley.”

bell hooks (1952–2021), acclaimed feminist author

Author bell hooks was acclaimed for her writing on race and gender.

Jon Zazula (1952–2022), record exec who helped launch Metallica

Jon Zazula was the founder of Megaforce Records, Metallica’s first label.

Bappi Lahiri (1952–2022), India’s “Disco King”

Bappi Lahiri was a popular Bollywood singer and composer who was known as the “Disco King” of India.

Shelby Jordan (1952–2022), former Patriots offensive lineman

Shelby Jordan was a former NFL offensive lineman for the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Raiders.  

Hilary Mantel (1952–2022), award-winning author of “Wolf Hall”

Hilary Mantel was a British author who won the prestigious Booker Prize twice, for her novels “Wolf Hall” and “Bring Up the Bodies.”

Gary Friedkin (1952–2022), Clarence the cook on “Happy Days”   

Gary Friedkin was an actor who played Clarence the cook on “Happy Days” and starred in the film “Young Doctors in Love.”

Gregory Allen Howard (1952–2023), Remember the Titans screenwriter

Gregory Allen Howard was a screenwriter known for writing the screenplays to movies including “Remember the Titans” and “Harriet.”

Tom Leadon (1952–2023), co-founded Mudcrutch with Tom Petty 

Tom Leadon was a guitarist who co-founded first band, Mudcrutch.

Julie Anne Peters (1952–2023), groundbreaking YA author of Luna 

Julie Anne Peters was an author of young adult books including “Luna,” one of the first to feature a transgender character.

Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952–2023), Oscar-winning electronic music pioneer

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese composer and keyboardist who won an Academy Award for his score for “The Last Emperor.”

Klaus Teuber (1952–2023), Catan board game creator

Klaus Teuber was a German board game designer who created the influential game Settlers of Catan.

Lasse Wellander (1952–2023), longtime ABBA guitarist

Lasse Wellander was a guitarist with ABBA from 1974 until their 2021 final album, who played on many of their hits and on the “Mamma Mia!” soundtrack.

Dave Frost (1952–2023), California Angels pitcher 

Dave Frost was a pitcher in the 1970s and ‘80s with Major League Baseball (MLB) teams including the California Angels.0

Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023), sensory-focused Finnish composer

Kaija Saariaho was a Finnish composer who saw music as an art for all the senses, suggesting color, texture, and more for a richer sensory palate.

Rev. Steve Pieters (1952–2023), longtime HIV/AIDS activist 

Rev. Dr. A. Steve Pieters was an influential HIV/AIDS activist whose interview with in 1985 helped begin to shift public opinion on the outbreak and how to confront it.

Rocky Wirtz (1952–2023), Chicago Blackhawks owner 

Rocky Wirtz was the owner of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks since 2007.

Paul Reubens (1952–2023), Pee-wee Herman actor

Paul Reubens was an actor and comedian best known for his character, Pee-wee Herman, and his cult favorite TV show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

Sheila Oliver (1952–2023), groundbreaking New Jersey elected official 

Sheila Oliver led a groundbreaking political career as a Garden State legislator, including being the first Black woman to serve as speaker for the General Assembly and the first Black woman elected as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor.0

Charles Ogletree (1952–2023), Pres. Obama's Harvard law mentor

Charles Ogletree was an attorney and Harvard law professor who served as a mentor to the Obamas and represented clients such as Anita Hill and Tupac Shakur, as well as advocating for victims of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.

Shelley Smith (1952–2023), The Associates star  

Shelley Smith was an actress best known for her starring role alongside Martin Short in the 1979 sitcom “The Associates.” 

Keith Giffen (1952–2023), co-creator of Rocket Raccoon, Lobo 

Keith Giffen was a comic book artist and writer who co-created the superhero Rocket Raccoon of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the anti-hero Lobo, in addition to popular runs on comics like “Legion of Super-Heroes" and “Justice League International.”