Zakir Hussain (1951–2024), renowned Indian tabla player

Zakir Hussain was an icon of Indian classical music and world fusion, widely considered one of the world’s greatest tabla players.

Louis Orr (1958–2022), former NBA player and college basketball coach   

Louis Orr was a college basketball star at Syracuse University who played in the NBA and was a college basketball head coach.

Dino Danelli (1944–2022), drummer for The Rascals 

Dino Danelli was a drummer and founding member of the rock/soul band The Rascals, known for their hit “Good Lovin.”  

Shirley Eikhard (1955–2022), “Something to Talk About” songwriter    

Shirley Eikhard was a Canadian singer-songwriter who wrote “Something to Talk About” which became a hit song for Bonnie Raitt.

Ken Balcomb (1940–2022), scientist who worked to save orcas

Ken Balcomb was the founder of the Center for Whale Research, who worked to save wild orcas from extinction.

Henry Orenstein (1923–2021), toy developer who helped launch Transformers

Henry Orenstein was a holocaust survivor and successful toy developer who helped launch Transformers.

Wanda Young (1943–2021), singer with the Marvelettes

Wanda Young was a singer with the Motown group the Marvelettes, who sang lead vocals on hit singles including “Don’t Mess with Bill.”

bell hooks (1952–2021), acclaimed feminist author

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

James “Radio” Kennedy (1946–2019), inspiration for the film “Radio”

James “Radio” Kennedy was the mentally disabled man who inspired the 2003 hit movie “Radio.” He was an inspirational figure for the T.L. Hanna High School football team in Anderson, South Carolina. Kennedy was nicknamed “Radio” when he started showing up at the team’s football practices holding a transistor radio to his head. T.L. Hanna’s football coach Harold Jones formed a bond withKennedyand he became an inspirational figure on the sidelines at the teame28099s games for many years. The town embracedKennedyand he took classes at the high school though he could not read orwriteand he was given permanent status as a junior at the school so he would not have to graduate and leave.

Darlanne Fluegel (1953–2017), stunning star of 1980s crime dramas

Darlanne Fluegel, the stunning star of 1980s crime dramas, died after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Fran Jeffries (1937 - 2016), dancer in The Pink Panther

Fran Jeffries, a nightclub singer with a silky voice and an actress who performed a provocative samba dance in 1963's "The Pink Panther," died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California, of multiple myeloma. She was 79.

Howard Bingham (1939–2016), Muhammad Ali's personal photographer

Howard Bingham, a longtime personal photographer and friend of Muhammad Ali, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, according to The Associated Press. He was 77.

Craig Sager (1951 - 2016), NBA sideline reporter

Craig Sager, the longtime NBA sideline reporter known for his colorful attire, died Dec. 15, 2016, according to multiple news reports. He was 65.

Honoring Walt Disney

Ninety years ago today, two brothers founded a company that would become world famous, beloved by all ages, and record smashing. The brothers were Walt and Roy Disney, and the company, of course, bore their last name.

Blake Edwards Gets Serious

Blake Edwards was known chiefly as a director of comedies. But he also produced some outstanding dramatic fare over the course of his career.