Heath Ledger dead at 28
The Minx was so sad to learn of the death on 21 January 2008 of the Australian actor Heath Ledger, in New York at the tragically early age of 28. Seen as one the most promising actors of his generation the star of Brokeback Mountain was viewed by many as the natural heir to Johnny Depp.
An accidental overdose of sleeping tablets has been suggested as one cause or even a virus, his family said he had been suffering from pneumonia. The first autopsy was inconclusive and further tests are being carried out to determine the cause of death. More news here as it breaks.
Lee's Boots have stopped walkin'
Lee Hazlewood was a maverick in the best sense of the word. He was fortunate to come into money early by writing and producing Duane Eddy's hit records; after that, he wrote, produced and performed on a variety of projects, most stubbornly uncommercial.
Master crime writer Michael Dibdin dies
The British author Michael Dibdin, best known for his dark and evocative novels set in Italy featuring Venetian detective Aurelio Zen, has died aged 60.
The Zen novels were notable for their intricate plots, psychological complexity, mordant humor and acute social observation. Above all
the novels were read avidly for Mr. Dibdin’s masterly distillation of Italy, whether he was writing about its politics, the church, the Mafia, fashion, truffles, wine or old stones.
His most recently-completed Zen novel, End Games, will be published posthumously later this year.
Anna Nicole Smith dead at 39
Anna Nicole Smith, the voluptuous former Playboy centerfold who married octogenarian billionaire J Howard Marshall when he was 89 and she was 26, has died at the age of 39.
Marshall died in 1995 and at 90 leaving a $400m and Smith had waged a court battle for a share of his fortune ever since. Smith’s orphaned baby daughter is expected to be the subject of a court battle with several men claiming to be its father.
Main story will be updated as news comes in. Click on heading here to read latest in full.
Sneaky Pete Kleinow Dead at 72
"He really was a man alone on a mountain top...sticking with his tuning and his 8 string Fender when the rest of the steel world around him was flocking to E9 and C6 on their Sho-Buds and Emmons'. He carved out his own style and gave us a different way to approach the pedal steel and the way it could be played." Skip Edwards
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder and chairman of Atlantic Records, was born on July 31, 1923. He died on December 14, 2006, aged 83
Pink Floyd star's possessions auctioned off
An auction of the late Syd Barrett's last possessions raised more than £100,000 recently.
JoJo Laine - Life Lived in the fast Lane
Sad to hear of the recent death of model, rock chick, singer and all-round hedonist Jo Jo Laine.
