Tag Archives: obituary

Koko, the gorilla known for mastering a unique form of sign language and for her intimate visits with celebrities like Robin Williams and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, has died. The famous western lowland gorilla, also known as Hanabiko (Japanese for “Fireworks Child”), died Tuesday in her sleep at …

Matt “Guitar” Murphy, guitarist for the Blues Brothers and noted sideman for blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Memphis Slim, died Friday at the age of 88. Murphy’s death was first announced in by his nephew Floyd Murphy Jr, who performed alongside his uncle. “He was a strong …

Anthony Bourdain, the chef, writer, and Emmy-winning television personality, died Friday morning of an apparent suicide at the age of 61. His death was confirmed to CNN, which reported that the Parts Unknown host was in Strasbourg, France, filming an episode of the series when chef Eric Ripert, a longtime …

Yvonne Staples, a longtime member of the Staple Singerswho enjoyed a series of funky gospel-inflected hits in the 1970s, died on Tuesday at age 80. The cause of death was colon cancer, according toThe New York Times. Staples was born in 1937 in Chicago to Oceola and Roebuck “Pops” Staples. …