July 8, 2007

JOEL SIEGEL, 63: The longtime film critic for ABC News whose pithy reviews could capture the essence of a new film in a few words without giving too much away died June 29 in New York. The cause was colon cancer, according to an announcement by ABC. Mr. Siegel had been a regular presence on “Good Morning America” since 1981. His Friday morning reviews were a frequent source of the encapsulated blurbs that scream out from movie ads in newspapers, on billboards and on television. But the reviews were known as much for their wit as for the likelihood that they would encourage people to go to the movies. In reviewing “The Pursuit of Happyness,” for example, Mr. Siegel said the film “gets a 'C' for spelling and an 'A' for acting; it could also get an Oscar for Will Smith.” Smith was in fact nominated this year for best actor in a leading role, but the Oscar went to Forest Whitaker for “The Last King of Scotland.” Mr. Siegel was also the host of an annual Oscar program, “Joel Siegel's Road to the Academy Awards,” which was broadcast for 10 years on WABC-TV, the network's New York affiliate, and was syndicated to more than 100 stations across the country.

BOOTS RANDOLPH, 80: A versatile saxophonist best remembered for his 1963 recording of “Yakety Sax,” whose zany melody spiced the girl-chasing comedy sketches of TV comic Benny Hill, died of a cerebral hemorrhage Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. Starting in the late 1950s, Mr. Randolph's saxophone abilities brought him to prominence as one of Nashville's elite backup, or session, players known as the A-Team. He became a vital part of the “Nashville Sound” that blended country and pop influences. He was featured on such bubblegum hits as singer Brenda Lee's “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” and “I'm Sorry”; Elvis Presley's first post-Army release, “Elvis is Back!” (1960), featuring the bluesy “Reconsider Baby”; and singer Roy Orbison's “Mean Woman Blues” and “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Mr. Randolph's association with such stars launched his prolific solo career in country-influenced rock, jazz and gospel. For years, he maintained a schedule of more than 200 annual recordings and concert dates and made dozens of solo albums that skipped across genres. He remained a valuable supporting player to everyone from country pop star Chet Atkins to Dixieland trumpeter Al Hirt (“Java”) to the rock band REO Speedwagon (“Little Queenie”).

REGINE CRESPIN, 80: The French opera star who took her personal magnetism and soprano voice to the world's leading stages died Thursday at a Paris hospital, her record company, EMI, said. No cause of death was given. With a luxurious voice, the seductive soprano stood out among opera singers as a leading lyrical artist. She sang on the top stages, from Paris, Vienna and Berlin to Covent Garden in London. She performed at the Metropolitan Opera for 25 years, unusual for a French artist. Ms. Crespin came to singing late, taking her first lessons at age 16. She blossomed and went to Paris to study at the Music Conservatory. She made her debut in 1948 in the Champagne town of Reims in the role of Charlotte in Massenet's “Werther.” Ms. Crespin had her international debut in 1958 at Germany's Bayreuth Festival as Kundry in “Parsifal,” then moved on to stages around the world. Her Met debut was in 1962. One of her best known roles was the Marschallin in Strauss' “Der Rosenkavalier.” In her candid autobiography, she recounts sometimes bawdy tales of backstage life, as well as her passion on stage. The book, originally published in 1982 as “La Vie et l'Amour d'une Femme” (“The Life and Love of a Woman”), the French name for a song by Schumann, was later revised and expanded in an English version published in 1997 as “On Stage, Off Stage: A Memoire.”

BILL PINKNEY, 81: The last survivor of the original members of the musical group The Drifters was found dead Wednesday at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, police said. The death was not considered suspicious. Mr. Pinkney was scheduled to perform at Fourth of July festivities in Daytona Beach. Mr. Pinkney's manager, Maxine Porter, declined to discuss his cause of death but said he had had health problems. The Drifters, whose hits include “Under the Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof,” and “Save the Last Dance for Me,” performed as scheduled. Mr. Pinkney wasn't with The Drifters when they recorded their biggest hits. He left the band in 1958 because of an argument over cash. His distinctive bass voice can be heard on the group's version of the holiday classic “White Christmas.” Even though he left the group, Mr. Pinkney didn't let go of The Drifters' name. He fought for laws allowing performers or bands to claim an affiliation with a classic group like The Drifters or The Coasters if at least one member recorded with the original group. The Drifters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

WILL SCHAEFER, 78: A composer whose musical scores accompanied hit television shows such as “I Dream of Jeannie” and “The Flintstones” died of cancer June 30 at a nursing home in Cathedral City near Palm Springs, a family friend said. The Wisconsin native wrote background music, which is different from theme songs, for such TV shows as “The Flying Nun,” “Hogan's Heroes,” “The Jetsons” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He composed and recorded music for more than 700 commercials for companies such as Ford, Chevrolet and Pillsbury. He helped give Disney's “It's a Small World” an international flavor corresponding to different rooms in the ride. His professional accolades included three Clio Awards for work on commercials. He was nominated for an Emmy for his score to the Walt Disney TV movie “The Skytrap” and for a Pulitzer Prize for his concert piece “The Sound of America,” commissioned for the 1976 bicentennial celebration.

 »Next Story»