Rolling Obituary Thread 2026

The thread of the dead.

James Grauerholz, William S. Burroughs' longtime assistant/manager/editor/everything else. When I called Burroughs in Kansas to request an interview as a high school student, I spoke to Grauerholz. (Didn't get the interview.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3atJxdNJGc

(xpost)

Legendary Japanese psych-rock guitarist Munehiro Narita (High Rise, etc.).

Damn shame I never saw him live.

co-founder of Sega Games David Rosen, 95
(also a pilot in the Korean War!)

Andrew Bodnar, bassist for (Graham Parker &) the Rumour who also appeared on Nick Lowe's "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" with Bob Andrews (both got a co-writing credit), Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives," The Pretenders' Learning to Crawl, and a few of Garland Jeffreys's best records.

correction, he played on the Pretenders' cover of "Thin Line Between Love and Hate," not the entire album

Molly Parkin, painter novelist and journalist, 93

Andrew Bodnar was a favorite of mine, RIP :( Glad I got to see one of the Rumour reunion shows.

biographer/author Michael Schumacher, aged 75

i’d forgotten all about molly parkin. i used to have some sort of vague ongoing connection with her - it must have been back when i worked in a bookshop.

Béla Tarr

Only 70, I had assumed he was quite a bit older

Dunno why you would associate him with longevity

Bye bye Béla

damn, one of the greats imo. RIP Bela

RIP Béla, I will endeavour to actually watch Sátántangó this year in your honour. I've only had it on DVD for what, ten years?

RIP

RIP, Werckmeister Harmonies would be in my top 10 films of this century. One of these days I'll rewatch Sátántangó too.

I've got the Curzon box and have been trying to motivate myself enough to crack it open. Guess this is it.

i had about half the curzon box on £5 dvds from fopp so i didn't bother, but there's a lot of non-feature extras and it's a bump in quality. expensive though.

So did I but mine was a present so yay for me I guess.

Extremely sad news to wake up to. I'm glad he lived long enough to see his all of his work return to circulation in spectacular quality - it used be so difficult to see his films and even more difficult to do so in decent quality. (One of my most memorable filmgoing experiences was seeing Sátántangó in 35mm at Lincoln Center, years after the DVD fell out-of-print and years before it was finally restored in 4K.)

Only 70, I had assumed he was quite a bit older

I saw him at his last NYC appearance 16 months ago, and I was stunned how unhealthy he looked. In 2011, he was at the NYFF to present his final film, and on that gorgeous, unseasonably warm October afternoon, he walked onstage and said "what are you doing here? It's beautiful outside!" He looked great striding along with the ponytail and the shades on his head.

In fact, you can see him here at the free talk he gave at the festival (maybe even the same day):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxHNl2H8IO0

Now flash forward to June 2023, and he looked frail and physically unsteady, hunched over and tremoring while using a cane. I would've guessed he was easily in his 70s, maybe in his 80s. (He was 68.)

But he was still as sharp as ever and still had the same fire - when someone asked about making a film, he got worked up, whipped out his iPhone and basically said: "You have THIS in your pocket. You don't need anything else, just fucking make your movie and don't let anyone else tell you that you can't."

Afterwards he sat outside, smoking another cigarette (I'm guessing he never cut back) and when people asked him to sign their DVD's, he agreed while saying "promise not to sell this, I already saw one script I signed yesterday on fucking eBay."

He was never going to make another movie, but he was dedicated to mentoring and teaching new and uncompromising filmmakers. An Elephant Sitting Still is perhaps the best film made from one such filmmaker, though sadly the same person committed suicide before it ever saw release.)

(IIRC that free talk was probably the same day and before his film was scheduled to play - he probably gave the talk and walked over to Alice Tully afterwards. The NYFF's schedule is usually packed pretty tight that way.)

Martin Chivers, footballer.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/07/martin-chivers-former-tottenham-england-southampton-striker-dies-aged-80

Aldrich Ames, CIA agent who spied for the Soviet Union - died in prison, aged 84

The NYT obituary for Ames is a very entertaining read in its vociferousness. RIP to all those people Ames exposed

Michael Reagan

Rest In Piss

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the city's paper of record.

(Actually, it won't officially die until May 3.)

Just read about Bob Pulford, a Leaf mainstay when I was a kid and watched hockey:

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2026/01/06/bob-pulford-the-engine-of-the-maple-leaf-dynasty-in-the-1960s/

In the HOF, too. 16 seasons, never more than 30 goals, never fewer than 10.

Terry Yorath, ex dirty Leeds scum

I used to deal with him when I worked in the bookies when he was Jacko's assistant. He was such a rude, arrogant glowering presence. If you knocked him back on a price that had gone his puce bald head would start glowing an even brighter shade of puce. Horrible guy. tbh.

So RIP then?

Looked like a serious boozer to me.

peace was not a word to associate with Tel!

oh he was a boozer, in fact he was let go during his last period at Town for a drink driving incident

Actually from late 2025:

Marcia Rodd, actress who was very memorable (actually unbelievable) in Alan Arkin's Little Murders (1971) which was her film debut after doing Broadway, and was also acclaimed for her work in Jonathon Demme's Handle with Care, aka Citizens Band (1977), 87.

Yorath's son died in front of him aged 15 and he, being an unreconstructed man of a certain age, decided on drinking rather than counselling (according to a clip I just saw there).

Gabby Logan is his daughter and that's why she disappeared in the middle of MOTD last night.

Marcia Rodd also played Maude's daughter Carol in the All In The Family episode that was a backdoor pilot for Maude, but quit after the show was picked up for series and was replaced by Adrienne Barbeau.

I used to deal with him when I worked in the bookies when he was Jacko's assistant. He was such a rude, arrogant glowering presence. If you knocked him back on a price that had gone his puce bald head would start glowing an even brighter shade of puce. Horrible guy. tbh.

― calzino, Thursday, 8 January 2026 11:17 (seven hours ago)

So RIP then?

― Wilfried Nuance (Tom D.), Thursday, 8 January 2026 11:25 (seven hours ago)

Rest in puce, surely?

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/movies/bahram-beyzaie-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DVA.y69j.Vha3CKOF6pCF&smid=nytcore-ios-share

RIP Bahram Beyzaie, pioneer in Iranian film and theatre

T.K. Carter, best known for playing Nauls in The Thing

Bob Weir

British character actor Derek Martin.

Lovely memory here from The Curious Orange.

Farewell Derek Martin. R.I.P.

Derek once came in to do a Fat Fighters sketch. Marjorie introduces him to the group, "he plays a character from EastEnders, but not one of the main ones". Derek roared with laughter. He was a really good sport & top bloke.https://t.co/6zozl0Da6R

— Paul Putner (@RealPaulPutner) January 11, 2026

92! I had not idea he was that old.

The thumbnail made me think Matt Lucas had died and was somehow 92.

erich von däniken (90)

https://childofatlantis.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_0141.png

oh no... My grandparents were friends with his parents, and they sent me a signed album (a later 80's one that I've lost)

Great, great songs but they were also kinda pro-life Baháʼí and even have a song about it

(Was he also in the 'Tequila' Champs? )

He's with the unborn children now.

I've actually listened to four Seals and Crofts albums in the past few months. They were pretty good.

'Summer Breeze' 'Diamond Girl' absolute soft-rock canon classics, very melancholy melodies

Any excuse to post:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3o6ECdCZ7Q

yeah I had a cover band that played the song more in the Isley style

Cover bands
Play these sweet songs

God I'd totally forgotten about this show

"First Years" was the theme song to the debut (1978–79) season of the television series The Paper Chase.

RIP. There was a really great long article about Seals and Crofts in the Texas Monthly a few years back.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/secret-oil-patch-roots-summer-breeze/

arguably the most famous Dash after Mrs. Dash

Now she had some real flavor

Damon Dash and in some circles Dash Snow would like a word

He's with the unborn children now.

Only learned about this just now from one of the obits.

"Diamond Girl," "Summer Breeze" and "Get Closer" are top-of-the-line 70s soft rock.

I assume Dashiell Hammett's friends called him "Dash."

I thought you had to be there, but looking at the comments above, I guess not; still like "Diamond Girl" and "Summer Breeze" a lot.

Isley Brothers version of "Summer Breeze" is all-time.

it's a great song in any format, really

remembering a very fun/silly ILXor private room karaoke meetup when someone had put in “this corrosion” earlier in the night, and then a couple of us who were a little tipsy kept inserting those lyrics into other songs. cue me singing “sing this corrosion, corrosion with me” to the tune of “sweet days of summer, the jasmine’s in bloom…”anyway, great song, RIP

Dictators/Manowar guitarist Ross "the Boss" Friedman, 72, of ALS.

https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-manowar-guitarist-ross-the-boss-friedman-dies-at-72

RIP

Oh man. RIP.

RIP, Manowar are still the second loudest band I ever saw (after Motörhead)

All-Time 'That Guy' Character Actor James Tolkan

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-tolkan-dead-back-to-the-future-top-gun-1236549260/

Long-Time Austin Country Singer/Guitarist Jon Dee Graham

From FB:

I truly have no words. My father, Jon Dee Graham, passed away this morning. He was loved by so many people and touched so many people with his music, his kindness, and his endless sense of humor. His music is a gift to the world that will live on forever. This morning he died after we waited outside for EMS to try to revive him, the cardinals, that he loved so much, suddenly came in droves and were chirping. Some say that means the angels are here. And a tree that we were sure was dead spurred 3 sprouts. Jon Dee said he had been taking to the tree since being released from the hospital a few days ago. We are still in shock and beyond devastated. We can not breathe. More information to come about a tribute to his life’s. For now please give our family time and space. Also asking for no drops bys. Our shock and grief is heavy. Comments here are welcome, texts to the Prof Gretch Harries Graham and William Harries Graham, etc. Our shock and devastating grief have left us in a place where we can’t take phone calls. Thank you for loving him.

I could have sworn ...

Wait, I'm thinking of Billy Joe Shaver

actor james tolkan, 94

https://i.postimg.cc/XJ67jqQv/28xp-tolkan-topgun-article-Large.jpg

He was no slacker!

Mary Beth Hurt, who I most associate with Chilly Scenes of Winter.

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mary-beth-hurt-dead-world-according-to-garp-1236702265/

Tracy Kidder, author of general interest nonfiction, his "Mountains Beyond Mountains" introduced me and others to Paul Farmer and his org Partners in Health

Irish actor Ben Keaton, who you may remember as Father Austin Purcell the most annoying priest in Ireland in Father Ted

https://www.joe.ie/news/father-ted-actor-ben-keaton-has-died-867453

I was like nah that was graham Norton surely, so I googled father Austin Purcell & saw an obit that said he was described as “the most boring priest” and I was like no that’s father stone!!

RIP guy who played character I don’t remember who is also two other guys, thanks for the Mandela effect

This guy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl67BSRa9Pw

Father Stone isn't boring per se, he's just taciturn in a way that creates unbearable tension

RIP JDG---I covered this 2012 release:

The Hobart Brothers & Lil Sis Hobart, At Least We Have Each Other----Jon Dee Graham, Freedy Johnston, and Susan Cowsill pool their songs about buildings, food, dirt, jobs, women, men, spare tires of several kinds, jobs, pavement, waking up, jobs, dreams (maybe), jobs, spare sounds, fuller ones too (I prefer the former here, for the coffee break vibe, but both work), and jobs. Not really so many (or so remarkable) jobs, but more than we usually hear songs about; songs that beat plain ol' complaints, anyway. Susan Cowsill was the youngest member of her brothers'/mother's/manager dad's group The Cowsills, real life basis of the Partridge Family. She does not sound waify here: fairly tough and flexible voice, something of a potentially upsetting, born-for/to-trouble spark. Freedy Johnston's reedy, and observant enough to bend with the ornery wind; Graham's one gravelly, articulate Austin cracker. Johnston, whose stoically idiosyncratic practicality has so far led to at least one great solo album,Can You Fly (not even a rhetorical question), sometimes breaks out a bit of power pop here. It's in the soda pop pulled from a rusty icebed by a gas station, probably in Texas and/or the Great Plains, while the sun keeps the beat---they keep enough shade, enough cool, to try and work out "the difference between beaten and beat," also Beat. This album is rec'd to these individual artists' fans, ditto those who enjoy the community-minded best of James McMurtry, Warren Zevon, John Doe, Dave Alvin, Eliza Gilkyson, like that y'all.

“DJ Dan”. I don’t know much about him except 20 years ago I used to have to tell people to not call me DJ Dan because there was already a more famous DJ Dan.

xpost They've still got some live stuff on YouTube.

Oh damn, I saw DJ Dan spin in Boston back in the day. Probably one of the first club nights I ever went to. RIP

Glen Baxter, the creator of line drawings featuring art-loving cowboys, has died at the age of 82.

RIP, love his stuff.

Yeah, same— he illustrated a book by Clark Coolidge and Larry Fagin that is completely wild, glad I have it in my collection.

Assumed Glen Baxter was about 20 years younger than that, tbh.

rip DJ Dan, such a big part of late 90's rave and dance scene in LA

yea, also the Bay— pretty sure i saw him at the San Francisco Love Parade (!!!!) in 2008

Nice interview with Glen Baxter from a few years ago. I knew zilch about him.

https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/glen-baxter-art-illustration-spotlight-051224

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWhTrDbASQn/?igsh=ZmJlcDk3ZnMwenIz

Doug Irwin, luthier who created many of Jerry Garcia's guitars.

one of the Jerry guitars sold for $11 million not long ago

Paul Jackson, Hull live music kingpin

https://www.thehullstory.com/allarticles/paul-jackson-adelphi-death

RIP Jacko

Stephen Lewis, leader of Ontario's NDP party for years:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/stephen-lewis-former-politician-social-activist-dies-at-88/

Strangely enough, his son Avi was just elected as leader of the national NDP.