Those Who Have Taken Their Final Taxi In 2009

A decade comes to an end and in 2009 that end came to several celebrities as well. We lost several entertainers during 2009’s infamous ‘summer of death’ as names like Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, David Carradine, Ed McMahon all died within days of each other. Of that lot one name shocked the public the most: Michael Jackson. In his short life of 50 years Jackson helped shape popular music and culture. From his early years with the Jackson 5 to his solo career he maintained the title ‘King of Pop.’ Other deaths without warnings for the year included actress Natasha Richardson, David Carradine, and of course Brittany Murphy.

The 81st Annual Academy Award Obit List

I watch the Academy Awards last night and waited for the segment that I enjoy watching every year. This is when the Oscars salute the people who have taken the Final Taxi in the last year. They usually have film clips that we can see on our TV screens and play music in the background but this year they did something different by have Queen Latifah sing the song “I’ll Be Seeing You.” She did a wonderful job but the attention was more on her than on those who died during the year.

The Last of the Rat Pack – Joey Bishop

Comedian Joey Bishop, the last living member of the original Rat Pack has taken his Final Taxi at 89. The Rat Packers of this era – Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and Bishop – became famous for their appearances at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in shows that combined music and [...]