British Rock Icon David Bowie Dies at 69

British rock music legend David Bowie has died.

On Friday, the iconic musician turned 69 and released Blackstar, his 25th album. Inventive to the end, Bowie mixed rock and jazz on the album, which critics hailed as his best work in years.

His Facebook and Twitter accounts say he died peacefully Sunday "surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer."

​Bowie was known for his gender-bending dress and for his refusal to be pigeon-holed in any one musical genre, experimenting with glam rock, hard rock, dance, pop, soul and punk.

He shot to fame with 1969's Space Oddity, the lyrics of which summed up the loneliness of the Cold War space race and coincided with the Apollo landing on the moon: "Ground Control to Major Tom. Take your protein pills and put your helmet on ... For here am I sitting in my tin can. Far above the world. Planet Earth is blue. And there's nothing I can do."

​Ziggy Stardust

Three years later, he released The Rise of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders from Mars, which introduced one of music's most famous personas: the red-headed, androgynous, eyeliner-wearing Stardust, who would become an enduring part of Bowie's legacy.

He was born David Jones in south London two years after the end of World War Two. But, to avoid confusion with the Monkees' Davy Jones, he later changed his name to David Bowie, according to Rolling Stone.

Bowie's Ziggy Stardust gave way to the stuttering rock sound of Changes, to the disco soul of Young Americans, co-written with John Lennon, to a droning collaboration with Brian Eno in Berlin that produced Heroes.

​​Some of his biggest successes occurred in the early 1980s, with the Let's Dance, Under Pressure, which he recorded with Queen, and a massive American tour.

'High points of one's life'

"My entire career, I've only really worked with the same subject matter. The trousers may change, but the actual words and subjects I've always chosen to write with are things to do with isolation, abandonment, fear and anxiety — all of the high points of one's life," he told The Associated Press in a 2002 interview.

Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. He also co-wrote the musical Lazarus, which is finishing its run on Broadway this month.

He kept a low profile in recent years after reportedly suffering a heart attack in the 2004. However, he was to be honored with a concert at Carnegie Hall in March.

Bowie is survived by his wife, the model Iman, and two children.

Final Exits, 22-28 December 2011

 Jim "Motorhead" Sherwood, 69, American musician, The Mothers of Invention

Obituaries for 22-28 December 2011

22
* Richard Bessière, 88, French author. (French)
* Bettye Danoff, 88, American golfer, founding member of the LPGA.
* Bennie Ellender, 86, American college football coach (Arkansas State, Tulane), Alzheimer's disease.
* David Gold, 31, Canadian musician (Woods of Ypres), car accident.
* Michael von Grünau, 67, Canadian psychologist and neurophysiologist.
* Nina Mula, 80, Russian-born Albanian soprano.
* Vasant Ranjane, 74, Indian cricketer.
* Rogelio Sánchez González, 90, Mexican Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Colima (1972–1980).
* Marion Segal Freed, 77, American film producer, editor and screenwriter.
* Zithulele Sinqe, 48, South African long distance runner, car accident.
* Ernest A. Watkinson, 99, Canadian politician.

23
* Neil Davids, 56, English footballer.
* Cees van Dongen, 79, Dutch motorcycle road racer. (Dutch)
* Evelyn Handler, 78, American academic, President of the University of New Hampshire (1980–1983) and Brandeis University (1983–1991), traffic collision.
* Bill Klatt, 64, American ice hockey player (Minnesota Fighting Saints), leukemia.
* Aydın Menderes, 65, Turkish politician, son of Adnan Menderes.
* Norayr Musheghian, 76, Armenian wrestler, coach and public activist, Olympic gold medalist (1958). (Russian)
* Abdur Razzaq, 69, Bangladeshi politician.
* Bruce Ruxton, 85, Australian veterans' representative and advocate, President of the Victorian RSL (1979–2002).

24
* Armando Brambilla, 69, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome (since 1994).
* Sergio Buso, 61, Italian footballer and coach.
* José Andrés Corral Arredondo, 65, Mexican Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Parral (since 1992), heart attack. (Spanish)
* Lex Gigeroff, 49, Canadian writer, actor and producer (Lexx), heart attack.
* Johannes Heesters, 108, Dutch actor and singer, stroke.
* Zsuzsi Mary, 64, Hungarian pop singer, suicide. (Hungarian)
* Jody Rainwater, 92, American bluegrass musician and radio personality, heart disease.
* Lynn Samuels, 69, American radio personality (Sirius XM).
* Walter Söhne, 98, German agronomist. (German)
* Vitaly Tseshkovsky, 67, Russian chess Grandmaster. (Russian)

25
* Giorgio Bocca, 91, Italian essayist and journalist. (Italian)
* Ben Breedlove, 18, American Internet personality, cardiac arrest.
* Sue Carroll, 58, British journalist, pancreatic cancer.
* Argyris Chionis, 68, Greek poet, author and translator. (Greek)
* Adrienne Cooper, 65, American klezmer and Yiddish vocalist.
* Gideon Doron, 66, Israeli political scientist, leader of HaYisraelim. (Hebrew)
* Satyadev Dubey, 75, Indian actor, playwright and director.
* Thomas Finnegan, 86, Irish Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Killala (1987–2002).
* Seán French, 80, Irish politician, Lord Mayor of Cork (1976) and TD (1967–1982).
* Habib Galhia, 70, Tunisian boxer, Olympic bronze medalist (1964). (French)
* Andrew Geller, 87, American architect, kidney failure.
* Khalil Ibrahim, Sudanese Darfuri rebel leader.
* Hans-Heinrich Isenbart, 88, German sports commentator.
* John Christoffel Kannemeyer, 72, South African writer, authority on Afrikaans literature.
* Joop Koopman, 81, Dutch television host and quizmaster. (Dutch)
* Christophe Laigneau, 46, French footballer (Stade Lavallois). (French)
* Sir Moses Pitakaka, Solomon Islander politician, Governor-General (1994–1999).
* George Robb, 85, English footballer (Tottenham Hotspur), dementia.
* Ferenc Schmidt, 70, Hungarian politician. (Hungarian)
* Jim Sherwood, 69, American musician (The Mothers of Invention).
* Simms Taback, 79, American author, graphic artist and illustrator.

26
* Houston Antwine, 72, American football player (Boston/New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles), AFL All-Star (1963–1968), heart failure.
* Pedro Armendáriz, Jr., 71, Mexican actor (Zorro series), cancer.
* Sarekoppa Bangarappa, 79, Indian politician, Chief Minister of Karnataka (1990–1992).
* Joe Bodolai, 63, American comedy writer (Saturday Night Live) and producer, suicide by poisoning.
* Sean Collins, 59, American surfer and surf forecaster (Surfline), heart attack.
* Fred Fono, 49, Solomon Islander politician, Deputy Prime Minister (2006) and MP for Central Kwara'ae (1997–2010).
* Barbara Lea, 82, American jazz singer and actress.
* Betty McQuade, 70, Scottish-born Australian singer.
* Sam Rivers, 88, American jazz musician and composer, pneumonia.
* James Rizzi, 61, American pop artist.

27
* Catê, 38, Brazilian footballer, car accident.
* Sir Clifford Darling, 89, Bahamian politician, Governor-General (1992–1995).
* Sir Michael Dummett, 86, British philosopher.
* Helen Frankenthaler, 83, American painter.
* Julia Sampson Hayward, 77, American tennis player, won Australian Open doubles and mixed doubles (1963).
* Rusty Hevelin, 89, American science fiction fanzine publisher.
* Mykola Koltsov, 75, Russian-born Ukrainian footballer and youth trainer. (Ukrainian)
* Ante Čedo Martinić, 51, Croatian actor (Ruža vjetrova), cancer. (Croatian)
* Thinley Norbu, 81, Tibetan Buddhist writer and teacher.
* Martino Scarafile, 84, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Castellaneta (1985–2003).
* Dan Terry, 87, American jazz trumpeter and big band leader.
* Dennis Utter, 72, American politician, Nebraska State Senator (since 2009).
* Johnny Wilson, 82, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (Detroit Red Wings).

28
* Don Mueller, 84, American baseball player (New York Giants, Chicago White Sox), MLB All-Star (1954, 1955).
* Lucia Rikaki, 50, Greek stage, film and television director, cancer.
* Myron Roderick, 77, American Olympic wrestler (1956) and coach.
* Greg Spira, 44, American baseball researcher (SABR), writer and editor.
* Kaye Stevens, 79, American singer and actress, breast cancer and blood clots.
* Teruo Sugihara, 74, Japanese golfer, prostate cancer.

North Korea's Kim Jong Il Dead at 69

North Korea's long-time leader Kim Jong Il has died.

The official Korean Central News Agency reported Monday the 69-year-old reclusive leader died Saturday of a heart attack while on a train for one of his “field guidance” tours. The agency attributed his death to “physical and mental over-work.”

KCNA said his funeral will be held on December 28 in Pyongyang. A period of national mourning was declared from December 17 to 29.

Kim Jong Il came to power after his father, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994. Reliable biographical information about Mr. Kim is scarce. He rarely appeared in public and his voice was seldom broadcast.

He may be best remembered for defying the international community and boosting North Korea's nuclear program, while millions of North Koreans were starving.

Late last year, Mr. Kim promoted his youngest son Kim Jong Un to the rank of four-star general, in what was seen as a bid to extend the world's only communist family dynasty to a third generation.

The KCNA on Monday urged people to follow Kim Jong Un, who is believed to be around 28 years old.

North Koreans expressed shock at the news of Mr. Kim's death, with many people crying openly in the streets.

Workers at an electric wire factory were seen in tears as they watched the announcement on state television.

Factory worker Jo Jae Sok said he could not believe the news. “Leader Kim Jong Il is always with us. I saw him on TV every day. We have worked hard for the modernization of the factory under difficult conditions, eagerly waiting for him to come to our factory again. I can't believe the news about his passing away.”

Another factory worker, Kim Ok Song said she had been waiting for Mr. Kim to visit the factory she worked in. “It is unbelievable that leader Kim Jong Il whom I have followed like my own father passed away. I don't know how to describe my grief. I have been looking forward to seeing him in my factory. I will change sorrow into strength and courage and remain faithful respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.”

Gadhafi’s 42-Year Rule Marked By Controversy

Moammar Gadhafi was known for both his controversial policies and his flamboyance during his 42-year rule of Libya.

Gadhafi was in power from 1969 when he deposed the nation's king in a military coup until his ouster in August.

Colonel Gadhafi gained a reputation as an eccentric, donning flowing robes and animal skins and surrounding himself with all female bodyguards.

Labeled the “mad dog of the Middle East” by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, the Libyan leader drew attention for his often-controversial political decisions.

He supported a number of revolutionary movements around the world, including in Chad and Iran. He was accused of sponsoring Islamic militant groups and terrorist attacks.

In 1986, U.S. President Reagan ordered air strikes in Libya because of the Gadhafi government's alleged involvement in the bombing of a German nightclub that killed two U.S. servicemen.

Just two years later, Libya was blamed for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie that killed 270 people. Gadhafi admitted responsibility for the attack in 2003 and agreed to pay victims' families more than $2 billion in compensation.

That same year, the Libyan leader agreed to renounce terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, clearing the way for the lifting of U.S. and European sanctions, and the restoring of diplomatic relations. The United Nations also lifted its sanctions related to the Lockerbie bombing.

But the goodwill did not last long. Gadhafi fought to hold onto power against a large-scale uprising that began in February. He was under immense international pressure to step down after responding to the uprising with deadly violence. The government crackdown on protesters prompted new international sanctions against Libya, and in March, NATO began an air campaign against Gadhafi's forces under a U.N. mandate to protect the Libyan people.

Born in 1942 to a Bedouin family in the Libyan desert, Gadhafi graduated from the University of Libya and became an army officer.

Less than a decade after taking control of the country at age 27, he invented a system of government called the “Jamahiriya,” Arabic for “state of the masses.” In theory, the system was to be run by people's committees, with Gadhafi assuming the title of “Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution.” But in reality, he quashed dissent and reportedly survived several assassination attempts.

Gadhafi was a strong advocate of the ideology of Arab unity known as Pan-Arabism, and also led a Pan-African effort seeking to unify African nations.

Photo: Muammar Qaddafi, the Libyan chief of state, attends the 12th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 2, 2009. Qaddafi was elected chairman of the organization. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse B. Awalt/Released)

Final Exits, 1-7 September 2011

George Kuchar on set during production of his 2008 film, "Orphans of the Cosmos", 18 April 2008. Photo: Calliopemichael.

Obituaries for 1-7 September 2011

1
* Jan Lammers, 84, Dutch Olympic athlete (1948). (Dutch)
* Liu Huang A-tao, 90, Taiwanese activist, first comfort woman to sue Japan for compensation.
* Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi, 67, Bahraini opposition leader, founder of the PFLB and the NDA.
* Alexandru Pesamosca, 81, Romanian surgeon and pediatrician, cardiac arrest. (Romanian)
* Kamal Salibi, 82, Lebanese historian.

2
* Edgar Benson, 88, Canadian politician and diplomat.
* Felipe Camiroaga, 44, Chilean television presenter, plane crash.
* Takis Chrisoulis, 65, Greek playwright and actor. (Greek)
* Tony Corsari, 84, Belgian television host, cancer. (Dutch)
* Samuel Flores Borrego, Mexican drug cartel leader, shot.
* Allan Hubbard, 83, New Zealand businessman, car accident.
* Shrinivas Khale, 85, Indian composer.
* José María Montes, 91, Argentine Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Chascomús (1983–1996).
* Jehangir Sabavala, 89, Indian artist.
* Bernard William Smith, 94, Australian art historian and critic.
* Ichiro Yoshikuni, 95, Japanese baseball commissioner. (Japanese)
* Alberto Zalamea, 82, Colombian journalist and politician, Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Venezuela and Italy.

3
* Julio Casas Regueiro, 75, Cuban politician, Vice President and Defense Minister (since 2008), heart attack.
* Andrzej Maria Deskur, 87, Polish Roman Catholic cardinal.
* Don Fambrough, 88, American football player and head coach (University of Kansas), injuries from a fall.
* Finn Helgesen, 92, Norwegian Olympic gold medal-winning (1948) speed skater. (Norwegian)
* John Hoover, 91, American artist.
* Sándor Képíró, 97, Hungarian World War II veteran acquitted of Nazi war crimes.
* Sumant Misra, 88, Indian tennis player.

4
* A Produce, 59, American musician.
* Lalla Aicha, 81, Moroccan princess, first female Arab ambassador, Ambassador to United Kingdom (1965–1969); Greece (1969–1970); Italy (1970–1973).
* Victor Bussie, 92, American labor activist, president of Louisiana AFL–CIO.
* Hugh Fox, 79, American poet and novelist.
* Hilde Heltberg, 51, Norwegian musician, cancer. (Norwegian)
* Bill Kunkel, 61, American video game designer and magazine editor, heart attack.
* Jag Mundhra, 62, Indian film director (Bawandar).
* León Rozitchner, 87, Argentine philosopher. (Spanish)
* Lee Roy Selmon, 56, American Hall of Fame football player (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), stroke.
* Dana Wilson, 28, New Zealand rugby league player, car accident.

5
* Charles S. Dubin, 92, American film and television director (Hawaii Five-O, Kojak, M*A*S*H), natural causes.
* Salvatore Licitra, 43, Italian tenor, injuries from a motor scooter accident.
* Georgios-Alexandros Magakis, 89, Greek professor of law and politician, Minister of Justice (1982–1986). (Greek)
* Vann Nath, 66, Cambodian painter.
* Bobby Rhine, 35, American soccer player (FC Dallas), heart attack.
* Peter Thuruthikonam, 82, Indian Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Vijayapuram (1988–2006), heart attack.

6
* Shigeri Akabane, 70, Japanese professional wrestler, heart attack.
* Hans Apel, 79, German politician, Finance Minister (1974–1978) and Defence Minister (1978–1982). (German)
* Dan David, 82, Romanian-born Israeli businessman and philanthropist, brain hemorrhage.
* Archduke Felix of Austria, 95, Austrian royal, last surviving child of Charles I of Austria. (German)
* Michael S. Hart, 64, American author, founder of Project Gutenberg.
* George Kuchar, 69, American film director.
* Janusz Morgenstern, 88, Polish filmmaker.
* Malcolm Prine, 83, American baseball executive (Pittsburgh Pirates), lung cancer.
* Wardell Quezergue, 81, American music arranger, producer and bandleader, heart failure.
* Donald L. Taffner, 80, American television producer and distributor.

7
* Gabriel Bullet, 90, Swiss Roman Catholic prelate, Auxiliary Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg (1970–1993). (German)
* Jang Hyo-Jo, 55, South Korean baseball player (Samsung Lions, Lotte Giants), liver cancer.
* Harold Mair, 92, Australian politician.
* Eddie Marshall, 73, American jazz drummer.
* Gabriel Valdés, 92, Chilean politician. (Spanish)
* Hiroe Yuki, 62, Japanese badminton player. (Japanese)
* Notable ice hockey players and coaches among the 43 killed in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash:
Vitali Anikienko, 24, Ukrainian
Mikhail Balandin, 31, Russian
Gennady Churilov, 24, Russian
Pavol Demitra, 36, Slovakian
Robert Dietrich, 25, German
Marat Kalimulin, 23, Russian
Alexander Kalyanin, 23, Russian
Alexander Karpovtsev, 41, Russian
Andrei Kiryukhin, 24, Russian
Nikita Klyukin, 21, Russian
Igor Korolev, 41, Russian
Stefan Liv, 30, Swedish
Jan Marek, 31, Czech
Brad McCrimmon, 52, Canadian
Sergei Ostapchuk, 21, Belarusian
Karel Rachůnek, 32, Czech
Ruslan Salei, 36, Belarusian
Maxim Shuvalov, 18, Russian
Kārlis Skrastiņš, 37, Latvian
Pavel Snurnitsyn, 19, Russian
Daniil Sobchenko, 20, Russian
Ivan Tkachenko, 31, Russian
Pavel Trakhanov, 33, Russian
Yuri Urychev, 20, Russian
Josef Vašíček, 30, Czech
Alexander Vasyunov, 23, Russian
Alexander Vyukhin, 38, Ukrainian
Artem Yarchuk, 21, Russian

Singer, Songwriter Nick Ashford Dies

Nick Ashford, half of the singing and song-writing duo Ashford and Simpson, died Monday at the age of 70 from throat cancer. A former publicist says Ashford died in a New York hospital surrounded by his family.

Ashford and Simpson's writing efforts yielded songs for many artists like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Chaka Khan. The South Carolina native wrote and recorded with his wife Valerie Simpson at Motown Records. They penned such hits for the duet Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell as “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “Ain't No Mountain High Enough.” Diana Ross re-recorded “Ain't No Mountain High Enough,” and it became one of her signature songs.

Verdine White of the musical group Earth, Wind and Fire called Ashford's songwriting “unmatched in terms of great songwriting”.

Ashford and Simpson were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Springsteen Sax Star Clarence Clemons Dies

Clarence Clemons ("The Big Man") playing his saxophone part on "Night" early in a show during Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Working on a Dream Tour. Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain, August 1, 2009. (Photo: Manuel Martinez Perez)

19 June 2011
Springsteen Sax Star Clarence Clemons Dies
VOA News

Clarence Clemons, the burly star saxophonist of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died Saturday, six days after suffering a stroke following surgery. Clemons was 69.

His bandleader, Springsteen, announced on his website Clemons' loss was "immeasurable." Springsteen said "we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 years."

Clemons died at his home in the southern U.S. state of Florida. His health had been fragile in recent years after the musician underwent hip and knee surgeries.

Clemons' powerful raw style was featured on many hits by Springsteen, including "Jungleland" and "Born to Run."

Clemons last appeared with Springsteen and his longtime band in December.

Clemons is the second E Street Band member to die. Longtime keyboard player Danny Federici died of cancer nearly three years ago at the age of 58.