Issac Hayes Dies

Singer Issac Hayes is dead at the age of 65. Hayes is best known for the title song from the movie "Shaft" and most recently as the voice of the character "Chef" on the cartoon South Park.

Relatives found Hayes, 65, unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmill, said Steve Shular, a spokesman for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Paramedics attempted to revive him and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m., the sheriff's department said. No foul play is suspected, the agency said in a written statement. (article)

Deepest condolences go out to his family.

Comedian Bernie Mac Dead at Age 50

Bernie Mac had been hospitalized with pneumonia for several days now and despite reports that he was responding well to treatment, his publicist has just announced that he has lost the battle and died at a Chicago hospital early this morning.

Bernie Mac was hospitalized with pneumonia on August 1, 2008. Soon after, rumors of his demise had circulated, but were denied by his publicist. On August 2, 2008, a source close to the family said that Mac was in "very, very critical" condition. He was recovering from pnemonia, most likely brought on by his sarcoidosis, in a Chicago hospital. Publicist, Danica Smith said that he was expected to make a full recovery and that he was responding well to treatment and had been expected to be released from the hospital soon.

Mac had suffered from sarcoidosis, a tissue inflammation disease, since 1983. He had said that it had no effect on his daily life.

Deepest condolences to the McCullough family. Our prayers are with you.

Check out this video of an interview Mac did with Tavis Smiley in 2007. It's so timely.

The comedian starred in the critically acclaimed Fox television series ''The Bernie Mac Show.'' His film credits include roles in the ''Ocean's Eleven'' franchise.

The actor's upcoming movies include "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer; and "Soul Men" with Samuel L. Jackson and Isaac Hayes. (source)

Bernie Mac (October 5, 1957 - August 9, 2008), born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, was a two time Emmy Award-nominated American actor and comedian.

Mac was married to Rhonda McCullough in 1977. They had one daughter, Je'Niece (born 1978), who attended Xavier University of Louisiana where she received both her bachelors degree in Psychology and Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has been married for three years and has one daughter, Jasmine, making Bernie Mac a grandfather. (source)

Also see CNN.com article here.

Sean Levert Died of Natural Causes

The coroner's report has just been released on the cause of R&B singer Sean Levert's death.

County Coroner Frank Miller said Levert died from complications of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in body's organs. The coroner said Levert also suffered from other conditions, including cardiovascular disease and withdrawal from alprazolam -- a drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

After Levert died, jail warden Kevin McDonough said he had been sick and guards were watching him because he had been acting strangely. When he started pounding on his cell door, guards strapped him in a restraint chair, McDonough said. Levert's breathing became shallow and he was taken to the hospital. (source)

The 39 year old son of legendary O'Jay member Eddie Levert and brother of the late Gerald Levert was serving a 22-month sentence for failure to pay child support. No comments have been made by the family concerning the coroner's report.

Stay on the Scene, Like a Sex Machine

Soul Brotha #1 is still on the scene. 16 months after the Godfather of Soul, James Brown passed away, DNA tests have proven that the sex machine was still in service at least six years before his death. JB's name lives on. James Brown, II is officially the son of former backup singer Tomi Rae Hynie and James Brown. (read AP report)

The six year old boy was left out of Brown's will, but now may have a legitimate claim to a portion of his father's estate. There may not be very much for the little guy to lay claim on after they pay off JB's line of credit at Sally's Beauty Supply and split the rest with lawyers, accountants, hairdressers, tailors, his six other confirmed siblings and possibly at least three more alleged siblings (tests have yet to confirm).

I guess Tomi Rae is somewhere trying to get somebody to put her back on TV so she can show out and tell everybody "I told you so!" I ain't mad at her.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo here's a video that I've been looking for a reason to post. Another laugh to kick your week off right. Enjoy! ...hey ck ;-)

Luther Vandross' Mother Has Passed Away

I heard this morning on the Tom Joyner Morning Show that Evangelist Mary Ida Vandross, mother of the late Grammy Award winning singer Luther Vandross, has passed away.

Mrs. Vandross was the last surviving member of the Vandross family. The evangelist spent her latter years as a strong advocate and spokesperson for 'Diabetes Aware' campaign, due to the devastation the disease had caused in her family. In a 2006 article published in Jet magazine, she says, "I want people to listen and actually hear what I am saying. You realize what I am going through. I have lost three children and one grandchild to diabetes. I have also lost my husband and mother to diabetes-related illnesses. (Daughter Ann died of complications from asthma). I am a lonely person. I had four loving children, now I have no children. You don't know how empty my life is sometimes. No one knows what it feels like. I don't want anyone to hurt like I am hurting and be lonely like I am lonely. Go and be checked for diabetes. Do it for your loved ones, do it for yourself."

Finally, Mrs. Vandross can dance with her family again.

UPDATE: Sean Levert Died of Natural Causes

The coroner's report has just been released on the cause of R&B singer Sean Levert's death.

County Coroner Frank Miller said Levert died from complications of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in body's organs. The coroner said Levert also suffered from other conditions, including cardiovascular disease and withdrawal from alprazolam -- a drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

After Levert died, jail warden Kevin McDonough said he had been sick and guards were watching him because he had been acting strangely. When he started pounding on his cell door, guards strapped him in a restraint chair, McDonough said. Levert's breathing became shallow and he was taken to the hospital. (source)

The 39 year old son of legendary O'Jay member Eddie Levert and brother of the late Gerald Levert was serving a 22-month sentence for failure to pay child support. No comments have been made by the family concerning the coroner's report.

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The family of Sean Levert issued a statement on Monday afternoon:

"There are no words that can express what we are feeling today. There is no song that can capture the loss that we have in our hearts. But we are humbly overwhelmed by the generous outpouring of love, condolences and support from the many friends, fans and admirers of our son Sean. At this very difficult time, we thank you for your prayers and hope you will understand our need for privacy."

Levert died Sunday night at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland after collapsing in his jail cell. Warden Kevin McDonough said Levert had been sick and guards were watching him at the jail's regular cellblock because he had been acting strangely. He declined to be more specific about Levert's medical condition. Levert suffered from high blood pressure and had been hallucinating in jail, Caesar said. Toxicology reports could take four to six weeks, he said.

An autopsy was done Monday but no immediate cause of death was determined, according to Powell Caesar, a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County's coroner's office, but he said there was no evidence of foul play or trauma.

Here's a nice article about Sean in his hometown's paper.

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Another tragedy in the Levert family. R&B singer Sean Levert (his group's big hit in the 80's was the song "Casanova") died in jail last night at the age of 39. Sean is the son of Eddie Levert of the legendary O'Jays and brother of the late Gerald Levert who passed away in 2006 at the age of 40.

Sean was just a few days into serving a 22 month prison sentence for an $85,000 child support default. Early reports say that he died of natural causes. A jail official says a guard checked on Sean LeVert last night and noticed he was having difficulty breathing. Medical help was called, but could not save the singer. Jail officials say they were not aware of any pre-existing medical condition.

He leaves behind 3 children ages 17, 15, & 11. Condolences to Eddie Levert and the family.

Here's a video of a classic performance of Eddie, Sean, & Gerald together.