You may have noticed I’ve been obsessed of late with the death of Debbie Friedman, and I’m sure many of you don’t understand why. One remembrance by Rabbi Paul Kipnes put it in a way many will understand: she was the John Lennon of modern Jewish music—someone who changed the face of the genre significantly with her music. Do read her obituary (linked above); there’s a great tribute video here.
But Debbie’s death wasn’t the only one. Here are two more of interest:
- Margaret Whiting. The daughter of the famous songwriter Richard Whiting, Margaret Whiting was a popular singer starting in the big band era. Here’s a tribute video. Here’s my favorite part of her obit:
The singer was much-married. She wed producer Hubbel Robinson Jr. in 1948; pianist Lou Busch in 1951; John Richard Moore, a founder of Panavision, in 1958. Her most sensational marriage, however, came late in life when she met and married the much-younger, gay porn stay Jack Wrangler in 1994. The union proved her longest. Wrangler reportedly protested, “But I’m gay!,” to which Whiting reportedly replied, “Only around the edges, dear.” He went on to produce and direct many of her cabaret shows. They stayed together until his death in 2009.
- David Nelson. Yup, that David Nelson, of Ozzie and Harriet fame (you yunguns out there will have no idea what I’m talking about). Those of us who grew up with Ozzie and Harriet will remember David and Ricky Nelson. David was the last survivor of that TV family. Here’s a link to a segment of Ozzie and Harriet with David and Ricky.
