David Clayton-Thomas, former singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears whose voice powered hits like “Spinning Wheel” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” has died at the age of 84.
David Clayton-Thomas (born David Henry Thomsett) was a British-Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the American band Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Posted in Because I Can, Music, News
Eugene Shalit was an American journalist, television personality, film and book critic, and author. After starting to work part-time on NBC’s The Today Show in 1970, he appeared regularly there from January 15, 1973, until retiring on November 11, 2010. He was known for his frequent use of puns and his comical “absent-minded professor” appearance, which consisted of an oversized handlebar moustache, fuzzy hair, large glasses, and colorful bow ties.
Posted in Because I Can, Humor, News, The Little Screen (Television)
Posted in Because I Can, Events, Music, News
David Allan Coe was an American singer and songwriter. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons. He first came to prominence for busking in Nashville and initially played mostly in the blues style, before transitioning to country music, becoming a major part of the 1970s outlaw country scene. His biggest hits include “You Never Even Called Me by My Name”, “Longhaired Redneck”, “The Ride”, “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile”, and “She Used to Love Me a Lot”.
Coe’s most popular songs covered by other artists include the number-one hits “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)”, sung by Tanya Tucker, and Johnny Paycheck’s rendition of “Take This Job and Shove It”. The latter inspired the movie of the same name. Coe’s rebellious attitude, wild image, and unconventional lifestyle set him apart from other country performers, both winning him legions of fans and hindering his mainstream success by alienating the music industry establishment. Regardless, Coe was a popular performer on the country music circuit prior to his death.
Posted in Because I Can, Music, News
Sid Krofft (July 30, 1929 – April 10, 2026) and Marty Krofft (April 9, 1937 – November 25, 2023) were a Canadian sibling team of television creators, writers, and puppeteers. Through their production company, Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, they made numerous children’s television and variety show programs in the U.S., particularly in the 1970s, including H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. Their fantasy programs often featured large-headed puppets, high-concept plots, and extensive use of low-budget special effects.
Posted in Because I Can, News, The Little Screen (Television)
Chuck Norris has passed away at 86 following medical emergency while in Hawaii.
“Chuck” Norris (March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026) was an American martial artist, actor, and author. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, he won numerous martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Norris began working in Hollywood as a martial arts instructor for celebrities before making his screen debut with a minor role in The Wrecking Crew (1968). Friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in The Way of the Dragon (1972). While Norris continued acting, friend and student Steve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker! (1977), which turned a profit. His second lead, Good Guys Wear Black (1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star.
Posted in Because I Can, News, The Big Screen, The Little Screen (Television)
Chuck Negron, one of the three founding members of Three Dog Night, has died. He was 83.
In 1967, singer Danny Hutton invited Negron to join him and Cory Wells to found the band Three Dog Night. The group became one of the most successful bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s, selling approximately 60 million records and earning gold records for singles that featured Negron as lead vocalist, including “One”, “Easy to Be Hard”, “Joy to the World”, “An Old Fashioned Love Song”, “Pieces of April”, “The Show Must Go On”, and “Til the World Ends”.
Three Dog Night was known for the strength of their three lead singers: Negron, Danny Hutton and Cory Wells.
Back L–R: Joe Schermie, Floyd Sneed, Michael Allsup and Jimmy Greenspoon.
Front L–R: Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron
And then there was… ahem, One:
Danny, it’s all up to you…
Posted in Because I Can, Music, News
Scott Raymond Adams (June 8, 1957 – January 13, 2026) was an American author and cartoonist. He was best know as the creator of the Dilbert comic strip.
Posted in Because I Can, Humor, Literary, News
Gil Gerard, star of ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,’ dead at 82.
Gil Gerard was an American actor, whose roles include that of Captain William “Buck” Rogers in the 1979–1981 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
On December 16, 2025, Gerard’s wife, Janet, announced on Facebook that he had died earlier that day following a “rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer”. He was 82.
A post on Gil’s Facebook account reads:
“My life has been an amazing journey. The opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the love I have given and received have made my 82 years on the planet deeply satisfying. … Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Posted in Because I Can, News, The Little Screen (Television)
Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, co-founder and lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Kiss and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has died following injuries suffered during a fall last month, according to a statement from his family. He was 74.
Frehley’s family wrote in the statement: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Posted in Because I Can, Music, News
Kristoffer Kristofferson was an American country music singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a pioneering figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, moving away from the polished Nashville sound and toward a more raw, introspective style. He was a three-time Grammy Award winner, out of 13 total nominations.
He was 88.
Posted in Anniversary, Because I Can, Music, News, The Big Screen, The Little Screen (Television)
Polly Dean Holliday was an American actress who appeared on stage, television, and in film. She was best known for her portrayal of sassy waitress Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry on the 1970s sitcom Alice, which she reprised in its short-lived spin-off, Flo. Her character’s catchphrase of “Kiss my grits!” remains the most memorable line associated with the series Alice.
Everyone CAN now kiss her grits!
Posted in Because I Can, News, The Little Screen (Television)
Jimmy Buffett was an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and businessman. He was best known for his music, which often portrays an “island escapism” lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett recorded hit songs including “Margaritaville” (ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century”) and “Come Monday”. He had a devoted base of fans known as “Parrotheads”.
Aside from his career in music, Buffett was also a bestselling author and was involved in two restaurant chains named after two of his best-known songs; he owned the Margaritaville Cafe restaurant chain and co-developed the now defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain.
Buffett was one of the world’s richest musicians, with a net worth of $1 billion by 2023.
Buffett died from lymphoma on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76. The singer’s death was announced on his social media pages and on his website. In a statement released by the family, they said “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
Posted in Anniversary, Because I Can, Events, Music, News
Frank Caprio was an American judge and politician who served as the chief judge of the municipal court of Providence, Rhode Island, and chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education. His judicial work was televised on the program Caught in Providence. He also made appearances in the series Parking Wars, adjudicating several cases of traffic violations. The Caught in Providence YouTube channel has 2.92 million subscribers.
In 2017, his videos in the courtroom went viral, with more than 15 million views. In 2022, views of Caught in Providence neared 500 million, and one video shared on Pulptastic had 43.6 million views on YouTube. He became well known for his empathy and light humor in court.
Posted in Anniversary, Because I Can, News
Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his work with WWE and World Championship Wrestling. Known for his flamboyance and massive physique, and his trademark blond horseshoe moustache and bandanas, Hogan was widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide, the most popular wrestler of the 1980s and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
Hogan passed away due to cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71.
Posted in Because I Can, News, Sports
Sylvester Stewart, better known by his stage name Sly Stone, was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer who was most famous for his role as frontman for Sly and the Family Stone, playing a critical role in the development of funk with his pioneering fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel in the 1960s and 1970s. AllMusic stated that “James Brown may have invented funk, but Sly Stone perfected it,” and credited him with “creating a series of euphoric yet politically charged records that proved a massive influence on artists of all musical and cultural backgrounds.” Crawdaddy! has credited him as the founder of the “progressive soul” movement.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,” according to a statement from his family. “After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”
He was 82.
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If you know, you know…
Posted in Because I Can, Events, News, Patriotic, Planes Trains and Automobiles
