No Woman No Cry 'songwriter' dies
No Woman No Cry 'songwriter' dies
 No Woman No Cry was based on the ghetto where both men lived |
Vincent Ford, the songwriter credited with composing the Bob Marley reggae classic No Woman, No Cry has died in Jamaica. He was 68.
Ford lost both his legs to diabetes and died in hospital from complications caused by the disease, said a spokesman for the Bob Marley Foundation.
His smash hit appeared on Marley's 1974 Natty Dread album.
It was inspired by the Trench Town ghetto in Kingston where both men lived in the 1960s.
Some claim Marley wrote it himself but gave Ford the credit to help his friend support himself with the royalties.
Ford is also credited with three songs on Marley's 1976 album Rastaman Vibration.
Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited for helping spread Jamaican music to the worldwide audience.
He died of cancer in Miami in 1981, aged 36.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 10:03 PM
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You should love this music because...
You should love this music because...
The best new bands and singers have been selected by some of Britain's most influential tastemakers as part of the BBC's Sound of 2009 search.
More than 130 pundits named their favourite three new artists and the tips were counted. A longlist of 15 was published in December and the top five artists will be revealed from Monday.
Before that, a selection of the experts explain why they love the acts they picked. They also reveal the underrated albums they want to break through in 2009, and which established acts we will be enjoying in the next 12 months.
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Little BootsVictoria Hesketh is the perfect pop star. She knocks out great tunes and takes her music seriously while celebrating the giddy heights of pop at its best. As a result, she understands pop in a way that puts her miles ahead of her nearest rivals.
Julian Perretta Julian's got a brilliantly expressive and quintessentially English songwriting style in the tradition of The Kinks and David Bowie, and since signing to Columbia in 2008 things seem to have been taking shape for a bright 2009. Great hair as well.
Frankmusik British male singer-songwriters make beige music which can't set pulses racing. Frankmusik is the solution - astonishingly talented, he has teamed up with Madonna and Killers producer Stuart Price for a stylish, modern and human debut album full of potential hits.
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke. Every year there's an artist whose lack of overnight success confuses and upsets me. In 2008, it was Ladyhawke. Her album is a romantic, atmospheric and sometimes lonely-sounding album which deserves a big push.
Pet Shop Boys' new album Yes is produced with Xenomania. The duo who defined pop in the 20th Century and the hit-house who redefined it in the 21st. The album is a phenomenal return to form.
The Soft Pack (formerly The Muslims) This tip came through just as a band name from a mate, but hearing the first 20 seconds of Parasites on their MySpace gave me goose bumps. It's alternately perky and dirty and done with a swagger few UK bands ever seem to pull off.
Empire of the Sun I hated Empire of the Sun at first. It sounded over-played, over-produced and over-thought. But relentless spins on the NME stereo has made me fall for their lush '80s sound. The tracks throb and glow. Will be one of the albums of the year, no doubt.
Florence and the Machine There's no-one to touch Florence right now. She might be barking but she's more rock 'n' roll than the rest of the scene put together and she's got the tunes and the voice to back it up. An inspiration.
Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel. This was one of my albums of the year but it never completely connected. I love the combination of out-there tunes with hard, danceable grooves. They ripped it up at Reading but it's still all waiting to happen.
Don't tell me Blur aren't going to start recording new stuff. Damon and Graham just can't stop writing and now they're playing live together again it can't help but happen. Album for Christmas 2009?
Dan Black The minute I heard his track HPNTZ I knew this guy was special. His debut album combines yearning vocals with super melodic pop hooks and exciting, ultra-contemporary production. I love it.
Passion Pit This band stood out straight away for me. Sonically they fall somewhere between MGMT and Hot Chip - alt rock electronica? And they're writing great songs. Rock fans will love them and dance fans will too. I predict they'll be festival favourites in 2009.
Carolina Liar Their debut album is packed with strong melodic rock/pop songs with hints of The Fray and The Killers. It boasts fantastic production from Max Martin and lead singer Chad Wolf is blessed with a tremendous emotive voice. This is just waiting to blow up.
The King Blues - Save The World, Get The Girl. It was refreshing to find an act with something to say and the ability to write great melodic songs. I don't necessarily agree with their politics, but I admire them. Their time may yet come.
There are some serious contenders, but Green Day have to be top of the list.
Little Boots Imagine if Debbie Harry had come from Blackpool and played the synthesiser. 2009 looks set to be dominated by the sound of electropop and Ms Boots should be one if its stars with her wonderfully catchy pop songs.
VV Brown She continues the trend of today's girls, borrowing from the '60s, but VV takes it in a purely pop direction. She's talented, bright, infectious and, refreshingly, she isn't surrounded by teams of producers and writers.
White Lies In the boys with guitars department, 2008 belonged to the US. White Lies should turn the tide back to the UK in 2009. With their epic and soaring songs, atmospheric shows and nod to the likes of Editors and Joy Division, they should have a successful year.
Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires. Brilliant live and with a sound that was fun and refreshing from a UK group, I hope they get a second look in 2009.
I am looking forward to the return of Franz Ferdinand and Green Day this year.
Florence and the Machine Our presenter Geoff Lloyd picked Dog Days Are Over as his single of the week and the following week we added it to the playlist. I love the complex song construction and stunning vocals. It is adventurous but it works on radio too.
Nick Harrison For someone brought up on the 2 Tone magic of The Specials, Selecter and The Beat, I love Nick's refreshing approach to ska music. He gives it a contemporary twist - basically because he writes great songs.
Panic at the Disco - Pretty Odd. This is an adventurous mix of alternative, country, Americana and vaudeville with Beatle-esque nuances. Their usually loyal fanbase were left bewildered but every time I play it to people, they fall in love with its whimsy.
An obvious choice but it would have to be U2. They are still one of the greatest bands in the world and their recorded output has been of a consistently high standard. To have maintained a career at the top, approaching 30 years, is a huge achievement.
Broken Records One of those bands you hear and either don't get or fall in love with completely. I fall very much into the latter camp - they have a sound that's as evocative as a lot of the great new American folksy rock music of the past year or two.
White Lies Lots of newish bands have tried to take that icy melodic, Joy Division-esque sound and run with it but most of them have forgotten the need for great songs. White Lies haven't, which makes them stand out.
VV Brown Great voice, great look, ready-made star. Simple as that.
The Gaslight Anthem (The '59 Sound) made the best song-for-song record of the year by far, and My Morning Jacket (Evil Urges) served up a modern masterpiece, and both deserve to have been both bought and acclaimed far more widely.
That'll be U2 with their No Line On The Horizon album and the attendant tour. I've been fortunate enough to hear a number of the tracks slated for the album, and there's a real sense that this is the best thing they've done since Achtung Baby.
White Lies I love bands that create their own world and, although the influences are pretty clear, this album still sounds very fresh. Most importantly, however, the songs already feel stadium-sized.
The Temper Trap This is a band with a unique and expansive sound that have a singer with a stunning voice and some of the most seductive songs you will hear all year. They also nail it live and will engage both press and radio with equal enthusiasm.
Run Toto Run Run Toto Run is the band built around Manchester singer-songwriter Rachel Kitchenside. She writes some of the most beautiful and interesting songs - definitely one to keep an eye on.
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound. This has received some good press but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They will be the word-of-mouth success story of 2009.
Liam Frost and Sam Isaac are two great British singer-songwriters who will deservedly make 2009 their year.
The Big Pink They're the dark underbelly of the top London scene. There's an obvious Velvet Underground obsession that sounds really cruel and horrible but with a soulful subtlety. They're going to be both the big art-school success of the year and the critics' choice.
Titus Andronicus They paraphrase WH Auden, mention Brueghel and open their album with quotes from Titus Andronicus, the play. The poetry and romance are coupled with dangerous shambolic rock 'n' roll that reminds me of the Libertines.
Fan Death They've got a bunch of work to do but no-one's got more hooks. Every song I've heard is potentially massive and it's only going to take two banging remixes and everyone's going to fall in love with them. Plus, lead singer Dandi Wind is a super cool chick.
Cass McCombs - Dropping the Writ. I'm normally wary of folk but he's got a great sense of non-conformist songwriting. It's honest, contemporary and still folk. It was a bit of PR away from being every person's favourite "intellectual" album this year.
A friend has heard Klaxons' second album and said it's fantastic. They did really exciting things a couple of years ago and more than anyone are poised to make an incredible return. If they do it properly they can prove that pop music isn't necessarily dead.
Lady GaGa Just Dance is a great single but the album is full of hit singles. She is also working with the world's contemporary hitmakers, so the A list surely beckons.
VV Brown She has a totally fresh approach to pop songs - the commercial appeal of Kate Nash with the credible box still firmly ticked.
All Time Low American pop punk bands are often overlooked in these polls, but these guys have great songs and a terrific album - expect success similar to Paramore in 2009.
Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop Drop And Roll!!! A cracking album that leaves any listener salivating for a whole lot more.
I'm an obsessive Green Day fan and frankly new material from these guys gets me very excited. Also it's been nearly five years in the making so it should be an absolute corker.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 5:43 PM
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Speeding charge for actor Dillon
Speeding charge for actor Dillon
 Dillon was photographed by Vermont police |
Film star Matt Dillon has been charged with a speeding offence after being stopped by police on a US highway.
The 44-year-old actor was apprehended in Newbury, Vermont after allegedly travelling at 106mph (170km/h) in a 65mph (105km/h) zone on Tuesday.
Dillon was ordered to appear in court on 21 January before being released by police officers.
The star's screen credits include Crash, which landed him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 2:23 PM
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Hudson accused appears in court
Hudson accused appears in court
 William Balfour was married to Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia |
The estranged brother-in-law of actress Jennifer Hudson has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the killing of three of her relatives.
No new charges were outlined in the indictment against William Balfour, 27, who appeared in court wearing a yellow prison jumpsuit.
An indictment is a formal accusation of a serious crime, issued after a grand jury hears evidence from a prosecutor.
Balfour's lawyer maintained the police had no case against his client.
"The police believe it is William Balfour, but the problem is what they have done," said Joshia Kutnik.
"They find their suspect and build evidence around the suspect. That's not the way it should work."
He added that hard evidence linking Balfour to the crimes does not exist and that he was conducting his own investigation.
Nephew
Balfour is the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, the sister of American Idol contestant and film actress Jennifer Hudson.
 Hudson, 27, won a best supporting actress Oscar for Dreamgirls in 2007 |
The body of her nephew, seven-year-old Julian King, was found in a vehicle in the city three days later.
Balfour was arrested on 24 October and held in Chicago police custody for 48 hours - the longest a person can be held without charges.
He was then transferred to the Stateville Correctional Center in Chicago, where he was being held for a suspected parole violation, and was formally arrested in connection with the killings.
He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder earlier this month.
The grand jury indictment was required before the case could go to trial, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.
Balfour's mother, Michele Davis Balfour, who attended Tuesday's hearing with several family members, declined to comment.
The Hudson family have also declined to comment.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 10:14 AM
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Rap star DMX makes guilty pleas
Rap star DMX makes guilty pleas
 The US rapper has repeatedly fallen foul of the authorities |
US rap star DMX has pleaded guilty to multiple drug possession, theft and animal cruelty charges as part of a deal to settle three cases against him.
The 38-year-old - whose real name is Earl Simmons - also agreed not to own any animals or possess firearms.
He faces a minimum of 90 days in jail when he returns to an Arizona court for sentencing on 30 January.
"I am pleased that this defendant will be held accountable," said county attorney Andrew Thomas in a statement.
The rapper, whose albums include Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood and Year of the Dog... Again, has been arrested several times in Arizona in the past year, where he has a home near Phoenix.
Probation
In May, he was arrested on drug and animal cruelty charges arising from a raid on his house in August 2007, when authorities found dog carcasses and malnourished pit bulls.
Simmons briefly barricaded himself in his bedroom before surrendering.
Police officers said they also found marijuana at his home.
In April, the star was charged with assuming someone's identity and providing false information during a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
He has missed several court appearances over the course of the year, leading to the issue of warrants for his arrest.
The star appeared in handcuffs and a black-and-white striped prison uniform during his court appearance on Tuesday.
He will remain in jail until sentencing and will not be given credit for time already served.
If he violates probation after his jail term, the rapper could face more than 10 years in prison.
His attorney Charles Kozelka could not be reached for comment.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 6:13 AM
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Actor Harrelson marries in Hawaii
Actor Harrelson marries in Hawaii
 Woody Harrelson was previously married in the 1980s |
Film star Woody Harrelson has married his long-term partner at a ceremony in Hawaii, his spokeswoman has said.
The 47-year-old actor and Laura Louie have been together for 20 years and have three daughters.
Friends and family attended the service on the island of Maui, Harrelson's publicist added.
The actor's numerous screen credits include US TV sitcom Cheers and No Country For Old Men, which won four Oscars in 2008, including best picture.
His regular part as dopey bartender Woody Boyd in Cheers landed him an Emmy for best supporting actor in 1989.
 Laura Louie is mother to Harrelson's three daughters |
His other standout roles include psychopath Mickey Knox in Oliver Stone's 1994 film Natural Born Killers.
But he landed his sole Oscar nomination to date in 1996 for the title role in porn baron biopic The People vs Larry Flynt.
Harrelson was previously married to Nancy Simon, the daughter of US screenwriter and playwright Neil Simon.
The pair wed in the Mexican city of Tijuana in June 1985 and were divorced the following January.
They had originally intended to dissolve their marriage the following day.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 2:13 AM
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Entertainment quiz of 2008
Entertainment quiz of 2008
Entertainment quiz of 2008
It's the end of 2008 - Simon Cowell is once again rattling his coffers in glee, and Hollywood is contemplating another strike...It's all so familiar... Or is it? Sharpen your wits and join us for another Entertainment Quiz of the Year.
1.) Multiple Choice Question
Which of these performers won best supporting actress at this year's Academy Awards?
- A
- B
- C
2.) Multiple Choice Question
Which Jeremy expressed concern over the inadequate support provided by his underwear?
- Left
- Right
3.) Multiple Choice Question
Which TV star announced their departure from a hit soap earlier this year after complaining about abuse from young fans?
- Neighbours star Ian Smith
- Coronation Street's Liz Dawn
- Emmerdale favourite Clive Hornby
4.) Multiple Choice Question
Which country unites this year's winner of the 2008 Booker Prize and the current winner of the Best of the Booker prize?
- South Africa
- India
- Canada
5.) Multiple Choice Question
Whose track became the most played song over the past five years, according to the Performing Right Society?
- Daniel Powter
- James Blunt
- Kelly Clarkson
6.) Multiple Choice Question
Which celebrity gave birth to twins named Emme and Max earlier this year?
- Cate Blanchett
- Jennifer Lopez
- Nicole Kidman
7.) Multiple Choice Question
"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Which former Pop Idol star stepped into Rhett Butler's shoes earlier this year?
- Left
- Right
8.) Multiple Choice Question
Sir Cliff Richard and the Shadows have announced an arena tour in 2009, to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary. But in what year and with what song did Sir Cliff have his first number one?
- Move It, 1958
- Travellin' Light, 1959
- Living Doll, 1959
9.) Multiple Choice Question
Which young actress links literary heroines Elizabeth Bennet and Tess of the D'Urbervilles with James Bond?
- Keira Knightley
- Eva Green
- Gemma Arterton
10.) Multiple Choice Question
Which Mark won this year's Turner Prize?
- Left
- Right
11.) Multiple Choice Question
Can you spot the odd one out - and why?
- Carol Vorderman
- John Sergeant
- Sir Terry Wogan
- Fiona Phillips
Answers
- It's C. British actress Tilda Swinton won best supporting actress for her role in Michael Clayton. A is Julie Christie, nominated for her role in Away From Her. B is France's Marion Cotillard, who won best actress.
- Jeremy Paxman wrote to the chief executive of Marks and Spencer, Sir Stuart Rose, to complain about the declining quality of the chain's underwear. "There's no other way to put this. Their pants no longer provide adequate support," he told the Mail on Sunday.
- It's Ian Smith, better known as Harold Bishop. Smith, who has starred in the Australian soap for 16 years, will leave the show in February. Liz Dawn left Coronation Street in January. Hornby, best known as Jack Sugden, died suddenly in July, aged 63.
- The answer is India. Indian-born writer and first-time novelist Aravind Adiga won this year's prize for his book, The White Tiger. Following a public vote, Midnight's Children, by another Indian-born author Sir Salman Rushdie was named the Best of the Bookers.
- It's Daniel Powter's Bad Day. The song, which reached number two in the UK in August 2005, is the Canadian singer's only UK hit to date. Clarkson's Because of You and Blunt's You're Beautiful completed the top three most played tracks.
- It's Jennifer Lopez, who celebrated the birth of twins with husband Marc Anthony, in February this year. Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline in July, while Nicole Kidman gave birth to daughter Sunday Rose in the same month.
- Darius Danesh played Rhett Butler's in Trevor Nunn's West End production of Gone With The Wind earlier this year. He received a standing ovation on opening night, but the production closed in June after just 79 performances. Gareth Gates takes over the lead in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat next year.
- Cliff Richard and the Shadows reached number one with Living Doll in July 1959. It was closely followed by Travellin' Light, which topped the charts the following October. His first chart hit, Move It, released with The Drifters, reached number two in September 1958.
- It's Gemma Arterton, whose roles in 2008 included Elizabeth Bennet in ITV's Lost in Austen, Tess Durbeyfield in the BBC series and Agent Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace.
- It was Mark Leckey, on the left. The Birkenhead-born artist won the £25,000 prize for his work combining sculpture, film, sound and performance. Mark Wallinger picked up last year's award for his recreation of Brian Haw's protest in Parliament Square in 2001.
- It's John Sergeant - the other three all stepped down from long-running television jobs this year. Vorderman quit Countdown, Phillips quit GMTV and Sir Terry stepped down as the UK's Eurovision commentator. Incidentally, they have all starred in Strictly Come Dancing, with Sir Terry appearing in the Children in Need version last month.
Your Score
0 - 4 : Wall-E
5 - 9 : Get Smart
10 - 12 : Mamma Mia!
posted by Entertaiment News @ 12:43 AM
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Carrey comedy tops UK box office
Carrey comedy tops UK box office
 Yes Man is based on the book by British writer Danny Wallace |
Jim Carrey's latest comedy Yes Man has gone straight to the top of the UK box office in its first weekend of release.
The film, based on a book by British writer Danny Wallace about his decision to change his life by saying yes to everything, took
posted by Entertaiment News @ 10:13 AM
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Olivia and Jack top baby names
Olivia and Jack top baby names
 Parents draw inspiration from celebs for baby names |
The most popular baby names in Britain in the past year were Olivia and Jack, according to a parenting club.
While the top boy's name has remained the same for 14 years, Olivia toppled Grace at the top of the girl's list.
Celebrities were a key influence, with Ruby, the name of Charlotte Church's daughter, coming in second, the poll by internet parenting group Bounty found.
The parents of 380,000 babies born in 2008 were surveyed to compile the annual listing.
Amy Winehouse's troubled year saw her name fall three places to 23rd, while footballer Theo Walcott boosted his moniker 12 places to 58th.
| TOP BOYS/GIRLS NAMES Jack/Olivia Oliver/Ruby Harry/Grace Alfie/Emily Charlie/Jessica Thomas/Sophie Joshua/Chloe Daniel/Lily James/Mia William/Lucy |
Faye Mingo from Bounty said: "Boys' names have witnessed the biggest changes over the last decade as parents are increasingly influenced by American culture and celebrity trends relating to films and sports personalities.
"Traditional royal names continue to reign supreme in the boys' Top 100 in respect of the more traditional name choices."
Ms Mingo added: "Parents are more likely to name girls after a well known movie star or celebrity.
"Parents are also more likely to copy celebrities' own choices of baby girls' names, perhaps as a way of reflecting the aspirations that they have for their children."
Hollie, Tegan, Patrick, Dominic and Gabriel disappeared from the top 100 this year.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 9:44 AM
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The famous faces we lost in 2008
The famous faces we lost in 2008
Some of the key personalities from the worlds of film, television, music and the arts who passed away in 2008.
Click on the links below to read and watch more about their lives and careers.
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The former ITN newscaster died in March aged 63 after suffering a stroke.
Barnes fronted all of the broadcaster's main news programmes including the flagship News At Ten.
She also worked on its now defunct news channel when it went on air in 2000, and helped launch London radio station LBC back in 1973.
Barnes' colleague Dermot Murnaghan said she was "so down to earth, so helpful but, above all, so professional".
Jeremy Beadle is remembered by co-host Henry Kelly
The television host and prankster died in January at the age of 59 after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
Beadle fronted a number of popular shows, including Beadle's About, You've Been Framed and Game For A Laugh.
He raised millions of pounds for charity and was awarded an MBE for his fund-raising efforts in 2001.
His first brush with fame in 1981 was preceded by careers in rock festival management and journalism.
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The Hollywood musical film star and dancer died at the age of 86 in June after suffering a heart attack.
Her fame came as a dance partner to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in a string of movies in the 1940s and 50s, such as Singin' In The Rain.
Charisse's trademark long legs were said to be insured for a million dollars during the height of her fame.
"Her beauty was breathtaking," said film co-star Debbie Reynolds.
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Science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke died in April, in his adopted home of Sri Lanka. He was 90.
His greatest fame came in 1968 when his short story The Sentinel was turned into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
His visions of space travel and computing sparked the imagination of readers and scientists alike.
In the 1940s, he maintained man would reach the moon by the year 2000, an idea dismissed at the time.
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Author Michael Crichton died of cancer in November at the age of 66.
His best-selling works, which have sold more than 150 million copies, include Jurassic Park and Disclosure, adapted for the big screen by Hollywood.
Crichton also created medical drama ER, which was one of the highest-rated programmes on US television.
Steven Spielberg, who directed Jurassic Park, said his talent "out-scaled even the dinosaurs" of the famous story.
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Soul icon Isaac Hayes died aged 65 in August. He was found next to his treadmill at his Memphis home.
The flamboyant performer with a rich, deep voice won an Oscar in 1971 for his theme to the film Shaft.
He was later known to viewers of South Park as the voice of Chef, scoring a UK number one with Chocolate Salty Balls in 1998 singing as his character.
The self-taught musician was praised for his musical influence.
Charlton Heston's acting skills praised
Film star Charlton Heston died at his home in Beverly Hills in April aged 84.
He won fame for playing a series of heroic figures in the Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 60s, including El Cid and Ben-Hur, which won him an Oscar.
In the 1970s he became a disaster movie regular, and played Jason Colby in 1980s US TV soap opera The Colbys.
Heston was also a campaigner for Civil Rights and president of the National Rifle Association.
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Emmerdale actor Clive Hornby died aged 63 in July, six months after he took a break from the soap due to ill health.
Hornby, who played Jack Sugden for 28 years, was the programme's longest serving cast member.
His character was tinged with tragedy, losing his teen sweetheart to a car accident and second wife to a fire.
The actor wore the same flat cap that he was given on his first day of what was originally a three-month contract.
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One of the few artists to be nominated for Tonys, Emmys and Grammys, she was a stalwart of Manhattan's cabaret scene.
Known for her feline drawl - and for playing Catwoman in Batman - she was once blacklisted for attacking the Vietnam War at a White House function.
But her career endured, and she won new fans later in her career with 1984 disco hit Where Is My Man.
Tributes paid to Heath Ledger
Australian film star Heath Ledger, 28, was found dead in his New York flat in January. He died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
One of his standout roles was playing a lovelorn cowboy in Brokeback Mountain, which earned him an Oscar nomination.
His reinvention of the Joker in The Dark Knight prompted talk of at least a posthumous Academy Award nomination.
Ledger's untimely death was regarded as a tragic loss for the film world.
Humphrey Lyttelton talks about his knack with humour
Veteran jazz musician and broadcaster Humphrey Lyttelton died in April at the age of 86.
He was well known for presenting BBC Radio 4's comedy panel show Sorry I Haven't A Clue, and hosted Radio 2's The Best of Jazz for 40 years.
Lyttelton had been a trumpeter since 1936 and performed with his band until his final admission to hospital.
His dual talents as a musician and broadcaster were fondly remembered.
Miriam Makeba performs in concert
The South African singing star died of a heart attack in Italy shortly after a concert. She was 76.
The musician was a leading light in the struggle against apartheid, and spent 30 years living in exile.
Makeba became known as Mama Africa, and in 1965 was the first African woman to win a Grammy award.
Nelson Mandela called her "South Africa's first lady of song" and "the mother of our struggle".
Stars remember Anthony Minghella
Film director Anthony Minghella died in March aged 54 after suffering a haemorrhage following cancer surgery.
His work included screen epic The English Patient, which earned him the Oscar for best director.
Minghella, from the Isle of Wight, was also a gifted screenwriter, whose final work was the BBC adaptation of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
His unexpected death prompted a wave of tributes from film industry greats.
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Legendary Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman died aged 83 from cancer at his home in Connecticut.
In a career spanning five decades, Newman acted in some 60 films, including Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and Road To Perdition.
Newman chose to retire from acting in 2007, saying he could no longer perform to the best of his ability.
The actor was hailed by Hollywood for his "extraordinary career".
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Comedy writer and producer Geoffrey Perkins died in a road accident in August. He was 55.
The former head of BBC TV comedy had a host of hit shows to his credit, including producing the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy and Father Ted.
He worked closely with Harry Enfield on his self-titled show and was executive producer for The Fast Show.
Host and comic actor Angus Deayton said Perkins was "universally loved".
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He wrote The Caretaker and The Birthday Party, while his work in film included The French Lieutenant's Woman.
A campaigner for free speech, he later become a passionate opponent of the UK's foreign policy.
The West End cast of his play No Man's Land paid tribute to him to a silent audience on Boxing Day.
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Film actor Roy Scheider died from cancer in February at the age of 75.
He was most recognised for playing the police chief in the Jaws movies, but his roles in The French Connection and All That Jazz gained him Oscar nods.
In the 1990s he played the captain of a futuristic submarine in the TV series SeaQuest DSV.
Jaws co-star Richard Dreyfuss called Scheider a "knockabout actor" - a professional who simply got on with it.
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Stage and screen star Paul Scofield died in March at the age of 86 at a hospital near his Sussex home.
He won two Oscars during his career, including best actor for A Man For All Seasons in 1967.
Scofield was one of the most renowned theatre actors, taking on many of the great Shakespearian lead roles.
Simon Callow, one of his co-stars, said that Scofield was "an absolutely towering actor".
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Children's television presenter Mark Speight was found hanged at Paddington station in April. He was 42.
His suicide came after the death of his fiancee Natasha Collins at their home in London from a drugs overdose.
Speight was the popular host of CBBC creative show SMart for a decade, familiar with his blond spiky hair and boundless enthusiasm.
His father later formed a charity to nurture artistically gifted youngsters.
TV actress Kathy Staff died aged 80 in December after a long illness.
Actor Peter Sallis pays tribute to Kathy Staff
She was best known for playing legendary battleaxe Nora Batty in evergreen sitcom Last of The Summer Wine for 243 episodes.
The Manchester-born star also played Doris Luke in ITV soap Crossroads, also notching up appearances in Coronation Street and Open All Hours.
Summer Wine co-star Peter Sallis said she was an "irreplaceable" colleague.
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Levi Stubbs, one of legendary Motown band The Four Tops, died at his home in Detroit in October at the age of 72.
Stubbs, renowned for his rich, baritone voice, sang on the group's big hits including Reach Out (I'll Be There).
They were inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Abdul Fakir is the only surviving original member of the act, which has sold 50 million records worldwide.
posted by Entertaiment News @ 5:43 AM
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- Director faces child porn charges
- Soap actor admits teenager attack
- Moyles rapped for Young gay spoof
- Spandau 'set to reveal comeback'
- Tributes to 'courageous' Goody
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