RIP John Mayall, probably the most influential musician of the halcyon days of blues/rock music. Mentor to a roll call of the greatest guitarists of the 60/70s Classic Rock era. His Bluesbreakers were the launchpad of stellar careers for Clapton, Beck, Page, Green, Taylor and many other greats. A true legend...
John Mayall has passed away age 90. You only have to look at the ‘Beano’ album cover to see the quality of band mates he attracted. Thanks for the memories, JM…. As a blues fan, I listen to those songs often. —————————————————-
Yes, I noticed that and thought this may already have been posted a few pages back on this thread. But yes having checked they really did just announce yesterday, strange one.
Neighbours star Janet Andrewartha dies 7 hours ago Share Charlotte Gallagher Culture reporter please log in to view this image Freemantle Janet Andrewartha made her Neighbours debut in 1999 Janet Andrewartha, who played Lyn Scully in Neighbours, has died at the age of 72. The actress joined the long-running Australian soap in 1999 as the Scully family matriarch. She left the show in 2006 but returned multiple times, last appearing in Erinsborough in 2019. The soap's official Instagram account paid tribute to the star, with a post reading: "Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha. "Beloved by viewers for her role as Ramsay Street's Lyn Scully, Janet will be remembered for her wide body of work, which includes her memorable turn as Reb Keane in Prisoner." Jackie Woodburne who played Susan Kennedy on the soap called Andrewartha "One of the finest actors of her generation and an extraordinary woman. "Passionate, political, curious, delightfully eccentric, generous and fun. To me she was a steadfast friend for over 45 years. I will miss her every day." Stefan Dennis, best known for playing businessman Paul Robinson on Neighbours, said he was: "So very upset to lose the lovely Janet. "She truly was an exceptional actress who was a pleasure work with and to be around. We will all miss you dear girl." Janet Andrewartha was also known for her roles in other Australian hits including A Country Practice and Blue Heelers. She also had a successful theatrical career, starring in Othello, Jerusalem and All My Sons. Neighbours was cancelled in 2022 but was revived the following year. Neighbours launched in 1985 and ran until 2022, when it was cancelled after UK broadcaster Channel 5 decided to drop the show from its schedules. Unable to find alternative funding, producers announced they had "no option but to rest the show". At that point, the series had run for 37 years and broadcast more than 9,000 episodes. However, just four months after its finale was broadcast, Amazon announced it had picked up the show for its streaming service Freevee, and the show was relaunched in September 2023. Neighbours enjoyed a golden era in the 1980s and 1990s, during which time it developed a cult following, particularly among students, as it was screened on BBC One twice a day (including a repeat). Margot Robbie, Russell Crowe, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia and Holly Vallance are among the stars who appeared in Neighbours early in their careers.
Frontman of rock band The Chills, Martin Phillipps, dies at 61 please log in to view this image Katie Ham July 28, 2024 • 07:37pm Share please log in to view this image Martin Phillipps of The Chills has died. SUPPLIED / SUNDAY STAR-TIMES FAST FACTS The lead singer and guitarist of iconic Dunedin rock band The Chills has died. Martin Phillipps died “unexpectedly” aged 61. Just two weeks ago, Phillipps was planning his return as a vibrant creative force. Lead singer and guitarist of iconic Dunedin rock band The Chills, Martin Phillipps, has died. Phillipps, who penned hits like Heavenly Pop Hit and Pink Frost, was 61-years-old. On Sunday evening, a statement from The Chills’ manager, Scott Muir, said that it was “with broken hearts the family and friends of Martin Phillipps wish to advise Martin has died unexpectedly”. READ MORE FROM STUFF Actor read script in police sting to help catch her attackerLulu Sun one and done at OlympicsGrocer could not let McDonald’s arrive without ‘saying he tried’ to stop it Phillipps’ family asked for privacy at this time, and said that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, Muir said. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISE WITH STUFF ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISE WITH STUFF The Chills were a creative powerhouse in the early 80s Dunedin music scene. On the official The Chills website, Phillipps is lauded as having “a single-minded determination to take quality, original NZ-sounding, melodic rock music global”. please log in to view this image The Chills pictured in 2018 with Phillipps in the middle. SUPPLIED / STUFF.CO.NZ Just two weeks ago, Phillipps spoke to The Press about how The Chills were set to return as a vibrant creative force. In an album called Springboard: Early Unrecorded Songs, Phillipps was due to take a step back in time, and revisit material that had previously gone “to the wayside”. “The recording has come out absolutely amazing; it's definitely one of the best things we've done,” Phillipps said.
Former England and Surrey batter Graham Thorpe has died aged 55, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced. Thorpe played 100 Tests for England between 1993 and 2005, as well as 82 one-day internationals. A stylish left-handed batter, he scored 6,744 Test runs for England, including 16 centuries, at an average of 44.66. ‘’There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham's death," said an ECB statement. ‘’More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world. "His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike. "Later, as a coach, he guided the best England men's talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game. ‘’The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. "We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.’’ RIP
Shocked to hear this, just 55. One of our most reliable middle order batsmen and former captain. RIP...
Obituary: Graham Thorpe, 1969-2024 By John Etheridge, Cricket correspondent GRAHAM THORPE, who has died aged 55, was England’s best batsman between the end of David Gower’s career and the start of Kevin Pietersen’s. Indeed, many reckon he was at least as good as either Gower or Pietersen. Thorpe was a nuggety left-hander who could attack or defend, display a carefree approach or iron-willed patience. He was good against fast bowling and an absolute master facing spin. Thorpe was one of the first names on any England team sheet for more than a decade in the 1990s and 2000s. Thorpe later became a well-regarded coach in both England and Australia and is the man credited as the first to spot the potential of Joe Root. He had a huge influence on Ben Stokes’ batting, especially against spin. His innings of 113 not out against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2001 was one of the finest ever played for England. It is rarely mentioned alongside the barnstorming efforts of Stokes or Ian Botham but, make no mistake, it was an all-time heroic performance in extreme heat against top-class spin. Thorpe scored 32 not out in the second innings (out of 74-6) as England won by four wickets. He was so shattered that he missed the team party that evening. Thorpe was born in Farnham, Surrey, and the story goes that he switched to left-handed because the legside boundary in his back garden was shorter that side. He was good enough at football to play for England age-group teams but opted for cricket. He played for Surrey, England A and, in 1993, scored an Ashes century on his Test debut against Australia at Trent Bridge. He made another brilliant century – 138 – against the Aussies at Edgbaston in 1997. He and Nasser Hussain put on 288 for the fourth wicket and England won by nine wickets. It was an almost unique match of England domination in an era of ritual hammerings by the old enemy. Thorpe’s highest Test score was a blazing 200 not out from just 231 balls against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2002. It was eclipsed by Nathan Astle’s brutal 222 from 168 deliveries in the same match but England still won comfortably. In another famous win, Thorpe scored 64 not out as England beat Pakistan in Karachi in 2000 by six wickets. It was virtually dark at the end and there were no floodlights. Thorpe’s final Test innings was 66 not out against Bangladesh in 2005 but England decided to drop him to accommodate the recently-qualified Pietersen. So Thorpe took no part in the greatest Test series of all time against Australia that summer. He scored 16 centuries in exactly 100 Tests with an average of 44.66. Thorpe moved into coaching, working in Australia for New South Wales, where his charges included youngsters called David Warner and Steve Smith. He was England’s lead batting coach for several years and an assistant-coach on the Ashes tour of 2021-22. Away from the pitch, Thorpe’s first marriage broke down very publicly and he missed some cricket as a result. He had two children. Thorpe could be maudlin and would sometimes spend hours telling people about his problems. He found love again and married Amanda and she became a regular when he toured as part of England’s coaching team. He was his own man – he was fined £1,000 for refusing to attend an official function during the 1999 World Cup, for example – but I liked him a lot. He was open, honest and with a self-deprecating humour. After England’s defeat in the Fifth Test in Hobart, Thorpe lit a cigar while drinking indoors with players from both teams. The police were called and he filmed their arrival on his ‘phone, providing a commentary. Within hours, the footage went public. Thorpe lost his job after England’s 0-4 defeat in that series but, within weeks, he was hired to become head coach of Afghanistan. He never took up that position, however, and in May of 2022, the PCA put out a statement revealing that Thorpe was “seriously ill” in hospital. He was not seen again in cricket circles after that although some of his former team-mates tried to keep in touch. The cricket world will be deeply shocked and saddened by his passing.
