Even with months left to go, we've lost legends and loved ones in 2023 | MARK HUGHES COBB

Mark Hughes Cobb, Tuscaloosa News

It may not seem as horrific as 2016, when Prince, David Bowie, Harper Lee, Muhammad Ali, Alan Rickman and Carrie Fisher left us, but 2023 ain't even over yet, and look who we've already lost:

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Raquel Welch ― Launched a million posters, and sudden interest in pre-historic woman one million or so years B.C. So archaic homo sapiens only arose about 300,000 years ago. Who you gonna believe, Hollywood or science? Which created Raquel Welch?

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Burt Bacharach ― He broke and mended your heart a million times. Who scored hits with Elvis Costello, Isaac Hayes, The Drifters, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Neil Simon, Roberta Flack, Naked Eyes, Ronald Isley, Dr. Dre, Rufus Wainright, Sheryl Crow, Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Marlene Dietrich, Nat "King" Cole, Gene Vincent, Frankie Avalon, Dick van Dyke, the Shirelles, Gene Pitney, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Richard Chamberlain, Doris Day, Jackie DeShannon, Manfred Mann, Cilla Black, Engelbert Humperdinck, B.J. Thomas, The Fifth Dimension, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, El DeBarge, Ray Parker Jr. and many more, while winning an Emmy, three Oscars and six Grammys? If you answered: "Not me," you are correct.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

David Crosby ― As a golden voice in the Byrds, CSN, and CSNY, he's been at the heart of 35 million records people actually paid to hear, back when people paid to hear music. In a 2021 interview with NME, he spoke about life's rollercoaster, and his only regret: staying stoned. "It nearly killed me and it also wasted a whole bunch of time. That’s really the biggest crime, wasting time."

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Lisa Marie Presley ― We knew and never knew her. Her dad was a legend, possibly THE legend; her daughter Riley Keough is fast becoming one, among the most brilliant actors working. One of her sons committed suicide; she tried to "save" Michael Jackson from himself; and was also briefly married to Elvis-fixated Nicholas Cage. She dabbled in but left Scientology; played, sang and wrote music, with success, especially from her 2003 debut "To Whom It May Concern." Visitors to Graceland tour a jet named after her. She was active in charity, humanity and educational work. Following her death, Riley became sole owner of Graceland.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Michael Lerner ― Pivotal Jack Lipnick, a hyperactive bigwig in one of the greatest-ever films about writing, "Barton Fink." Key quote: "We're only interested in one thing, Bart. Can you tell a story? Can you make us laugh? Can you make us cry? Can you make us want to break out in joyous song? Is that more than one thing? OK!"

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Lance Reddick ― That guy in those things ("Fringe," "John Wick," "The Wire," "Oz," "American Horror Story," many more), tall, gaunt, with one of those deep-set stares that is severely disappointed with you. Not so strangely, though, a joyous, laughing guy in real life, and talented pianist/composer.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Gary Rossington ― Last of the Skynyrds. He was one of 20 survivors of that Oct. 20, 1977, plane crash, and struggled with painkiller addiction as a result of injuries, but returned. He co-wrote "Sweet Home Alabama" and played with the band through February, in a set that ended with his elegiac slide work on "Free Bird."

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Jeff Beck ― Somehow I never bought "Frampton Comes Alive" or any Fleetwood Mac disc, but I'm near certain everybody owned Beck's gorgeous "Blow by Blow." It came standard with '70s car 8-track players .... or should have. Beck was beyond masterful, a wizard, the rare guitarist I'd like to hear more from, not less. Never a "shredder." Always an artist. Like Richard Thompson, he seemed to never misstep. Every note sang.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Sinead O'Connor ― Nothing can compare. She bore her heart; wore it out loud. Like many who stand as more than accoutrement for a living room, she hurt. Questioning, pushing and prodding is not only a furnace for creative drive, but at the core of humanity. Lots of folks whispered, even joked, about rampant abuse from ranking members of the Catholic faith, though, kinda like Michael Jackson gags, they weren't so much funny as horrifying. Sinead was a decade ahead of The Boston Globe in trying to expose the hypocrisy and horror, though all most saw was the "SNL" symbolism, for which they tried to kill the messenger. Bless Kris Kristofferson for stepping up. In 2003, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston settled for $85 million with 552 alleged victims. More than 3,000 cases have been investigated over 50 years. So far. When an angel sings, even about tribulations, listen.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

William Friedkin ― Tubular. You either know or don't.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens ― I know he was, but what am I? "But his face rings a bell." Enjoy surfing for that.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Tony Bennett ― My band The Crying Jags played a wedding gig for pal Sandra Willis, whose mother was Lebanese, her father English. In between rock-party sets, a duo of Middle Eastern gentlemen played traditional Arabic music on instruments that looked like architecture. At one break, they went on a tear arguing who was best, Sinatra or Bennett? Bennett, hands down. I concur.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Alan Arkin ― Serpentine! Serpentine!

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Treat Williams ― Saw him on Broadway in Sondheim's "Follies," which reminded me, while he played a lot of tough guys, he was a musical dude. His Berger in Milos Forman's "Hair" is a huge reason the movie's superior to the live show.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Tina Turner ― We nevah, evah, do nothing nice ... and easy.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Harry Belafonte ― You know that bit about someone who makes you feel you're the only person in the world? He could do that, march with Dr. King, sing with a joy like an island breeze, and make a Moody Concert Hall full of folks feel invited, each of us the only one. Like Tom Jones, he was so cool, just hanging around him revved my mojo. The only EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner) who's also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Mary Quant ― I've stolen this from MQ as my personal mantra: "Good taste is death. Vulgarity is life."

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

Al Jaffee ― I would like to refer all pals, and former pals, to Mad magazine's Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions, penned by Jaffee, to explain why I am the way I am. For example:

Young man insists on helping me carry grocery bags to my car. I'd loaded up for a gig; at least three guitars and two amps are in sight.

"Oh, you're a musician! What instrument?"

"Uh .... Drums?"

Not long ago, a sweet saleswoman at Jos. A. Bank tried to help me find an overcoat to drape my bulk. The 50 was snug up top; she pulled out the 52, and that hung nicely.

"But," she said, tugging at belly buttons to reveal a gap, "I could fit in there."

This was more of an asinine response to a reasonable remark, but I asked "Are you volunteering?" As my lighthouse blush rose, I apologized, but she laughed. And said so: "It's OK! I'm laughing!" So thanks, Al.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

C.J. Harris — Sweet kid from Jasper who charmed season 13 "American Idol" judges with the warmth of his "Soul Shine" cover. In an interview prior to the "AI" tour, he told me he'd like hits, maybe a Grammy, and a spot on the Grand Ole Opry.

“I want to touch a lot of people through my music, change people through my music," he said. “It’s still all a dream. A huge journey.” C.J. was just 31.

There are more I should care about, like Daniel "Pentagon Papers" Ellsberg and Cormac "whats punctuation" McCarthy, and some I couldn't care less about, such as Pat Robertson, Jerry Springer, and Ted Kaczynski.

Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.
Even with months still left to go in 2023, we've lost many legends, many beloved artists and friends.

But my heart's heavy with Katy Jewett-Malone, and her loved ones. We met during "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 2002, at an after-rehearsal gathering in the Downtown Pub. "Like 'Little Jew,' " she said, to which I replied "I'm glad YOU made that joke," thanks again, Al. We knew each other briefly IRL, and through social-media magic, reconnected. Even argued a bit, as vehement folks will. As cancer ravaged her body, her mind and heart stayed fierce. She worked campaigns, and ran her own, for the Texas Senate, all while undergoing treatments.

In 2021, as we began to emerge from COVID's grim shadow, I asked friends what they were looking forward to. Here's part of what Katy wrote:

"So, perfectly seriously, I have a massive amount of 2020 resentment. Because of my disease and the timeline attached to it, this was supposed to be my bucket-list year. Go take all those trips I'd been dreaming of, see all those people I'd been meaning to see, go to all those plays, eat all that food, etc. But men plan and God laughs. So in 2021, I'm going to start running for office in 2022. Because the healthcare system is broken in Texas. Because losing your job in this country is a death threat. Because we live in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world and there's been a rise in theft of diapers and formula.

"I'm running next year because this year didn't have to be this bad. And it's the only thing I can think of to do to make it better."

Some, like me, when they're down, whimper and whine, moan and groan.

Others pick up a bat and start swinging.

In another exchange, she said:

"... don't undersell the importance of not suffering fools, or screaming in the street. Revolutions have been built on that .... "

I abhor cliches, but this one's too often true: the good die young. This world is far less without Katy Littlejew.

Reach Tusk Editor Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Some of the world's maddest artists have left us | MARK HUGHES COBB

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