2010 In Memorium

The year is winding down to an end in a couple of days.  I just want to take some time and remember some of the people that have passed this year.  More of a celebration of their lives than missing them.  These are just a few people that I'd like to single out for personal reasons.


J.D. Salinger

He, of course, is best known for writing, The Catcher in the Rye, but he also wrote, Nine Stories and Franny and Zooey.  Which are both excellent as well.  Catcher is one of my all-time favorite books.  I've read it many times over the years and it still holds up today.  This up coming year will be it's 60th anniversary of publication.  No small feat.

Chris Kanyon

I know what you're thinking, "A professional wrestler, really?"  He was really more than that.  He innovated many moves that you see today and also trained many wrestlers.  Still, that's not what makes him important.  He was an openly gay man in a very manly profession.  Think about that.  Most don't consider pro-wrestling a real sport, but they have to be athletes to perform everything in ring.  I like to say it's predetermined athletic event, a male soap opera, so to speak.

Ronnie James Dio

The little man, with the huge voice.  I never got to meet him, but have read and heard personally, that he was one of the nicest men in rock music.  Always treated his fans like they were friends.  That's not easy to do and it's a very desirable personality trait.  I have trouble treating my friends like friends.  The man was in three monster bands during his career.  Rainbow with Ritchie Blackmore, Black Sabbath (later known as, Heaven and Hell, when he was singing) and his own band, Dio.  He was still touring a full schedule until his death.  \m/

Lena Horne

Just look at that picture...simply gorgeous.  You could look at a recent picture and it would pretty much look the same.  She was a multiple threat when it came to the arts.  She could dance, act and sing.  Mainly known as a singer, she had her signature song.  Her career spanned close to 70 years, pretty impressive.

John Wooden

Anything I write about John Wooden will not be enough.  One of the great teachers of not only basketball, but life.  So, I'm going to have a few other people talk about him.  I don't feel I could do him justice.

Alex Chilton

It's really sad that he passed away this year, because he was starting to get the recognition he's deserved for decades.  He was the voice behind "The Letter" by The Box Tops in 1967, when he was just 17 years old.  Later on he would be the voice of Big Star, who are "Godfathers of Power Pop."  Everyone has heard, "In the Street," as it was the theme to That 70's Show.  He and the late, Chris Bell wrote, in my opinion, one of the most underrated ballads ever, "Thirteen."  Big Star was one of those bands that you can listen to and get lost in the lyrics and music.  It's so perfect.

Last and certainly least...

Brett Favre's Career

What in the world was he thinking?  He has arguably one of his best seasons in 2009 and he decides to take the money and return for one more year.  Big Mistake.  He gets involved in some crazy scandal that drags his name through the mud.  Gets his ass kicked all over the field so he can go down in sports history as one of those players that stayed too long.  Rather, than a great quarterback.  I just have no idea what he was trying to prove.