10:33 PM EDT 05/21/2013
Tributes
Zach Sobiech Leaves Behind Inspiring Legacy
Originally posted 05/21/2013 12:15PM
He was given months to live last June, but that didn't stop Zach Sobiech from becoming a rock star – and an inspiration to millions.
Sobiech passed away Monday, 17 days after his 18th birthday. First diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was 14, Sobiech's music became his way of expressing himself. His song "Clouds" not only went viral last December, but also resulted in a star-studded celebrity tribute video earlier this month.
"My closure is being able to get my feelings into these songs. So [friends and family] could have something to remember me by, or lean on when I was gone," he says in a 22-minute film about his story, My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech, featured on SoulPancake.
![]() |
Zach Sobiech Dies at 18
Originally posted 05/20/2013 04:30PM
Minnesota teen Zach Sobiech, who wrote the viral hit "Clouds" during his bone-cancer fight, died Monday morning. He was 18.
"With heavy hearts" the Children's Cancer Research Fund announced the news on its website, writing, "Zach was at home and at peace with those he loved most. Zach's life ended just as he lived, embraced by the love of his family, friends, grace and music."
Sobiech, who celebrated his 18th birthday on May 3, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was 14, and was told by doctors last June that he had possibly less than a year to live. That December, he released "Clouds." The song about facing death got more than three million YouTube views. Just this month, Rainn Wilson led a group of celebrities lip-syncing in a moving tribute video.
![]() |
Former NASCAR Driver Dick Trickle Dies of Apparent Suicide
Originally posted 05/17/2013 08:20AM
Dick Trickle, whose larger-than-life personality and penchant for fun won him legions of fans despite a lack of success beyond the nation's small tracks, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. He was 71.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said authorities received a call believed to be from Trickle, who said "there would be a dead body and it would be his." Authorities tried to call the number back, but no one answered.
Trickle's body was found near his pickup truck at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City, N.C., about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte. Sheriff's Lieutenant Tim Johnson said foul play was not suspected.
![]() |
'Kenneth,' Hairdresser to Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Dies at 86
Originally posted 05/14/2013 10:30AM
His full name may have been Kenneth Battelle, but to a half-century's worth of fashion editors, First Ladies and society women, he was simply "Kenneth."
Sunday at his home in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., two years after his retirement, he died at age 86, his company announced to The New York Times.
Among his clients: society doyenne Brooke Astor, stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Joan Rivers, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall and Audrey Hepburn, as well as Jacqueline Kennedy, whose hair was done by Kenneth right before she accompanied her husband on the fateful trip to Dallas in November 1963.
Mrs. Kennedy, even when she later became Mrs. Onassis, also continued to visit his salon just off Fifth Avenue in New York, where she was always ushered into her own private area, another client of longstanding tells PEOPLE.
![]() |
Ottavio Missoni, Fashion Brand Patriarch, Dies at 92
Originally posted 05/09/2013 10:20AM
Ottavio Missoni, the patriarch of the iconic fashion brand of zigzag-patterned knitwear that has added a classy touch of color and style to countless well-dressed women, died Thursday in northern Italy. He was 92.
A statement issued by Missoni SpA said he "passed away serenely" in his home in the town of Sumirago on Thursday. The town, near the city of Varese, is also home to the company headquarters.
It was a second sorrow for the family in a matter of months. Earlier this year, Ottavio's eldest child, company CEO Vittorio Missoni, 58, disappeared with his wife and four others while flying in a small plane during a vacation to a Venezuelan island. They were never found, and the cause of the disappearance remains a mystery.
![]() |
Chris Kelly's Mother: My Son Was the 'Life of the Party'
Originally posted 05/02/2013 07:45AM
As friends and family mourn the death of Kris Kross star Chris Kelly, authorities in Atlanta say they are investigating the case as a possible drug overdose.
An autopsy is planned for Thursday morning, but police are already looking at drugs as a cause after Kelly, 34, was found unresponsive in his home on Monday, Fulton County police Cpl. Kay Lester told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Meanwhile, Kelly's mother, Donna Kelly Pratte, released a joint statement with Kris Kross's former record label, So So Def, mourning Kelly's death.
![]() |
Kris Kross Member Chris Kelly Dies at 34
Originally posted 05/01/2013 10:25PM
Chris Kelly – half of the 1990s kid rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most memorable songs with the frenetic "Jump" – has died, according to authorities. He was 34.
Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said Kelly was pronounced dead around 5 p.m. Wednesday at the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center.
Honey said authorities are unsure of Kelly's cause of death and that an autopsy has yet to be performed.
![]() |
George Jones Funeral to Be Open to the Public
Originally posted 04/29/2013 09:05AM
A public funeral will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville for country music superstar George Jones, who died Friday at the age of 81.
Publicist Kirt Webster said in a statement that the public funeral will be held Thursday starting at 10 a.m. Webster says Jones would have wanted his fans everywhere to be able to pay their respects along with his family.
A private visitation for family, friends and fellow performers will take place Wednesday evening. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to the Grand Ole Opry trust fund or the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
– Associated Press
![]() |
Kenny Chesney: George Jones Was Real, Tortured and More Alive Than Anyone
Originally posted 04/26/2013 05:30PM
With the passing of country icon George Jones, many will remember the singer's mythical stories of hard-living and never showing up for concerts.
But Kenny Chesney says his friend was a supportive force in his life when he was just starting his career. And he recalls opening up for Jones during his reunion tour with Tammy Wynette in 1995.
"I thought I'd made it," Chesney said in a statement Friday. "Then one night, George asked me if I was heading home because he and [his wife] Nancy had a plane, and they'd take me. I remember sitting on that jet, thinking, 'This can't be happening.' Because he was George Jones and I was some kid from nowhere. I'm sure he knew, but he was generous to kids chasing the dream and I never forgot it."
![]() |
George Jones Remembered by Country Stars
Originally posted 04/26/2013 12:45PM
He was the "greatest singer of all time," according to Brad Paisley, and on Friday, legendary singer George Jones's passing had the country community remembering him fondly. Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and others took to Twitter to share their love and respect of the singer, who died at age 81 Friday.
Jones was scheduled to start his farewell tour this May, culminating with a final concert this November in Nashville, Tenn. Tickets were already sold out for the show which was to include Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Rogers, Kid Rock and Cyndi Lauper.
See how the country music community has mourned the loss of George Jones and honored the life he lived.
Top 5 Most Voted Stories
-
sad
Robert Pattinson Moves Belongings Out of Kristen Stewart's House
-
wow
Kellie Pickler on Flawless DWTS Freestyle: 'I Let All of My Walls Down'
-
love
Brad Pitt Recalls the Moment He Decided to Stop Wasting His Life
-
sad
Children Pulled from Rubble After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
-
love
Teacher Saves Several Students During Oklahoma Tornado by Lying on Top of Them
Top 10 News Categories
The most buzzed about stars this minute!
Treat Yourself! 4 Preview Issues
More On People.com
Got a News Tip?
Send it to our People.com editors!
News Archive











