FAREWELL, ANDY GRIFFITH.

Andy Griffith (L) with Don Knotts and a young Ron Howard

Television Icon Andy Griffith passed away earlier this morning at his home in Manteo, North Carolina. Know best for his starring Role on CBS' The Andy Griffith Show in the '60s and also ABC and NBC Legal-Drama Series Matlock which ran from the mid '80s-'90s, he also won a GRAMMY Award in 1997 for his Gospel Disc, I Love to Tell the Story.

Much of my Summer Vacations as a Kid involved sitting around in the morning watching Re-Runs of The Andy Griffith Show and even though the Show was before my time, the fact that it still held that appeal and relevance many years after are a true indication of Griffith's status as a Pop Culture Icon. He was last seen in 2009 Comedy Play the Game as a widowed Grandfather who gets dating tips and tricks from his Grandson. Griffith will be missed dearly and is remembered fondly.

Although many of us never got a chance to hear it, Griffith recorded a full Version of the Theme Song to The Andy Griffith Show.

Listen to it in full below:

DONNA SUMMER: DISCO DIVA PASSES AWAY AT AGE 63

Donna Summer

Terribly saddened to hear about the passing of Disco Queen Donna Summer, whom at the age of 63 succumbed to a Battle with Cancer. The five-time GRAMMY Winner rose to fame in the mid-'70s, known best for Classics Love to Love You Baby, Hot Stuff, I Feel Love, Bad Girls, MacArthur Park, She Works Hard for the Money and many more. 

Summer can be credited for paving the way for many of today's Dance-Pop Divas into the Mainstream and her influence can be heard in the likes of Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Rihanna and Beyoncé - the latter who sampled Love to Love You Baby with 2003's Naughty Girl.

She is survived by Husband Bruce Sudano and her three Daughters: Amanda, Brookyln and Mimi.

I want to remember Summer for the happy memories her Music gives me. 1989's This Time I Know It's For Real is a personal fave of mine:

DICK CLARK PASSES AWAY AT AGE 82

Dick Clark

Before Ryan Seacrest there was Dick Clark. Before Dick Clark, there was no Dick Clark. Farewell to a Legend. I fondly recall spending weekends as a Toddler watching American Bandstand on weekends and I don't believe all this time has passed since those days. Even more, I don't believe that TV Producer, Host and Icon Clark had passed away this morning at age 82, suffering a Heart Attack just one day after undergoing an Outpatient Procedure at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.

Celebrities have been vocal in their condolences for Clark and his Family including Seacrest, who widely is acknowledged as Clark's modern day Successor, now hosting Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. Seacrest Tweeted earlier, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life."

Janet Jackson also says, "Dick Clark changed the face of musical television. He was wonderful to many artists including our family. We will miss him. God bless.". Joan Rivers, who was just in Toronto this past weekend doing an appearance on The Shopping Channel Tweeted "Very sad to hear about Dick Clark. What a great life. What a great career. Relevant until the end. He will be missed!".Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper's Tweeted, "What a career Dick Clark had! What a life! My thoughts are with his family and friends.".

Madonna took to Facebook to make a rare statement stating succinctly, "Rest in peace. You will be missed", also posting a Video of her appearing on American Bandstand earlier in her Career.

Watch the Video below:

WHITNEY HOUSTON REPORTED DEAD

Whitney Houston

After several hoaxes over the years, we are saddened to learn that Whitney Houston passed away earlier today at age 48. Publicist Kristen Foster confirmed the Singer/Actress' death earlier today to the Associated Press, which soon after was reported also by other outlets including TMZ, CTV, Courier Mail and CBC.

The six-time GRAMMY Winner who has sold over 170 million Albums and Singles worldwide, only recently completed work in Detroit on her next Film Sparkle, in which she stars alongside American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks.  The Musical is scheduled to hit theatres this August and Houston also served as Executive Producer.

No cause of death has been listed but we do know now that she was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM PAC at the Beverly Hilton Hotel as confirmed by TMZ. Houston's fight with Drug Addiction  is well-documented and many are saying this is a contributing factor.  She leaves behind her Daughter Bobbi Kristina, now 18. Tragic.

Houston's Music has provided much of the Soundtrack of my Life growing-up and I regret deeply never getting the opportunity to hear her beautiful voice in-person.  This is deeply saddening and her Legacy will last forever.  She came from an era when Artists could sell Albums by the millions because truly her Music was worth buying.  I hope that others going through struggles with their own personal demons will learn from Houston's example.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

FAREWELL, STEVE JOBS.

Billy & I shared an Apple in memory of a Man who changed the World with his talent, drive and ambition.  Steve Jobs, thank you for your making a difference. 

You made my World a better place.

xW&b

FARWELL, JACK LAYTON.

Olivia Chow, Mr. Will-W. & Jack Layton - July 14, 2004

NDP Leader Jack Layton passed away early this morning in his Chinatown home. Only 61 years-old, the Politician was said to be surrounded by his Family and Loved Ones. It is under his guidance that the NDP, in a country divided mostly by Conservatives and Liberals, grew into a force to be reckoned with.

Layton battled Prostate Cancer victoriously in 2010, only tragically to be diagnosed with a new type of Cancer earlier this year. This came soon after he led the NDP to the pinnacle of its success in the 2011 Election with 31 per cent of the popular vote, 59 seats in Quebec and 44 other seats across the Country.

I had the honour of meeting Layton along with his beautiful Wife, MP and former City Councillor Olivia Chow, at an ATM of all places in Little Italy back in Summer 2004. Standing right behind me in-line, I struck-up a conversation with them telling them how I had voted NDP in the Federal Election the month prior. I recall them being lots of fun and after telling them my name, they were so gracious and appreciative of my support. Chow even remembered my name when I saw her on a second occasion a few years after. We even took a Photo together on my Cell Phone which made my Friends on Friendster (the Facebook of 2004 for all you young ones) extremely jealous.

Click here to read more about the heroic Layton. His endless optimism, passion and spirit will be remembered.  Voice your appreciation and condolences to Layton on his Facebook Page.

THANK YOU, AMY WINEHOUSE.

Mr. Will-W. & Amy Winehouse

It is with great sadness that I learned of Amy Winehouse's death earlier today.  Found deceased in her North London home, many are saying that she had died of a Drug Overdose, although Autopsy reports will soon confirm her actual cause of death.

Winehouse's Back to Black to this day remains one of my favourite Albums of all time and she will never know how much she helped her Fans around the World overcome their own broken hearts with her Music. What makes this so much more tragic is that Winehouse herself never was able to overcome her own Heartbreak.  

Back to Black was released at a rough time in my life.  I was coming out of Cancer treatment and like Winehouse was trying my best to get over someone who was wrong for me.  Songs like Back to Black, Just Friends, Love is a Losing Game and Tears Dry on their Own taught me that it was okay to not settle for an ordinary love and that I wasn't alone in my fight to at least try to feel okay.

ACTOR JEFF CONAWAY PASSES AWAY

Jeff Conaway

The Los Angeles Times reports that Grease Star Jeff Conaway passed away earlier today after having been in an induced Coma for the past two weeks. He was suffering from Pneumonia and Sepsis and was removed from life support.

The Actor known best for his work on the Musical Motion Picture Grease as Kenickie and Television Series Taxi, was more recently seen on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, being treated for addictions to Alcohol, Cocaine and Painkillers. Conaway was 60 years old.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)

CANADIAN TV PERSONALITY KEN KOSTICK PASSES ON

Ken Kostick

Sad news. One of Canada's favourite TV Personalities Ken Kostick passed away yesterday due to Brain Damage resulting from Acute Pancreatitis (sudden inflammation of the Pancreas). He was 58 years-old only and is survived by his Partner, Desi Cabrera.

Many of us remember Kostick for his Cookbooks and of course his turn on Life Network's What's for Dinner? with longtime Co-host Mary Jo Eustace, who I caught-up with in Toronto earlier this week.  More recently the Pair were seen on W Network's He Said, She Said.  

In addition to appearing on Television, Kostick was the Host of What's for Breakfast? on PROUD-FM, where I had the pleasure of interacting with him and he was a lovely Man whose positive energy spread to and was felt by those around him.  He will be missed.

(Photo credit: Corus Entertainment)

DAME ELIZABETH TAYLOR PASSES AWAY

Dame Elizabeth Taylor

After a long and v. public battle with her Health, Dame Elizabeth Taylor has passed-on peacefully at 79 years of age. 

The two-time Oscar Winner and HIV/AIDs Activist “was surrounded by her Children, Michael Wilding, Chistopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton” stated her Publicist, Sally Morrison. Taylor suffered from congestive heart failure just six weeks ago.

I hope we can all remember her for her contributions to Women in Cinema, not the controversy.  You will be missed, Elizabeth.

LESLIE NIELSEN, DEAD AT AGE 84

Leslie Nielsen

Global News has confirmed that Regina-born comedic legend Leslie Nielsen had passed away today at 5:30 PM due to complications from Pneumonia in Fort Lauderdale, while sleeping; he was 84 years-old and still actively working.

Nielsen is known best for his gutt-achingly funny turns in Comedy franchises like Airplane! and The Naked Gun, both childhood favourites for many of us who grew up in the '80s.

Mr. Nielsen, you will be missed sadly and we're proud to call you a Canadian.

FAREWELL, RUE MCCLANAHAN.

Actress Rue McClanahan, known most for her work on sitcom The Golden Girls passed away this morning at 11:00 AM with her family by her side.  McClanahan was 76 years old and suffered her second stroke since January.  Blanche Devereaux, you are the original Samantha Jones and will be in our memories forever. 

SIMON MONJACK, WIDOWER OF BRITTANY MURPHY DIES

This is absolutely tragic.  Simon Monjack, widowed husband of Brittany Murphy, passed away last night in the couple's home just five months after Murphy's untimely death.  Monjack had a history of heart problems and the Los Angeles Police had indicated he died of "natural causes", not "criminal activity" or "foul play".  This hasn't stopped many sources and blogs from pointing quickily to his death being the result of a Drug Overdose.  It's cruel that we live in a world in which media still continue to feed off of death instead of respecting life and its fragility.

This is an example of life imitating art.  Monjack's obsession with Celebrity and untimely death was illustrated in his screenplay for The Weinstein Co.'s excellent film Factory Girl (2006).  The film followed the story of socialite Edie Sedgwick and her quick rise to fame.  She was manipulated and used by Pop Art Guru Andy Warhol, the same man who made her a star; she fell subsequently due to drug and alcohol dependency.  Like Sedgwick, both Murphy and Monjack passed away far before their time and were victims of the cruel, ugly side of Celebrity.  To read a non-assuming, less-biased accounting of the incident, click here. (Photo credit: Associated Press)

FAREWELL, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

As you might be aware, four-time British Designer of the Year winner Alexander McQueen passed away early this morning.  Although still unconfirmed, early reports are saying he was found hanged in his London flat, just over a week after his mother's death. 

There were indications of a downward spiral on his Twitter page, but it has since been deactivated.  His last message on February 7th stated he had an "awful week.... and friends have been great....now i have to some how pull myself together".

Lady Gaga of course has been McQueen's greatest champion in the public eye of late, wearing his pieces in her Bad Romance music video and also at her much talked about MTV VMAs performance.

The fashion world has lost two of its brightest stars over the past three months, including rising supermodel Daul Kim just this past November.  Regardless of your stature in this world, nobody has the right to abuse life. Ending your own life is the greatest disservice to humanity.  40 years on this planet is far too short.  Farewell, Alexander.

SO LONG, BRITTANY MURPHY

This is really sad news. Brittany Murphy is reported first by quasi-reliable source TMZ.Com, to have passed away this morning in Los Angeles due to cardiac arrest. Her mother discovered her body in the shower. The 32 year-old actress had starred in some of the most important films of our generation including Girl Interrupted, 8 Mile, Clueless and Sin City. A few of her recent films featured some of her best work yet including romantic comedy Love and Other Disasters which never saw a North American release, but fared very well at TIFF '06 and The Dead Girl, in which she won a fair amount of acclaim despite few people seeing it. Above this, she also scored a number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 2006 with her Paul Oakenfold collaboration, Faster Kill Pussycat. A talented young woman and grossly underrated. You will be remembered, Brittany.

FAREWELL, HAYDAIN NEALE

At just 39 years-old, one of Canada's most successful soul/R&B artists Haydain Neale of BMG Records Canada act Jacksoul, passed away yesterday. He had undergone a very private seven month-long battle with Lung Cancer. Jacksoul are responsible for hits in Canada like Someday and Can't Stop, which still get a considerable amount of airplay on Adult Contemporary/Hot Adult Contemporary radio.

I had the pleasure of meeting Neale on a couple occasions and remember him as being a very down-to-earth guy. This picture to the left is one of I took of him and a friend at a party I attended late 2006. He also recorded occasionally at my producer Robin's studio here in Toronto and I remember Robin calling me one day to tell me that he played Neale one of my earlier tracks titled I Won't Understand for him. Neale liked the track a lot and told Robin to pass on the word to me to "keep up the good work". Although very indirect, it is a memory that sticks in my head to this day. It encouraged me to stick at it with my own music.

This is all so sudden. I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Neale. Jacksoul are to release their new album SOULmate December 1, 2009 in Canada.