obituaries

Politics & Government

Congressman Paul Mitchell Refused To Be Defined By His President — Or His Party

4:55pm August 17, 2021

Former member of Congress Paul Mitchell has died after battling cancer. From Michigan, Mitchell left the GOP in opposition to Trump's claims of election fraud.

Music & Culture

Remembering Grammy-Winning Folk Singer-Songwriter Nanci Griffith

7:53am August 14, 2021

Singer Kathy Mattea remembers Nanci Griffith with NPR's Scott Simon. Griffith, a beloved singer-songwriter, died Aug. 13 at age 68.

Nanci Griffith performs in London in 2012. She died Friday in Nashville at age 68.

Music & Culture

Nanci Griffith Has Died. The Texas Singer-Songwriter Was 68

11:28pm August 13, 2021

She was celebrated in folk and country-music circles for her crystalline voice and storytelling skill.

Chucky Thompson Soundtracked The '90s, And Brought His City For The Ride

4:40pm August 10, 2021

Chucky Thompson, one of the original Bad Boy "Hitmen" and producer for The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, died Monday, leaving behind a legacy that starts and ends in his home of Washington, D.C.

Peter Rehberg, who ran the experimental music label Editions Mego, at his last Boston performance as Pita in 2019.

Peter Rehberg, Influential Electronic Musician And Label Head, Has Died At 53

2:27pm August 10, 2021

by Steve Smith

Recording as Pita and under his own name, Peter Rehberg made groundbreaking albums and pursued diverse collaborations, and he documented a flourishing experimental scene on his Editions Mego label.

Chucky Thompson at a screening of the 2010 movie Takers in Washington D.C.

Notorious B.I.G., Nas And Mary J. Blige Producer Chucky Thompson Dies At 53

10:07am August 10, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

Thompson, a member of Bad Boy Records' so-called "Hitmen," had a hand in such hits as "Big Poppa" and "One Mic."

Markie Post, who played the public defender in the 1980s sitcom "Night Court," has died at age 70 after a years-long battle with cancer.

Arts

Markie Post, Who Was Known For Her Role On 'Night Court,' Has Died At Age 70

8:35am August 09, 2021

by The Associated Press

Post was a longtime television regular who appeared in shows from "Cheers" to "Scrubs." But she was best known for her seven-season run as the public defender on NBC's "Night Court."

Dennis Thomas performs with Kool & the Gang at a 2008 concert in Bethlehem, Pa.

Music & Culture

Kool & The Gang Co-Founder Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas Has Died At Age 70

9:32pm August 07, 2021

by The Associated Press

Thomas, a founding member of the long-running band known for soul-funk hits like "Celebration," played a trio of instruments and served as the Gang's emcee.

Arts

Remembering Inventor And TV Pitchman Ron Popeil

1:40pm August 06, 2021

by Terry Gross

Popeil, who died July 28, was an infomercial pioneer whose products included the Chop-O-Matic, the Veg-O-Matic, the smokeless ashtray and many other household gadgets. Originally broadcast in 1993.

Queue Listen Now

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka Dies At 72

6:25am August 06, 2021

by Andrea Hsu

Labor leader Richard Trumka died suddenly on Thursday. He's remembered by colleagues and friends as a tireless champion of workers' rights. President Biden called Trumka a very close friend.