ILOSM family, today a true Queen has taken her final bow. The ever-so-graceful, iconic actress, Cicely Tyson, passed away today (January 28, 2021). Her manager, Larry Thompson, confirmed this heartbreaking news.

Although not much was revealed regarding Ms. Tyson’s death, here’s what her manager shared via CNN:

She was 96. A family statement did not reveal the cause of death.
“I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing,” Thompson said in a written statement.

Cicely Tyson’s New Memoir: “Cicely Tyson: Just As I Am”

Ms. Tyson was so full of life, and still working up through her last days. She even recently released her memoir about her amazing career and life, “Cicely Tyson: Just As I Am,” on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Her manager spoke about that as well:

“Cicely thought of her new memoir as a Christmas tree decorated with all the ornaments of her personal and professional life,” Thompson said. “Today she placed the last ornament, a Star, on top of the tree.”

“The Most Important Thing That Could Happen To Me”

As we all know, Cicely Tyson was the true definition of poise, grace, dignity, talent, bravery, and class. Her depth of acting ability showed no boundaries. We’ve watched her transform from a ‘school teacher’ in the comedy, “Bustin’ Loose,” alongside Richard Pryor; to a ‘former slave’ in the heart-wrenching drama, “The Autobiography of Jane Pittman,” to nearly every other type of role in between. However, Ms. Tyson once revealed that her most prized accomplishment was not on the big screen, but it was in fact a BIG accolade…as a result of her hard work on the big screen and beyond.

It was the day former President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal Of Freedom, which Tyson referred to as “the most important thing that could happen to me.”

“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history,” Obama stated as he was presenting the Medal to the acting icon.

Ms. Tyson was still in awe of that moment well after Obama draped the Medal Of Freedom around her neck:

“I am one of three children, grew up in the area that is now known as El Barrio and that was the East Side (of New York),” she confessed to Steve Harvey. “To come from there to the White House with the first black President … to put that medal around my neck: Where can you go from there?”

Thank You Ms. Tyson

Cicely Tyson’s resume’ runs lengthy, with her career starting out as a fashion model in the 1950’s, before becoming an actress by the 1960s. And as we’re all aware, fashion never left her personal make-up as a fashionista, she was always dressed fresh from head to toe well into her 90’s.

Thank you Ms. Tyson for the decades of grace you’ve displayed as a history setting African American woman, a profound talent, and genuinely good human at heart. Rest well, rest in peace, and rest in power, after a job well done here on earth.

The post Rest In Power: The Iconic Cicely Tyson Passes Away At 96, Her Manager Speaks Out appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

We have heartbreaking news to share I Love Old School Music fam.’ Actress, Marion Ramsey, has passed away unexpectedly, at the age of 73. Marion is best known for her role as “Officer Laverne Hooks,” the squeaky voiced, timid police officer from the classic “Police Academy” movies.

Her agency confirmed that she died in her Los Angeles, CA home on Thursday, January 7, 2020. Variety also reported the following details:

Roger Paul of Roger Paul Inc., the agency that managed Ramsey, confirmed the news to Variety. Ramsey had recently fallen ill, but her exact cause of death is currently undetermined.

Though Marion’s passing is incredibly tragic and heartbreaking, we’re forever grateful for the many laughs she brought to millions throughout the years. Remember how Ramsey used to have us rollin’ on the floor laughing every time she would speak, or rather, whisper? And when “Captain Harris” would get fed up with her voice, it was hilarious.

It wasn’t until “Officer Hooks” finally belted out “Don’t move dirt bag!” in one of the “Police Academy” installments, that we really got to see her true aggression surface. Now that we took that trip back down 1980’s memory lane, let’s take a look at what Marion Ramsey is looking like these days.

We’d recently reported how well Marion Ramsey was doing in recent years, which is now another reminder that none of us know what tomorrow will bring, so lets all do our best to cherish each day and every one of our loved ones.

In case you missed our prior report, below are the pics and info we shared about Ms Ramsey…

In recent years, Marion Ramsey had largely stepped away from the glitz and limelight of Hollywood, but a while back she revealed that there was going to be a “Police Academy” in the works, though there was no further info provided on that project. Throughout the years since we last saw her on the big screen, Marion had also starred in several musical stage plays, such as “Cinderella,” “Grind,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Eubie” and “Scarlett/Gone With the Wind.” Her first non-musical stage play was in 2011 when she was the main star in a theatrical play centered around the Iraq war called “Operation Counter Men.”

Although she’d somewhat backed away from the big screen, she hadn’t backed away from the mic. Many people didn’t know that Marion was also a singer and she was always up for the challenge when it came to singing a song. That is exactly what happened when she was put up to the challenge and asked to sing at a venue where she nailed Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “Simply The Best.” Most were not expecting her high pitched voice to sound like this…

The post R.I.P.: “Police Academy” Legend, Marion Ramsey, Passes Away At 73 appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

She is none other than the late, beautiful Michelle Thomas, the actress who is best known for her roles as “Theo’s” girlfriend, “Justine,” on The Cosby Show, as “Myra,” “Steve Urkel’s” girlfriend on Family Matters, and as “Callie” on The Young and the Restless.

Back in the day many people never knew that Michelle was Dennis Thomas’ daughter, which meant she did a great job at building her own brand, without leaning on her father’s name. Her mother, Phynjuar Thomas, is also an actress and was Michele’s acting coach throughout her entire career.

The Cause Of Michelle’s Passing

Unfortunately, Michelle sadly passed away at the young age of 30. In August 1997, she was diagnosed with a very rare form of stomach cancer, called a intra-abdominal desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor.

In the spring of 1998, she had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a lemon, just before she got the part for her role as “Callie” on The Young and the Restless. In October 1998, Michelle had to have another surgery after a second cancerous growth appeared. Upon her release from the hospital, Thomas flew home to New Jersey to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

SEE WHAT MICHELLE’S MOTHER DESCRIBED ABOUT THE WONDERFUL THINGS SHE DID IN HER LAST DAYS>>>

The post This Kool & The Gang Member’s DAUGHTER Was A Popular “COSBY SHOW” ACTRESS! appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Passed Away 2 Years Apart- Murder & Illness

On May 11, 2004, John Whitehead (pictured above on the right) was fatally shot to death in what cops believe is a case of mistaken identity. He was outside his Philadelphia home working on a car when two gunmen shot at him multiple times and ten fled the scene. He was 55 years young.

On January 27, 2006, Gene McFadden (pictured above on the left) died of liver and lung cancer after battling the disease for two years. He was 56 when he passed away and he left behind his wife Barbara, two sons, and two daughters.

As teenagers, McFadden & Whitehead formed a group, called The Epsilons, were discovered by Otis Redding and toured with him up until he and 4 of the 6 members of the band, The Barkay’s tragic death in a 1967 plane crash.
The duo went on to join Philly International Records, and wrote several hits, including “Back Stabbers” for the The O’Jays, “I’ll Always Love My Momma”, “Bad Luck”, “Wake Up Everybody”, “Where Are All My Friends”, “The More I Get, The More I Want”, and “Cold, Cold World”. They also worked with a list of soul music heavy hitters such as Freddie Jackson, Gloria Gaynor, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Gladys Knight, Melba Moore, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls, Archie Bell & The Drells, Jerry Bell and The Intruders.

With all that they’ve accomplished, we’re not sure why this wasn’t covered more in mainstream media at the time of their deaths, but McFadden & Whitehead’s legacies definitely deserve their proper acknowledgement. That’s why we wanted to make sure we brought the details surrounding their tragic deaths to our ILOSM community, for those of you who may not know. Some of us over here didn’t know this info either, so don’t feel bad, it happens.
McFadden & Whitehead may not have been “newsworthy” enough for the mainstream corporate news programs to cover, but they will FOREVER be etched into the hearts of us, soul music lovers. May they continue to rest peacefully.

The post Did You Know The “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” Singers Died Very Tragic Deaths? Details… appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

*SCROLL DOWN FOR TOMMY’S AUDIO*

It’s sad that he even had to consider his death at such a young age (52), but Tommy seemed to be a realist and was okay with looking at the unfortunate fact that not many “Black men live to be 102,” as he stated. But it’s still very eery to know that he almost seemed to be expecting his death to happen soon and lo and behold, what you are about to hear is his last opportunity to do an interview, which was with Xcellence Community Magazine founder, Dr. Angella Banks. TMZ obtained a copy of Tommy’s interview, check it out below…

Tommy always jokingly said “I got a job dawg!” because he said so many fans always asked him something about having a job, because of his character on “Martin.” But Tommy never seemed to mind that comparison and that’s a beautiful thing.

Well now Tommy’s job here is done and an excellent job it was indeed…not just with his acting career, but with his role as a father; a man who lived by his personal morals, never compromising them for anyone; and as his close friend Martin Lawrence said, “Tommy was a great man and friend…who always brought his positive attitude and so much joy” everywhere he touched down. Tommy Mykal Ford rest easy King.

REMINISCE WITH US ILOSM FAMILY…

[kkgallery kid=”2544″ title=”Listen To Tommy Speak Of His Own Death In His LAST Interview So Sad”]

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Cole’s funeral was held at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Glendale, CA. and her casket was closed, with many white flowers adorning her it and a large photo of Natalie next to it.

One of the most touching and beautiful scenes of Natalie Cole’s entire funeral, was the fact that her only child, her son Robbie Yancy, was a part of the band that was providing the music throughout the services. Robbie helped to send his mother off by playing through his pain and honoring his mother and her legacy by giving with something she deeply loved- beautiful music.

Many celebrities, such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie, Gladys Knight, Jessie Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Angela Bassett and her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance, David Foster (Natalie Cole’s longtime producer), Judge Johnny Mathis, and more attended. Several of them spoke at the funeral to express their condolences to Natalie’s family and reminisce about the good memories they shared with her. The funeral was more like a celebration of her life and it was filled with a mixture of tears, laughter and music, as the world said their final goodbyes to Ms. Cole.

Natalie’s son, Robbie, and Natalie’s twin sisters, Timolin and Casey spoke at the funeral.

Smokey Robinson also spoke at the funeral and revealed to the crowd of a few hundred people:
“I feel so blessed to have called you my friend, and my buddy, and many times my confidante. You are so real and down to Earth. Now I have to say you’re so real and up to heaven.”

Natalie passed away on New Year’s Eve (12-31-2015) from pulmonary arterial hypertension, which ultimately led to heart failure. She will be buried next to her parents, brother, and sister at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Natalie Cole will be sorely missed and we will end this with this powerful message Natalie once spoke in a 2008 interview with people Magazine, after she’d gone through her health scare with Hepatitis C:

“You shouldn’t have regrets,” Cole said. “I’d say instead that I’ve learned a lot of lessons. Yes, I could have handled some things better. But they’ve also made me who I am today. I like myself so much more than I did even five years ago. I can’t think of anything I wish I hadn’t done, even with this hepatitis.”

Well said Ms. Cole. Rest well Queen.

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM NATALIE COLE’S FUNERAL ON THE NEXT PAGE…

The post R&B Legends Gave Natalie Cole An Unforgettable Send Off At Her Funeral appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Caldwell passed away yesterday (1-5-2016) at the age of 71 years young. He was ill for a while, but 6 months ago his conditioned worsened. (SEE THE OPEN LETTER THAT NICHOLAS CALDWELL POSTED ABOUT HIS HEALTH IN JUNE ON PAGE 2…THAT WAS HIS LAST OFFICIAL UPDATE). We have little info right now, but here is what has been confirmed so far…

Here’s what TMZ reported:

The group’s manager tells TMZ Caldwell was found Tuesday night by his wife at their home in Stockton, CA. We’re told Nicholas has had heart problems in the past and had a pacemaker inserted about a year ago but it’s unclear at this point exactly what led to his death.

Caldwell had also taken a break from the group over the last year to get better in hopes of returning to the stage with the group’s other three members.

Our condolences are with Nicholas Caldwell’s family and the remaining three Whispers members during their time of grief, we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Caldwell is resting peacefully now – no pain, no struggle, just peace, and we thank him for leaving us with precious old school memories that will forever be a part of the soundtrack to our lives. Sleep well Caldwell.

The post R.I.P.: Member Of The Whispers Suddenly Passes Away At 71, Details… appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

It’s been a few days now since we lost Ms. Cole on December 31, 2015, and it’s still very difficult for many of us diehard Natalie Cole fans to digest the fact that the “This Will Be” Queen has made her grand exit from this earth. Natalie has given us so much emotionally through song, that it takes a special singer to be able to give back to her emotionally in the same manner that she gave to all of us while she was here.
Well as you already know, Aretha can take us to chuuurch no matter where she’s performing and at 73 years young, she did just that for her soul music colleague, Natalie Cole. Watch the video below of Aretha Franklin singing “Inseparable” and let’s all remember and pay homage to the legendary Ms. Cole…

Overall, it was such a beautiful moment to see one legend pay homage to another legend. May Natalie Cole rest easy, she will most definitely be sorely missed.

The post Aretha Pays Touching Tribute To Natalie Cole, Brings Crowd To Their Feet appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Here is what they revealed to MailOnline:

Casey Cole said she and twin sister Timolin, 54,  had flown out to Los Angeles to be with their seriously ill sibling over the festive period.

The family, including Cole’s son Robert Yancy, enjoyed several days together during which Cole thanked them for their support, saying, “I love you all.”

And Casey 54, who is now back home in Boca Raton, Florida, revealed her sister had son Robert by her side when she died in hospital on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s heartbreaking, she’s fought a very long battle and she’s at peace now. She passed last night [12-31-2015] and we were not with her as we are back in Florida, but she was in hospital with her son Robert, he was by her side.”

Casey, who plans to fly back to LA in the coming days, added: “My twin sister Timolin and I were with Natalie at Christmas time as a family. She told us that she loved us all.”

“We’re all heartbroken, I’ll miss my sister very much. We’re suffering but she’s not. She’s in heaven now and she’s ringing in the new year in ways we don’t know.”

Timolin and Casey are the youngest children of Nat King Cole and their mother, Maria Cole.
Although we may never understand why some people have to leave this earth so soon, there is nothing more beautiful than having the pure, genuine love of their loved ones right by their side, helping them to make their transition.

Natalie Cole offered all of us a candid piece of her life, let us into her soul, and in many ways, helped to heal pain through her music. That was the greatest gift she could have ever offered to the world and now her family has given her one of the greatest gifts anyone could ask for.
The last gift Natalie has left us with is an oftentimes much needed reminder of just how precious and short life really is. Let’s kiss and hug those we love a little tighter today, let’s be sure we tell them those three loving words, and if we are on bad terms with any of our loved ones, let’s do our part to bridge that gap with them and reconnect. Life is too unpredictable to let another day go by without trying.

Thank you for the reminder and for all that you have given us Ms. Cole. Rest well Queen.

The post The Twin Sisters Of Natalie Cole Reveal Her Last Words appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

ILOSM fam’ unfortunately we have more sad news to report. It seems like we’re losing many of the Old School greats. Errol Brown, the lead singer of the 70’s/80’s group, Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 71 from liver cancer. I’m sure many of you remember their hit lyrics: “I believe in miracles where you from, you sexy thing…”

Brown passed away at his home in the Bahamas and tributes have already begun to pour in from devastated fans. His manager, Phil Dale, confirmed the sad news today and he said that Brown was “a wonderful gentleman”.

Brown and the rest of Hot Chocolate gained success in the 70’s and 80’s and their career was revived in 1997 when their song “You Sexy Thing” was featured in the movie, Full Monty.

Their other big hit was “Every 1’s A Winner” as many of you from the Old School probably remember.

Our condolences go out to Errol Brown’s family and loved ones. May he rest well and his legacy continue to live on.
 

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